Saturday, September 22, 2012

NEW ZEN B&B in Paris - B&B416


Welcoming a new Paris B&B 
with a unique Zen like ambience!


Location: 12th arrondissement
Map: click here
Rates: 105euro per night (1 person)
              115euro per night (2 person)
For availability contact us on info@petitepr.com.au 


Your host
Véronique is a flight attendant at Air France. She lives in a small apartment which is often empty as she travels a lot. When she is at her home, you will share the apartment with her. She will serve an organic breakfast and will be happy to spend time with you. If she is not at home, a close friend of hers will welcome you and gives you the keys of the apartment. As she is not away for a long time, you will always meet her, either at the beginning of your stay, or before you leave. 

She speaks fluent English and a little German.
Véronique has adopted a Zen philosophy to look after the simple moments of happiness of the day-to-day life, very close to the Buddhist philosophy.

She is very interested in meditation, she also attends yoga and sophrology lessons, and sessions on the art of speaking, telling novels, as she would like to become a story-teller one day.

She is a vegan and loves organic food.
Your hosts area
Véronique loves nature and quietness, together with being very Parisian. She could not select a better place to live than close to the Bercy garden, one of the most important of Paris, to the Seine where you can go for a walk along the river, close to Bercy Village also known as 'Cour Saint-Emilion'. 



Véronique's home: Véronique's apartment is located on the third floor (with elevator) of a modern building which has been designed in order to give access to disabled people. 



It is 51 square meters wide. It is very pleasant and well lit by day with many windows. It has been decorated with much taste by Véronique. She has harmoniously mixed light and Zen colors, creating a soft universe in accordance with herself. Either when she is at home, or when she is not, you have an access to the kitchen and to the dining room / living room. Véronique just asks you to leave the place clean. 




Your bedroom N° 416
The bedroom is small, 12 square meters, but you can go to the living room as much as you want. It is equipped with a double bed (140cmX190cm), two bedside tables, a chair, a low table to put your suitcase, and many small cabinets to put your clothes (hangers being the door, closets...). Warning : you cannot put your clothes in the wardrobe on the wall which is only for Véronique. You will have at your disposal a set for warm drinks and maps. 





The bathroom and toilets


The bathroom is 8 square meters and next door to the bedroom.
It is equipped with a sink, a bath with a shower on the wall, shelves (two of them are for your private use).
The bathroom has to be shared with Véronique when she is at home.
Toilets are not in the bathroom. 


Breakfast - When Véronique is at home, she will serve an organic breakfast in the dining room. Only the baguette and croissants will not be organic, but if you prefer organic bread, she will be happy to buy some for you. 

 You will appreciate the quality of the products offered : coffee, tea, milk, instant cholocate, fruit juices, yogurts, jams, butter... 
When she is not at home, you will find all the necessary in the kitchen to prepare breakfast by yourselves. An organic bread, which can last for serveral days, and some brioche will replace the baguette and croissants. You can also go to the nearest bakery if you like, as a real Parisian.

If you want, for an additional cost of 10 euros par jour, Véronique can also offer you one egg, cheese and a fresh fruit, all of them being organic, of course. 

www.petiteparis.com.au


Friday, September 21, 2012

Secret Passages of Paris

 The passages are old-fashioned shopping malls from the late 1700s and early 1800s that provided cover from rain, mud and horses for the chic shopping ladies of yesteryear. There is something special about these secret little passageways. Walking into each one feels like you are unwrapping a different gift.There are ones that silently slide off major streets revealing hidden gems under coloured, colourful galleries.



The most famous passage is Vivienne in the 2nd Arrondissement and possibly my favourite with its spectacular mosaic tiles and great shopping - the modern art gallery is found here as well as a fabulous florist, a killer tea salon A Priori The, and a book store of rare finds, Bistro Vivienne, a fine wine shop and the creme de la creme is Jean Paul Guaultier - and more.


Passage Colbert is also beautiful, possibly more grand than Vivienne and here is the brasserie Le Grand Colbert, from the movie 'Something's Gotta Give'. Utterly romantic!

Panoramas Passage is the oldest with many restaurants and cafes and a fabulous engraver.


Jouffroy Passage specialises in toys and a great needlepoint shop, old movie posters, Lebanese pastries and the wax museum of Paris, Musée Grévin is here.


Verdeau Passages specialise in antiques, comics, musical instruments and engravings), among others.


The funkiest passage is Passage Brady, which is chock-full of Indian and Pakistani restaurants. Some recommended restos here which may be a bit too shabby for some tastes.

Find Addresses of Paris Passages click - here

There’s also number of notable restaurants in the passages, like the Michelin-starred Passage 53 and the eclectic back-alley Au Passage.



Sunday, September 16, 2012

L'Autumn a Paris


Autumn in Paris


L'Autumn "Fall" in Paris is magical (without the tourist crowds or peak rates) and is also known as la rentrée - after fleeing Summer Parisian natives re-enter their city and life, work, schools/universities return to action. Horse chestnuts grow on trees and wherever you wander is the woodsy scent of roasting chestnuts, making the mouth water. Sidewalks, parks and sweeping riverside esplanades exude Impressionist moodiness and stage-set atmosphere with crispy golden leaves spinning down from the 100,000 trees on the city's thoroughfares.


Café and restaurant terraces spill chairs into the path of pedestrians staying open despite the chill. 


It's the best season for food in Paris with market stalls arising overnight exploding with a kaleidoscopic harvest bounty. 


It's also the period for the Beaujolais Noveau - the delicious red wine produced in the Beaujolais region - one of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world. Local bars, cafes and and bistros celebrate the arrival with much fan fare.



Fall is also the unrushed season, a time of inky newspapers on wooden sticks, of thick, well-thumbed novels, of deep yawns and slow trawls. Enjoy travellers! 


www.petiteparis.com.au 

Thursday, September 13, 2012

1 day walking St Germain & Latin Quartier



Un (petite) Paris Itinerary

1-Day Walking St. Germain-des-Pres & Le Latin Quartier

Here are our favourite streets to stroll, cafes, touristic places and spaces and a ‘must-try’ Boulanger and Chocolatier. Get your walking shoes and appetites ready!


7.30am BREAKFAST @ St Regis Café   
Address: 6 Rue Jean du Bellay 75004 website map
What we ate: French bread, a croissant, an omelet, orange juice and a coffee.


From the wooden booths and rustic bar to the mirrors and the waiters wearing long white aprons and black suspenders creating a 1920s art nouveau 1920s scene. Approx $11-20au

8.30am Walk Quai de Montebello map
    Enjoy the antique/rare booksellers along the Seine.


9.00am Wonder Rue de Seine Map

9.30am Rue Bonaparte Map
Drop into Laduree for macaroon treats. (Now open in Sydney City Westfield).

10.30am Boulevard Saint Germain Map

11.00am COFFEE STOP @ Brasserie Lipp
Address: 151, blvd Saint-Germain Map

World-famous Brasserie this eatery has been a popular hangout for famous writers, artists and politicians for over a century. French notables and international celebrities may be seen on any given day.


11.30am Rue des Saints Peres Map
    MUST TRY: DeBauve et Gallais; oldest Paris Chocolatier


12.00pm Rue des Sevres - go to Le Grand Epicierie Map Address: 22 rue de Sèvres 75007 Paris

Bon Marché is the biggest left bank department store, the oldest in Paris and the best for its grocery department ‘La grande épicerie de Paris’. With over 5000 different products, from around the world. A hard-to-find bottle of mineral water from Wales, an exquisite tomato sauce from Naples! What you can't find anywhere else; you will find it there.



12.30pm Rue Cherche-midi map
This street is worth walking all the way down to Blvd Montparnasse (and back) popping in and out of the little boutiques along the way. MUST-TASTE: Polaine Boulangerie for a treat!



1.00pm Place St. Sulpice – 2nd largest church in Paris. Map. Address: 50 Rue de Vaugirard 75006

1.30pm LUNCH @ Le COMPTOIR Map.
Address: 9 Carrefour de l’Odeon


3.00pm Passage Cours Commerce St.André
The oldest passage in Paris and where you will find Le Procope the oldest cafe in Paris. Map.

3.30pm Jardin Luxembourg Map
Spend an hour people watching!


4.30pm La Sorbonne Map. The university of Paris founded in the 12thC is one of the earliest established in Europe.

5.00pm Pantheon Map 

An imposing 19th century building first designed as a church, later turned into a civil temple. On top of the montagne Ste-Geneviève, not far from the Sorbonne University and the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Panthéon looks over the Quartier Latin.

5.30pm Rue Mouffetard Map Wonder this lively street known for its gourmet food shops and cafes. Aperitif hour begins. You can select one of the many bars here OR


    6.00pm APERITIF @ AU SAUVIGNON Map
    Address: 80 Rue des saints-Peres 75007

7.30pm DINNER @ La Closerie des Lilas Map Website 
Address: 171 Blvd Montparnasse 75006

A literary and artistic landmark having hosted the likes of Hemingway. Enjoy the pleasant terrace for dining in the warmer months and live music most evenings, La Closerie retains the ambiance of old-world Paris.


Petite Paris is the first Australian online booking service for hand selected B&Bs and Apartments in Paris. 

View all 92 apartments on the website www.petiteparis.com.au 
Contact us for bookings / availabilities: info@petitepr.com.au 

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Discounted Rate on Paris B&B

SPECIAL DISCOUNT 
PARIS B&B401
a garden home in Paris 
 
FOR STAYS IN PARIS in NOVEMBER 2012
and JANUARY 2013!

Bonjour mes amis!

We are offering another great discount for the months of November and January in our NEW B&B Apartments B&B401! If you're traveling to Paris in either of these months then email moi for availability asap. Its booking fast!! info@petitepr.com.au

B&B401 is a gorgeous and unique garden home. As a guest you are offered a complete private guests area which includes a private entry via your own private garden, bedroom with double bed, ensuite, lounge room and dining room. This is an extremely cosy and homely home in Paris where you will experience the authentic and intimacy of a true Parisian life.

150euro per night for 2 people including breakfast, plus a cheese platter and bottle of red wine on arrival. Reduced from 180euro per night! 



  

 

Your host Marc is avery friendly lovely host, attentive, hospitable and discreet. He is a well known Sax player at the famous Jazz bars in the St Germain Des Pres and will be able to advise you on where to go of an evening!

Located in the 17th Arrondissement in a very tranquil and residential area of Paris where you will experience the authentic Parisian life away from the touristic masses and see locals in everyday action. The 17th has a bohemian atmosphere as it if filled with many hip young Parisians occupying the various bars and cafes. It is filled with its own attractions, galleries, museums, parks, gourmet food shops, cafes and well known restaurants. Only 15 minutes from the centre of Paris by Metro.


To view the full description of this B&B with more images and location map click here.
To make a booking contact us on info@petitepr.com.au 

Merci, bonne journee


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Discover other B&Bs in France

DISCOVER FRANCE...

Looking to explore other regions of France?

We have discovered another wonderful little Australian website/service offering B&Bs and self contained accommodations in the Dordogne Valley, Sarlat (or one of the gorgeous medieval stone villages nearby) - located between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees. Think grand chateaux, converted bread-houses, villas.

'Everything Dordogne' is a small but growing service providing the all important completely intimate and personalised service which we like and promising authentic French experiences which we love! :)




EVERYTHING DORDOGNE




www.everythingdordogne.com.au

Everything Dordogne offers bed and breakfast and self catering holiday accommodation in the beautiful and historic regions of SW West France. Catering to the discerning traveller who is searching for an authentic French experience Everything Dordogne lists a variety of holiday accommodation options from grand chateaux though to quaint converted bread-houses, villas and immaculately renovated cottages.


 






Run by Alex and Karen, Australians expats living in France, Everything Dordogne also offers a travel advisory service along with loads of tips and hints on what to do in the region. Visit the Everything Dordogne website for information on the Dordogne and Lot Valleys, Chateaux, Beautiful Villages, Sarlat, Markets and Historic sites.
www.everythingdordogne.net or contact at info@everythingdordogne.net