Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Christmas in Paris - a Petite Paris Guide! NEW!


There's a NEW Petite Paris eBook 'on the shelf' ...

 Christmas in Paris... 
...just in time!! :)

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA!!

A Fun festive 40 page guide to the best Christmas Markets, seasonal treats and sweets you must try, the most beautifully lit up streets to admire and photograph, where to go for Christmas mass, where to Dine Christmas day, a Christmas Tree Hunt and more...

Beautiful images and descriptions and Christmas tips, this is an easy to view, easy to read, simple yo follow Paris guide

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON Softcover book $28
EbOOK VERSION for ipads, iphone etc (with google map links for on the go navigation from the streets of Paris is) is COMING SOON - stay tuned!! 

For now PREVIEW BELOW! 

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
     
 
 
   
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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

NEW: Christmas in Paris - a Petite Paris Guide


There's a NEW Petite Paris eBook 'on the shelf' ...

 Christmas in Paris... 
...just in time!! :)

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA!!

A Fun festive 40 page guide to the best Christmas Markets, seasonal treats and sweets you must try, the most beautifully lit up streets to admire and photograph, where to go for Christmas mass, where to Dine Christmas day, a Christmas Tree Hunt and more...

Beautiful images and descriptions and Christmas tips, this is an easy to view, easy to read, simple yo follow Paris guide

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON Softcover book $28
EbOOK VERSION for ipads, iphone etc (with google map links for on the go navigation from the streets of Paris is) is COMING SOON - stay tuned!! 

For now PREVIEW BELOW! 



 

   

   

   

   

   

   

     

   

 


 
   

      Christmas in Paris by Petite Paris
      |
      Make Your Own Book
   
 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Finding France: Lovely Languedoc, Sth of France Life!!

FINDING FRANCE

Isn't she
Lovely!!

Welcome to lovely Languedoc!

 















Visitors flock to the Languedoc region for not only the sunshine (with 300 days of sunshine each year) but the delicious wines, the rich medieval history and engineering masterpieces: Canal du Midi and the Pont du Gard.



History abounds in Languedoc and much of it is dominated by the bloody 13th century war fought between the Catholic Church and the Cathars.  The landscape is dotted with ruined castles and watchtowers built by the Cathars. Significant Cathar sites well worth a visit include Beziers, Minerve and Carcassonne.



In the east of Languedoc is the impressive UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pont du Gard. The aqueduct was built in the year 50 AD to transport water from the springs of Uzes to the city of Nimes. Standing at 49 metres high, the Pont du Gard was the highest bridge ever built by the Romans.



Also a UNESCO World Heritage site is the Canal du Midi stretching from Sete on the Mediterranean to Toulouse, a distance of 241 kilometres. Hotel-barges and pleasure boats are popular for those who enjoy meandering the canal at a snail’s pace.



As the largest wine producing region in the world, caves (cellar doors) are dotted throughout the countryside. Sample the local tipple, take a tour of the cellars and even up-skill your wine knowledge on a wine education course.


CLICK HERE for more about the Languedoc region, (how to get there too) on our website!


WHERE TO STAY?
Our 3 storey, 3 bedroom home Castel Grand Rue in the nearby village of Olonzac is ideal.



Rates:
From $125 p/night
$725 p/week

(Up to 6 guests)


Close to all the attractions mentioned above and more, the three bedroom, fully self-contained house is your French home away from home.  Every Tuesday, the Olonzac market creates a buzz around town and with market stalls literally at your front door; step outside and purchase the freshest produce alongside the locals.



You are just a few steps from all the amenities you’ll need to like live a local – including the boulangerie and the pub, where you can exchange ‘Bonjours’ whilst out and about enjoying all that Languedocian sun!




CLICK HERE to see this home on our website in full details, more images...

EMAIL US for booking inquiries HERE

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Petite Pariscope: More Paris City Tips!


Pariscope

Monthly Tips!




C'est Cafe Cool

La Chambre aux Oiseaux MAP
A gorgeous cafe in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. Visiting the 10th district and the stunning Canal St Martin area is a MUST in Paris.  LA Chambre aux Oiseaux ('The Bird Room') is an utterly quaint, beautiful little cafe with a shabby chic style.



The setting is decorated with retro-deco vintage furniture from the grandmother of the owner, fitting for this electic boho neighbourhood.

Two breakfast menus, City and Country style, decadent savoury brunch on weekends, light lunches and delicious cakes. Panoramic windows perfect for people watching while offering a view of the neighbourhood.




L'Eclair Cafe
A Cocktail Cafe + Brunch & Burger Bar! MAP



 Great breakfasts, famous burgers, even better drinks. This Quintessential Paris Bar has amazing atmosphere, it's criminally comfy you could spend hours there with friends. A custom cocktail list as enticing as its cafe menu 32 rue Cler 75007




 Rose Bakery

A great quick take away bakery. Buy the perfect Quiche – crispy flaky crusts with just the right balance of egg and cream filling, using all organic ingredients,  for 5euro to takeaway, and head to a nearby park or square and enjoy Paris lunch under the sun.  Their sweet tarts are great too – 4euro take away.


46 rue des Martyrs 75009  Paris
Metro: Notre Dame de Lorette
MAP



Marche des Enfants Rouge



The  ‘Market of the Red Children’ is the oldest undercover food market in Paris built in 1615 named after a nearby 17thC orphanage. This is a small yet vibrant Parisian market loved by locals. Fresh prepared food you can eat in the cafes inside, bouquets of vibrant flowers, the wide selection of obscure wines, bounties of organic richly colored fruits and vegetables, meat, cheeses. Try the the homemade hamburger stall (local favourite) and Turkish delights. MAP




'L'Appero' - a Paris App
Picnic delights or bottles of wine delivered to you anywhere in Paris.




Gourmand baskets complete with cheeses, bread, cold cuts, wine OR simply order a bottle of Wine whilst sitting on the seine. Delivered to you the old-skool way - on a bike.



Great for last minute entertaining too. The L'appero app is a Paris-based smartphone app that promises to deliver gourmet apéritifs in under 45 minutes. Built for foodies desperately in need of refreshments and snacks, L'appero finds users through GPS to drop off luxe care package.



Using the L'appero Android or iOS app, users can get things like wine, beer, cheese, ham, olives and tapenades delivered to them. L'appero also includes everything needed to enjoy the food such as glassware and towels. Users can choose between different box sets depending on how many people they plan on entertaining.

Download the App HERE



Picnic Place!
Canal Saint Martin




Enjoy walking up and down quai de Valmy and quai de Jemmapes aka Canal St Martin or sit and enjoy a picnic of baguette, cheese and wine. This is a gorgeous REAL part of Paris. A residential bohemain hood with trendy boutiques and cafés line the banks and on Sundays cars are not allowed alongside the canal and the quay’s invaded by pedestrians, bicycles and rollers, and if you are lucky there’s a flea market or street artists and live music. MAP

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

A special terrace B&B home in Paris

FEATURE B&B
B&B294 - Chez Helene et Jacques



A stunning and immaculate B&B in the 9th arrondissement, offering guests private entire suite with terrace, bedroom, living room, bathroom, free wifi and breakfast served daily.



Rates: including breakfast
164euro p/night (2 pers)

View this B&B on our website HERE
Enquire about this B&B HERE





Sunday, October 11, 2015

A NEW home in a magical Medieval village, 2 hrs from Paris. BOOK IT


NEW FRENCH APARTMENT 
2 hrs from Paris! 

Bonjour Francophile friends! We have a new French home to introduce to you! AVAILABLE NOW for your next French country escape! :) EMAIL US: info@petitepr.com.au


SEE THIS NEW French home in fuller detail on our website - CLICK HERE

Maison Townhouse is a charming stone town house situated in a lively Medieval village called Eymet. A romantic hideout from which, to explore an interesting part of the Dordogne in France. 

Featuring a fabulous loft style bedroom with that ‘wow factor’ about it.  The house is newly restored and has a luxurious bathroom with claw foot bath, rainfall shower, anti-fog mirror and separate toilet. 


The kitchen is fitted with SMEG appliances and really is the perfect place to whip up a meal using local produced that you have purchased from one the many local markets that take place in the area.


There are 2 bedrooms, one with double bed and one left style with twin bed, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen and dining room, lounge room, includes all towels and linens. 


At our Maison townhouse you are all but a short stroll to the historic picturesque square of Eymet, a charming 13th century bastide village which offers an interesting mix of shops and restaurants. The village itself is easily accessible with Bergerac airport being a 20 minute drive and Bordeaux and Toulouse airports being an 1 1/2 and a 2 hour drive away.



The area is known for its fabulous wine, regional products, beautiful countryside, traditional weekly markets and offers a range of activities from canoeing, kayaking, walking, cycling, visiting neighbouring villages (some of which are classified as the most beautiful in France), numerous chateaux, the list is endless.

EMAIL US TODAY to enquire or BOOK this amazing french home: info@petitepr.com.au 





Pariscope: FREE things to see/do in Paris

FREE things to do/see in Paris

Museum Madness:
1. Free museum entry first Sunday of each month for all major museums. Louvre; Moyen Age; d’Orsay; Picasso; Rodin; Quai Branly, Pompidou.

TIP: There is a shorter line/entry into the Louvre from the ‘Louvre-Rivoli’ underground metro. Virtually no line taking 10-20 minutes to enter not 60!



Budget Nightlife:
TIP: Pocket sized ‘What’s On’ guides out Wednesdays (L'officiel des Spectables OR Pariscope) sold in news kiosk for o.40euro listing FREE shows and events as well as timetables for museums, cinemas, recitals, exhibitions.

1. Glimpse the local jazz scene every Monday night at 7 Lézards, a jazz club in the Marais where the house band performs without a cover charge. 10 rue des Rosiers MAP

2. Open for 60 years, the Latin Quarter jazz club Caveau de la Huchette 5 rue de la Huchette, MAP, turns into a free dance floor Thurs to Sat nights.





Free Attractions
1. Notre Dame Cathedral: No fee first Sunday each month (Oct to Mar) to climb the 387 step North Tower to glimpse the flying buttresses that support this gothic architectural structure and famous gargoyles and to view the most spectacular view across Paris. 6 Parvis Notre Dame, Place Jean-Paul II



2.  Visit the awe-inspiring Gothic Sainte-Chapelle's 15 exquisite stained glass panels walls and rose window. No FEE first Sunday of the month Nov to Mar. Free recitals too. MAP

3. Criss-cross the Seine River on nearly 40 wooden, metal, and stone bridges, from the 400-year-old Pont Neuf to the eye-shaped steel Simone-de-Beauvoir.



WALKING - best way to see Paris
1.  See the city from the Promenade Plantée, an elevated railway stretching 4km from Bastille to Bois de Vincennes.



A beautiful landscape of trees, flowers and plants where you will see Paris at the level of treetops, roof tops and church spires. Follow ivy-covered arched trellises, watch the changing panorama of architectural styles and admire decorative mouldings and balcony railings. One of Paris' best kept secrets. MAP


2. Relish the peaceful vantage point of the Eiffel Tower from the garden at Maison de Balzac, the home of 19th-century writer Honoré de Balzac. 47 Rue Raynouard, 75016 Paris MAP

3. Visit the Père-Lachaise Cemetery and the graveyard's celebrity residents, from Oscar Wilde's grave to Jim Morrison. 16 rue de Repos 75016 Paris  MAP



4. Grab a free copy of the bicycling map, "Carte Vélo à Paris," at any tourism office and bike rental agencies. Navigate the city's maze of bike lanes and scenic routes.


  

Friday, October 9, 2015

DIY Walking Tour of Paris' 8eme! Pastry Paradise!

Petite Pariscope
Monthly Paris Tips


DIY Walking Tour 8eme

Picking up on our walking tours of Paris, we last left you strand in the 7eme, now each month we are back to it. This month we begin again in the 8eme. Google links provided so you can save this page and use it while walking the streets of Paris in the 8th arrondissement! Or as we call in Paris' Pastry Paradise!!



9am: Wake up enjoy breakfast waiting for you in your Petite Paris B&B. Take the opportunity to chat to your B&B hosts to plan your day and get the best tips. Click HERE to pick and book of our our unique beautiful Paris homes.



10.30am Cafe Pouchkine MAP and Fauchon MAP
Cafe Pouchkin is a decadent cafe with perfectly decorated cakes a must visit on any sweet-lovers trip. Located in the Printemps departmnt store (which you might like to wonder a little)



Fauchon: Done the street, easily recognisable by its hot pink exterior, this is an iconic pastry place behind the famous Madeleine Church since the 1800s. Enjoy the plush restaurant or tearoom. See the Madeleine Church too.

11.30am: Shopping on Rue St Honore  MAP
An iconic designer luxury shopping strip in the bustling heart of Paris that passes nearby main points and attractions



12.45pm Place Vendome MAP
Spot the tall emerald column as you walk Rue St. Honore surrounded in a spectacular square and glitzy setting of Cartier, Chanel, Dior and more ...



1pm Hotel Crillon for lunch MAP
A lavish garden tearoom ideal for winter or summer, a gourmet restaurants in a former ballroom. Also open for afternoon tea from 3.30pm - 6pm



2pm:
Where do you think you are going; lunch isnt over yet. Order another drink and be Parisian.

2.30pm Concorde MAP and Petite Palais/ Grand Palais MAP
Visit the grand Concorde and allow time for a little museum moment (its not Paris with out art and museums) and visit any exhibitions at the famous Petite Palais or Gran Palais, two amazing buildings worth admiring alone.



4pm Hotel Plaza Athenee MAP or Pershing Hall MAP
An afternoon coffee in the grandest setting @ Hotel Plaza Athenee at renown Michellin Star Chef Alain Ducasse' tearoom or La Bar, a chic hide-away for cocktails if you wish instead. Or for a more relax but equally impressive courtyard terrace try Pershing Hall.



5pm: Cross Ave Champs Elysees - Theatre Marigny MAP
Cross the famous Champs Elysees, admire L'Arc de Triomphe (if you must climb it for a spectacular view of Paris) and continue on to Theatre Marigny where in summer traditional Parisia puppet shows are on in the park (funny and entertaining for adults too)

5.30pm Laduree MAP and Patrick Roger MAP
More pastry pleasures at two of Paris famous must-eats! Laduree tearoom in Madeleine is the original and best, enjoy the famous macarons, inside or takeaway, at Patrick Roger the chocolate king, enjoy anything. truly!





6.30pm Aperitif Hour @ La Maison Blanche MAP
For amazing dusk views of the city while you enjoy French Champagne. You can enjoy dinner here too.



8pm Dinner @ L'Entrecote MAP
Now you need a little Art Nouveau to complete (almost) your Paris experience. This is a gorgeous restaurant with very fine French Fare at decent prices.



10pm Kick on @ Le Baron MAP
If you're looking to dance, this is a popular glitzy after-dark address in Paris. On entry you are welcomed by rose-lit hallways and vintage photos, illuminated dancefloor and velvet booths. Spot celebrities and twirl under the disco ball.


OR simply Walk along the Seine and watch the eiffel tower sparkle across the Seine (recommended) NOW you are done!!


au Revoir, until next month...

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Paris apartment available THIS OCTOBER!!


Feedback &
October Availability

LAST MINUTE!

Guisarde Apartment

Available: from 17th October, November, January onwards...
Location:
6eme St Germain des Pres
Nearby: 2 mins from Jardin Luxembourg and Cafe de flore


CLICK HERE to see it on our website



"We had the best time in France and the apartment in Paris was the best, the location, the atmosphere, the apartment itself was so homely and welcoming, we loved it and would recommend others to check out the accommodation you have available but to also book the Guisarde apartment. Even though it was on a busy night street, this made it so interesting, we kept the windows open until late at night as it was a great atmosphere and once the windows were closed you couldn’t hear a thing"

RATES
OCTOBER SALE: 190euro p/night for up to 5 guests!
WINTER SALE: (Nov to Feb 2016) 210euro p/night
NORMAL SUMMER RATE: 225euro p/night


CLICK HERE to see it on our website

EMAIL US @
info@petitepr.com.au




Paris Room-mate or Professional host. AirBnB falsely uses B&B term!!

Hey guys, last week I contacted a couple of Airbnb hosts in Paris to ask about their intentions and reasons for listing as B&B hosts for all you travellers ... As the Director of Petite Paris B&Bs, a boutique service dedicated to authentic classic professional B&B services, I know I have to know my competition in order to better define my service! ...  But not in a cheating way, no clever marketing angles to promote the same service (our services are clearly different) but by continuing to inform and show travellers in new ways the basic essentials  of WHAT IS a B&B? and WHAT is a B&B SERVICE? The difference between a system like AirBNB and a Real B&B Service lies in the answer to these questions..

Here is what one Paris Airbnb host named Sara said to us via Airbnb message:

"I'm only really doing this until Christmas, I couldnt bare to have strangers in my home even if they are nice"... 


OK sure, many of us can understand that and probably even feel the same. 

There is nothing wrong with Sara, except that she's offering her home to travellers when she shouldn't be... not if she cared about travellers (her guests) and their travel experience more than she cared about her own pocket. 

So why does she? Because she can with Airbnb making it possible for her to earn some quick cash. But poor travellers who should stay in Sara's home... who wants to end up with a grudging 'room-mate' rather than a professional, kind host.


As a B&B professional service if we ever came across a host with this mindset we would never list them on our website. And so we learn by this 'angle' WHAT IS A real B&B... It's staying with a local who is a committed professional registered B&B host, a special, generous and openly hospitable person dedicated to the B&B service. A person who fits the B&B vocation (yes its a profession and full time job) has the natural urge and love of hosting guests in their homes. They WANT to meet worldly travellers, provide breakfast and helpful city tips to create a wonderful cultural experience. All in a polished and professional yet intimately caring manner. Rooms are kept to hotel quality standards and meet the B&B Quality of Charter.  Many B&B hosts have other jobs too, they do not need money, the B&B is labour of love. But they dedicate their entire LIVES to it


A Real B&B SERVICE is one that focuses on obtaining and acquiring through a very select professional (personal) selection process, only true B&Bs and genuine B&B hosts of this nature; that inspects and maintains all B&Bs continually; and that ultimately is as contactable and helpful as your B&B host. ie. we are not a booking self-listing machine. We search in person for our homes, we help our guests select and book their ideal home and we take care of guest during and post booking where needed, one-on-one!

To wrap up a question dear Petite Paris followers:  When you enter someones house as a traveller/visitor/guest, how do you want to feel? Welcomed and wanted right? (I hope so) or kinda like a nuisance staying with someone who probably doesn't really want you there but will 'put-up' with you for your few nights to make a buck?

OK not ALL Air B&Bs are false. Many hosts are legitimate, but how do you know with no filtering system or quality control OR ANY COMMITMENT to offering only genuine quality B&Bs?  That's not what Airbnb is about! Therefore it is not a real B&B service. Just so you know! Just 'staying' at someones home is not a B&B service either. 

For the record below is our reply to Sara: (and if you want to know which B&B is Sara's - to avoid of course - we're not telling!! :P  (of course we can't anyway) But maybe you may understand the risk in booking blindly through Airbnb! And that is our whole point. Exclamation Point.


p.s should we tell you about the 87th-or-something email this year from a traveller who desperately needed our sincere human help as she was literally left stranded in Paris due to a fake Airbnb home? NAAAH! We tell you about those so much...  :P 


Visit our friendly website today and shop over 130 Paris homes, all quality professional homes with amazing generous B&B hosts. And WE, your Paris B&B providers are online ready 24hrs to help you find the BEST Paris home. Unique, rare and beautiful homes to suit all budgets, families, singles, all travellers types and in all central areas of Paris ...