Paris is known for many things: its light, its bistros and, of course, its fashionably chic women. But what about its men? Do les hommes parisiens share that certain je ne sais quoi for which their female counterparts are so admired?

Alas, in a word, non.

Parisian men do, however, have distinctive style that manages to marry the rakish allure of Vincent Cassel or Olivier Martinez with the more bourgeois appeal of, say, Francois Cluzet. In short, his cool charm derives from an unstudied, imperfect look that works without looking overworked. Matchy-matchy, perfectly pressed and impeccably coordinated is just un-Parisian.

Annelie Willemijn

Here are some hallmarks of Parisian style pour homme, as seen on the city’s streets this chilly season.

Le foulard: There may be no look more “French” than an artfully tied scarf. Men are rarely seen in Paris without stylish neck wear — rain or shine. From the classic Burberry check to sumptuous cashmere or printed cotton, a casually wrapped neck is simply a must.

Les chaussures: Men’s shoes have gone narrow and pointy; classics like leather oxfords and sporty suede bucks have seemingly been stretched. A gently pointed toe is the only shoe shape that looks right right now. For weekends en ville, swap out the dress shoes for a well-worn pair of tennis — Puma or Adidas, please.

Annelie Willemijn

Les pantalons: Athletes with ample quads, beware: Modern Parisian trousers are très slim cut. Like those spotted on fashionable Parisiennes, slim-cut dark wash jeans for men can go almost anywhere in Paris these days. Worn with a tailored blazer or fine-knit sweater (think body-hugging), un jean works just as well for a stroll through the Centre Pompidou as it does for a dinner at a swank bistro. Whether it’s jeans, chinos or wool trousers, keep the cut close; a flared leg or tailored cuff is a definite style don’t.

La coiffure: For that perfectly tousled Parisian guy look, follow these simple instructions. Grab a black motorcycle helmet and fasten the chin strap (or don’t). Hop on a Vespa and speed across Paris, lighting and re-lighting a Gauloise at each traffic stop. Once the desired destination is reached, remove said helmet, rake fingers though the hair and shake vigorously. Bit of a windblown, tobacco-soaked mess? Parfait! And for men of a certain age (or hair line), offset a close-cropped ‘do and well-trimmed stubble with hipster plastic-framed lunettes. Complete the look with a fitted blazer in dark velvet or narrow corduroy for that exec-meets-Oberkampf look.

Dave Bloom; Annelie Willemijn

Les No-No’s: There are some looks that just won’t fly in Paris, no matter the season. No big surprises here: Baggy cargo shorts, baseball caps, athletic team paraphernalia in any guise, white tennis shoes (unless they’re ironically worn retro K-Swiss), white socks (but you knew that), and outdoors-y gear (think Patagonia and North Face) are all better left at home or stowed for that weekend à la campagne.

Ultimately, a Parisian man’s recipe for great style is simple: Don’t fret an extra day sans douche; a tousled confidence that says, “I just rolled out of bed,” is a key to Gallic cool.

Related Links:

• Are French men really irresistible?
• Have questions for French men? Ask a Frenchman!
• For more “typical” qualities of French men, check out Stuff Parisians Like

Written by Paige Bradley Frost for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

As soon as our timetable lets us go, my husband and I move from our base in Amsterdam to our tiny apartment in Paris.

We’ve lived here in Paris part time for more than 4 years now, but I still discover new places, neighborhoods, and restaurants every single time we go on a stroll. Paris is inexhaustible when it comes to surprising me in any unexpected ways.

My dear friend, stylist, photographer and author Pia Jane Bijkerk, used to live here too, and she wrote a wonderful guide that everyone should have when they go to Paris. It’s a little book that takes you on a tour of Paris’ best shops and ateliers for handmade goods. So that’s right up my alley, of course.

One of the places she lists is Le Petit Atelier de Paris, so of course I went.

I fell in love with the shop instantly. Just standing outside, even the façade is charming. Inside, eyes and hands are drawn to the tables filled with handmade ceramics, all unique pieces. I’d love to work in this atelier in another life — I have secretly always wanted to be a ceramist!

They also organize small exhibits for artists from all over the world, so there is always something new and delightful to discover every time I go.  They also make small, beautifully packaged pieces that are perfect gifts to send off to family and friends. It’s a shame to even open them! Go and have a look for yourself – you won’t regret it.

Le Petit Atelier de Paris, 31 Rue de Montmerency, 75003  Paris, open from Thursday to Saturday from 13:00 – 20:00 hrs.

Related Links:

• To see more from Yvette Van Boven, including her cookbooks, illustrations and info on her restaurant in Amsterdam, check out her website
• Check out Le Petit Atelier’s website here for upcoming exhibits and information on current collections
• View Le Petit Atelier’s most recent items on their blog, here
• Read up on Pia’s fantastic book, Paris Made by Hand, in our 2009 review here.
• Can’t get to Paris to shop at Le Petit Atelier? We think Pia’s Paris Made by Hand book would make a great gift for any francophile…

Written by Yvette Van Boven for the HiP Paris Blog. All images by Patricia, aka, Memi the Rainbow; Patricia is an Italian girl who lives in Paris to study art. She is passionate about hand-carved rubber stamps, photography, and long walks through Paris, her muse; check out her fab home-made gifts at her Etsy shop. Also check out her wonderful blog here. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in London, Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Parisian shops devoted entirely to a single specialty (like olive oil, honey, or communist literature) are considered obvious fixtures in an urban landscape where commercial efficiency is, if anything, an afterthought. So, when my roommate Winnie showed me a place on our street specializing in piñatas, of all things, my only thought was, “Of course. Naturally.” It was, incidentally, just across the street from our radical left-wing bookstore.

Winnie, a journalist, was covering the shop in a story with an unusual social twist. The piñatas, it turns out, are made by prisoners.

The story behind La Piñata, located at 25, rue des Vinaigriers and within view of Canal St. Martin, is a series of fortunate and curious accidents. The Columbian-born owner, Elena Farah, discovered piñata-making while searching for useful employment as a newcomer to Paris in the 80s. Thinking she could bake cakes for children’s birthday parties, she approached a few party shops only to find that while cakes were readily available, piñatas were not. So she set to work.

With the help of a how-to book, Elena began experimenting with the colorful ornaments at home, selling them to a few shops around the city. In 2002, she won a business plan competition and was able to open her atelier at rue des Vinaigriers, where today she keeps shop with one assistant.

Five years ago, inspired by a story on a radio program, Elena began her prison workshop with the help of a business student who was apprenticing with her at the time. As demand for piñatas is limited in Paris, only a few inmates can work with her each year. They spend the better part of the workweek building their piñatas independently, and she visits the prisons every week to deliver materials and check progress. These visits, she says, are very special to her.

Through the workshops, the inmates are able to experience once again (or for the first time) the act of creation, as Elena says, something that makes the apprenticeships so valuable to them.

I find it both strange and beautiful that the feathery strawberries, lions, and Easter eggs floating beneath the ceilings of La Piñata were born in the confines of a prison cell. As a current law student, I am reminded on a daily basis how dehumanizing criminal justice systems can be and how difficult they are to change. When I see a splash of real progress brought by something as seemingly inconsequential as a piñata shop, I am amazed and encouraged.

When I see this happen in Paris, my only thought is, “Of course. Naturally.”

La Piñata is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11h to 19h and Sundays from 15h to 19h. Piñatas are priced starting at 40 Euros.

La Pinata
25, rue des Vinaigriers
Paris 10eme
Tel: 01 40 35 01 45
Email: lapinataparis@yahoo.fr
Website: http://lapinata.fr/

Related Links:

• While in the neighborhood, why not check out Le Verre Volé or Petit Usagi?
• The Do It In Paris guide to the Canal St Martin
• Vintage Shopping by the Canal St Martin

Written by Sara Rahman  for the HiP Paris Blog. All photos by Julien Hausherr; Contact:julienhausherr@hotmail.fr. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Most visitors to Paris don’t know what they’re missing by not knowing the word fondation. I know I didn’t when I moved from New York. When I heard about the Yves Saint Laurent or Henri Cartier-Bresson fondations, for example, I just assumed they were boring non-profits or something. Silly girl.

Fondations are Paris’ little artistic gems. Often housed in magnificent old hotels particuliers or modern spaces designed by world-renowned architects, these “foundations” are like miniature museums, dedicated to preserving the memory and achievements of influential movers and shakers. Here are some not to be missed.

Fondation Cartier

Fondation Cartier (Tim Brown Architects’)

By far my favorite is the Fondation Cartier. The modern, airy Jean Nouvel-designed building invites the lush cedar and fig trees surrounding the building inside, and the surrounding wild gardens make for a perfect pit-stop after taking in the art. And then there’s the art. Seeing as it’s the hoighty-toighty French jeweler’s fondation, the work is nothing short of sterling. Exhibitions are really well curated, ranging from Japanese megastar Beat Takashi Kitano’s kitschy-controversial paintings to the wildly popular 2009 graffiti art exhibition to William Eggleston photographs.

261 Blvd Raspail (14^th arr.). 01 42 18 56 50. Open every day, except Monday, from 11am-8pm; Tuesdays until 10pm.

Fondation Pierre Bergé Yves Saint Laurent

Exhibit at Fondation Pierre Bergé Yves St. Laurent (Virginie Arnoux, Tulio Borges)

Yves Saint Laurent is a god to the French, to fashionistas and to feminists. So it only makes sense that there’s a fondation devoted to the iconic fashion designer in one of the city’s chichi-est arrondissements. Don your finest and dive deep into four decades’ worth of original sketches, accessories, haute couture and ready-to-wear. While many of the rotating exhibitions are devoted to YSL, not all of them are. Past standouts include shows by painter David Hockney, interior designer Jean-Michem Frank and American socialite Nan Kempner.

5 Avenue Marceau (16^th arr). 01 44 31 64 00. Open Tuesday – Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Baccarat House Paris

Baccarat House (Jason Whittaker)

Bling, bling! In many ways the Baccarat House is the quintessential Parisian space, set in a gorgeous 18^th century mansion and reimagined by Philippe Starck. In other words, it’s tres riche. In addition to a permanent collection of all things sparkly and divine there are regular exhibitions, plus a store that is absolutely dazzling (and free to enter). After the tour through crystal wonderland, it’s absolutely mandatory to dejeune in the breathtaking Cristal Room—just be sure to make reservations in advance.

11 Place des Etats-Unis (16^th arr.). 01 40 22 11 00. Open Monday and Wednesday – Saturday from 10am to 6:30pm.

Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson

Fondation Henri Cartier Bresson (Erica Berman)

With two modest floors of clean white space, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson is the most modest of the lot, but it’s still a must-see, especially for anyone with a love for great photography. Cartier-Bresson’s riveting mid-century street images of Paris and photojournalism from around the world really hit you in heart. In 2003, a year before his death, Cartier-Bresson and his wife and daughter set this foundation up to preserve his legacy and to showcase other great artists he influenced with thrice-annual exhibitions.

2 Impasse Lebouis (14^th arr.). 01 56 80 27 00. Open Tuesday – Sunday from 1pm to 6:30pm; on Wednesdays until 8:30pm.

Fondation Le Corbusier

Maison La Roche by Le Corbusier (Justine Robinett)

It’s tough to capture one man’s work when it spans four continents and 11 countries, but the Fondation Le Corbusier succeeds in giving you at least a sense of Charles-Édouard Jeanneret’s talent and prodigious work (Corbusier is a pseudonym). Set in two past residences, the modern architecture pioneer’s oeuvre comes to life through preserved furniture, sketches, paintings, writings and, of course, those famous Le Corbusier chairs.

8-10 Square du Docteur Blanche (16th arr.). 01 42 88 33 17. Open Monday from 1:30pm to 6pm; Tuesday – Thursday from 10am to 6pm; and Friday – Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Fondation Henri Cartier Bresson (H.J. Wesselink)

Related Links:

• Looking to get artsy outside? Check out Paris’ Quartier d’Eté
• If we were going to be in London before August 14th, we would be checking out this exhibit on the masters of Italian style
• For something a little more light-hearted, a fair has set up shop in the Tuilleries gardens!

Written by Amy Thomas for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

When Sweet Pea Baking in Paris followed me on Twitter I was intrigued by the idea of an American baking for Frenchies in the city of light. Upon meeting Sweet Pea (aka Alisa Morov) I was seduced by her vivacious personality and her innovative new project  Very Swell not to mention sated by her sinful 2-pepper chocolate cookies.

Themed dinners, afternoon teas, original artwork, and creative food are on the menu of this ‘retro but modern’ concept launch designed by Alisa and her partner Louise Brody of the Atelier 7 gallery.

This hip, and happening supper club/ art gallery/afternoon tea, gathering space will kick off its first event May 5^th with a Mad Men themed dinner (appropriate dress obligatory and taken very seriously).

Alisa is a transplant from LA who has lived in Paris for 9 years and has two dessert cook books on cupcakes and meringues (a third on birthday cakes coming soon) under her belt. She will be cooking up a storm of Mad Men reminiscent food with a modern twist (no cool whip or processed mayonnaise). Louise, a UK native who has spent her formative years in the US and now calls Paris home, will style and host the event.

Signature champagne cocktails, straight bourbon whiskey, old-fashioneds, vodka gimlets, in theme music, dancing, Mad Men wall projections and original artwork will round out the much anticipated soirée.

Assuming success of this first foray into the Paris’ trendy underground dining scene, each subsequent hidden dinner (2-3 per month) will be entirely theme-based. Accordingly, everything will follow suit from the food, drinks, and décor to the attire of the guests and music.

Although the first event is by invitation only, all subsequent suppers will be open to the public for a participation fee of 70 euros. The lofted space is tucked into a small courtyard near the Montparnasse Cemetery holds up to 35 guests per  cocktail dinner.

Every detail  of ‘Very Swell’ has been precisely considered and planned as Alisa a former textile designer in the LA fashion world and, Louise a graphic designer by trade have a clear idea of image and brand. The ladies creative and arty energy coupled with Louise’s excellent curatorship and Alisa’s delectable cooking will most certainly draw an eclectic, arty, international crowd.

Also coming shortly from the Very Swell team Tea and Arsenic an afternoon get together of specialty tea, home made scones and cakes, cocktails and ,of course, gossip. These High Tea-inspired events will also be held in the gallery.

With their original themed take on the hidden dinner concept and their serious foodie, design and art backgrounds, I’m betting on Alisa and Louise to be the hot newcomers on the hidden, themed and foodie block.

Details of upcoming Dinners and Teas soon to be found on veryswell.com

To contact Alisa: Alisa@veryswell.com & Louise: Louise@veryswell.com for more details and reservations.

• Three Underground Hidden kitchens in  Paris
• Alisa’s Sweet Pea Baking where you can place your order for scrumptious treats
• Paris By appointment only talks about Atelier 7
• Cowgirl Chef eats Asian noodles with Louise Brody

Oh, Paris! How I would love to scoot over there for a day or two this Valentine’s weekend! Paris is a classic destination for lovers, and with very good reason. The light, the romance of the city, and above all the wine and food make it such a wonderful place to wander on a romantic weekend. But if, like me, you won’t be visiting Paris any time soon, here’s a bit of eye candy and some thoughts on what makes a Parisian kitchen different from the average American kitchen.

These thoughts are from Maggie, a member of the team at Haven in Paris. Haven in Paris is a lush little collection of Paris apartments for rent — all quite beautiful and tempting. We chatted a bit about Paris kitchens, and how they tend to differ from American kitchens. These are all things to be aware of if you are indeed lucky enough to spend a Valentine’s weekend in a real Paris apartment!

1. Traditionally, Parisian kitchens tend to be separate from the rest of the apartment. Although this is changing a bit, Parisians generally do not have open kitchens, or eat in their kitchen. In fact, when a Parisian hosts a dinner party, the prep work is considered unglamorous and kept away from the view of guests. It’s also a big faux paux for a guest to even consider washing dishes for the host, because that would involve coming into the kitchen and seeing the mess. Parisians prefer for you to think the dinner arrived to the table, effortlessly, almost magically.
2. Paris kitchens do far more with far less space. Parisians squeeze everything they can into a tiny room, often one of the smallest rooms in a Paris apartment. There is far less countertop space, but all the typical appliances (fridge, oven, range) and even a washer and dryer miraculously squeeze in under the counter. With less space comes a lot less light, but Parisian cooks still manage to turn out such fabulous meals, you never could have imagined they were concocted in a closet-sized space.
3. Paris kitchens are filled daily with super-fresh food due to tiny fridges. Full-size (American-style) refrigerators are less common in Paris. Sure, there are exceptions, but in general, fridges are about half the size of an American fridge. Less fridge space and the abundance of daily markets means daily grocery shopping, fresh food, produce and lots of fresh cheese.
4. Parisians get by with less gadgets. You won’t find a microwave in every single kitchen (although they are now present in most), but you will be hard pressed to come across a garbage disposal, an ice-maker or a drip coffee machine. Who needs gadgets anyway when there’s all those fresh vegetables, fruits, and bread. Did I mention the cheese too?

Related Links:

• Inspiration for homes and decor, every day, on Apartment Therapy
• Everything food and kitchen related on The Kitchn
• More fabulous Paris kitchens in Haven in Paris lovely Paris apartments

Article by The Kitchn with thoughts by Maggie Battista and the Haven in Paris team. View the original version of this article here. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

The fair coordinators who organize my favorite French flea market – La Foire Nationale à la Brocante et aux Jambons in Ile de Chatou – which is going on in the Paris suburbs March 11-20, 2011, have compiled “Les 10 Commandements du Chineur a la Brocante de Chatou” or “The 10 Commandments of Flea Marketing at Chatou” to help customers shop the fair.

Because their version is only available in French, I thought I’d provide you with a rough translation (and a few ad libs) to let you know what the French fair coordinators have to say about what to do – or more importantly what not to do – when shopping this National French Fair of the Flea Market and Ham.  Now that’s what I call the inside scoop à la française!

1) Se lever tôt et venir en semaine. Get up early and come shop during the week (to avoid weekend crowds).

2) Ne pas hésiter à revenir souvent: la marchandise se renouvelle pendant la durée de la Foire. Don’t visit the market just once; return often as many vendors continue to put out new inventory throughout the duration of the fair.

3) Avoir l’oeil vif et la curiosité en éveil. Shop with a keen eye and let your curiosity guide you.

4) Prendre son temps: fouiner, chiner, chercher inlassablement pour dénicher la pièce unique. Take your time to snoop, scour, dig and rake through the piles. Your persistence will pay off when you find that rare, one-of-a-kind piece.

5) Montrer que l’objet ou le meuble vous intéresse. Don’t be afraid to be direct: tell the vendor which items you’re interested in.

6) Discuter gentiment, personne ne doit perdre la face. When bargaining, be nice.  No one needs lose face during the negotiation process.

7) Rester courtois, pas d’offre ridicule ou de capitulation honteuse. This point is so important that the fair coordinators make it twice: remain polite, don’t push for ridiculous or insulting bargains.

8 ) Ne pas dénigrer la marchandise, le brocanteur connaît les défauts de ce qu’il propose et ajuste son prix en conséquence, donc il faut savoir doser habilement ses réticences. Do not disparage the inventory. The dealer is already aware of his products’ defects and prices his goods accordingly. While asking for a discount is always expected at the market, you need to present your proposals skillfully.

9) Faire appel aux experts présents pendant toute la durée de la Foire en cas de litige. The fair has experts on hand to evaluate and give estimates on inventory at the fair. Should you need an extra opinion, don’t hesitate to get the experts to weigh in.

10) La rigueur n’est pas de règle, c’est la loi de l’offre et de la demande et celle de la mode. Le prix est basé sur la qualité et la rareté de l’objet. Aussi faut-il beaucoup regarder, questionner, marchander, savoir dire non et quitter avec gentillesse, ne pas se presser. Price is based on any number things – from supply and demand to a product’s quality, rarity and trend status at any given time.  Check prices from stall to stall, ask the vendor questions about the pieces you’re interested in and always haggle and if the price isn’t interesting to you. Also please remember to thank the vendor for his time.

Bon Shopping,

The Antiques Diva

Related Links:

• The Antiques Diva blogs about getting ready for the Chatou fair
• Check out The Paris Apartment, another one of our favorite antique divas, who also offers fantastic antique tours in Paris
• Sharon, from My French Country Home, offers fabulous Brocante tours in her French countryside town in Normandy
• Gorgeous lifestyle and interior design inspiration at Elements of Style

Written by Toma Clark Haines. All images by Dave Bloom. Dave Bloom is an American photographer based in Paris. Contact: www.flickr.com/photos/davebloom. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

What’s a French classic? We all know about trench coats and berets, though I’m not too sure many people wear them outside Amelie. There is a Paris ‘uniform’. If you want to fit in – or if you want to give it a go because, well, fifty million French girls can’t be wrong, here are the items I see on the street all the time.

Have I missed anything? Let me know…

Paris Fall Fashion Essentials – Badaude

Continue reading for more Paris fall fashion essentials…

Paris Fall Fashion Essentials – Badaude

Relate Links:

• Amy Thomas on cultural happenings this fall
• Easy Fashion: great style shots in Paris
• Garance Doré’s blog chronicles the looks du moment

Text and illustrations by Badaude for the HiP Paris Blog. For our amazing rentals in Paris, Provence & Tuscany check out our website Haven in Paris.

View from Pilleux Montmartre Studio

Erica Berman has a gift. She can look at a crumbling shell of a hovel and see its potential as a beautiful apartment. This gift has served her well over her 18 years living in Paris, as she’s renovated upwards of 15 apartments that started out as “blah” (at best), only to be transformed into “wow.”

Pilleux Studio – Murphy bed with antique doors, after and before

Her most recent project really put her abilities to the test, as she and her partner Alain renovated a small studio overlooking the Cimetière de Montmartre. Having stayed in what is now a fantastic apartment, I was stunned when Erica shared the story of its evolution.

“There was nothing there but the bones when we bought it,” explains Erica. “Just a shelf.” Looking at some of the “before” photographs also reveals peeling walls, unremarkable floors and an enclosed bathroom that cut the space dramatically. “There was nothing in there we wanted to keep,” she adds.

Erica and Alain worked with an architect to determine the best way to use the space. Once they agreed on the layout, they got to work with a contractor.

Pilleux Studio, before: bathroom/kitchen

Toilet layout before work

Pilleux studio after renovations: kitchen, bathroom

The old bathroom was completely knocked out. The new plan split the space so that the toilette was enclosed near the apartment’s entrance, with the shower and sink opening to the rest of the apartment.

Pilleux Studio, after: Kitchen

“We decided not to add a door to the bathroom because we thought it worked better,” says Erica. They also decided to keep the glass shower door transparent. “You can see Sacre Coeur while you’re in the shower, which is pretty amazing.” (Note: the W.C. is enclosed and separate)

Pilleux studio bathroom/kitchen: before and after

Pilleux WC: before and after (WC was flipped to face entrance)

The renovation included adding a surprising amount of cupboard and closet space, along with shelves and a modern kitchen with a sink, convection cooktop, oven, refrigerator and a washer/dryer duo. There’s also a sofa that doubles as a twin bed, but the most delightful surprise in this apartment is the Murphy-style bed.

Pilleux window and desk overlooking Montmartre cemetery: before and after

Antique doors Erica found in Provence hide the bed during the day and add a distinctive accent to the space. Alain crafted the bed himself, fashioning “feet” for when the bed is pulled down from the hooks that serve as handles. He also spent countless hours cleaning the tiles that edge the kitchen space.

Pilleux studio murphy bed, made with antique doors (after)

After three months of work, the renovated apartment was completed, filled with wonderful objects Erica found at the Provence and Paris flea markets. The next challenge—or so Erica thought—would be the location of the studio.

Pilleux studio entrance way: before and after

“We thought that because it’s off the main tourist track, we’d have a harder time booking the apartment,” says Erica. “We were wrong.” In fact, the apartment has proved one of Haven in Paris’ most popular. From my experience of staying there, it’s easy to understand its appeal. It offers a magnificent view, has all the conveniences of a modern apartment, and all the charm of what one expects to find in Paris.

But, more than that, this apartment offers an authentic Paris experience. Stepping through the gates of Cité Pilleux and walking past the artisans and artists who set up shop along the path makes one feel like they’ve been afforded insider access to the real Paris. The apartment straddles Montmartre and the trendy Batignolles neighborhood, and a leisurely stroll reveals wonderful restaurants and boutiques frequented by the locals.

This is also something Erica realized when scouting the apartment. “This is the real Paris,” she says. “And that’s something we wanted to share.”

Related Links:

• The Paris Apartment – gorgeous blog on French-style Interior Decor
• Parisien Salon interviews Erica Berman
• Rosa Jackson stays in Houdon, another one of Erica’s Montmartre flats

Written by Linda Donahue for Parisien Salon. For our amazing rentals in Paris, Provence & Tuscany check out our website Haven in Paris.

I have now been lucky enough to live in a couple different parts of this wonderful area, and I have to say, it remains one of my very favorite places to both live and spend my time while in Paris.

Although the streets can fill with tourists (both from other countries and other areas of Paris — jealous of the scene-y café terraces, bars and Sunday shopping), on a rainy afternoon or evening you’ll still find neighborhood cafés spotted with low-key, well-heeled locals reading the paper, sipping a glass of wine, or tapping away at their laptops.

Haven in Paris’ Elzevir apartment, a gem of a one-bedroom that I just know is dying to be graced by my shopping bags and worn out shoes, is located on a quiet street in between the more residential northern Marais and the livelier south Marais. Right smack half-way between the famous Place des Vosges and the rue des Archives’ great terraces, it truly is a haven of designer furniture, open spaces and sophisticated touches.

Perfect for a couple or small family,  the walk-in shower, open living room and quaint view overlooking a neighboring garden truly make you feel as if you are hidden away from the world… It’s just an illusion though — you’re still just a heartbeat from the Seine, the Ile St. Louis and Ile de la Cité, the Pompidou Museum and the mouth-watering Marché des Enfants Rouges. I almost forgot –  Camille, a classic French corner bistrot if I ever saw one, is  just down the block and can’t be beat if you’re looking for a low-key meal.

Book your fabulous stay at Elzevir now – it is still available for certain dates in July and for a large portion of August! Don’t forget to ask about special offers and discounts in all of Haven in Paris wonderful Paris homes. To view all of Haven in Paris’ Marais apartments, click here.

Written by Geneviève Sandifer for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.