Fifty degree weather? Rain? What’s next, sleet? The summer is obviously on vacation somewhere else this year. It packed up and went on a tour of Italy and Spain most likely, because it’s definitely not in Paris! The sun has been taking a big ole dump on my outdoor plans for quite a while now. I’ve been cooped up in my apartment too long, another week of this and I’ll be eligible for the hermit of the year award.
It’s time to brave the weather and see Paris from the inside out. Here are a few things that are tempting me at the moment:
YSL expo at Petit Palais: I’ve heard great things about this exhibit, but haven’t gotten around to going yet! It’s open until this weekend, so I’m down to the wire to get around to doing anything that could give me the slightest insight about how to dress my sorrily-clothed-self.
Kentrige 5 Themes expo at Jeu de Paume: This is by far one of my favorite museums in Paris; the expos never fail to disappoint! This expo looks particularly good. I like that it’s a mix of mediums – drawings, prints, films & all that. This is good because I have a real attention span pro- DID YOU SEE THAT BIRD FLY BY??
Tea at l’Hotel: My friend Rebecca introduced me to this place and it was love at first sight. It’s the perfect place to cozy up and drink your self warm again. Luxurious, a bit swanky, but they’ll let you sit and relax for hours with a good book. (Read: I’m cheap. 5€ is already a lot, so I’m getting my money’s worth!)
And here are suggestions from the Paris experts via Twitter! These people REALLY know their way around the city, you can trust them with your rainy vacation days! Please be sure to check their blogs and add them on Twitter for more insights!! Continue Reading »
Marisa Morrison, blogger, francophile, and addict of all things hip and Parisian, fills us in on Paris must-do’s this month. PS: Be sure to check out her gorgeous blog, the Neon Tea Party!
To most, August in Paris means one thing: les vacances! Each summer, following Bastille Day (July 14), Parisians ditch their usual city dwellings and head to country homes and seaside escapes for the remainder of the summer. This, however, does not result in Paris as a complete ghost town. Quite the contrary! August in Paris is a time for festivals and cultural events of all sorts, keeping tourists and remaining locals entertained and full of summer spirit. Whether you are interested in a high-energy music festival or a relaxing evening in the park, the City of Light has got you covered.
Who said you have to ditch Paris for the South to soak up some rays on France’s best shores? From July 20 through August 20, the banks of Paris’ own Seine River and Bassin de la Villette will transform into veritable sandy beaches in this year’s 9th annual Paris Plages. Lie out on one of Paris Plage’s 800 lounge chairs under a real palm tree or partake in some beach-side activities, such as boating, badminton, pétanque, Tai Chi and dance classes. In association with Paris Plages, Fnac’s music festival, FnacIndétendances, hosted outside the Hôtel de Ville will feature over 30 free concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 5 p.m. from July 23rd through August 14th. The line-up includes Arno, Arpad Flynn, Beat Assailant, Lafayette, and Acid Washed. Click here to check out the full line up. For more information on Paris Plage’s plethora of activities and events, check out the official web page here.
What would summer be without a good old-fashioned carnival? Spanning June 26th to August 22nd, the Fête Foraine des Tuileries has all the classics: a carousel, Ferris wheel, games, sugary treats, and so much more. The best part? It all takes place right in the center of Paris in the city’s most renowned garden! The festival is open from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Sunday – Thursday and 11 a.m. to 12:45 a.m. Friday, Saturday and holidays. Entrance is free and attractions cost 2-10 € each per person.
Music
Indétendances Music Festival by Hotel de Ville – Flickr.Whisker
Every summer since 2003, Paris has played host to three-day music festival Rock en Seine at the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud. This year, Rock en Seine will take place on August 27, 28 and 29, and has a line-up that includes both rock-and-roll heavy hitters such as Blink 182 and Queens of the Stone Age, and cult-followed indie rockers like Beirut and LCD Soundsystem. Tickets are available through Rock en Seine’s official website and cost 99 euros for all three days or 45 euros for each individual day. Coming with kids? Continue Reading »
If you happen to find yourself in Paris this month, you’ll be delighted to know that there are quite a few wonderful things to do. Richard Nahem has been kind enough to compile a list of these events to make it easy for you to plan your stay.
Voyage Dans Ma Tete
Does anyone still wear a hat? Apparently Antoine de Galbert thinks so. His astounding collection of over 400 hats, headpieces, and headdresses are from the tribes of Africa and South America. The exhibit explores the cultural and practical aspects of one of man’s oldest garments.
Till September 26, La Maison Rouge, 10 Blvd. de Bastille,12th arr. Metro: Quai de la Rapee, Bastille. Open Wednesday-Sunday 11AM-7PM, Thursday till 9PM
The annual Paris Cinema Festival honors Japanese cinema this year with over 100 films. Charlotte Rampling is the chairperson and special guests include Hanoi Jane Fonda and filmmakers M. Night Shyamalan and Eugene Green.
July 3-13. Screenings are 5€ each, or get a Paris CinéPass for 30€ for unlimited access.
Charlotte Gainsbourg
Charlotte Gainsbourg, daughter of the legendary singers Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin, has carved out quite an acting and singing career in her own right. Her whispery voice can be heard at La Cigale and the set list includes Dylan’s Like a Woman, Jamais, and Cafe de Artistes.
This weekend, don’t miss the Shakespeare & Co literary festival, sponsored by one of Paris’ best English-language bookstores. The theme this year is Storytelling and Politics — with a fantastic roster of English-language writers, it’s the perfect occasion to brush up on a little left-bank expat intellectualizing… And here is the poster, created by Hip Paris blogger friend Badaude.
When I heard that the lovely Lily of Context Travel was organizing a dinner at Hidden Kitchen hosted byDavid Lebovitz and Meg Zimbeck, I jumped at the occasion. I was lucky enough to attend Hidden Kitchen over a year ago and was itching for the chance to return and experience Braden’s cooking again … The problem? It’s always sold out! This particular dinner was to be a combination gourmet meal and chance to get to know David, Meg, and Context travel in an intimate setting (there are only 16 guests at a time at Hidden Kitchen).
The lucky guests were to hear all about David’s decadent new dessert cookbook and the inevitable trials and tribulations of his life amongst the frenchies. We also got to learn about Meg and her culinary adventures. Meg is a Paris food writer and is currently in the final stages of developing (along with quite an impressive team) a new Paris foodie website, “Paris by Mouth” to be unveiled on June 1…..more on that soon on the HiP Paris Blog! As my friend Claudia from Miami is in town doing decorating wonders for a client, I invited her to join in the fun. It was an evening of fabulous food and conversation galore – one to remember and hopefully repeat. Below Claudia reminisces about this unique Parisian experience. Enjoy! – Erica
Friday night was truly one I will never forget and feel privileged to have been invited to such a soiree magnifique. It felt like we stepped back in time to a salon gathering of some of the great young minds and talents residing and making their marks in Paris.
From the moment we walked into the foyer and were handed champagne, the night was pure magic. As the 16 guests arrived, we mingled and chatted and the air was palpable with what our palettes were about to experience!
If you’re in Paris, I highly suggest you make a reservation at hidden kitchen. Our host and hostess, Braden and Laura are the most charming and talented American couple you could hope to meet on your trip, and the exquisite beauty of everything from the decor of their apartment to every morsel served was sublime! Continue Reading »
All photos Erica Berman (Marcus’s flat, his courtyard and his stairwell)
On a recent Paris Sunday, Heather Stimmler Hall of Secrets in Parisinvited me to meet her for an afternoon tea at artist Marcus McAllister’s painting studio, in the semi-underground and very interesting neighborhood of Goncourt. Meeting new people is always cool — but if artwork is involved, it’s even cooler. Goncourt is a hip, little, off-the-beaten-track quartier of the 10th, not far from the trendy Canal St martin, the up-and-coming St Marthe area and the Asian restaurants, outdoor markets and exotic supermarkets of Belleville.
I was met at the door by a smiling, American Marcus covered in paint with his cute doggy Grover at his heels.Marcus, an American from Arkansas, has been in Paris for 14 years and living in this sunny 1st floor studio for 11 of those. Marcus has been hosting Sunday afternoon tea and talks for 8 years now. Having crowds of strangers chez lui has become second nature and a tradition he enjoys immensely. Continue Reading »
Paris in the spring is absolutely perfect. The trees begin to bud, promising blooms and fruit in short order. The city becomes even more electric, abuzz with Parisians and tourists. The light becomes even more special.
You really shouldn’t miss Paris in the spring. And, honestly, if you become the newest member of the Haven in Paris team, you don’t have to. We’re looking for a special someone in North America to join our company, spend some time in Paris this spring, and visit from time to time going forward as our next Customer Service Specialist. We have some high expectations for the role, but we’re sure the benefits – working from home in the US; trips to Paris, Provence and Italy; liaisons with authentic macarons; amazing food; visits with some of the most luxurious flats in Paris – will be worth all the hard work.
Haven in Paris, a boutique luxury vacation rental agency (and creator of this very blog), is looking for a smart, self-motivated, and customer-oriented Customer Service Specialist to join our luxury apartment rental team, handling high-volume sales inquiries and ensuring the client rental experience is smooth and stress-free!
The successful candidate must be energetic, creative, and resourceful; and must enjoy working in a highly entrepreneurial, fluid, and sales-driven environment. The position requires sales, communication, and organization skills, as well as a gift for developing relationships online.
Can you work full-time from your North American home and keep up with our fast-paced environment? Are you a native English speaker? Can you speak and read French well? Then, we encourage you to apply.
Check out the rest of our list of responsibilities and skills needed below. If you’re a perfect fit, just email your resume and cover letter to careers@haveninparis.com. We so look forward to meeting you! (Please note that while we’d love to respond to every applicant, we’ll only be able to respond to suitable candidates. Thank you for your understanding and patience.)
Customer Service Specialist
Responsibilities:
Moderate and monitor sales inquiries submitted to the Haven in Paris site, with the goal of achieving full occupancy for our roster of luxury apartments.
Handle the response and booking process to customers’ inquiries in conjunction with our current team.
Answer questions and solve issues from property owners, service professionals, and our apartment rental clients.
Participate, as needed, in Haven in Paris’ social media outreach, which is a key sales acquisition tool.
Skills needed:
Experience in e-mail communications in an online sales, customer service, or community department. Effective communication skills with customers, including excellent writing skills.
Ability to approach problematic situations with common sense and calm.
Ability to learn Internet-based tools quickly.
Excel skills very useful.
Fluent in reading and writing of French.
Schedule flexibility is key, as this position will require some evening and weekend hours.
Again, if you’re a perfect fit, just email your resume and cover letter to careers@haveninparis.com. We so look forward to meeting you!
Written by Maggie Battista for the HiP Paris blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
Ah, life in Paris. One day, the city is invaded by the cat-walking, champagne-sipping Jet Set; and the next, it is overrun with guys dressed up as life-sized vegetables (literally). Yes, the Salon International de l’Agriculture is here, and eco-friendly agriculturists and the gourmands who love them are in town to partake in the year’s biggest agricultural extravaganza. In thinking about it, this week strikes quite a nice equilibrium for those of us who can appreciate both a killer stiletto and a tub of artisanal foie gras. After all, isn’t balance what life is all about? Continue Reading »
Object of Sound collection by NOCC studio. Image courtesy of NOCC.
As if Parisians weren’t already chic enough with their fabulous clothing and accessories, this weekend the city throws its twice annual home fashion show, Maison & Objet. And fashion show it is indeed – much like the runway shows, Maison & Objet has a degree of exclusivity and is invitation-only. Sadly, the invites are available only to professionals in the home & furnishings industry. Luckily, our secret sources have slipped us a few photos of pieces that will be on exhibit, and we just couldn’t resist sharing them with you. Of note is NOCC, an up-and-coming Paris-based design studio that we love and that has been selected as one of the Talent à la Carte designers to be featured at the show. They will be displaying their Object of Sound, Radiation, and Undished collections. Don’t have an invitation to Maison & Objet? Fear not, you can find them at their studio in the 12th arrondissement… more information on their website.
Items from NOCC’s Object of Sound collection. Images courtesy of NOCC.
More photos from other designers after the jump… all images below courtesy of Maison & Objet.
Just a quick note from HIP to say that contributions of time, material goods and money are still desperately needed in Haiti. Check out these sites for ideas on how to pitch in:
UNICEF -UNICEF’s field staff is working around the clock to help save the tens of thousands of children who have been injured in the quake, separated from their families, and desperately need clean water, food and other help.
PlanUSA – Plan already has 143 staff on the ground in Haiti working to provide immediate relief in the wake of the disaster. This organization has a long-standing presence in the country.
Oxfam America - Oxfam’s 200 staffers stationed in Haiti, including a highly trained emergency response team of 15, are rushing to meet the most urgent needs, such as providing clean water and other public health necessities.
ActionAid - ActionAid has worked in Haiti since 1996; their crisis response efforts focus on providing shelter, clean water and medicine to survivors.
ACCION International – ACCION is working with SOGESOL, its Haitian partner, to provide services and support to its 13,500 microfinance clients in the nation.
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Prakhar – Rainy view from Montmartre
Supagroova, Lemmiworld
