New York Habitat Blog

Few things are cozier than ducking into a fondue restaurant in Paris on a cold, blustery night. Although the hearty dish originated in Switzerland, it has become a culinary classic in France. Fondue restaurants abound in the nation’s capital, bringing together friends and families for the communal dining experience.

Fondue

Eating fondue can feel quite decadent but the rich dish’s origins are decidedly humble. Swiss villagers, without access to fresh food during the long winters in the mountains, discovered that melting old cheese, and then dipping hardened bread into it, made their stale ingredients far more edible. In fact, the word fondue is derived from the French verbs fondre (to melt) and fondu (melted).

The Swiss cooking method was adopted in the French Alps, particularly in the Savoy region, where fondue savoyarde was born. The French take on the dish contains three cheeses, Comté, Emmental and Beaufort, as well as local white wine.

For a delicious fondue savoyarde meal in Paris, and a spirited dining experience, there’s nothing like Le Refuge des Fondus in Montmartre. The tiny restaurant features only two items on the menu: Fondue Savoyarde and Fondue Bourguignonne, a meat fondue. Wine is served in baby bottles, waiters tell jokes, and guests are encouraged to write on the walls. The charming little fondue joint has been such a hit in Paris that an American version, La Cave des Fondus, recently opened in New York.

While Le Refuge des Fondus is one of a kind, it is certainly not the only place for exceptional fondue in Paris. Other noteworthy spots include Saveurs de Savoie on Rue Mouffetard, which serves classic French food, and Les Montagnards, a rustic chalet located on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Paris Accommodation 1-bedroom apartment in Montmartre (PA-1395)

If you can’t wait to warm up with some cheese and wine this winter, consider one of these great New York Habitat apartments in Paris:

- A classic 1-Bedroom vacation rental in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-1395), located near Le Refuge des Fondus and the famous Rue Lepic. The apartment is on a quiet, strictly residential street.

- An elegant 1-Bedroom duplex vacation rental in Saint Germain des Pres - St Michel - Notre Dame (PA-2509), located near the Luxembourg Gardens. The well-decorated apartment overlooks a lovely courtyard garden.

Do you have a favorite fondue recipe or restaurant? Share your comments with us!

Shopping may be the last thing on your mind after the hectic holiday season, but for bargain-hunters and fashionistas the second week in January is exactly the time to hit the stores. Starting January 9th, the entire city of Paris is transformed into a discount shoppers’ paradise with the advent of soldes (or “sales”).

Twice a year–once in winter (soldes d’hiver) and once in summer (soldes d’ete)–the French government regulates nationwide sales. Over 1,000 retailers participate in the five-week sales event, offering discounts of up to 70%. And visitors from outside of the EU can get a refund on the Value Added Tax (VAT) which adds up to extra savings.

For the second year in a row, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with the Paris City Council and the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau, have joined forces to promote “Paris by Soldes” – an event that strives to attract tourists to Paris for the bargains. Along with useful shopping tips, the official website  of Paris by Soldes features five themed shopping itineraries: Classic, Trendy, Bobo-Chic, Creative and La Fushionfashionworld. Pick the one that suits your style and plan your shopping strategy!

The best way to nab those marked-down designer duds is to stay close to the action. New York Habitat has rental accommodations available in the heart of the shopping districts. Check out:

A spacious 1 Bedroom Rental (PA-3601) located near the famous Champs-Elysees. With an elevator in the building, there’s no need to fret about getting all of those shopping bags up the stairs. And there’s an elegant bathtub to soak in after a long day of bargain hunting.

An inviting Studio Rental in Marais - Les Halles (PA-3350), just steps away from the big brand name stores along Rue Rivoli and in Le Forum des Halles shopping center.  The apartment is located on the first floor of a well-maintained walk-up building and has warm yellow-hued walls and a window that opens onto a peaceful courtyard.

An exquisite 3 Bedroom Rental in Champs Elysees (PA-791) located near the shopping avenues of Victor Hugo and the Champs-Elysees. This sprawling apartment is located on the first floor of a Haussmanian building and is elegantly furnished.

Once the frenzied holiday season has come to a close and you’ve rung in the New Year, it’s time to treat yourself to some shopping indulgences. And there’s no reason to feel guilty when you’re getting such great deals.

What’s your favorite store in Paris? Share your shopping tips and soldes experiences with us!

The river Seine is the defining characteristic of Paris. Sure the Eiffel Tower, Haussmannian boulevards and grand arches play a big role in the city’s persona, but nothing compares to the ubiqitous force of the mythic Seine. One of the most renowned rivers in the world, the Seine knifes directly through the middle of Paris, separating the old-world class of the Left Bank from the (diminishing) grit of the Right.

The Seine’s distinct amber hue is the essential color of central Paris’ pallette. Much like New York’s famed East River swimming in the Parisian Seine is an at-your-own-risk activity. Thanks to the 35 Paris bridges crossing the river swimming across the Seine is entirely unnecessary. There are few joys in Paris similar to the beauty and serenity (even amidst rush-hour traffic) of crossing the majestic river on a Paris bridge. On banks left and right New York Habitat has hundreds of rental apartments easily accessible by modern footbridge and Napoleonic pont alike.

Paris is geographically a small city and most of New York Habitat’s rental accommodations are close to the river Seine and her bridges. Those looking for the quintessential Parisian flat of modern living and classic French touch need not look further than this 3-bedroom apartment rental in St. Germain des Pres (PA-2646).

Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Halles, Opera - Le Louvre (PA-1934)

From here visitors are steps from the pedestrian bridge Pont Des Arts and the Louvre across the river. For a Latin Quarter apartment guests should take a look at this studio apartment rental in Quartier Latin, St. Michel - St. Germain des Pres - Notre Dame (PA-925). This cozy little apartment is a short walk to both the Pont St-Michel and the Petit Pont connecting the Left Bank with the La Cite island, home of the Notre Dame cathedral.

Over on the Left Bank is a spacious, airy 1-Bedroom vacation rental in Halles, Opera-Le Louvre (PA-1934). This apartment is a short walk to the famous Pont Neuf bridge, connecting the Right Bank to the La Cite island as well as the Left Bank.

Paris is all about the river Seine, if it wasn’t for the river this land-locked city would probably never exist. That said, the river crossings are as diverse as Parisians themselves and their architectural beauty and stunning views often manage to outshine the bronze river below.

What is your favorite Seine-crossing bridge? Or what other famous urban rivers rival the Seine?

The ubiquitous beauty of Paris is found on street corners and cathedral steps, on café terraces and in museum halls, on river docks and in bottles of Bordeaux. Nowhere else, though, does Paris astound like it does from above. The mingling of Haussmannian precision with medieval pragmatism can only be truly appreciated from a certain height. New York Habitat has had a presence in the French capital long enough to know that while the city looks great from street level, it transcends beauty when seen perched atop a world-class monument.

Paris Views from the street

The créme de la créme of Paris monuments is, of course, the Eiffel Tower. It is without question the symbol of Paris, and France for that matter. The views from all three pedestrian levels of the tower are stunning. From atop the tower the city seems small and, despite the hustle and bustle below, serene. As a visitor to Paris it is ones obligation to not only marvel at the structure from below, but to take in the views from the tower’s top floor. Despite its architectural celebrity, the Eiffel Tower is not the only skycraping building in town with breathtaking views.

The 56-story Montparnasse Tower features a wonderful rooftop terrace with rooftop views. The panoramic rooftop is an option for visitors looking to avoid the crowds and terribly long lines at the Eiffel tower. The Montparnasse Tower does provide something the Eiffel Tower could never offer–a view of the Eiffel Tower.

The Arc de Triomphe offers unique views on Paris’ most famous street, the Champs Elysees. Visitors to the grand arch can pay a fee of 9 Euros to step atop the arch and marvel at one of the worlds most daunting round-a-bouts and the 12 streets that fan out from the Place de l’Etoile.

The Notre Dame Cathedral, known mostly for gargoyles, hunchbacks and stained-glass also opens their rooftop to visitors. The point of view from atop the church is unique in central, Seine-side Paris.

One of the best views in all of Paris, and the cheapest, is from atop the hills of Montmartre, just in front of the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Free to anyone willing to shlep up the countless steps, Montmartre provides a natural perspective on the French capital.

Paris City Views

Up in Montmartre, a short walk from the Sacre Coeur, is this cozy 1-bedroom rental in Pigalle, Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-3630). Tucked in between the very different views of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe is this classic Parisian 2-bedroom rental in Trocadero, Auteuil-Tour Eiffel (PA-2729). And a short walking distance from Notre Dame Cathedral and the modernity of Montparnasse Tower is this studio in Quartier Latin, St Michel - St Germain - Notre Dame (PA-925).

The views from all of these Paris monuments are great. That said, often the most satisfying view for New York Habitat clients staying in Paris is from their bedroom window.

Do you have a favorite place in Paris to view the city? Is it from atop a monument, through a restaurant window or from the seat of your plane as you approach CDG airport? Comment Below.

Paris has long been known for its world-class shopping. The world’s best designers come to unveil new creations here at Fashion Week, they open their boutiques here and fashionistas flock from all over to revel in Paris chic consumerism. As New York Habitat has discovered, finding the newest shopping trends in Paris is easy, but uncovering an original antique is a bit harder and a whole lot more rewarding.

Paris Accommodation: 3 Bedroom Rental in Montparnasse - Porte de Versailles (PA-1600)

In the City of Light, the best places to treasure hunt are the centuries old flea markets de Vanves and Saint Ouen. New York Habitat’s accommodation options are close enough to the markets to make lugging purchases back home a breeze. To enter these Parisian markets is to enter a world where haggling is the preferred language and kitsch and high brow comfortably rub shoulders.

The Saint Ouen flea market is immense; in fact, it’s the world’s largest antique market. Connoisseurs of everything from silverware to textiles revel in the market’s seven hectares of space, 2,500 dealers and more than 120,000 weekend visitors. Be prepared to spend your entire day at the Saint Ouen in order to find what you’re looking for; though well organized, the speed of the market can be a bit intimidating.

At the other end of town is the less overwhelming, but nonetheless excellent, Vanves flea market. This market features 380 professional merchants displaying vintage clothing, Art Deco lighting fixtures, jewelry, books, bric-a-brac and just about everything else. At both markets be sure to bring cash, as credit cards are generally not accepted here.

Paris Accommodation: 2 Bedroom Rental in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-2365)

These two famous markets are at opposite ends of the city: Saint Ouen in the north and Vanves in the south. New York Habitat has several attractive apartment choices in the 14th arrondissement close to the Vanves market. For families visiting Paris, there is a large 3-bedroom rental apartment in Montparnasse-Porte de Versailles (PA-1600). Also in the neighborhood is this bright and leafy 1-bedroom duplex apartment in Alesia, Montparnasse-Porte de Versailles (PA-2149). Up north, in Saint Ouen’s 18th arrondissement quarter are many New York Habitat apartments. For example, this rustic and completely original 2-bedroom apartment rental in Montmartre-Sacre Coeur (PA-2365) is big enough to store plenty of flea-market buys.

Sure fromage and vin deserve to be together, but what’s a better pair than travel and literature? A good book enhances a trip and is often a better travel guide than anything Lonely Planet has to offer. New York Habitat has something for the Parisian and bibliophile in all of us, with plenty of Paris accommodations steps from France’s best English bookshops.

Paris Accommodation: 1 bedroom rental in Saint Germain Des Pres (PA-3457)

New York Habitat urges visitors to bypass the Dan Brown paperback on CDG newsstands. Paris is known for the quality of its English-language bookshops, stores offering more charm and literary range than the big chain stores stateside. Two literary standouts are Shakespeare & Co. in the shadows of Notre Dame cathedral, and Berkeley Books of Paris in the 6th arrondissement. New York Habitat has several accommodations within a short walk of both bookish hangouts.

One book worth a read on your next Paris vacation is Suite Française. The novel, written by Irene Nemirovsky, paints a vivid picture of life in France during the Second World War.

The book begins on the eve of German invasion in a city fraught with confusion, anxiety and disbelief. Parisians are under mass exile from their apartments and all but a stubborn few are heading south. While the less-fortunate walk out the gates of Paris on foot, the rich sit in a line of traffic, their cars packed with valuable cutlery and aristocratic heirlooms. The book moves to the occupation of a small Provincial town, a place where the line between patriot and collaborator is blurred. German soldiers and French townsfolk live suspiciously side by side and eventually garner feelings of resentment, reconciliation and even love.

Paris Accommodation: 3 Bedroom Rental in Quartier Latin (PA-3594)

Nemirovsky’s prose is nothing if not beautiful. Even in the ugliest of settings the author’s words and metaphors strum in harmony. Nemirovsky herself lived during the war and in 1942 was arrested, sent to Auschwitz and murdered for being a Jew. Her work, Suite Française, remained hidden and unknown for 64 years.

Pick up a copy of Suite Française at Shakespeare & Co. and head to your New York Habitat apartment just around the corner. There is:

• A large three-bedroom rental in the Quartier Latin for the globe-trotting family (PA-3594)
• A two-bedroom accommodation charmer for smaller groups in Sorbonne (PA-3233),
• An elegant one-bedroom apartment for couples or solo travelers in Saint Germain des Pres (PA-1045)
• A quirky one-bedroom apartment in the heart of St. Germain des Pres (PA 3457) down the street from Berkeley Books of Paris

What is your favorite book to read while traveling? Comment Below.

Paris has one of the world’s best public transportation systems. That said, this is a walking city. Visitors hopping on and off the Metro—skipping from one monument to the next—miss the nuances that make Paris so enjoyable. Likewise, staying in a bland hotel room does not allow you to experience the true feel of the neighborhoods of Paris in the same way as staying in an apartment. At New York Habitat, we’re committed to helping clients live like the real Parisians who bike about the city without the worry of a missed train or sore walking feet.

Bike along the Seine in Paris, France

Thanks to the efforts of Parisian mayor Bertrand Delanoe, tourists can have the pleasure of traveling around the city on brand new bicycles.

The massive public initiative titled Velib aims at cutting automobile congestion and pollution throughout the city. Under the plan, tourists may borrow bikes from one of 750 pick-up stations around the city and drop them off at any other station within 30 minutes; keep the bike longer and a small fee is applied. Joining the program is inexpensive: 1 euro a day or 5 euros for the week.

With so many pick-up stations, nearly all of New York Habitat’s Paris Vacation Rental accommodations are very close to the popular, shiny new bikes.

Paris Accommodation: 1 Bedroom Rental in Ile Saint Louis, Marais - Les Halles

Picture this Seine-side bike ride:

• Start out by waking up in this wood-beamed, one-bedroom rental apartment on the iconic Ile Saint Louis (PA 2745), pick up a Velib bike at the neighborhood station on Boulevard Bourdon, and peddle your way onto the docks of the Left Bank.
• Ride your way along the river and make sure to keep your eyes on the road as you admire Notre Dame and the Louvre across the Seine.
• Cross the river as you arrive at Les Invalides and drop your bike off at the Avenue Dutuit station just off the Champs Elysees (only the bravest, or craziest, would attempt to ride along the Champs).

Voila! From your accommodation on the Ile Saint Louis to lunch on the Champs Elysees.

If you have a favorite bike trip in Paris, let us know by commenting below.

You can find out more about bicycle programs in France via our article “Bicycle through Paris, Marseille or Aix en Provence” and more about Velib in Paris on the Jaunted Pop Culture Travel Blog.

Not only do the bikes provide a wonderful way to see Paris, but—after all the exercise—visitors can indulge guilt free on foie gras, wine and Camembert at lunch.