Friday, October 31, 2014

Mysterieux Paris - October in Paris

 Mystérieux Paris




Paris is lovely. Paris is Romantic. Paris is Stylish.
Paris is ... Creepy?

 
Oui! Even the most sophisticated capital cities have their little secrets, mysteries, dark corners, forbidden places.
With such a gory history of war, plague and revolution there are is no end to the dark corners just waiting to be explored in Paris. It's a fantastic place to spend Halloween! Here, in no particular order, are our top scary Paris activities:


1. The Catacombs
Paris may be known as the City of Lights, but the French capital has a darker side that lurks far below the pavement




As you walk the streets of Paris you might be surprised to learn that right below your feet is a series of catacombs that stretches for almost 300km, housing the remains of around 6 million corpses. Walking through the non-descript door and climbing down the dank steps into this maze is like stepping into another world. The walls are lined with bones stacked up to 2 metres high and several metres thick in places. In a bizarre and grotesque tribute to the millions of Parisians that died from disease, starvation or violence who could not afford a grave, the bones have been fashioned into elaborate designs – a heart shape made of skulls, a real life skull and crossbones and elaborate doorways.



The entrance reads Arrette! C’est ici l’empire de la mort, ‘Stop! This is the empire of the dead’ and it’s one threshold that takes guts to cross. If you think you have what it takes to tread the sinister underbelly of Paris, consider one of our
skip the line access tours. Only 200 people are allowed into the Paris Catacombs at any one time which makes it a fantastic experience once you’re down there but can lead to queues up to two hours long.



 

visit the website


2. The Paris Sewer Museum



The Paris Sewer Museum, or Musée des égouts de Paris is a fantastic and icky attraction that is especially great for anyone who knows and loves Les Misérables, since much of the musical and Victor Hugo’s novel upon which it was based, takes place in these long sandstone corridors. Don’t worry, you won’t be wading knee deep in the city’s toilet fluids. The sanitary sewers feed into separate pipes these days. Think more along the lines of mannequins dressed up as sewer workers, a five-ton flushing boat and the odd stream of drainwater coming in from the streets.  

 
Located in the 7th arrondissement beneath the Quai d’Orsay.
Open every day but Thursday and Friday, from 11am to 4pm.




Visit the website



3. The Dark Heart of Paris



Paris has a very dark and bitter history.  Just watch Les Misérables, read A Tale of Two Cities or a flick through The Hunchback of Notre Dame. There are elements of Parisian history that you probably know well, like the French revolution where the streets were literally painted with blood. The guillotine that claimed so many heads, including Marie Antoinette’s. Or Bartholomew’s Day massacre that ended 30,000 lives. But even if you know all of this you’ve still probably only seen the tip of the iceberg.

 
The Dark Heart of Paris tour will take you through the streets of Paris under a cloak of darkness, winding down alleyways and cutting through the hushed silence of the night. Your guide will tell you the shocking details that are never published in French travel brochures, made all the more eerie when you are standing in the exact place where they happened. Heads chopped off, crusaders burned at the stake and criminals tortured in front of a captive audience – can you think of a scarier way to spend Halloween?
Visit the website


4. La Conciergerie



Although it was built as a palace, La Conciergerie is best known for its long history as a Parisian prison. Just next door to the Palais de Justice where criminals and the not-so-criminal were tried and charged with various crimes, the dungeons of La Conciergerie were a handy place to throw them before their appointment with La Guillotine. Take a tour of the dungeons where 2,800 prisoners were kept and drop by a reproduction of the cell where Marie Antoinette spent her last few hours.



Trick or Treat??!
Forget the Scary Spots
Go to the Sweet Spots!


La Patisserie des Reves
(Grand Cru Cake)
93 Rue Du Bac 75006
MAP




Cafe Pouchkine
(Or Noir Cake)
64 Boulevarde Haussmann 75008
MAP




Carl Marletti
(La Marie Antoinette Fraise)
51 Rue Censier 75005
MAP




Des Gateaux Et Du Pain
(Pistache-fraise)
63 Boulevard Pasteur  75015
MAP








Darker than Dark
Paris Bar au Vin & Jazz Venue


Le Guillotine Bar



 Tucked away on a narrow street in Paris' Latin Quarter. Called La Guillotine, the bar looks like a typical hangout for Parisian "bobos". Below the dimly lit bar lies a marvelous little room called
Le Caveau des Oubliettes - steep stone stairs lead into the cave filled with small wooden tables. Here on most nights, beginning around 10 p.m, an unannounced mix of jazz and blues groups seduce an eclectic crowd in a room that once housed the forgotten.

In medieval times, Le Caveau des Oubliettes, which translates to "the cave of the forgotten," held prisoners awaiting the guillotine. The tight door and thick stone walls masked the prisoners' wails and howls. Iron handcuffs on the walls, chains along the staircase, and a barred window remind listeners of the room's past and give the intimate club an uniquely eerie feel.

Address:  52 Rue Galande
Website: 
Le Caveau des Oubliettes


www.petiteparis.com.au  

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Where are our French Cottages, Villas and Chateaux??




CLICK THE MAP! And find out!...

We thought this would be a FUN and EASY way to pick a French home from google maps and help you visualise a roadtrip/track around France. May we suggest ALL our French homes to stay in?! hehe!  

Click this link - http://goo.gl/maps/p5Q2I- OR CLICK THE MAP ABOVE - for an interactive version, that'll allow you to click each icon to read a short description/rates of each home and find LINKS to the full webpage and description for each home.

Have fun and OH, we are here to advise on availabilities too, 24hrs a day - pretty much:info@petitepr.com.au 

Friday, October 24, 2014

where are our B&Bs and Apartments in Paris?


CLICK THE MAP! And find out!...

We thought this would be a FUN and EASY way to pick a Paris B&B/apartment from google maps according to your DESIRED spot. See WHAT homes we have available there. Click this link - http://goo.gl/maps/0RKfN  - OR THE MAP ABOVE - for an interactive version, that'll allow you to click each Paris icon to read a short description/rates of each home and find LINKS to the full webpage and description for each home.

Ok so this turned into a bit of a 'job' but we hope it's super practical.
Red = B&Bs and Green = private homes.

Have fun and OH, we are here to advise on availabilities too, 24hrs a day - pretty much: info@petitepr.com.au 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

a 16th Century Parisian abode...a new B&B for Petite Paris




In the heart of the Latin Quarter, a few hundred yards from the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, one of the oldest street in Paris remains blissfully quiet and authentic you will find an extraordinary house, like none other in Paris. Built in 1610 in beautiful stone and wooden beam ceilings, which has been home to several historical figures our historic B&B is a little gem and an oasis as well as a rich cultural experience. 


From its terrace with a view on Notre-Dame, to its 15th century stone-vaulted basement with heated swimming pool and gym, the house is nothing short of unique. You will be provided with your own private apartment on the quiet side of the inner courtyard, offering you independent access to the house.



Enquire about this B&B home HERE - info@petitepr.com.au
to see this home on our website in full detail CLICK HERE

Your hosts, a family of 6 children (18 to 29) invite you to take advantage of its location in the cultural heart of the city and tailor your discovery of Paris based on your schedule and unique interests. Your hostess, who speaks English, Spanish, German and Chinese, would be delighted to lead you on discovery tours inside and outside Paris.



Because of the mezzanine and unsupervised pool, our host does not recommend children under 7 years old. Also note: your hosts have 3 cats, which may be an issue for guests with allergies. The entire house is a non-smoking space.


The Neighbourhood
The superb location of our B&B means that your visit to Paris starts from the front door of the house being the very sought after Latin Quarter bordering the sophisticated, chic and bustling St Germain des Pres neighbourhood and within walking distnce to the seine, the Ile de Cite and the Notre Dame and easily beyond to the Louvre and Marais (right bank).









Enquire about this B&B home HERE - info@petitepr.com.au
to see this home on our website in full detail CLICK HERE

The 2 Apartments

1. The “guest studio”, accommodates up to 5 guests and is equipped with:
A european queen-sized bed (160 cm × 200 cm)
3 single beds (90cm × 200cm) on a mezzanine
A small well-equipped kitchen
Coffee machine
A bathroom with shower, toilet and sink with soap, toothbrush and shampoo provided
A living room with sofa and table
Cable flat-screen TV
Air conditioning
Free WiFi access
Wardrobe/closet space and bookcase with multilingual books and board games for all ages
A patio next to your apartment, available for your own meals and where breakfast will be served

Towels and bed sheets are changed every 4 days or upon request. Toiletry, bathrobes, hairdryers and laundry cleaning are also available.





2. The second “family studio”, can hold up to 6 guests, is equipped with:
3 standard beds (140 cm × 200 cm)
A small well-equipped kitchen
Coffee machine
A shower room and sink
A toilet
Cable flat-screen TV
Air conditioning
Free WiFi access
Wardrobe/closet space and bookcase with multilingual books and board games for all ages

Towels and bed sheets are changed every 4 days or upon request. Toiletry, bathrobes, hairdryers and laundry cleaning are also available.






Enquire about this B&B home HERE - info@petitepr.com.au
to see this home on our website in full detail CLICK HERE




Monday, October 20, 2014

quintessential Paris historic mansion and 4 B&B suites


Welcome to the very heart of Le Marais district of Paris, a charming and much sought-after setting, within walking distance - safe at all times of the day or night - of the most popular and well-known location in the heart of Paris.


Our new B&B house, is a quintessential historic Parisian home that has been faithfully preserved and restored over the last 25 years with a genuine respect for the memory of "old" Paris. It was built in 1609 and faces Rue Charlot in the front, a most well known bustling street of chic Paris, and looks over a courtyard in the back. Originally it was part of one grand mansion as was the trend in the 16thC, but has since been divided into multiple homes. 



Within this home there are 4 independent rooms that our lovely Parisian hosts offer, all with original solid old stones and exposed beams, renovated with contemporary design and décor resulting in a completely private and peaceful bed-and-breakfast haven; one of the best in the Paris area. two suites are on the ground floor side by side and can be joined to rent out for large groups, and the other 2 suites are on the first floor.


After a peaceful night, guests will enjoy breakfast from the local boulangerie of baguettes with Jean-Luc's honey and Denise's homemade jams. Jean Luc and Denise take great care of their suites and love to meet and welcome guests to their Paris homes and look forward to making your stay in Paris a memorable one.



#1 Jardin Marais ROOM


PRICES
Jardin Marais Room
1 per: EU219 p/n
2 per: EU229 p/n
3 per: EU299 p/n
Enquire about availability here: info@petitepr.com.au
See this home on our website - CLICK HERE




#2 Enclos Templiers room


PRICES
Enclos Templiers
1 per: please ask
2 per: EU239 p/n
3 per: EU349 p/n
Enquire about availability here: info@petitepr.com.au
See this home on our website - CLICK HERE



#3 Cave Gran Room


PRICES
Cave Grand Room
1 per: please ask
2 per: EU279 p/n
3 per: EU329 p/n

Enquire about availability here: info@petitepr.com.au
See this home on our website - CLICK HERE



#4 L'Echoppe Room


PRICES
L’Echoppe Room
1 per: please ask
2 per: EU279 p/n
3 per: EU329 p/n


Enquire about availability here: info@petitepr.com.au
See this home on our website - CLICK HERE





Saturday, October 18, 2014

a B&B in Belle Belleville, a different side of Paris!


Welcome to the bohemian Belleville district of Paris and our new B&B there!
 The artistic up and coming neighbourhood where more locals reside than tourists, this neighbourhood assures an authentic Paris experience as an alternative side to Paris (where the next ‘Van Gogh’ would be found). Only 15 mins to the city centre and all main attractions and close to the beautiful Parc des Buttes Chaumont, (hilltop park offering sweeping views of Paris), Pere La chaise cemetery,  Chinatown, Belleville Markets and Canal St Martin.


Our NEW quality B&B, is offered by our lovely, very friendly, hospitable and professional host Natacha. She offers a quaint cosy and impeccably looked after guest room and B&B service in her home with a private terrace full of flowers. It is one of the rare accommodations in Paris where you can benefit from a large 180 view of the city, where you can see the sunset over Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur, where you can sleep with the window opened without hearing street noise, where you can wake up to the songs of the birds)


Rates - includes breakfast and free wifi.
99euro per night for 1 guest
119euro per night for 2 guests

A second guest room can be offered for groups of 3 or 4:
199euro per night for 3 guests
219euro per night for 4 guests
Enquire for availability/booking: Click HERE
See this B&B on our website - Click HERE

Breakfast is served plentiful and fresh on the sunny terrace when it’s warm, or inside. Natacha is a wonderful hostess who takes great care in the upkeep, cleanliness and practicality of her B&B service. Never imposing, always professionally discreet yet also willing to chat, offer city advice and tips, guests will adore her quaint abode and personal service. 


Guests will find a double bedroom, completely renovated in 2014 with private en-suite, wardrobe, table and an extra guests sitting room to relax in. It’s possible to request both rooms in this home if you are a group of 4.



The building where Natacha and Lou (her daughter) live was built in 1970. The space in which they live is like a little rooftop house, on the 11th and last floor of the building. At first, this apartment was designed to be a workshop for artists, it is very bright and surrounded by terraces with trees.

The apartment is large (125 square meters), harmonious, with warm colours, modern furniture in the kitchen and old Asian furniture in the living room. Natacha is in love with Asia and find this kind of furniture warm, simple and zen-like. She loves paintings and has beautiful paintings from a French artist, friend of hers.

Guests will have access to the kitchen from which French windows open on the terrasse where you can have a small snack, relax on deck chairs, and benefit from a beautiful view on Paris. It is an exceptional place on a bright day with lovely sunrisesunset  over Paris. 

In this little romantic nest, guests will enjoy the sunset views over Montmartre hill and the Sacre Coeur Basilica. In the morning, you will wake up to the serene sund of the birds as this guest room is completely quiet and tranquil high in the rooftops of Paris.


The guest room is 11 square meters, and has been completely renovated in 2014 with new painted walls and varnished wooden floor. It is equipped with a new and comfortable double bed (140cmX190cm), wardrobe, hooks and shelves. 

Natacha also organised an extra small living space with a beautiful old bistrot table where visitors can have coffee or tea which writing their postcards.


From the terrace (equipped with outside table and chairs) guests will have the feeling of being suspended in a rooftop garden. Binoculars are at your disposal.


If guests want two bedrooms, Natacha can offer her bedroom from time to time. Please enquire. It is equipped with a double bed and you will have to share the bathroom of the main guest room.



Rates - includes breakfast and free wifi.
99euro per night for 1 guest
119euro per night for 2 guests

A second guest room can be offered for groups of 3 or 4:
199euro per night for 3 guests
219euro per night for 4 guests
Enquire for availability/booking: Click HERE
See this B&B on our website - Click HERE