Monday, December 29, 2014

Paris after Dark. Celebrate the New Year!

Petite Pariscope


 

Paris After Dark
When the sun sets and le Eiffel lights up

3 favourite places in Paris to Drink, Dance and Dine! Celebrate the New Year (or any fine Parisian night)

DRINK: Le Baron Rouge



Festive and delicious! This is an enjoyable place to enjoy wine and tapas. Wine barrels, dark wood and cosy atmosphere Crowded with locals spilling onto the sidewalk, where fresh oysters are heaped in baskets and opened and served by waiters. Best part: Feel like a local, large wine menu. TIP: Staff are impatient if you are indecisive but ask for recommendations and they’re all yours complete with tastings.
1 rue Theophile-Roussel 75012 Paris.
MAP:
http://goo.gl/maps/Vpqi5
 



  

DINE:
NEW: The Fish Club




A relatively new trendy spot in Paris. Mixing Paris' new found fascination for seafood with cocktails, this is a two-floor bar and restaurant with retro decor, big windows and graphic tiles, it is all abustle amongst the locals thanks to a delicious seafood menu with a South American twist paired with delicious. 58 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau 75001
website: www.eccfishclub.com







 

DANCE
Le Carmen




A 19th century residence turned elegant and refined cocktail bar with woodwork, columns, alcoves and Louis XVI armchairs, a high ceiling and original and flavour-some cocktails. Musical programme varies from DJs, independent acoustic concerts and performances. A unique venue in one of the liveliest districts for nightlife in Paris 34 rue Dupere 75009
Website:
www.le-carmen.fr





 
  www.petiteparis.com.au

Sunday, December 28, 2014

French Vintage finds and a dream French home!


 A French home in France and a French Vintage Store to turn your home into a 'Chateaux' too

L’Apartment ~ L’Escapadou ~ L'Echoppe
An Australian journey into France
www.lapartment.com.au


Australian/French couple Claire and Thibaud journey to France, buy a home, re-invent, renovate and relocate.


 INTRODUCING their 13th Century Medieval ‘Residence L’Escapadou’ to Australian travellers, located in Cordes-Sur-Ciel, winner of France’s most beautiful village 2014 (France Tourism Bureau) &
 their French Vintage Online store, for those who wish to turn their home into a rustic French ‘chateaux’ of their own: www.lechoppe.com.au


L'Escapadou is our NEW home in France as featured on our French website HERE
Here is a little bit about our home owners...


We purchased our house in 2007, having only seen it online. We asked a friend to look at it for us and not long after the house was ours. We knew the village, as Thibaud is from the town Albi, 25km away so choosing this area gave us a home away from home, close to friends and family.




There are many beautiful villages in the Tar region, but Cordes sur ciel, voted Frances most preferred village in 2014, is particularly beautiful, as well as being a very practical village, with supermarkets, butchers, banks and the all-important Saturday market.


We spent our first extended holiday in the home in 2008, with 2 small children in toe, and began making plans to restore the original building and to extend. The process took 2 years, with our holidays becoming more like episodes of grand designs, but it was great to see the house restored and extended to allow us to invite family and friends from Australia to share our experiences.

We share a passion for hunting flea markets for vintage finds, so the home is filled with authentic pieces. Many holiday rentals lack personality and charm. Our house is unique and feedback is always positive with an emphasis on the beauty of the house matched with its practicality. The renovated area includes an open kitchen and living area so preparing meals as a group is enjoyed and the views are breathtaking and always difficult to leave behind. But we cannot live in France full time, we love to share our home with like-minded people who appreciate something just that bit more personable than your average holiday rental.

As Interior stylists we bring back pieces from the Tarn region and have created a business in Melbourne showing/selling our vintage finds that are also sold online here:


ABOUT LeChoppe Vintage Shop:
Lechoppe is a small pop up shop and showroom, a treasure trove of items hand picked from flea markets in France and available for a fleeting moment in the St Kilda East space. The collection ranges from small items to furniture selected for their character and charm. 





Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Paris Bebe - for Parents in Paris, this posts for you!!



Welcome to Paris Bébé

Bonjour Paris friends, it's Christmas and that means, family time! This month we've got our sights focused on family fun in the city of lights - year round! 



But 1st: Paris Summer 2015
B&Bs and apartments
BOOKING NOW
!


...with discounts for families of 4 or more
Email us: info@petitepr.com.au
for personalised help securing the perfect Paris home for you



@B&B105 - our eiffel tower apartment here

We are B&B apartment specialists, personable, tailored and we communicate with a diverse range of Parisian hosts and homes for you...

www.petiteparis.com.au


December Feature:
Paris Bebe!



In a city as compact as Paris, family trips can seem like too much work for a holiday. Carrying little ones up flights of stairs; constant fear of losing them in maze-like crowded streets and the threat of tantrums in swich cafes do not conjure up images of the most Paris poised self. Sipping a Cafe au lait at Cafe de Flore with a side of screaming bebe? No thanks.




Making things easier and dispelling Paris’ non-child friendly reputation, Petite Paris introduces NEW family services, making Paris with bébé just…wonderful!


1. Parents, introducing our
NEW eBook:


Paris Bebe!
A Paris Guide for Families




ONLY $3.99
for iphone, ipads and smartphones


BUY IT
You can preview first pages FREE before you buy...

Inside: Family tips, advice; baby basics: transport, toilets/changing, strollers etc; child-friendly restaurants and fun, quirky and undiscovered kids/family activites in Paris!








2. NEW baby rental service in Paris

http://babytems.com

Offering children’s equipment designed to make travel with baby lighter and easier. Delivered to your Paris apartment on your arrival.



Babytems provides children’s equipment to cater for meal times, play times, sleep times, bath times, out & about and travelling time for new born to 4 years; to help families travel light while visiting Paris. From carriers and strollers to changing mats, bathtubs, to dinnerware, bottle warmers to diapers even food.

FREE Bucket of TOYS with every Petite Paris Apartment booking. Quote: PETITEPARIS





Family Friendly Apartments

1. B&B242: Carols private 3-bedroom historic home on the Island Saint Louis on the Seine (babysitting service offered).
@ 319euro per night for a family of 4 (accommodates 1-6)



CLICK HERE to see it online

2. B&B270: At Marie-Claude’s home an entire family hosts you in an 1890s classic home reminiscent of French castles.

@ 229euro per night for 4 guests with breakfast (accommodates 1-5 + baby)


Click HERE to see it online

3. B&B458: Lisettes home. Enjoy a 2 bedroom self contained private apartment in Montmartre and live independently with full kitchen to prepare your own family meals.

@ 190euro per night for 4 guests (1-4 guests +baby)


click HERE to see it online

Hidden Gems, Christmas lights in Paris, off the beaten path...


Merry Christmas from Petite Paris


We know the main streets for Christmas lights in Paris, (champs Elysees, Trocadero, Place Vendome, Hotel de ville etc), all magnificent of course; but here are some quieter streets for those who love to wonder into the quieter side of Paris.


Rue Cler MAP


Rue Saint Charles MAP


Rue de Richelieu MAP


Rue du Commerce MAP


Ave Montaigne MAP

For More quiet Christmas corners, visit this French website:
http://www.evous.fr/Paris-illumine-pour-Noel,1172561.html 

Monday, December 22, 2014

Kid and Family Fun in Paris! NEw, secret spots!!


Petite Pariscope
Monthly Paris Tips





Paris Bebe!
Paris with Kids...



Kids activities taken from our NEW
Family Guide Ebook!

For MANY MANY more amazing kid places, from parks to child-friendly restaurants, more museums, summer pools and outdoor fun, libraries, creperies, boat rides and more; 

visit our Bookshop and purchase our ebook for only $3.99
BUY


1. Galeries Lafayette at Christmas



 In a beautiful multi-level art-neauvou emporium with rooftop terrace and panoramic city views Galeries Lafayette window displays are spectacular at Christmas drawing in masses of crowds to watch magical animated scenes. Inside the monster Christmas tree will delight any child. FREE. Open: various hours. Visit: www.galerieslafayette.com
2. Theatre de Guignol des Champs Elysees



Puppet shows are always a big hit with kids. See the adventures of Guignol and share some funny and magical moments in the oldest puppet theatre in Paris, since 1818. So entrancing, you'll be reduced to fits of laughter. Suited 3-11yrs and adults! Picnics and snacks allowed.  Price: 4euro Open: Wed, Sat, Sun 3pm-5.30pm. Web: www.theatreguignol.fr

3. Louvre Family Guided Tour



A charming 2hr guided tour for parents and kids at the Louvre with treasure hunt. This tour gives kids an entertaining background to the history of art while sharpening their detective skills of observation. Price: 305euro for a family of 5. www.parismuse.com

4. Flower & Bird Market



On Sundays there is a delightful colourful flower and bird market just blocks from the Notre Dame on the Ile de la Cite. The market is the last of its kind in Paris. Bright and invigorating with rare singing bird species, even baby chicks and bunnies, this market will cheer up anyone. FREE. Open: Sundays 8am-7pm Location: Place Louis-Lepine 75004


5. Family Bike Rides



The NEW P'tit Velib for kids is the expansion to the adult Velib Bike rental system in Paris. Kids ride alongside parents in parks or along the seine in bikes that come in 3 kid sizes and with helmets. Rented at one of 3 green spaces in Paris, bike riding classes offered too. Price: 4-6euro p/hr or 12euro p/day. Web: www.blog.velib.paris.fr/ptit-velib

6. Le Train BleuRestaurant
A child-friendly restaurants




A historic, mythical, baroque jewel in the hall of the Gare de Lyon train station. Serving traditional French food the kids menu offers smaller portions of adult meals.  A beautiful reminder of the Belle-epoque. Your entire family will be dazzled by the gilt moulding and the 41 paintings on walls and ceilings. Price: 60-105euro Location: Gare de Lyon
www.le-train-bleu.com


7. The Tuileries Garden



One of the oldest public gardens open since the 17th century, Tuileries garden in an iconic spot in Paris for families for generations. Children can ride the historic carousel, or ferris wheel, watch a puppet show, ride ponies, enjoy one of two playgrounds with trampolines, rent boats to sail in the pind and enjoy the fun-fair in Summer.
Open: 7am-9.30am  www.en.parisinfo.com


8. Musee de la Poupee



A private French doll museum down a quaint flowery lane. This is a great way for kids to see French fashion from the 19th century to the present with a collection of over 500 porcelain French dolls, displayed in different settings complete with accessories. Price: FREE Open: 10am-6pm Tues-Sat Web: www.museedelapoupee.com


9. Double Fond Magic



The highly recommended Double Fond Magic Theatre is voted by Parisians as an experience like no other. An ideal place for a family outing or kids birthday. Magic, surprise, laughter and dreams. kids shows are entertaining and interactive, from card tricks to disappearing tricks, to special effects and more. Book dinner and/or show.  Price: 10euro Open: 2.30pm-4.30pm Sat and Sun. Web: www.doublefond.com

10. Stravinsky Fountain



For those interested ins omething different wisit the public fountains next to Centre Pompidou Contemporary art Museum (which has its own kids art gallery, playrooms and rooftop terrace to love the Paris panorama). Featuring 16 amusing sculptires that move and spray water. Colourful, whimsical, kids are sure to enjoy.
Price: FREE  Location: Rue Brisemiche 75004


11. Paris on ICE



Hire skates and join the throngs of Parisians ice skating on the temporary rink in front of the Hotel de ville each Winter. The 19th Century building makes a dramatic backdrop, especially handsome at night when lit up. Kids will love doing figure 8s, tumbling onto the ice, under the stars with music blaring. Price: 5euro Open: 10am-10pm daily Dec-Mar. www.en.parisinfo.com



12. Berthillon Ice Cream



This is 'Oh My god' ice cream, the best in Paris. On Ile Saint Louis, find delicious flavors of ice cream and sorbet, chocolate, vanilla, nouget, raspberry, strawberry, lemon, pear, orange and more. Kids can sit on the embankment on the Sein enjoying their ice creams with Notre Dame in the background Price: 2-5euros (depemds on size/scoops) Open: 10am-8pm. Web: www.berthillon.fr

 
au Revoir, until next month...

Sunday, December 21, 2014

More to France...beyond Paris!


Paris to Provence & Beyond
 

Experience more French culture outside the capital.
A quick guide on how to reach TWO of our French homes from PARIS!

1. Paris to: Cachette Cottage
Located: Varzy Village, Burgundy France



Directions:

By Train:  from Paris Bercy station to Clamency station (15 mins from Varzy village)
* Multiple train stops between Paris and Clamency
MAP of Varzy and Clamency
Price: Approx $79AU
Duration: 3hrs
CLICK here for timetables and rates




By car: A77 and A6 highways
Duration: Approx 2.5hrs

Price: Approx $50



VIEW this Cottage on Varzy village on our website - CLICK HERE


2. Paris to: Maison 20
Located: Eymet Village, SW France






Directions:
By Train: Paris Montparnasse train station to Bergerac station (20 mins from Eymet - catch BUS from Bergerac to Eymet - approx 1hr, service run by Transpérigord www.transperigord.fr)
MAP of Bergerac to Eymet
Price: Approx $60AU
Duration: 5hrs
CLICK here for Rail Europe for Paris to Bergerac trains and timetables




VIEW this B&B and private apartment in Eymet on our website HERE


 


Hidden beneath ancient stone facade in a quiet street in a 14thcentury Medieval Village. Accommodates 2 guests, with  bedroom, ensuite, living/doning, fully equipped kitchen, TV/DVD, air-con and free wifi.

Rates:
90euro p/night
From 500euro p/week