October in Paris - 10th Nuit Blanche 2011

As if the city of lights and love couldn't get brighter or more romantic...'Nuit Blanche' (White Night) -is the spectacular annual light show is on the 1st October 2011. Marvel at the spectacular light installations at various locations throughout the entire city while museums, galleries halls throwing open their doors all night. Its a celebration of art and culture! ... There couldn't not be a more perfect evening to amble through the rues of Paris if you're lucky enough to be there!

 Elaborate light installations, edgy performances, concerts, and unclassifiable happenings of all sorts await. 

When: Saturday, October 1st, 2011 

Where: Hundreds of locations around Paris. Visit this page at the official site to browse a map of events in Paris (French only). 

Transportation: All lines of the metro excepting line 14 will remain open until around 3:00 am for the occasion of Nuit Blanche. Metro line 14 will remain open all night long, and entrance is free for all from 9:15 pm to 5:30 am. Other metro lines re-open at around 5:30 am, making a longer night out feasible even if you're far away from the festivities.

How to Make the Most of Nuit Blanche:

• Much like the annual Nuit Blanche is best experienced by ambling. You might choose a couple must-see events and leave the remainder of the evening to chance. Treat Nuit Blanche with the avant garde spirit it represents, and remember, you, too, are part of the happening.
  
• Metro cars and night buses are likely to be crammed, especially toward the end of the night, so if feasible, plan to walk back to your hotel or apartment. Take along a good paris street map with you to stay oriented.
  
• October in Paris can be chilly and wet-- dress warmly for the occasion.    
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Nuit Blanche 2011: Main Areas:

Nuit Blanche 2011 is clustered around four main areas in Paris, with installations, video, and performances in close reach of each other.

• Around Hotel de Ville

• Batignolles-Pigalle The Northeast areas around Pigalle and Batignolles, once the haunt of artists like Toulouse-Lautrec and Edouard Manet, are hosting their own cluster of events. 

• "La Nouvelle Athenes"- Saint Georges - Also near metro Pigalle, another cluster of Nuit Blanche happenings feature video and collaborative performances 

• Montmartre The traditional artistic hotbed of Montmartre is hosting over a dozen installations and performances.

Musee de la Vie Romantique

Stumbling across Paris' quaint and secret gardens, usually hidden behind walls and carriage gateways, is like discovering this cities soul! 

Located in the 9th arrondissement, is this little spot - the Musee de la vie Romantique. Though it's primarily residential, the 9th arrondissement isn't exactly top in its class when it comes to public parks or open spaces. There are only 5 and they are small and most are neary noisy arteries too. Gardens in this arrondissement are often hidden behind those imposing carriage gateways. Thats one of the many reasons to make a pilgrimmage to the Musee de la Vie romantique and it's garden - especially its garden. 

 

Everything is wonderful here, starting with the shady lane leading to garden court where a handful of tables from the museums tearoom stand, a perfect spot in nice weather like now, for a pick me up. Flowers bloom on all sides: old fashioned roses, camanulas ... The beautiful old trees, greenhouse, rock garden and fountain are also wonderful.

This enchanting spot was the home of painter Ary Scheffer, a member for the Romantic Movement - on the academic side.

This property was built in 1830 on a piece of land previously owned by the Abesses Montmartre, next to Comte Chaptal's. It remained in the Scheffer-Renan family till it was transferred to the City of Paris in 1983, to become the Museum of the Romantics, dedicated to the arts and literature of the first half of the XIXth century. It is one of the few remaining artists homes, dating from the early days of King Louis-Phillipe's monarchy.


The ground floor displays keepsakes, furnitures and portraits, previously owned by the writer George Sand (1804-1876) and bequeathed by her grand-daughter Aurore Lauth-Sand to the City of Paris in 1923.

The upper floor offers highlights of Ary Scheffer's art (portraits, historic and religious paintings...) among other artfacts of Romanticism.

Each Friday Ary Scheffer would entertain prestigious guests in his working studio opening to the left of the passage - when arriving : George Sand, Chopin, Delacroix, Rossini, Liszt, Pauline Viardot, thiers....The opposite studio was used by his brother the painter Henri Scheffer, as well as assistants and pupils. 

These twin studios facing north, on each side of the paved courtyard, are used nowadays to show two temporary exhibition each year.

Francophile Events in Australia

If you can’t get to Paris or France often enough, or fast enough, you can still immerse yourself in the magic we know as la vie francaise/French life - in Australia! Thanks to the various cultural events that are hosted around our major cities! Whether it’s the grandest event i.e watching a film or 2 at the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival right down to the ‘petite’ affairs i.e a humble yet deeply authentic local communities hosting say a Christmas fete, choir or French meet up groups.

So here are some of the upcoming events that we have stumbled across recently and that we’re really really excited about.  Going forward we will blog more franco-fun events for all of you Francophiles to know about…

Sydney

1.    For Art Aficionados: The ART GALLERY OF NSW is exhibiting Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris! In Sydney only from 12 November – 25 March 2012. Tickets are $25 for standard adult. Read more: http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/picasso/ 

For a full experience, book your entry and High Tea at the Gallery package through ShowBiz. http://www.showbiz.com.au/picasso/tickets.html

 

2.    If you’re a true Gourmand Francophile, then David Lebovitz needs no introduction. The king of pastry desserts in Paris is making his way to Sydney to take part in the CRAVE SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL on Saturday October 1 for his session on 'Baking and Blogging' at 1.45pm!! www.cravesydney.com 

3.    L’Heure du The (French High Tea). A decadent High Tea on the 6^th of November in Sydney thanks to our special friends at Le Style to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Indulge in a day of French tea, patisseries, trends boutiques retail experience, French musique, a femme elegant ambience and lots more a la francaise.  To find out more check www.lestyle.org Melbourne recently had its High Tea and here is what we can look forward to:  http://cecylia.com/2011/09/lheure-du-the/

 

Petite Paris has joined with Le Style and we will be providing a door prize for one lucky winner to win 2 nights free B&B accomm in one of apartments in Paris. Plus a wine and cheese tasting and walking tour of Montmartre.

Melbourne

5. Paris to Provence French Festival. Three days  (Friday 25 to Sunday 27 November) of nothing but pure Frenchy fun at the  Como House & Garden in South Yarra. Celebrity Chefs, 70 French stalls,
 French pop up restaurant Caviar & Champagne bar, Book signings,
 Can-Can dancers, French wine, Cooking demo’s,
 Le Tour de France presentation, Organ Mimes,
 Christmas shopping, Parisienne backdrop, 
French accommodation information, petanque, French story time, High Tea Crepes, Cassoulet, Macarons. What greater French cultural indulgence could you ask for?! For more info: http://www.paristoprovence.com.au/2011_Paris_to_Provence/French_Festival.html

     6.  So Frenchy so Chic in the Park!  Musique Francais. A one day celebration of new French music performed against the magical backdrop of Werribee Mansion. Courtesy of Cartell music – the Australian connection/website to the best music from France and the unofficial providor of the well known 'So Frenchy so Chic' soundtracks for the Alliance French Film Festivals in Australia. 

Think of this event as a day in the French countryside – the wine is chilled; the crepes and macarons are perfectly Parisian; Best of all, the fine tunes floating through the summer air are from the best acts of the current French music scene. Join in for a picnic, a dance and a summer’s afternoon of joie de vivre.  It’s the ultimate garden party with a soundtrack to match

So Frenchy so Chic is being held at Werribee Park, VIC on 15 January 2012.

Click here for the event info and link to purchase tickets: https://cartelldownload.com.au/EventTicket.aspx?eventTicketId=153908

www.cartellmusic.com.au

  

National

Finally for more low key French Meet ups and events try these links:

• Sydney French Language Groups  - also host to the Paris By Night events and French Choir in Sydney http://www.meetup.com/sydney-french
• Brisbane French Meet Up Group - http://french.meetup.com/cities/au/brisbane/
• Melbourne French Meet Up Group - http://french.meetup.com/cities/au/melbourne/

Stay tuned as we post more French events as they become known to us. Including French Christmas Fetes soon.

Now go and be tres French! 

Madison Magazine featuring Petit Paris

We could not be more excited (and thrilled, grateful, lucky, humbled and ecstatic and so on and so on) with the amazing roll-out of incredible support we Petite Paris have been receiving from all the local media. Today Madison Magazine October issue went on sale and who do we see sitting there in the 'Travel' pages? Nous!! Petite Paris! oh la la!! Merci Madison :) xx

A Petit Winner

CONGRATULATIONS to Aleksandra Subotic WINNER of the Petit Paris Lucky door prize at the French High Tea in Melbourne last Saturday. HURRAAAH!!! Anyone hear a loud excited scream at Melbourne Airport earlier today?!!…that was the lovely Aleksandra receiving news of her win! Hehe too cute!! We’re so excited for you Miss Subotic and cant wait to find you a gorgeous little B&B in Paris!!  Now who’s gonna be the winner for the Sydney French High Tea in November?? :)  

Click here to read an amazing write up about the event that was (and some yummy photographs included)...and get a taste of whats to come in Sydney! For details of the Sydney French High Tea in November go to www.lestyle.org

Happy Tuesday afternoon xx

Sub City Paris

Bonsoir toute le monde! Please watch this beautiful little clip!! It's called 'Sub City Paris' - a film about emerging from subway stations of Paris... all those familiar spots, 'sortie' signs, sunsets and stairwells...and oh the sentimental music...*sigh!! We just had to share it :) 

Sub City Paris from Redglass Pictures on Vimeo.

Last Minute Booking Availability a Paris

Ok this is more of a last Last LAST minute availability; but an availability nevertheless! :) and its a beauty!  One of our most exclusive immaculate typically Parisian historic mansions offering a rare B&B experience has just become available as of today and for the next week! Its one that is rarely available (because its just so pretty guests book it out well in advance) so this like winning the B&B jackpot...if there was such a thing!! lol

Normally 180euro per night for 2 people. NOW just 140euro per night. Plus a bottle of French champagne and chocolates on arrival. PLUS you have views of the eiffel tower from your spacious bathtub as this home is located directly across the seine from it in the 16th arrondissement (near Trocadero).

Here are a few pics of it below, its divine right1!?!!  If you wish to enquire and/or book fast please contact moi on info@petitepr.com.au where i am glued to my screen 24hrs a day - paris and syndey time haha!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B&B260 - Chez Marcello

Bonjour toute le monde, we thought we'd share some pretty new photographs of one of our unhosted B&B apartments in Paris to spice up an otherwise dull Tuesday morning! Plus some magical photos of beautiful Montmartre, the area of Paris famous for its romantic reputation and artistic history, where this B&B is located. Its a charming little studio with a quaint artistic and rustic feel...enjoy  whilst you sip that morning tea or coffee :) ...


Quick points:

• 121euro per night for 2 people
• make use of the kitchenette and laundry and there is delicious bakery around the corner where you can buy your breakfast each day just like a local...
• large un-hosted studio (40 m2) in an 1850 ‘Haussmann’ building. 
• Click here to see this B&B on our website with full description, photo gallery, location map..

Montmartre Mania - our favourite district of Paris...

Francophilia mania downunder

To all our fellow francophiles in Sydney and in Melbourne, you're in for a decadent Frenchy TREAT thanks to our friends at Le Style!

Le Style are hosting L'heure du Thé - 2 exciting lavish French High Tea events, in Sydney and Melbourne, to celebrate french culture, style, food and music a la francaise and raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. Money raised through ticket-sales and auction items will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

We have partnered with Le Style and are giving away as the door-prize for the days 2 nights FREE B&B accommodation (for one winner and a friend) for each event, in any one of our gorgeous Parisian apartments.

All you have to do is indulge in this all day event that offers you delightful tea, French patisseries, an elegant ambience, French trend boutiques retail experience, French music and much more. Can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday??! Yes o.k maybe actually being in France would be better...but sssshh!!

Melbourne Details

Date: Saturday 17 September 2011 - yes that's NEXT SATURDAY!! Quick get your tickets here:

Where: Langham Hotel  in the Claredon Ballroom. One Southgate Ave Southbank Melbourne

Time: 11-4pm

Ticket price: $55 

Dress Code: Parisian Chic

The day offers French High Tea service, as well as shopping and sampling Emporium of French fashion collections and ephermera. You will leave at the end of the day with a giftbag full of goodies. Click here to read more.

Sydney Details:
When: 6 November 2011
Where: Sydney Opera House
Buy tickets on the Le style website

check out Le Styles Website for more information about who they are and what else they do.

A New Paris B&B Apartment

Hey guys, this is our newest apartment in Paris. It will be on the website and available to book very soon...but for now have a peek...isn't it cute?!! Its located in the 6th arrondissement - st germain..