New Year's Eve in Paris

There's possibly no better time to enjoy the benefits of a wonderful apartment rentals in Paris as during the New Year.

After all, New Year's lasts an entire month in Paris, roughly speaking. The French celebration of "Saint Sylvestre" begins January 1st, with cries of "bonne annee" beginning at midnight and lasting until the 1st of February.

New Year's Eve in Paris means flowing champagne, vin chaud (mulled wine) and hot cider. Fireworks are common throughout the city, so watch your eyes and get ready for a fun night out.

Major draws during other times of the year are certainly no exception on this exciting night, with the Champs Elysées being the hot-spot for locals and tourists alike, the equivalent of Times Square in the U.S. Not for those who hate crowds, there are firework displays along the avenue and occasional pickpockets, so do exercise normal caution.

It never needs mentioning that the Eiffel Tower is a "must-see" attraction, as this is perhaps never more so than on New Year's Eve, as the light show goes into overdrive at the stroke of midnight.

There are several long- and Paris short term rentals that let you take in the show, whether with a glorious view or simply by letting you live in central Paris, near the fun and excitement.

Food-lovers should consider exploring special holiday menus offered at various restaurants around the city. You may want to check in advance to see if any special dress codes apply (and the same is true of any parties you plan on attending). It's a special night, and as a result politeness suggests finding out what each event may require or suggest. Whatever you choose in terms of restaurants, book as early as possible in advance.

A Seine cruise is another wonderful way to soak up the excitement of the night, in a somewhat more leisurely fashion, and there are several companies to choose from. Bateaux Parisiens is an established Seine cruise company, as are Bateaux Mouches, Yachts de Paris and several more. Many cruises include dinner, music, champagne, and other amenities. Reservations are almost always required in advance.

Sometimes it's the little pleasures that make holidays special.

So while in town for the holidays, head to a Paris supermarket and look for papillottes.

Papillottes (which originated in Lyon) are chocolates or fruit jellies which contain a message in the wrapper. When opened, they pop like small firecrackers. Papillotes are classic Christmas treats in France, with the same iconic importance as the candy cane in the U.S.

According to legend, they were created by a young man working in a candy shop, in love with a girl downstairs. He wrapped loved notes around the candies and tossed them into her window, causing sparks to fly (figuratively and almost literally). The rest is history.

New Year's Eve in a magical time wherever you are. Whether you choose a mystical night in the Montmartre, a quiet walk by the Seine, or losing yourself amongst the crowds of the Champs Elysées, there's quite possibly no better way to ring in the New Year than in one of the world's most beautiful cities.

My Keys to PARIS - Testimony

Dear Customers,
Thank you for choosing myKeystoPARIS to make your apartment reservation in 2009.

Here are a couple of  feedback on the apartments from customers who rented and apartment in Paris with us as  well as their experience with myKeystoPARIS.
Thoses comments are very helpful for us to improve the quality of our service as well as helping other customers to choose their ideal apartment.

Paris Apt : Charonne
I honestly enjoyed my one months stay in this lovely apartment. The view of Eiffel Tower  from this Paris apartment rental is amazing at nights. The landlords are also such a sweet and honorable couple. I consider myself so lucky to find this place (From Ali A., Dubai, UAE).


Paris Apt : Jarente 

Sorry it's taken me so long to complete you survey. Per my "testimony" the flat and location were great. Carolyn was very casual and didn't bother with the security deposit when I offered it. The night before I left I broke the door on the freezer that had been having problems while I was there. I left Carolyn a note and the insurance info and told her to contact me if the repair/replacement was more costly than the insurance allowed. I have not heard anything so I'm assuming all is well. Thanks for your help. (Mary Kelly, California, USA)

Paris Apt : Cherche midi
Enjoyed this Paris rental immensly- great value, great location!! (from Tal V., Smyrna USA).

 

more testimonials on : http://www.mykeystoparis.com/paris-apartments-testimonials.html

We thank you again for your visit in one of our apartment in Paris in 2009 and hope to see you again soon.

Merry Christmas and happy new year.

THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR

BIBLIOTHEQUE NATIONALE DE FRANCE (François Mitterand site) - 20 october 2009 to 24 January 2010

Translated into most European languages, the adventures of King Arthur have also inspired artists. The exhibition presents beautiful mediaeval works on the subject of this legend: manuscripts, gold and silverware...and emphasises the rediscovery of the legend from the 19th century by artistic fields as diverse as literature, painting, opera, cinema and video games.

label : www.bnf.fr

"WOMEN", the museum's collections new hanging

CENTRE POMPIDOU - June 2009 to December 2010

This themed exhibition celebrates female art, whether in the fields of painting, scultpture, photography, design, architecture, video or cinema. It highlights women's position in the artistic pantheon, their leading role in defining the avant-garde and their contribution to new technologies. More than 500 works by 200 artists are exhibited in a space which has been specially designed for the occasion.

label: centre Pompidou

FEDERICO FELLINI

JEU DE PAUME (CONCORDE) - 20 OCTOBER 2009 TO 3 JANUARY 2010




The Jeu de Paume presents a set of photographs, drawings, original posters and films by the author of La Dolce Vita (1960). The confrontation of these documents by means of a resolutely modern set-up enable the film maker to be approached via his obsessional universe.

Rent for a week or more, a Paris appartment rentals and see all exhibitions around it.

KATE MOSS (ADVERTISING)

LES ARTS DECORATIFS - 26 NOVEMBRE TO 25 APRIL 2010




During her 15-year career she has become one of the top supermodels. Famous for her embodiment of the "waif look", and nicknamed "the twig" in France, she began her career in advertising. Whether covering herself with glory or mired in scandal, she is fashion and luxury brands incarnate. Though the lenses of leading photographers of the last twenty years, les Arts Décoratifs celebrates this new myth.

See our Paris vacation apartments and go to this exhibition.

AMERICAN GOLD

MUSÉUM NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE GALERIE DE MINÉRALOGIE ET DE GÉOLOGIE -FROM APRIL TO DECEMBER 2009



The exhibition reveals gold as it appears not only naturally but geologically, archeologically, anthrologically, historically and artistically, all the way to the Stock Exchange. In the 20th century, gold was put to scientist use, notably in satellite solar filters and Airbus windows and within the biomedical industry. Many priceless objects (jewellery, finery, gold bars...) are show, revealing gold in its many different forms.

Click to this link and find your Vacation rentals in Paris!

CLAUDE PARENT

CITE DE L'ARCHITECTURE ET DU PATRIMOINE PALAIS DE CHAILLOT - NOVEMBER 2009 TO FEBRUARY 2010


Designer, theorist and polemicist, Claude Parent is one of the most important contemporary architects in post-war architecture and town planning. The retrospective held in his honour at la Cité, where his archives are housed, returns to his concepts and theories, their development over time and their interaction with modern architecture. It is also a tribute by one of his disciples, Jean Nouvel, who is reponsible for staging the exhibition.

Visit our site and find Paris vacation apartments for your stay, during this exhibition.

POLLOCK AND SHAMANISM

PINACOTHEQUE DE PARIS - UNTIL 15 FEBRUARY 2009



From Autumn 2008, for the first time in the capital in twenty six years, the Pinacothèque de Paris presents an exceptional collection of works by the abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock, inspired by Amerindian Shamanism. Through this brand new interpretation, a true discovery of the artist's working method, this exhibition also helps to reveal and understand the process of Shamanic spiritual transformation which Pollock made his own.

If you are looking for an apartment, during this exhibition, click in this link : Paris vacation apartments.

HUSSEIN CHALAYAN & JONATHAN WOLPAW FROM THE MIND TO CLOTHING

LE LABORATOIRE - OCTOBER 2009 TO JANUARY 2010




The stylist Hussein Chalayan presents a world in which clothing becomes intelligent. The experiment carried out together with Jonathan Wolpaw, a researcher in biomedecine and specialist of the nervous system, consists of creating an interaction between the mind and living material. What if clothes were capable of thought?

See pictures of apartments near Le Laboratoire, cliking here : Paris apartment rental

MOBI-BOOM? FURNITURE FROM 1945 TO 1975 (IN THE NAVE)

LES ARTS DECORATIFS - 8 OCTOBER2009 - TO 10 JANUARY 2010



The 30 Glorious Years of economic growth in France following the Secibd Word War also saw a renewal in French furniture : it design and distribution. The use of new materials-foams,plastic, and Formica- gave a rise to a new form of furniture which served the purposes of customers in seach of confort. The emergence of new talents (Pierre Paulin, Olivier Mourgue, André Fermigier, Roger Tallon) and the importance of furniture companies (Roche, Roset, Mobilier international) and distributors are touched on and brought together in the Arts Décoratifs nave.


You want to come to Paris to see this exhibition? Click here to find apartment rentals in Paris

PAINT & PARIS

PETIT PALAIS - MUSÉE DES BEAUX-ARTS DE LA VILLE DE PARIS - FROM OCTOBER TO 1 DECEMBER 2009




Once again, contemporary art sets up shop in the collections of the Petit Palais. It's a daring gamble, combining 22 paintings by Parisians artists (Adami, Alechinsy, Kijo, Titus-Carmel...) with texts by 22 authors written specially for the occasion and in addition to the works of the permanent collection! The autumnal event "Résonances au Petit Palais" also draws numerous parallels between literature, heritage and contemporary creations.

Visit our site and see our luxury apartment in Paris.

MATISSE-RODIN, THE TALE OF ENCOUNTER

MUSEE RODIN - FROM 23 OCTOBER 2009 TO 28 FEBRUARY 2010


This exhibition aims to examine the affinities and influences of these two grands masters. The works of Rodin inspired Matisse in his vision of sculpture and drawing. Though Matisse found their meeting somewhat disappointing and their differences grew more marked over time, the painter never hid his admiration for the sculptor. This exhibition assembles more than a hundred works (sculptures, paintings, drawings, photographs and illustrated books) which piece together this encounter.

Click here if you are looking for Paris short term rentals near this exhibition.

TEOTIHUACAN, CITY OF THE AZTEC GODS

Musée du Quai Branly - From 7 October 2009 to 24 January 2010




Between 350 and 450 exceptional items from Teotihuacan, the city on which Mexico was built, are brought together for this exhibition. 70% come from Mexican collections, the remaining 30% containing works from European collections and recent discoveries. They are presented theme-by-theme, helping visitors to understand the role of this ancient city in the Mesoamerican world, from a historical, anthropological and mythological point of view.

If you are looking for vacation apartment rentals, click here to visit our site.

JAMES ENSOR

MUSEE D'ORSAY - Autumn 2009


James Ensor (1860-1949), who painted The Temptation of Saint Anthony, was a major figure in the Belgian avant-garde at the end of the 19th century and a frontrunner in the development of Expressionism at the star of the 20th century. His multi-faceted work, marked firstly by Impressionism, then by Symbolism, influenced generations of artists.

This exhibition rehabilitates James Ensor through 90 works which represent his life's work, displayed by theme. Paintings, engravings and drawings offer a rounded view of this daring, innovative and masterful art.

If you are looking for a Paris vacation apartments to stay in Paris during this exhibition, visit our site.

FROM BALZAC TO DOTREMONT IN THE EYES OF PIERRE ALECHINSKY

MAISON DE BALZAC - October to December 2009



Balzac was also a printer and a type-founder and he took part in the numerous typography games that were organised in the 19th century. A century later, Christian Dotremont, one of the founders of the Cobra movementin the 1948, invented logograms, these pictures-poems, texts that are visible and drawings that speaks. Pierre Alechinsky organises with humour and poetry the encounter between these two men of character...

During this exhibition, you can stay in one of our Paris rentals, place des Vosges. visit our site and find a short term rental apartment in Paris

WE WANT MILES

CITE DE LA MUSIQUE - 16 octobre to 17 january 2010



This first major exhibition devoted to Miles Davis relates the musician's and personal career, from the town of his childhood (East St Louis), through to the retrospective concert he gave on the site of la Villette in PAris, a few eeks before his death. An emblematic area on his development has been created for every period in his carrer, inspired by the places where the trumpeter used to go, the records he made, the musicians with whom he played, the image that he projected and the evolution of his art.

Then exhibition shows pictures taken by the greatest names in music photography, video extracts of his concerts, some of his instruments, and a number of rare scores, works of art, etc.

Search for an apartment in Paris with one bedroom during this ewhibition? look at our list of Paris one bedroom rental.

titan, tintoretto, veronese. Venetian rivalries

Musée du Louvre - From 18 september 2009 to January 2010



The exhibition displays the works of the three key players in 16th century Venetian painting : Titian, an inventive genius whose style disconcerts through its constant renewal, Tintoretto, a dynamic genius who developed art with a superhuman energy, and Veronese, a decorative genius whose apollonian serenity fascinated artists right up to the 20th century. A reflection of their time, their chosen themes reveal the tastes, turmoil and torments of Venetians in the 16th century: the anxieties - the surprising despair and violence depicked in the sacred paintings despite the area's hedonistic reputation - but also the ever-present cult of profan beauty, starting with women.

myKeystoPARIS has a list of apartment available close to the Louvre museum : look at this paris louvre apartment rentals list. You can also go to our website main page and make directly a request for an flat in an other area. a myKeystoPARIS agent will be pleased to help you to find the best place where to stay.

HOW LONG IS YOUR STAY IN PARIS?

You need a relocation for any business trip and you are looking for Paris long term rentals. You also give a large importance to where to stay in Paris.

Whether you're interested in an apartment near major monuments like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, or the Arc of Triumph, or you are looking by district (or arrondissement), mostly in the center of the city like the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th or by neighborhoods (or quarters) such as the Marais, Latin Quarter, Saint Germain des Pres, Opera, Grands Boulevards, Montmartre, Montparnasse, near the Seine, Bastille, Madeleine, Concorde, Trocadéro, Invalides, and much more, the friendly, knowledgeable staff at MyKeystoPARIS is available to answer your questions, anytime.

ISADORA DUNCAN - A living sculpture

Musée Bourdelle - From 23 2009 to 7 march


A pioneering figure in the world of modern dance, Isadora Duncan, whom Bourdelle had the opportunity to meet and see dancing, was amongst the sculptor's sources of inspiration, notably when he decorated the théâtre des Champs Elysées. The life - particularly the parisian years - and career of this exceptional woman are at the heart of this ambitious exhibition wich assembles, for the first time since the 1960s, paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and costume.

Please visit our list of Paris short term rentals for your next paris stay.

RENOIR IN THE 20TH CENTURY

GALLERIES NATIONALES DU GRAND PALAIS - 23 septembre to 4 january 2010


The exhibition recounts the second part of Renoir's carrer, from the beginning of the 1890's - which follows the painter's break with impressionism - until his death. At the time, Renoir turned towards decorative and classical art, nourished by masters of the past. This period, certainly the least well known, is often eclipsed by the impressionist years. Even so, it marks the beginning of new, rich research that makes Renoir one of the masters of modern painting.

For you next stay in the city, look at our list of Paris short term rental. Our team will be happy to help you to find the best place where to stay.

label : www.rmn.fr

CRIM'EXPO

SCIENCE INVESTIGATION - Cité des sciences et de l'industrie - from 10 February 2009 to January 2010



The director of the museum has been found dead in the office...it's up to the visitor the carry out the investigation with the help of scientific laboratories and to unmask the murderer. Observation, crime scene investigation (bullet cases, DNA traces, textile fibres, fingerprints, etc), drawing up hypotheses, contributions to questioning suspects: everything happens as it does "in the field".This fun, interactive and educational exhibition tells us all about the investigation methods used by forensics officiers.

During your stay in Paris and to visit this exhibition, you should visit our list of apartment rental at Palais Royal, right in the center of Paris.

LIVING GREEN

CITE DE L'ARCHITECTURE ET DU PATRIMOINE - PALAIS DE CHAILLOT - April to september 2009

As this century begins, and after the doubling of the world population in the last fifty years, building are at the heart of a new set of issues affecting the planet. This exhibition gives an overview of an environmentally responsible approach to building and town planning. A number of events are being held on the fringes of the themed exhibition: conferences, courses, experimental workshops for students, educational workshops for schools, etc...

label : www.citechaillot.fr

INTO THE SPIDER'S WEB

MUSEUM NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE, GRANDE GALERIE DE L'EVOLUTION - From September 2009 to the start of 2010

The Exhibition tackles these creatures which fuel so many myths and phobias in an original manner. Live specimens, models and a wide range of images reveal the anatomy, behaviour and biological characteristics of spiders. A special section provides insight into the many areas of research on silk thread, the use of their venom and their role on an ecological level. Visitors can also test their courage:in each area, "sensory" bubbles house a range of potentially terrifying specimens.

ou site proposes a range of vacation apartment rental that you can use diring exhibition. We warmly recommand this vacation 1 bedroom apartment rental.

PARRWORLD

THE MARTINE PARR COLLECTION

JEU DE PAUME (Concorde) - 30 June to 29 september 2009

A member of the Legendary Magnum agency, Martin Parr is one of the today's active photographers. This exhibition proposes a dialogue between photographs from the artists latest series, "Luxury" and his vast collection of disparate objets: a collection of books, photographs, gadgets, curiosities, etc. All brought together by the artist. Elements that are very close to current social and political affaires or which reflect the absurdity and emptiness of our consumer society.

Label : Jeu de Paume

Look at our list of short term apartment rentals for your next holiday stay in Paris

THE EARTH AND US

CITE DES SCIENCES ET DE L'INDUSTRIE - 16 december 2008 to August 2009 - LAST DAYS


By 2025,75% of humankind will live in in towns and cities, occupying just 5% of the earth. this is one of the many challenges to which we will have to rise. This exhibition presents the geoscientific tools wich are used to analyse the distribution of the world's natural resources and to plan a way of using them responsibly and effectively. Specific solutions to the depletion of ressources and the destruction of natural environments are put forward: the production of new form of energy, decontamination of industrial sites, waste recovery and application of sustainable development principles to the urban environment.

For this exhibition look at our selection of paris vacation apartments for rent.

label : cité des sciences

KANDINSKY

CENTRE GEORGES POMPIDOU - 8 April to 10 August 2009




The result of a collaboration between the three largest public collections of Kandinsky's works, this exhibition features around one hundred completed paintings. It demonstrates the unity of the artist's pictorial oeuvre, which goes far beyond the posthumous and overly reductive concept of Kandinsky as the inventor of abstraction

label : www.centrepompidou.fr

14 OF JULY - FIREWORK FROM THE EIFFEIL TOWER

The firework from the Eiffel Tour was one of the most spectacular I have ever seen



For those who didn't have the occasion to be in Paris this year and wants to organize a vacation stay in Paris. Look at our selection of Paris vacation apartment rental

Vraoum ! comics and contemporary art

MAISON ROUGE - FONDATION ANTOINE DE GALBERT - From 28 may to 27 september 2009




Vraoum... gathers an exceptional collection of original works by the biggest names of the 9th art: Hergé, Winsor McCay Edgar P. Jacobs, Albert Uderzo, Hugo Pratt, Enki Bilal Moebius, Franquin, Reiser...These works are displayed alongside a selection of contemporary art wich brings to light the presence and influence of comic-strips in contemporary art.

During this exhibition, you can look at our list of Paris vacation apartments for rent to organize you stay in Paris.

label : La Maison Rouge

KREYOL FACTORY

CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION - Grande Halle de la Villette - until 5 July 2009

This exhibition proposes a reflection on the question of identities and territories through the eyes of artists, writers and documentarists. The visit is an invitation to discover and meet these different societies.

during this exhibition you may want to look at a place where to stay. Ou staff will be happy to help you to find the right place.

visit our page of paris vacation apartments for rent

label : www.villette.com

WorldEscape - A firendly site that we recommand

World Escape Apartments helping you escape your world.

World Escape - the vacation apartment specialists. Looking for to escape for a few days, a week or maybe a little longer. ? Well check in with WorldEscape for a stay with a difference.

WorldEscape Group offer apartment accommodation in an ever increasing number of the worlds most exciting cities, currently standing at twenty six as of (Feburary 2009)

Their current cities are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Chicago, Edinburgh, Delhi, Dublin, Dubai, Florida, Florence, Goa, Los Angeles, London, Manchester, Munich, New York, Paris, Prague, Rome, Sicily, San Francisco,
Sydney, and Warsaw .

They have other cities planned for 2009 and are already planning 2010.

World Escape are different to the rest. Each city is a independendly managed by a WorldEscape representative who live in the city you will be visiting. This insures that all properties are personally visited by us before being listed on the World Escape site so you can be sure that what you reserve is actually what you will get when you arrive.

They do not list endless pages of properties for each city, we list only a select few, all carefully chosen by our local World Escape representative.

Not all properties get to be listed as they do not meet our standards, When we visit each property, we grade it for quality, location, style and facilities offered. Some owners are willing to add the items to their properties to get listed but ons who do not, cannot get listed on WorldEscape. We only want the best of the best for our guests and visitors.

When you book with WorldEscape you have the WorldEscape guarantee, that once a property has been visited by us it comes under the WorldEscape guarantee scheme which guarantees that the property listed is as it says it is and offers all the facilities it says it does. So you can be assured that what you book will be what you get when you arrive.

All rates are clearly shown and no hidden or extra changes, we clearly show all the rates and charges before you reserve.

World Escape have being helping escape since late1999 starting with Amsterdam Escape which opened it's doors back in the summer of 2000. This proved so popular that the demand from our visitors and guests for other cities offering the same style and facilites helped us make up our mind to expand into other European cities so we opened Rome in 2002, this also proved a huge sucess so we said lets do a little further a field next time so we do, we opened up in Sydney in 2004. Other cities quickly followed and this has now grown to twenty six.

They expect more to be added to the WorldEscape network in the coming years unless the whole world crumbles around us from the credit crunch.

So next time you're excaping your world remember worldescape for a stay with a difference!.

JIM GOLDBERG, The HCB Award Show

FONDATION HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON - 25 March to 26 July 2009

Jim Goldberg was awarded the HCB Prize in 2007 for his project "The NEw Europeans, a photographic essay on migration flows in Europe. The artist has been a member of Magnum photos since 2006. He was put forward as a candidate by the Henri-Cartier-Bresson Foundation, this €30,000 indivisible prize is a creative catalyst and aims at allowing a photographer to carry through a project wich would have been impossible without it.


Where Do You Want to Stay during this exhibition?
MyKeystoPARIS real estate company has a large list of paris vacation apartments for rent with an accurate information on each apartment. You can easily book on line

We recommand Steve Solosky's website

Steve Solosky runs a website at www.travelingprofessor.com. It is full of useful information about traveling to Paris. Here are some of his best picks for dining spots in Paris.

On the left bank in the Latin Quarter/St Germain area, he has some favorites eating spots:

Patisserie Viennoise. 8, rue d l’Ecole de Medecine. Metro: Odeon.
What a classic pastry shop! I go out of my way to have breakfast here. You can sit down inside if you wish. The world’s 2nd best hot chocolate. Closed weekends.

Bistrot d’Henri, 16, rue Princesse, 6th. Metro: Mabillon or St Germain des Pres or St. Sulpice
This is a very popular and friendly spot. The tables are close, but that’s fine because everyone there always seems to be social and willing to share their travel stories. The food is very good. My lunch (for 2) costs 54 euro with wine. Lunch cost me 54 euros for two here in February.
For a variety of inexpensive restaurants with good food and service, go to rue Grégoire de Tours between rue Buci and Boulevard St. Germain and get off the Odeon metro stop in the 6th, . My particular favorite is Au Beaujolais at 9 rue Grégoire de Tours. It is a good value for your euro and you’ll have fun, too. Make sure you see Hakim and mention my name.

Le Pré Verre. 8, rue Thenard, 5th. Metro: Maubert-Mutualite.
You know it has to be good if the Parisians line up to get into the place. Near the Cluny, across the street from the Hotel du College de France. They have a prix fixe dinner for about 35 euro each that includes wine. Lunch costs half of that. Make a reservation a day or two beforehand. This is the best value in Paris. Check out the Hotel du College du France across the street for you next stay in Paris. http://www.lepreverre.com/

Rue Buci: There is a Salon de The which is good for breakfast.

Le Coupe Chou. 9-11, rue de Lanneau, 5th. Metro: Maubert-Mutualite.
Americans seem to love this place located in the Latin Quarter. It’s romantic, it’s very French, it’s reasonable, and the food is good. Usually you don’t need a reservation. You’ll pay about 100 euro for two. http://www.lecoupechou.com/

Café Constant. 139, rue St. Dominique, 7th. Metro: Ecole Militaire. Casual. Great food. Get the “flotante” for dessert. Near Champs du Mars and Rue Cler. 110 euro for two. http://www.leviolondingres.com/eng_news.htm

On the right bank, I like:

Chartier. 7, rue Fauborg Montmartre, 9th. Metro: Grands Boulevards.
Fun and cheap. I eat here at least once every time I go to Paris. You may find your self sharing a water bottle and bread basket with a Parisian or someone from Finland, Warsaw, Buenos Aires, or Tokyo. The food is not the best, but go here to eat as the Parisians have been doing for about 100 years. It’s a lot of fun. You can get an appetizer (called an entrée in Paris), a plat (what we call an entrée in the U.S., dessert, wine (or water) for about 20 euro each. No reservations, just line up outside and chat up the friendly crowd as you wait to get in. They stop seating at precisely 10 pm. http://www.restaurant-chartier.com/www/visit/filsdesans.php

Aux Lyonnais. 32, rue St-Marc, 2nd. Metro: Bourse or Richelieu-Drouot.
An Alain Ducasse restaurant for 100 euro for two? You bet. Top! You need to reserve a day or two ahead of time. http://www.alain-ducasse.com/public_us/cest_aussi/fr_aulyonnais.htm

Bofinger. 5, rue de la Bastille, 4th. Metro: Bastille.
A turn of the century Parisian favorite. Even though the crowd is mostly French, I found the management and waiters to be quite friendly and accommodating. Near the Opera and Bastille. Moderate. It’s near the opera house, so it’s difficult to get a table before or after the opera. You need to reserve a day or two in advance. Probably about 125 euro for two. http://www.bofingerparis.com/

When I was strolling around the Marais in February, I noticed a few very nice restaurants with price fix menus of 20 euro or so that were empty. The economy has hurt the restaurant business badly.

L’As du Fallafel. 34, rue des Rosiers, 4th. Metro: St. Paul.
A Jewish deli-type of restaurant in the Marais. I like it so much for their 5-7 euro Fallafels (they call them “Cocktail de Viandes” which literally means “Meat Cocktail) that I keep their business card tacked on my corkboard in my kitchen. A great little take-away (“emporter” in French) place or fine for a sit-down lunch. Right now, it is one of the most popular eating spots in Paris. It is not fancy at all.

HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON

MAISON EUROPEENNE DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE From April to October 2009

To celebrate the centenary of the birth of Henri Cartier-Bresson, the Maison européenne de la photographie is presenting 150 of the artist's prints from its collections. An exhibition which brings together his mythical images of Paris and the people of Europe (a series of photographs covering half a century of travel, from the 1930s through to the 1970s) This event is organised in collaboration with the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson.

If you need any vacation apartment for rent in Paris during this event, fell free to make a request on our paris apartment request page. We will help you to find a place where to stay.


Label : www.mep-fr.org

I highly recommend doing one of Richard Nahem's Eye Prefer Paris

Eye Prefer Paris Tours





Eye Prefer Paris tours are private walking tours that show clients the offbeat and unusual Paris that most visitors never see on their own. The tours are customized to the client’s taste & interests and limited to groups of four people. The tours include the areas of St. Germain des Pres, Montparnasse, the Latin Quarter, Monmartre, Canal St. Martin, Bastille, and the specialty is the Marais. Clients get to choose 3 choices of interest from five different categories when they book a tour:

=> Historic buildings

=> Small Museums/Galleries

=> Boutiques/Fashion & Home

=> Food Markets/Gourmet Shops

=> Parks & Gardens


A typical tour can include a visit to the top patisserie in Paris, a secret wild rose garden, shopping in outlet store with up to 70% off of French designer clothing, a magnificent former private mansion from 1658, the oldest food market in Paris hidden in a courtyard, and an artisan's atelier where jewelry is hand-made right in front of you.

Specialized tours of food markets/gourmet shops and shopping tours can be arranged.

Richard Nahem, the owner of the company, describes the tours as informal and very personal, more like a friend showing you Paris than a formal guide. Richard also writes the popular insiders Paris blog www.eyepreferparis.com and many of the places he writes about are on the tour.



Price: 175 euros for a three-hour tour- for up to 4 people

Full day tours are also available

Clients can pay by Paypal

Tours are all year round, everyday

Morning tour 11AM-2PM, afternoon tour 3PM-6PM



Contact info:

Website: www.eyepreferparistours.com

Blog: www.eyepreferparis.com

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GAY IN PARIS: Gay Pride Parade and Festival

Move over San Francisco and New Orleans!

Needless to say, there are wonderful gay pride events to be found all over the globe, such as the exciting parades in the abovementioned cities. That being said, Paris' Gay Pride Parade and Festival combines the joy of being in Paris with a wonderful celebration of love itself, without distinction to gender.

Each summer, the Paris Gay Pride Parade an Festival rolls into town, most often toward the end-of-June. Although Paris’ “gay quarter” (and popular tourist haven in general) Le Marais springs first to mind, really this is but one of the many wonderful areas visitors should consider who plan to attend the festival.

MyKeystoParis.com offers a marvelous selection of apartments in Paris, not only in the Marais, but beautiful adjacent and nearby areas such as furnished apartments in the Latin Quarter, 1st, 2nd, 9th (Opera district), and many others.

The route of the parade varies, often beginning in the general vicinity of Montparnasse (14th) or Republique (3rd, 10th) and ending around the Beaubourg (3rd) or Bastille (11th). (Please check the latest news for the details of the upcoming parade, but please note often the exact route is not announced until the last minute.)

So in terms of lodging, you may also want to consider looking for something in the 14th on the Left Bank, the 11th on the Right Bank, or anywhere else landing close to the route. But be aware Paris is rather geographically small, so almost anywhere central won’t be more than a short walk or metro ride to the fun! (Needless to say, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 9th ,10th and 11th are probably your best bets, being in or near the gay quarter.)

Of course, there are many events leading up to the parade itself, such as festive and flamboyant balls, usually beginning a week or more before the day itself.

The “Marche des fiertés lesbiennes, gaies, bi & trans” itself is huge, each year brining an estimated 500,000+ people to the city. Think of this as Paris’ gay and festive “Mardi Gras,” with people dressed in elaborate costumes (and “dressed down” in body paint), alongside colorful floats.

If you’ve been to a gay pride event before, nothing will come as much of a shock to you. However, be aware that Paris has a relaxed view of sexuality, even by the standards of liberal cities like New Orleans or San Francisco, so expect a lot of good-natured, outrageous fun, and caveat to anyone who may feel put off by the uproarious celebrations. Expect miles of balloons, grinding dance music, whistles and costumes.

Paris has one of the largest gay and lesbian populations in Europe, attracted to Paris’ history of libertarian ideals and free-thinking. As such, the parade and festival have a more serious side, even though you may not see it on the surface: the festival is a potent reminder that discrimination still exists, and the necessity of equal rights for everyone, regardless of sexual nature. The festival calls for an end to hatred in the form of lesbophobia, homophobia and transphobia.

Clubbing is a big way to celebrate in the nights and days leading up to the parade. There are many great clubs in Paris, which can be found in a quick Google search for “gay clubs Paris”. Popular clubs like Le Club 18, Le Soir, and others have exciting events that include drink specials, and sometimes (but certainly not always) require tickets to be purchased in advance. If you don’t have a travel agent who specializes in gay travel, now may be the time to Google “gay travel agency.” Yes, they certainly do exist, and can help you plan your stay!

You may wish to take a look at the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans site at http://cglparis.org/, but you’ll find it’s mostly in French at the current time.

But either way, expect to have a wonderful time in Paris during this exciting, meaningful festival.

DOUBLE IMAGES FROM ARCIMBOLDO TO DALI

GALERIES NATIONALES DU GRAND PALAIS - 8 April to 6 july 2009

The illusions played by double or hidden images have haunted a great number of artists of different periods and cultures. This exhibition brings together some 250 works and promotes original rapprochements in a visit that revolves around major themes such as composite images, anthropomorhic scenes, anamorphoses and illusions of perspective, erotic ambiguities or even Rorschach's inkblots and tests...

for the exhibitions, we recommand you to visit our pages of Paris vacation apartments for rent, or you can go directly on our request form and we will help you to find the best place where to stay.

label : www.rmm.fr

long term family duplex apartment 75018 paris Grands Boulevards 75018 Paris

long term family duplex apartment 75018 paris Grands Boulevards 75018 Paris

ROLAND GARROS

TENNIS EVENT IN PARIS - one of the world's best-known and most prestigious tournaments.

In the world of tennis, the Tournoi de Roland-Garros (the informal name for "Les Internationaux de France de Roland Garros"), known worldwide as "The French Open," is one of the sport's most highly anticipated events.

This world-famous tennis tournament is held each year during a 2-week span between mid-May and early June. It gets its name for the stadium in which it's held, the Roland Garros Stadium (Stade).

The Roland Garros is one of the world's best-known and most prestigious tournaments. It has the largest broadcast audience in the world among tennis matches, and is also the most esteemed clay-court tournament in the tennis world. It also widely considered to be the most physically challenging tennis tournament in the world due to the slower playing surface, and the fact that the tournament ends with five-set singles matches without the possibility of a tiebreak.

The French Open is remarkable and unique in large part due to its playing surface of clay verses grass or harder material.

Clay courts are a more demanding surface compared to hard courts or even grass for several reasons. Clay physically slows the ball and has a higher bounce. This means big serves tend to be counteracted somewhat, making it more difficult for players who rely on strong serves to enjoy the advantage they normally would. An example of players who would be affected by this disadvantage would be players such as John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg. All of these players, known for their punchy serves and powerful serve-and-volley styles, have never won a French Open.

As a result, this unique tournament tends to favor players who have a more calculated approach and/or a slower playing style, such as Mats Wilander, Ivan Lendl, or Björn Borg.

Players who have fared best in both of tennis' major tournaments – i.e., Wimbledon and Roland Garros – have been those whose talents encompass both the strong and more subtle aspects of the game. The list here includes tennis masters Andre Agassi, Rod Laver, Rafael Nadal and again Bjorn Berg.

The Roland Garros originated in 1891 as the national tournament of France and was called the French Tennis Championship (in French, "Championat de France International de Tennis"). The first tournament for women was held six years later. Both of these were technically lawn tennis competitions. Red clay (or in French, "terre battue") was introduced in 1912. This original red clay was derived from crushed red bricks. Until the mid-1920s, the tournament was only available for players licensed in France itself.

By 1925, this tournament became open for international competition, and in 1928 the event was moved to the Roland Garros Stadium, built to commemorate the French fighter aircraft pilot Roland Garros, who during World War I became the first man to fly an airplane across the entire breadth of the Mediterranean Sea.

Winners of the tournament receive pure silver trophies with beautiful etched decoration and their name.

The Roland Garros Stadium is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Staying near the tournament is as easy as contacting www.mykeystoParis.com for any apartment rentals in Paris.

The 16th is a beautiful, stately arrondissement located adjacent to the 8th, meaning sights such as the Arch of Triumph, Champs Elysees and Eiffel Tower across the Seine in the 7th are never far away. There is a dizzying assortment of restaurants and attractions within easy reach via a short metro ride.

The Trocadéro and Palais de Chaillot are also here in the 16th, as well as some of central Paris' most relaxing walks. And don't miss the Tennis Museum in the Roland Garros stadium (open weekdays, except Mondays), which boasts around 3,000-square feet of exhibition space, with photographs and multimedia displays, and around 100 racquets representing 60 years of tennis history.

Whether you're coming to Paris for the match, or simply want to see the Musée du Tennis / Tenniseum, you'll have the time of your life in the 16th.

HUGO PRATT AND WAR

MUSEE DE L'ARMEE - HOTEL NATIONAL DES INVALIDES - From 3 june to 4 october 2009



War stories feature amongst the favourite themes of Hugo Pratt. Drawings, water colours, uniforms and even several film extracts are on show throughtout this unique exhibition which aims to examine the issue of war through the work of the creator of the famous Corto Maltese. This character, a british sailor whose adventures take place between 1900 and 1930, gained Hugo Pratt international recognition. Corto Maltese also reflects the many travels and overflowing inventiveness of his author.


For this exhibition, you can stay in one of our corporate vacation 1 bedroom apartement for rent in the 75007, Paris, Bretueil street name


For more information about the exhibitions, go to www.invalides.org

THE ART OF TRAVEL JOURNALS FROM 1800 TO THE MODERN DAY

MUSEE DE LA POSTE - From 14 April to 12 Septembre 2009

Travel Journals are not solely the privilege of explorers, such as Théodore Monod and Paul-Emile Victor. Painters like Jean Dubuffet or Bernard Rancillac also sketched whilst on their travels. Natural scientific illustrations, ethnological note books, historical and artistic path of a singular literary genre.

I you want to discover this exhibition, we propose a list of apartment for you next stay in Paris. have a look at our vacation apartment rentals in Paris

SEE ITALY AND DIE

The "Grand Tour" puts photograpy and pinting to the test in the 19th century


MUSEE D'ORSAY - From 7 April to 19 July 2009

During the siecle des Lumieres the "Grand Tour" was a long trip taken by young people from the upper classes of European society, intended to complete their education; However, this practice did not vanish at the end of the 18th century and resisted the emergence of atlernatives to the Italie aesthetic model, Italy being its principal destination. Even after 1850, its popularity amongst artists and simple tourists increased in an impressive fashion, aided by the development of both communication means and photography. The attraction of the beauty of Virgil's as yet untouched homeland saw vast artistic output.



The exhibition presents these works, revealing the recurrent themes and fantasies: archaeological and ancient remains, the major european cultural sites and the contemporary population's lasting attachement to the ancient world.

For the exhibition place at the Musee d'orsay, you could choose to stay in one of our Paris apartment rentals.

"THE GATES OF HEAVEN" : VISIONS OF THE WORLD IN ANCIENT EGYPT

MUSEE DU LOUVRE - From 6 March to June 2009



In the language of the ancient Egyptians, the Gates of Heaven refer to the doors of the tabernacle housing the statue of a god. Symbolising the point of entry to another world, this phrase also applies to other elements of the egyptian universe. The exhibition invites you to a journey through these worlds, passing through the gates of heaven, the heavens being both the perceptible space visible from Earth and the dimension housing the divine.
The event presents more than 300 works covering the periodes from the pre-dynastic era to Roman times, replacing the objects in their social religious and artistic context.

We can propose many apartment rental opportunities for your next stay in Paris.
- look at our selection of vacation apartment rentals from 5 nights to 3 weeks : vacation,
- our short term apartment for rent list from 3 weeks to 3 months
- and our long term apartments list from 3 months to one year.

ITALIAN PRIMITIVES

MUSEE JACQUEMART-ANDRE- from 11 march to june 2009

The museum is home to the collection of Italian primitive masterpieces assembles at the start of the 19th century by the German baron Bernard von Lindenau. There are over fifty paintings in all, produced by the greatest masters of the pre-Renaissance and the first Italian Renaissance - Giudo da Siena, Pietro Lorenzetti, Bernardo Daddi, Lorenzo Monaco, Fra Angelica, Filippo Lippi and Sandro Botticelli. The whole collection underlines the richness and great diversity of the mystically poetic works.

for you stay during this exhibition, you can choose on of our vacation apartments in Paris or for a longer stay, look our list of short term apartment rentals in Paris.

label : for more information about the Jacquemart-Andre museum go on http://www.musee-jacquemart.com

MY DEAR RABBIT

MUSEE DE LA CHASSE ET DE LA NATURE. From April to Semptember 2009

The representation, throughout the history of art, of highly-symbolic animal : the rabbit. The work. The works-notably contemporary-on show at the exhibition, reveal its two faced nature. A creature capable of metamorphosing into an obese, deam-like, transgenic puppet, provoking urges and revealing anxiety. In a period of re-examination of human nature, the contemporary rabbit has the magical powers of a chameleon:switching from tender and feminine to wild or even robotic.

check on our list of apartments rentals in Paris, 3rd district if one is corresponding to your needs.

PARIS AT THE TIME OF VICTOR HUGO'S - LES MISERABLES

MUSEE CARNAVALET.

We liked this exhibition : An exhibition which proposed a totally new interpretation of Les Miserables, which sees paris as the main character of Victor Hugo's novel. Like a wandering investigation, it follows the path and chronology of the book, delving visitors into the heart of the tale on the trail of Jean Valjean, Cosette, Fantine and Marius...Paris circa 1815 is revealed , brought to life through around 220 paintings, photographs, maps, engravings and works of art, almost all from the rich collections of Carnavalet.

Many more exhibition to come at the Musee Carnavalet.


We have at least 3 apartments close to the Carnavalet musuem:
One is a furnished studio rental placed on the street de Tournelles (see picture). another one is a one bedroom apartment rental on the street called Pas de la mule (just near the famous place des Vosges). You can also select this long term rental on Guillemites street

Gay Socializing and Fun: A Different Set of Rules

Those who know Paris, know that France has its own set of social customs, some so small they may seem “invisible” to you at first.

Small things like always saying “bonjour” whenever you enter a restaurant café, and realizing the French come from a much more formal tradition than the United States: so don’t take the frowns or stern manners personally! While you’ll find the French slower to “warm up” than Americans, you’ll soon learn French bonds of friendship run very deep.

When it comes to gay socializing in the French capital, you may well find the rules changed in this regard, as well. While in the United States someone interested in someone else may feel perfectly at easy using the “direct approach,” be aware that French customs still apply!

Some of these customs may seem odd to you at first, but a little investment in learning them will go a long way. For example, in the United States it is extremely common to smile at a stranger, to show you mean no harm. In France, however, the rule is flipped. Smiling too early in a conversation can be seen, culturally, as a sign of insincerity, superficiality or falseness. (After all, you don’t really know the other person yet!)

Your best bet is: a) to display impeccable manners in saying “bonjour”; b) keep a dignified expression (save the smiles for when something humorous is discussed or happens; it will happen soon enough!); and c) make an honest effort to speak French. These are the “golden rules” insofar as how the French see visitors, so stick to them and you stand the best chances of warming the person you’re speaking with to you.

That being said, relax and be yourself! Parisians tend to socialize in groups, so feel free to bring along friends, as well.

However, if you find the prospect of flirting with the French a little daunting (and please remember it’s the same for everyone in France: please don’t feel that any chilliness is somehow directed at you, personally!), remember there are many wonderful international gay clubs in Paris, where you’ll find visitors from all over the world congregating to have cheerful fun.

Two gay clubs in Paris with friendly, unpretentious reputations include Le Tango (la boite a frissons) at 13 rue au Maire. Metro: Arts et Metiers, and Le Club 18, at 18 rue du Beaujolais. 75001 Paris, Metro: Palais-Royal.

Of course, there are many wonderful, friendly clubs all over Paris, particularly in the vicinity of the Marais.

Yet another of these clubs, with a great reputation for having a fun-loving, international clientele is Open Café at 17 rue des Archives (Metro Hôtel de Ville or Rambuteau).

To stay near the fun, we recommend taking a look at the great selection of available Paris apartments at http://www.MyKeysToParis.com.

And stay tuned, as next time we’ll be exploring the many NON-clubbing ways to get out and enjoy Paris, the City of Lights!