I Love You in Paris

Our Paris Perfect team was recently asked by a guest where to propose to his girlfriend in Paris when he comes next spring. He is staying at the lovely and romantic Calvados apartment, where the balcony has been the ideal location for a number of engagements in its history!  You can even find candle wax on the paving where numerous suitors have lit dozens of candles in preparation for the special moment.

Romantic Eiffel Tower view from the balcony of the Calvados apartment

Our team had a wonderful time gathering some of our favorite romantic spots. Paris is a city of romance everywhere you turn, but here are some perfect places for saying “I love you,” surprising your loved one with a renewal of the vows or popping the big question in Paris!

The Eiffel Tower

Tom Cruise proposed to Katie on the Eiffel Tower

Towering above the rooftops of Paris, lit with a golden glow at night or sparkling during the magical light show each evening, the Eiffel Tower is the classic spot in Paris to say “I love you.” Its romantic allure also makes it one of the most popular and irresistible spots to pop the question to your partner. Even Tom Cruise asked Katie Holmes to marry him on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, and the whole world knows how that turned out! Another favorite is to make reservations at the Jules Verne restaurant on top level of the Eiffel Tower for a romantic and memorable proposal.

The Most Magical in Paris - Eiffel Tower Proposal

The Pont Alexandre III

One of our team’s favorite romantic spots in Paris is the beautiful Pont Alexandre III bridge that crosses the Seine between the Invalides and the Grand Palais. At sunrise or sunset, the golden statues and beautiful lamps create an unforgettably romantic setting overlooking the Seine River. Surprise your loved one with a moment of romance on one of Paris’ most lavish and beautiful bridges!

Say "I Love You" on the stunning Pont Alexandre III at sunset

Paris Memories of a Lifetime

Promenade Plantées

The Promenade Plantées is very romantic and off the beaten path spot to pop the question. Once a railway line that has been cleverly replanted with charming gardens, it’s a lovely spot for a Sunday morning stroll. Stop by Le Reservoir for a Sunday jazz brunch, listen to fantastic music and then enjoy a stroll along the promenade.

Chateau de Versailles

Wedding at the Palace of Versailles

The palace and gardens of Versailles are a dreamy setting for your romantic moment or special proposal in Paris. Why not rent bikes and ride to the opposite end of the Grand Canal and propose with the chateau as your backdrop? Don’t forget the bottle of wine or champagne and picnic!

The Pont des Arts

Strolling along the Seine River and crossing one of its many bridges is a favorite leisurely pastime for romantics. Another perfect spot for saying “I love you” or asking that magical question is on the pretty Pont des Arts bridge. This pedestrian only bridge is a very romantic spot located near the Louvre and overlooking the Ile de la Cité.

The Pont des Arts - an ideal location in Paris to say I Love You

A romantic favorite - the Pont des Arts bridge looking toward the Il de la Cité

The Key to My Heart - Bring a Lock to the Pont des Arts

Parc Monceau

If you’re in search of a peaceful garden setting for your romantic moment in Paris, visit the stunning English-style gardens at Parc Monceau. Propose to your loved one while strolling through the landscaped gardens and over the picturesque bridges. You’ll find Parc Monceau northeast of the Arc de Triomphe in the 8th arrondissement.

Carrousel du Louvre

Pyramid du Louvre Romantic Evening

With the Louvre as a backdrop, the Carrousel du Louvre is an impressive setting to wow your loved one with a romantic surprise. Sunset is the perfect time, and the setting is made complete by one of the many musicians you’ll often hear playing in the arcades.

Bois de Boulogne

In Love in Paris

Another romantic favorite is to rent a little paddle boat in the Bois de Boulogne gardens and propose floating on the small Lac Inférieur. Pack a picnic and enjoy a relaxing stroll through the gardens with your loved one for an unforgettable day in Paris.

Palais de Chaillot

Proposing in Paris the Palais de Chaillot

Across the Seine River from the Eiffel Tower you’ll find the Trocadéro and beautiful Palais de Chaillot that houses the Musée de l’Architecture. On the top floor of this fascinating museum, head to center window that looks straight out to a perfectly framed view of the Eiffel Tower. What a romantic spot to propose or say “I love you!” You’ll also enjoy strolling through the lovely first floor and across the Seine to the Eiffel Tower.

Most Romantic Paris Perfect Apartments

Of course, one of our guests’ favorite spots for proposing, renewing vows and treasuring romantic moments together is on the balcony of one of our Paris Perfect apartments. Many feature those absolutely stunning Paris views that make a magical setting for romance.

The Sancerre Paris Apartment - Unforgettable Vacation Memories

We know guests are going to fall in love with the incredible Eiffel Tower views from the Viognier, our newest Paris Perfect apartment. This gorgeous 2 bedroom, 3 bathroom vacation apartment has unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower from so close you’ll have to pinch yourself to believe it’s real! We think the Viognier has one of the most romantic bedroom view of the Eiffel Tower – simply magical!

Paris Perfect's most romantic bedroom in Paris at our new Viognier

Our Chablis studio apartment in Paris is top pick with guests looking for the perfect spot for romance. The Eiffel Tower soars above the large French windows in this charming apartment in the 7th arrondissement.

Our romantic Chablis holiday apartment - perfect for romance!

If you’re planning a special moment in Paris, our reservations team will be thrilled to help you find the perfect apartment and suggest tips for creating an unforgettable romantic holiday in Paris!

Recommended Photographers in Paris:

We thank Anthony and Audrey from Oneandonlyphotography for contributing some of the beautiful photographs they have taken of couples in Paris. They capture magical moments in Paris so incredibly well, including proposals, weddings and honeymoons.

Ian Holmes is another excellent photographer in Paris whose photos also appear above.  Ian was originally a fashion photographer and was asked by a client to photograph his wedding.  He was afraid to do it since he wasn’t formally trained to do weddings, but the client insisted and was delighted. Now based in Paris, Ian offers romantic portraiture in the worlds most romantic city.  Simply contact through his website to arrange a photoshoot.

For those who are thinking of visiting London to explore the sites, take in the amazing theatre scene, shop and enjoy, we’re pleased to present the beautiful 3 bedroom Hornton vacation home in Kensington at London Perfect. This remodeled home is located in a quiet mews tucked away behind lovely Victorian homes in the sought-after Kensington neighborhood.

The Hornton vacation home in London's Kensington neighborhood

The Hornton has a wonderful history as 200 years ago it served as the stable for the horse and carriage of a wealthy Victorian family. London mews were the little cobblestoned streets built behind tall white Victorian homes. The stable was located downstairs and upstairs was where the groom and chauffeur lived. Many mews still have the original cobblestone paving, and today they seem to appear magically off busier streets. With real estate values in central London soaring over the decades, the quiet little mews homes have been transformed into beautiful homes worth millions of pounds. The Hornton is just such a home. You’ll discover it as you wander down a narrow lane, which opens to a small enclave of homes.

Entrance to the charming Victorian news at the Hornton

The owners have beautifully remodeled this property, transforming it into a spacious 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home that comfortably welcomes up to 6 guests. We love the Hornton’s charming décor, and its quiet location right in the heart of Kensington can’t be beat!

Relax in the Horton's comfortable living room

Third bedroom in the Horton Kensington Home

Click here to view more pictures and details about London Perfect’s beautiful Hornton mews home in Kensington.

The reservations team tried ice skating on the Eiffel Tower!

We were thrilled to host our annual staff meeting last week in Paris. This brought together all our employees from six countries on four continents for planning sessions to discuss our successes and challenges, with one goal in mind … to ensure our guests experience the vacation of a lifetime.

Our team came together from around the world - including our littlest members!

Our staff from Paris Perfect and London Perfect gathered in Paris for a week, including our reservations teams, sales, marketing, IT, customer service, welcoming greeters, and housekeeping crews. We reviewed our past year, focusing on what worked and especially on ways we can improve. During our meetings we talked about every aspect of the customer experience, from the moment you visit our website to booking your apartment, arrival and greeting services, the contents of your welcome basket, toiletry items, our welcome guide filled with tips and suggestions, to apartment improvements and more. Every detail is important to us in achieving our goal to exceed your expectations and ensure you are delighted with your Paris Perfect stay.

Some of our friendly Reservations Team answered emails between meetings

We also had time for some fun during our annual meeting, including a Seine dinner cruise aboard Le Capitaine Fracasse, which was a delightful evening. Even the food was good, a rarity on many of the Seine dinner cruises.

Our tables were full of laughter and socializing as we enjoyed a lovely meal while watching the beautifully lit landmarks of Paris glide by. Funniest comment of the evening was hearing how English webmaster John met his fiancee’, Stephanie.  Stephanie commented that she had started a new job picked him out because he was so good looking.  John’s take was quite different.  He and colleague Nick  conferred about her after the first week.   ‘Nick and I decided she had to go because she was just too nice!’  Australian Tash kept toasting the couple, declaring ‘John, she’s a keeper!’

One of our little team members fell asleep during our Seine dinner cruise!

Some members braved the cold – and the climb of 300 plus steps – up to the first level of the Eiffel Tower for an evening of ice skating and fun. What a wonderful and uniquely Parisian memory!

Manager Natasha shared what she declared was an Australian tradition to stand in front of monuments to measure how big they really are. She demonstrated the technique on the balcony of one of our newest Paris Perfect apartments, which has a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower.  What a perfect spot!

Tash measures the height of the Eiffel Tower - it's a little bit taller!

It was the best meeting ever. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful people to work with — with lots of diversity, good humor and fabulous ideas . We treasure this time together to strengthen our team, share ideas and build solutions that will make our guests treasure every moment of their stay with Paris Perfect.

We would like to take a moment to thank our wonderful guests for the valuable feedback, kind words and continued support over the past years. We hope to welcome you to Paris in 2012 … and beyond!

A fun vacation of excellent food, skiing -- and cooking tips on the slopes!

Our family made the marathon drive from London to Val d’Isere before Christmas and spent a fun week skiing, relaxing … and eating! The secret to making the drive fun for (sometimes cranky) husband Philippe was to ask him to plan the route according to the restaurants he wanted to eat at on the way! We pulled out in our old VW Sharan at 6:08 (missing Philippe’s ETD by 8 minutes) in the morning. Kids slept in the back, made it to Dover and crossed the Channel on the EuroTunnel. In spite of high winds and stormy weather, we drove through Normandy and arrived in Paris just in time for a late lunch at our favorite Cafe’ Constant.  My favorites were the fresh salmon and oyster salad with lime,  Navarin d’Agneau, the Langoustine Ravioli and profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce for dessert!

Cafe' Constant in Paris Navarvin d'Agneau

For dinner we ate at the Violon d’Ingres restaurant on rue St. Dominique andhighlights included the riz de veau or sweetbreads as a main course and their delicious, light souffle’ au caramel au sel de Guerande (the delicious caramel sauce with special Guerande salt for contrast).

We could hardly walk home but fortunately stayed in the Cognac vacation apartment rental only a few blocks away.  We try to ‘test drive’ the Paris Perfect apartments as often as possible in order to keep them in tip top shape — and Cognac passed the test with only a few suggestions.

We stayed at the Cognac luxury rental apartment in Paris

We set off the next day to enjoy the gastronomic highlight of our vacation, having lunch at Michelin-starred Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu.  It..was…awesome!  Loiseau was a 3 star Michelin chef who brought French cuisine to new heights in the 1990′s.  He tragically died in 2003 but the restaurant has continued to earn 3 stars under the management of his wife and their head chef. Have a look at some of the dishes ….  I bought Loiseau’s cookbook for families and look forward to sharing some of his easier recipes.

Alexia had foie gras with gingerbread

French cooking at its finest -- winter vegetables shaped in miniature forms

Fabulous lunch and then came the desserts ….

Dessert Masterpiece at Bernard Loiseau

The most beautiful desserts I've ever seen... and delicious too!

We spent the night in Beaune, the second time since November, when Philippe and I visited with his cousin and friends to taste Burgundy wines.  It’s a beautiful Medieval City and the Dukedom of Burgundy rivalled Paris in ancient times.

Beaune is an excellent destination for a day outing from Paris. There are two TGV’s per day, departing from the Gare du Lyon in Paris. The trip takes 2 hours and 15 minutes taking you through the beautiful countryside of Burgundy. The city center is a perfect size to walk around, enjoy wine tasting and a nice lunch — then return to Paris.  Check here for train schedules from Paris to Beaune .

Beaune is a beautiful Medieval City surrounded by a moat

The next morning, we continued our drive to the Alps.  Due to recent snowstorms, we parked the car at the McDonald’s in Bourg St. Maurice at the foot of the mountains and hired a taxi to take us to Val d’Isere.  No, we didn’t eat at the Golden Arches, but McDonald’s is popular in France for the same reason it’s popular worldwide.  Consistent food quality at very reasonable prices.  We were very appreciative it was open the morning we dug out the car on our way home, happy you can now buy espresso and capuccino’s there.  Okay, it’s instant but it was cheap! The kids made fun of my admiration and pride in American technology with their flip-top openings on their lids — nothing spills out when taking sharp turns!

The Golden Arches in Bourg St. Maurice

Digging out the car in the McDonald's parking lot and discovering their instant espresso

We had a fun week at Club Med in Val d’Isere.  Club Med has gone through an upheaval in the past decade, closing lower-end locations and upgrading others.  Our cramped rooms left something to be desired but the food and ambiance were excellent.  Ski lessons from the Ecole de Ski de France were included  and we set out most mornings to conquer the slopes.  Our instructor Alain did a good job, but nothing can help my poor technique!

Family skiing in the Alps

We recommend skiing in Val d’Isere and the Trois Vallee’s highly.  You’ll love the mountains and enormous ski terrain, you’ll love skiing and the excellent restaurants and bistros on the pistes, enjoying the sunshine and scenery!

One day we invited our ski instructor Alain (nicknamed Matou or Tomcat) for a beer before lunch. He told us on the first day: ‘If you get lost and stop another ski instructor saying you’ve lost your instructor Alain, they won’t know who you’re talking about. But if you tell them it’s Matou, they’ll find me.’ He invited his colleague Richard to join us. As frequently happens in France,  we started on the subject of favorite foods.   Richard started talking about Choucroute, a wonderful winter dish from his region of Alsace. He boasted that his mother makes the best choucroute in the world: ‘The secret is cooking the cabbage 3 times, pressing out the liquid, rinsing it well, cooking twice more until it’s almost caramalised’  He kissed his fingertips and pronounced: ‘ La Choucroute de ma mere c’est la meilleure!’

They moved on to tips for the best pots and pans; Richard prefers Fissler from Germany (raving about Amazon.fr — where he finds cheaper suppliers in Germany and fast shipping), but his wife finds them heavy to lift.  Alain believes nothing beats Le Creuset and their cast iron cookware.  Richard prefers Henkel knives while Matou raved about Opinel, the local brand of knives from the Savoie. Husband Philippe agreed with Richard on the knives and said Matou was prejudiced about Opinel knives because he is a Savoyard.

Only in France will your ski instructors also provide cooking tips!

The conversation and excitement discussing favorite dishes accelerated and I could hardly keep up  ‘Of course, one of the best dishes is the Roti de Veau or Breast of Veal.  The secret  is sewing chestnuts into the breast. ‘ And ‘Bien sur, Le Plat Classique Pour L’hiver  — Pot au Feu’;  the classic winter dish,  Pot au Feu! I learned that the secret to the best Pot au Feu is adding a calf’s foot to the bouillon.  They swore by this asI struggled to keep up with their tips.  Start by sauteeing the beef in goose or duck fat only — absolument!– add shallots, other ingredients and of course the calf’s foot. Must cook for at least 4 hours and add the vegetables at the end, otherwise they will overcook.   I had to pull out my iphone to take notes!

The secret to the best Pot au Feu; adding a calf's foot!

Matou and Richard couldn’t understand why I started to laugh until I explained that where else but in France could you take ski lessons and receive cooking tips from your ski instructor! In my 20′s and 30′s I skiied in the US where lunch consisted of pulling frozen sandwiches from my pockets and eating them on the ski lift.  Here I was eating like a queen and getting excellent cooking tips … from our ski instructors!  When they heard about my bologna sandwiches, Matou and Richard decided they weren’t interested in skiing the Rockies after all.  I assured them there are many fine restaurants in American ski resorts, but the difference is the choice and price. culture.  In France, it’s seems like a god-given right to have an excellent choice of reasonably-priced quality restaurants, whereever you are.

I learned to ski in Flagstaff Arizona, Lake Tahoe and Park City, Utah and  always wanted to take my family there to experience skiing in the West.  But remembering the pizzas and microwave tv dinners that kept us going then, I realized we are lucky enough to have it all in France.  Great skiing, a wonderful ambiance with family and friends … and best of all, excellent cuisine at affordable prices.

The Village of Val d'Isere in the French Alps

“There were times that I just wanted to stay home and sit at the window, watching  the snow fall and the people walking by below — all the while gazing at the sparkling Eiffel Tower. I can still see that picture in my head and will hold that memory forever.”  Georgia Bell, California

Finding the perfect apartment to buy in Paris is like winning the lottery, only a few fabulous apartments come up for sale,  there’s a lot of competition and many of the best apartments are sold before they reach the market.  But every once in awhile an apartment is offered for sale that has all of the special factors we look for at Paris Perfect:  fine, period features, perfectly located in a favorite, quintessentially Parisian neighborhood, views of the Eiffel Tower, richly remodelled, opulently appointed rooms, beautifully maintained building, and high floor (with elevator) to capture all of the day’s natural light.

That apartment is the wonderful Chateauneuf rental in Paris. This gorgeous three bedroom, three and one half bathroom apartment measures 116 m2 and is offered for sale at € 1,890,000.  Beautifully decorated to the last detail, it is offered for sale ‘cle en main’, that is, fully furnished and ready to enjoy the moment you step in the door.  Best of all, our award-winning team at Paris Perfect is nearby to take care of the apartment when the owner is away. If you’re interested, please email us at news@parisperfect.com

Located on the 4th floor with elevator (5th floor American) Chateauneuf features three bedrooms, three and one half bathrooms and glorious pinnacle views of the Eiffel Tower from the living room, master bedroom and den. It is one of our grandest apartments and  one of the favorite rentals. Please click on the link to view photos and more details about the Chateauneuf Paris apartment.

Located in the village-like 7th arrondissement on Paris’ Left Bank, this is unquestionably one of the most sought-after and safest neighborhoods in Paris.  Our Châteauneuf rental is near to the lush gardens and playgrounds of Champ de Mars park — a rare feature in Paris where you can stroll, picnic and enjoy life as the Parisians do on sunny days.  With its proximity to the romantic Seine river and surrounded by cozy sidewalk cafés, fabulous restaurants and bustling open markets it is an ideal choice for your family home or pied-à-terre.

The Chateauneuf location is perfect – close to many restaurants and shops, with easy access to the metro and bus lines. I’m still dreaming of the view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower as I drifted off to sleep. It probably doesn’t get much better than that!  Sid McAulay, San Jose

If you’ve dreamed about relocating to Paris to enjoy life at a different pace – long walks along the Seine, shopping at the nearby open air markets or fashion boutiques, learning French, taking cooking classes and enjoying the ever-changing art scene in Paris  – this is the apartment that dreams are made of!  Just imagine waking up each morning to fresh cafe’ au lait and a view of the Eiffel Tower, spending the day as you choose in the heart of Paris and then going to bed each night with the tower sparkling out your bedroom window.  Everything is at your fingertips; our favorite pastry shop, butcher and greengrocer are is a few doors away, or stroll to the famous rue Cler only a block away, walk to museums and landmarks, enjoy lunch at a delicious bistro nearby.  Your home in Paris awaits.

Savor your pied-à-terre while in Paris and enjoy the benefit of Paris Perfect’s full solution rentals and management service when you’re away. With the Euro at a 12 month low and the benefit of a healthy rental income, there’s never been a better time to invest.  The price of quality apartments in Paris has gone up in the past few years, indicating the desirability of Paris by locals and buyers from all over.  The average cost of Paris real estate  is below the average price in London, Rome and other European cities, making Paris an even more attractive place to invest.

The asking price of this beautiful 3 bedroom, 3 and one half bathroom apartment located on rue de Grenelle is € 1,890,000 for 116 m2.  Depending on individual financial circumstances, up to 80% financing is available for the purchase.  For further information, please don’t hesitate to email us at news@Parisperfect.com! 

The birth of my first child last year has brought many things into my life:  happiness, sleepless nights, and an addiction to children’s clothes!  I’ve gone from window shopping the haute-couture stores along Avenue Montaigne to staring longingly at a €180 woolen coat that I’m sure my precious offspring needs for survival during the bitterly cold winter months (ok, so I’m still trying to convince myself that the price was justified!)  Although I didn’t get the coat, it did prompt me to ask my friends what the best fashion boutiques for children were.  Here are their suggestions!

Finger in the Nose

Located in 3rd Arrondissement in the trendy Marais district, Finger in the Nose is definitely one of the coolest kids clothing brands in Paris (and possibly the world!)  They stock an unbelievable range of jeans in dozens of different fits, colors, washes and treatments. They’re also known for their funky graphic tees, high-quality knitwear and down jackets, a must-have in any child’s winter wardrobe.  Jeans are priced around €75-80 and the down jackets can range from €130-190 depending on style and size.

Website: www.fingerinthenose.com
Store: 60  Rue de Saintonge, 3rd Arrondissement, Paris
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 7pm
Nearest Métro: Files du Calvaire

Sonia Rykiel Enfant

Nathalie Rykiel, the daughter of French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel, launched the label’s first line for girls in 1983 while pregnant with her own daughter.  Nearly 20 years later, they’re still creating incredibly stylish clothes that are loved by young fashionistas worldwide.  Be aware though, style does not come cheap with simple dresses often costing over €150!

Website: http://shop.soniarykiel.com/rykiel-enfant
Stores: 4 rue de Grenelle, 6th Arrondissement, Paris
Galleries Lafayette, 40 boulevard Haussmann, 9th Arrondissement, Paris

Children's stores in Paris offer a wonderful selection for all ages

Catimini

Born in 1972, Catimini is a French fashion label that is aimed at parent’s looking for something a little different for their children, but still very high quality.  There are now over one hundred Catimini stores worldwide, with six stand-alone stores in Paris plus concept stores in both Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. If you’re staying in our Vouvray Paris vacation rental, there’s a Catimini store at 10 rue Vavin which is a short 10 minute walk.

Website: www.catimini.com
Stores: 10 rue Vavin, 6th Arrondissement.  Open Monday – Saturday, 10am – 7pm

For the complete list of Paris stores and opening hours, please visit www.catimini.com/en/stores/

Baby Dior

I still can’t believe they have couture clothing stores for babies!  Find everything from dummies and booties to casual wear for girls and boys.

Website: www.diorcouture.com/us/babydior.html
Stores: 26-28 avenue Montaigne, 8th arrondissement.  Simply stroll across the river from our this charming one bedroom Paris vacation rental … and you’re there!
Galeries Lafayette, 40 boulevard Haussmann, 9th arrondissement

Bonpoint

This Parisian clothing house is well-known for combining chic and glamorous children’s fashion with beautiful fabrics and quality workmanship.  Popular among celebrities including Brad Pitt, who took his children to the Bonpoint store on one of their visits to Paris.  Their flagship store measures over 1,000 square meters and it’s worth a visit just to admire the beautiful building and décor.  I’d also recommend having a look at their adorable website, there’s something about it that just makes me feel happy!

Website: www.bonpoint.com
Store: 6 rue de Tournon, Paris, 6th arrondissement
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm

Jacadi

Jacadi’s clothing and shoes is inspired by the French tradition but mixed with a contemporary feel and is suitable for children aged from 0 to 12 years of age.  Their website is in English so you can easily browse through their huge range which includes shirts, polos, cardigans, sweaters, skirts, dresses, accessories, and so on.  They also stock a range of nursery items, including everything you need for the first few years of your baby’s life.

Jacadi has several stores located throughout Paris and more than 270 shops worldwide.  The stores listed below are located near the majority of our Paris Apartment Rentals:

Website: www.jacadi.us
Stores: 73, rue de Sèvres, 6th arrondissement, Paris
26, rue Vavin, 6th arrondissement, Paris
256, boulevard Saint Germain, 7th arrondissement, Paris
107, rue Saint Dominique, 7th arrondissement, Paris

For a complete list of stores in Paris, use the handy online Jacadi store locator.

IKKS

French brand IKKS was launched in 1987 and now has over 200 outlets worldwide.  Known for its cool but casual ready-to-wear designs for adults, teenagers, boys, girls and babies.

Tartine et Chocolat's Latest Collection - Gregoire Gardette Photography

Tartine et Chocolat

One of Paris’ finest high-end children’s boutiques, the Tartine et Chocolat brand has been around for over 30 years and is easily recognised by its exclusive Garada motif and strip set.  Their beautifully decorated stores are filled with clothing for both boys, girls and babies, and you’ll also find a selection of fragrances, soft toys, nursery items and furniture.  If you’re looking for a truly special outfit or gift for a love one, Tartine et Chocolat is the place to shop!

Website: www.tartine-et-chocolat.fr
Store: 266 bd Saint Germain, 7th arrondissement, Paris

French children even look fashionable playing cards in the park!

From Madelyn:
I loved shopping at Tartine et Chocolat, Dior, Jacadi for our children when they were little. When they outgrew them, I saved the nicest outfits for their own children one day!  Since they outgrew them quickly, I always waited until the sales started in January and July and shopped then.  In between, I found fashion and value at the many childrens’ stores on the famous rue de Commerce.  They included the big Monoprix at the corner of Blvd Grenelle and rue de Commerce, Cyrillus, DPAM or Du Pareil au Meme and Petit Bateau.  If you’re staying in one of our Paris Perfect apartments such as the Vougeout or Pastis , it’s a short walk across the park to get there!

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert that is very popular in Australian and always served at our family celebrations.  The dessert was named in honor of the great Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova, and both New Zealand and Australia claim to have created the dish.  My recipe is for a meringue type pavlova – crunchy all the way around and the perfect base for cream and berries.  There’s also marshmallow pavlovas that are crispy on the outside and soft and chewy in the middle.  Both are equally delicious!

Natasha, Web Master

Ingredients

Makes 1 large pavlova or 15 smaller shells

2 egg whites
½ tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups caster sugar
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp cornflour
4 tbsp boiling water

Steps

1. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat until mixture is very stiff.
2. Spread on a tray lined with baking paper.
3. For a large pavlova: bake in a moderate oven (180⁰C) for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to slow (160⁰C) and bake for a further 45 minutes.
4. For a small pavlova: bake in a moderate oven (180⁰C) for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to slow (160⁰C) and bake for a further 35 minutes.
5. Cool in oven.

Image:  Flickr

Pepernoten are a cookie-like kind of candy, traditionally associated with the Sinterklaas holiday in the Netherlands.  They are definitely one of my favourite treats!

Nerissa, Reservations Manager

Ingredients

1. Mix the ingredients together to form a dough
2. Wrap in clingfilm and leave in the fridge for an hour.
3. Take the dough and form into a lot of small pebbles.  About the size of a 1 euro coin.
4. Place baking paper on a baking tray and cook in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

A holiday celebration at our house would not be complete without a Glazed Ham, the ultimate versatile dish that is delicious served both warm or cold.

Bernard, Reservations

Ingredients

Steps on Christmas Day

I love baking Delia Smith’s Braised Red Cabbage with Apples as the spices make the house smell Christmassy while it’s cooking.  This dish is lovely with leftover cold turkey/baked ham on Boxing Day.  Keeps forever and freezes well too!

Ingrid, Reservationist

Ingredients

• 2lbs red cabbage shredded
• 1lb onions chopped
• 1lb cooking apples chopped
• 1 clove garlic chopped very small
• ¼ whole nutmeg, freshly grated
• ¼ level teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ level teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons wine vinegar
• 1/2oz butter
• Salt & Pepper

Steps

Pre-heat overn to 130 degrees Celsius (fan oven).

1. Mix the garlic, spices and sugar in a small bowl.
2. In a large casserole (with a tight-fitting lid), arrange layer of cabbage seasoned with salt & pepper, followed by layer of onions and apples with a sprinkling of garlic, spices and sugar.  Repeat until it’s all in.
3. Pour the vinegar over the top and add dots of butter.
4. Put the lid on the casserole and cook for 2-2 ½ hours.