Walking Seminars:
Context’s walking seminars of Paris are much more than a typical walking tour. Their network of historians, architects, curators, writers, sommeliers and chefs help the intellectually curious traveler understand and investigate Paris on a deeper level. They have a diverse weekly calendar of small group walks (limited to 6 people) or they can organize any of their walks for a private party to suit individual schedules. Continue Reading »
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Hidden Kitchen private supper club in Paris
With no idea what to expect, and no expectations to fulfill, we were unexpectedly seduced and delighted by this underground Parisian dining extravaganza. Expertly run by a young American couple, the food has a fresh US slant not so common in France. In over 16 years of fooding in Paris I have experienced a lot of Paris’ culinary treats, and I can honestly say that this was one of the best meals I have had in the city of lights. Continue Reading »
Posted in HIP Eats, HIP tips from the locals, HiP Undiscovered Havens, Parisian Living | Tagged Great eats Paris, Hidden Kitchen, Hidden Kitchen Paris, Hip dining Paris, Paris Dining | Leave a Comment »
Paris Apartment rental Spotlight – Sleek Opulence in the Heart of Paris: This week on the HiP Blog we bring you an inside look into one of our favorite properties of the moment: our Rameau two-bedroom flat, located right smack in the mythical heart of Paris. The Louvre, Palais Royal, Tuileries Gardens and the Seine river are the backdrop for this exquisitely decorated pied-a-terre. Designed by a fashionable French architect Continue Reading »
Posted in - Vacation Apartment rentals - The inside story -, Affordable Travel, HiP Undiscovered Havens, Parisian Living, Spotlights: Paris Vacation Rentals | Tagged hip havens, hip Paris apartments, Louvre, Luxury, Luxury Paris, Palais Royal, paris, Paris vacation, Paris vacation apartment, Paris Vacation rental, vacation France | Leave a Comment »
Text Erica Berman
While most people don’t come to Paris for pizza, if you get the urge for a fix of authentic Italian eats, the Golfe de Naples is the place to go. This bustling inconspicuous restaurant nestled on a corner behind the Bd St. Germain by the Marché St. Germain is hopping from the moment it opens to the moment it closes. Tables are tightly packed, privacy minimal, service brisk but friendly, and food tasty and simple. Thick-crusted and chewy pizza Continue Reading »
Posted in HIP Eats, HIP tips from the locals | Tagged Italian food Paris, Italian in Paris, Italian Restaurants Paris, Italy in Paris, paris, Pizza, Pizza in Paris, Pizza St Germain | Leave a Comment »
Text and photography by: Genevieve Sandifer
Although we all want to channel a little Coco Chanel/Edith Piaf/Laetitia Casta while wandering through St. Germain, the price points attached to the fashion dream can be more than a little dissuasive. Here to rescue the dream felled by “recessionitis”: Thank God I’m a VIP, a gem of a vintage store located just east of Pl. de la République in the up-and-coming 10th arrondissement.
Posted in HIP tips from the locals, Parisian Living, Resources for Visitors, Shopping | Tagged Haven in Paris, Paris Vacation Rentals, Paris Vacation Shopping, Thank God I'm VIP, Vintage Paris Shop, Vintage Republique, Vintage Shopping Paris, VIP Paris | 1 Comment »
Text – Erica Berman Friday Feb 20, 2009
After many years of living Paris the beauty of the city is often lost behind the cloudy grey weather and daily train-train*. Often I find I must make a concerted effort to find the time to take advantage of this beautiful city.
Yesterday, a sunny day, I decided to steal a few hours in town. First stop: the Passerelle de Solferino, a small bridge across the Seine from Musee D’Orsay to the Tuilerie gardens, to admire the spectacular view up and down the river Seine. Continue Reading »
Posted in French 'mot' du moment, HIP Eats, HIP tips from the locals, HiP Undiscovered Havens, Parisian Living | Tagged Brentano's Paris, Bubble Tea, Bubble tea Paris, English bookstore Paris, English language bookstore Paris, Jeu de Paume Museum, Le Caprice – Fanfan et Laurette, Lesclure restaurant, Musee D'Orsay, paris, Paris Culture, Paris restaurant, Robert Frank, Tulieries Gardens, Zen Zoo | 1 Comment »
Same services, same amenities, drastically different budgets
Photo courtesy of Haven in Paris
When you think vacation, what first springs to mind? Finally getting a full night’s sleep in luxurious sheets, sleeping in ‘til noon, lifelong friendships that spring from random chance encounters in corner cafés, soaking in the sun without a care in the world… But as you surely well know, thanks to falling currencies and the pervasive doom-and-gloom attitude, everyone is being a little more careful about throwing money away for a little square of paradise. Staying in “budget” hotels, though, can often be worse than not getting away at all: questionable cleanliness, rude concierges, cigarette-tinged rooms, second-rate sheets and towels… you’d be better off at home.
We made a few calls, did a little research and put together a shortlist of the rates of some of Paris’ notable higher-end hotels, and compared them to how much you would spend for the same standards of luxury in a Haven in Paris property — to show you show you just how advantageous having your own home away from home can be. Click through for step-by-step price comparisons… Continue Reading »
Posted in - Vacation Apartment rentals - The inside story -, Affordable Travel, Parisian Living | Tagged comparing luxury hotels and rental apartments paris, luxury hotels paris, Luxury rentals Paris, Marais, Monceau, Montmatre, Paris vacation, Recession Travel, recession-friendly travel, Rosiers | Leave a Comment »
Text Erica Berman
Feb 1, 2009 - Tonight we head toward our B&B I found in La Creuse, a little known & lovely region of France. Orleans, to Vierzon to Le Chatre to Boussac..la Creuse. We arrive in fog and drizzle to a little village in the middle of nowhere welcomed warmly at our chambre et table d’hotes by a lovely transplanted English couple…. Continue Reading »
Posted in HiP Undiscovered Havens | Tagged B&B France, Bed and Breakfast, Bed and Breakfast in France, Chambres D'hotes France, Creuse, France Vacations, Limousin, Table d'hotes France | Leave a Comment »
Text Erica Berman
Many hours of driving on winding roads, a near collision with a large male deer, and poor directions later we arrived at our Chambre D’hotes – Bed & Breakfast – Domaine de la Piale in the tiny town of Fons in the heart of the Lot one of France’s undiscovered, and my favorite, regions. It was dark and the curvy narrow road earthen and muddy. We arrived to discover a charming 18th century stone farm compound converted to B&B. The reasonably priced suite we rented included a spacious living room, king bed in the large bedroom, bathroom with tub and separate toilets. Stone floors, wood beams, antiques, artwork and green plants completed the decor. Waking up to the lovely misty views of the forest and rolling hills from the windows enhanced the cozy interior and comfy bed. French owners Adeline and Bertrand Spindler have restored this 18th century ‘demeure’ with love, style and excellent taste. Continue Reading »
Posted in HiP Undiscovered Havens | Tagged B&B, Bed & Breakfast, Bed and Breakfast in France, Chambres d'hotes, Domaine de la Piale, Figeac, France, Gites in France, holiday bed & breakfast france, Lot | Leave a Comment »
How would you like to walk in a Parisian’s shoes for a week and live the good life? Now with French Links Tours’s customized art de vivre experience you can. Not only does French Links assist you in renting a fabulous furnished, air-conditioned apartment in central Paris, but we also equip you with an expert on food and wine, who can show you the best food markets in Paris, introduce you to the best wine shops, and provide you with all the tops on becoming a Parisian cook. Continue Reading »
Posted in HIP Tours and Classes | Tagged France, French Links, paris, Paris tours, Rachel Kaplan, Tour Paris, Tours | Leave a Comment »
