Tag Archives: Paris Perfect

A Perfect Paris Stay

21 Nov

Paris is replete with hotels of all sizes and stars.  For a special occasion such an anniversary or a ?th birthday, the fabulous George V or the elegant Shangri-La would make a fine choice for celebrating in luxurious style. (Take note, Hubby.)  Celebrations aside, I prefer to stay in an apartment where I can pretend, if only for a week, that I am a true resident of Paris.  Rental services abound as well, and I have settled on Paris Perfect as my all-in-one agency for enjoying a stress-free stay in the City of Light.  I have stayed in four of their beautifully decorated apartments over the last year and a half, and this is a picture of the entryway of the Chassagne apartment a friend and I will be sharing in March. Located in the Latin  Quarter, great shops and restaurants are all around our home-for-a-week, plus it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Musee d’Orsay.  (little happy dance.)  Company owners, Philippe and Madelyn, began Paris Perfect fifteen years ago as their way of sharing their deeply rooted love of Paris.  Rentals range in size from studios for one or two people to three bedrooms, which sleep up to eight and are perfect for a family vacation or a much-deserved girls’ trip.  The living room of the Chassagne will provide plenty of space for us to relax after a long day of cooking class/touristy stuff.

Eating out at every meal can get pricey, so it will help to have our very own kitchen, complete will the ultra-cool Nepresso coffee maker. (Good coffee is hard to find in Paris.)  Then again, if we decide to hit one of the many popular restaurants nearby, the folks at Paris Perfect can always make a reservation for us.  I told you it can be stress-free.

I have had such great experiences with these folks that I wanted to sing their praises.  Check them out before your next trip to Paris–you’ll be dreaming of a la vie Parisienne  in no time at all.

 

“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.  Travel too fast and you will miss all you are traveling for.”–Louis L’Amour

Paris for first-timers

8 Aug IMG_0220
Eiffel Tower Carousel

Eiffel Tower Carousel | Photo by: thelastminute – Flickr

As travelers, we’ve all done it: we venture to a new city, our guidebooks recommendations in hand, only to find out later that we missed out on some good stuff that never makes it into those books, so when my friend, Kim, asked me what she  should do on her first trip to Paris, I started a list that just keeps on growing, and includes both some must-see’s and some good stuff.  She has just one week in the City of Light; I think she should spend at least two.  Just sayin’. The Eiffel Tower light show is, of course, a must-see.  The show begins after sunset and twinkles every hour on the hour until 1AM, and until 2AM in the summer.  On the grass in the Champs du Mars on a blanket along with your sweetie and a bottle of wine is the recommended viewing method. No matter the level of your shopping addiction, a visit to Galeries Lafayette is a must-see.  When you need re-feuling, head to the new Terrace Restaurant where you can dine on a menu by Fumiko Kono with desserts by Pierre Hermé while you enjoy a panoramic view of Paris.  Definitely a part of the good stuff. Near the Odéon theater, L’Avant Comptoir is a narrow, standing-room only, hors d’ouevres bar owned by Yves Cambdeborde, chef/owner of Le Comptoir du Relais next door. Order a savory or sweet crepe from the sidewalk window and head to the Luxembourg Gardens for an al fresco lunch while you enjoy the serene Medici Fountain and the beautifully manicured gardens. Good stuff.   The gourmet shops and the lovely cafés of the Rue Cler are a favorite of both locals as well as tourists.  The selections available in the cheese shop will make any frommage lover swoon.

Vins de France, vins de pays, vin pas cher, cote du rhone, vigneron indépendant, vin biologique, vin bio dynamique, vin du terroir, vin rouge, vin blanc, vin rosé, note de dégustation A wine tasting is a popular event to attend  no matter where you are, and Juan Sanchez of La Dernière Goutte/ The Last Drop offers a variety of tastings in a relaxed setting located in the 6th arrondissement.

For your foodie friends back home, a stop at Le Grand Épicerie next to Le Bon Marché is a must.  The selection of fresh ready-to-eat foods is also amazing, with choices from all over the globe.  In its current location, Le Bon Marché opened as the first department store in Paris and was designed in part by Gustave Eiffel.

After some serious haute couture shopping in the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Angelina’s across from the Tuilleries Gardens is the perfect place to enjoy the French tradition of the quatre heures/ four o’clock snack.  The hot chocolate is divine and, together with the house special, the Mont Blanc, is a sugar lover’s fantasy pairing. Definitely good stuff.

The Orsay Museum hosts a fantastic Impressionist exhibit, located on the fifth floor along with its iconic clock window.  Its Restaurant on the first floor offers a delicious menu in a truly magnificent setting.

Chef Christian Constant has become well-known for his three popular restaurants on rue Saint Dominique.  What many people do not know is that he offers  a cooking class at Café Constant on Monday evenings just prior to opening.  Run by Chef Eduardo (right), it’s really more eyes-on than hands-on, as this picture taken from the doorway of the kitchen reveals.  The place is tiny.  Best of all, you eat what they made plus enjoy carefully chosen wines with each course.  Good stuff.

The food in Paris is great, the coffee not so much, which is why the Parisians love Starbucks.  Check out this not-your-average-Starbucks near the Opéra Garnier.  
I always opt to rent an apartment and Paris Perfect is my favorite company, offering luxurious spaces in the best locations.  The English-speaking group can arrange for special occasion packages, cooking classes, French classes and more to help make your Paris experience even more memorable. Check the Paris Perfect website for details and contact information.
What’s your favorite good stuff in Paris?  Please share in the comment box below!
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