YOUR OWN PIED-A-TERRE IN PARIS
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Several weeks ago we sent out a special newsletter to discuss our newest venture, the potential sale of one of our apartments to a small group of investors who would love to have their own pied-à-terre in Paris. The interest level was high and we have been working with our lawyers and advisors on both sides of the Atlantic to structure all of the details of our proposal. We have just sent the summary proposal to the people who expressed an interest. If you would like more information, please email us and we will forward you all the details.The Margaux Apartment
The location of our stunning duplex is unquestionably one of the most prestigious and sought-after in Paris — in the heart of the Left Bank in the 7th arrondissement. Situated on the fifth and sixth floors of the building, the apartment is only one block from the Champs de Mars Gardens and the Eiffel Tower, the most visited monument in the world, and within four blocks of the Seine River, directly across from the Triangle d’Or.
This beautiful, exquisitely furnished 970-square-foot apartment has two bedrooms and 2½ baths, so it easily accommodates up to six people. Completely remodeled in 2002, this incredible property features the piece de resistance, a balcony with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. Being on the desirable 5th and 6th floors means plenty of sunshine and extensive views high above the street. The fifth floor comprises a spacious living room separated from the open-plan kitchen and dining area by a contemporary glass brick wall. Please click on this link to view the full description and current photographs of the apartment.
The Location
Many of you have stayed with us at ParisPerfect and know that the location of our apartments is unmatched in Paris. We carefully selected this neighborhood — the 7th arrondissement in the heart of the Left Bank. The 7th has held its appeal and its value over the years, has risen among the most in value and is unquestionably one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Paris.
The apartment is only 4 blocks from the famous rue Cler market street, simply the best for finding the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and flowers. This market street has become even more popular in recent years with the addition of trendy new cafés and unique food specialists opening on the street and spilling over into the surrounding area — a real delight!
The Champs de Mars Gardens:
Living near a park is a rare feature in Paris, yet the Champs de Mars gardens are right across the street from the apartment. Join Parisians basking in the sun, watch retired Parisian men play their daily game of boules, and see grandparents take their grandchildren out to play — or perhaps rent a bicycle, picnic on the grass, or take a jog along the paths.
Walk, smell, explore, and savor the foods, sounds, sites, and Parisian way of life.
Having a home in Paris means you can take long walks, shop for the best foods, find the perfect wine, and enjoy the sunset in the company of family and friends. There is nothing like Paris, especially when you can call it home.
Structure
We will be offering shares of a US company that will be the full deeded owner of the apartment. The Company will have twelve Partners or shareholders and each shareholder will be entitled to four weeks use of the apartment on a rotating basis, to be described in greater detail in the documents. The company will be the full deeded owner of the apartment and the shares can be sold or transferred for inheritance purposes. All capital appreciation will pass directly to the shareholders.
If you can not use your full entitlement of weeks, you will be able to rent your weeks directly or via ParisPerfect and obtain a good financial return which can cover significantly more than the running costs.
Services
One of the advantages of being a Partner is the fact that you can fully enjoy your home in Paris without the hassles of maintenance, repairs and bills to pay; we take care of it all. Service is one of the most important aspects of what we offer you, the same high quality as provided by ParisPerfect. Our sister company will greet you with your keys and a warm smile, provide all general and à la carte services that will include greetings, housekeeping, maintenance, administration, personal effects storage, concierge services, etc. We are opening offices around the corner and this will allow Partners to have easy access to all our concierge services.
For many, owning a Pied a Terre in Paris fulfills a dream of a lifetime: take long walks along the Seine, shop for the best foods, find the perfect wine, enjoy intimate meals in favorite bistros, and watch the sunset in the company of family and friends. Explore museums, take cooking and language courses or partake in cultural events every day of the year. On slower days, simply enjoy watching the world go by at café’s on every corner. The City of Light is so full of life, culture and beauty that you never get enough. There is nothing like Paris, especially when you can call it home.
If this is an opportunity you would be interested in, please email us with the following details:
- Your full name
- Address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Potential level of interest
ALL ABOUT CAMEMBERT
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Camembert is a beloved favorite and because Philippe comes from Normandy, where it is produced. This famous cheese was invented in 1791 by a woman farmer in the Normandy town of Camembert who took advice from a heretical priest from Brie, who was hiding from his pursuers in her house. French soldiers were issued Camembert cheese when they went off to fight in World War I, something that struck soldiers from other nations as incredibly funny. And Camembert inspired Salvador Dali in his painting, The Persistence of Memory, where the watches ‘melt’ on the canvas, resembling over-ripe Camembert.
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Normandy is famous for the green pastures that contribute to the incredibly rich flavor of the cheese, the fat content of which must be at least 45%. Made with raw milk that is curdled carefully for 1.5 hours with the enzyme rennet, it is then carefully ladled into the molds according to regulations that include making precisely four passes over each mold with a special ladle. During this process that takes hours, the milk cannot rise above 98.6 degrees F. The next day, the Camembert is taken out of the mold and covered with a thin layer of special salt. Finally ‘penicillium candidum’ fungus is applied and the aging process begins. As the official Camembert documentation states, the Camembert is ripe 30 to 35 days after its birth.
Camembert is known for its soft, fuzzy shell which leaves pale striations in the cheese and for a wonderful soft and silky texture inside. The French have an expression called fait which means that the cheese is just ripe. When Camembert is fait, you will find that it runs out of its soft shell onto the plate…perfect! To select their Camembert, most French squeeze each cheese to test its ripeness. For today’s consumption, you should be able to feel the softness of the cheese. They call this une puce Normand or a Norman thumb. In cheese shops, the server will do this for you – don’t do it yourself unless given permission. Simply tell them which day you wish to eat it and voila’ you take home a perfect accompaniment to a glass of wine!
The traditional container is a round wooden box. When you are in France, buy a special Camembert container, a round clear plastic box with a special tab to hold the runny cheese inside its shell.
Enjoying Camembert
The French say that Camembert is better in the spring, when the cows have better quality pasturage and therefore produce better milk.
Store your cheese in the refrigerator and take it out several hours before eating to bring out the flavor. When we were newly married, I made the mistake of freezing some leftover Camembert and later putting it in the microwave to defrost and serve at a dinner party. It was the texture of soft rubber. Quelle horreur! Philippe was horrified. The microwave killed the texture and taste. We learned that it is fine to freeze camembert but to let it defrost normally.
The taste is strong and the French advise you to drink it with a young red wine with little tannin – not a great wine which may become overwhelmed. A good red Bourgueil or even a Cider from the Pays d’Auge are excellent. Recently, we have followed some of our good friend’s advice and started to drink white wine with our cheese course and that is excellent, too.
I came across this tidbit from the Camembert.com site: The camembert can hardly be considered as a "light" product even if you taste it with moderation (and that would be a pity). Nevertheless many sacrifice their waistline for the pleasure of tasting that beautiful flavor. On the other hand, one should remember that the camembert also contains many of the elements that are needed for the child growth. So there you have several perfect excuses for eating as much as you like.
How to distinguish the best French products
A special blue and yellow label is applied to the top cheeses, wines and butters in France called the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC), a certification granted by the French Government to certain wines, butters and cheeses.
It all began in the 15th century with Roquefort that was regulated by parliamentary decree. This special protection moved from cheeses to wines and even to butter. The label protects the producers from other regions counterfeiting their fine products. You will find the AOC on many wines as well, distinguishing a defined geographic origin and production process.
AOC cheeses – there are only 45 of them – must be made with milk from cows of that specific region and must be produced in the specific climate and geography. Strict criteria must be followed to maintain the AOC and the ‘savoir faire’ of making the cheeses is passed from generation to generation. When you shop, look for the small blue and yellow AOC label to be assured of the best quality.
MUSÉE DU QUAI BRANLY
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Some of our visitors have seen an enormous construction project next to the Eiffel Tower near the river bank. This is the new Musée du Quai Branly, scheduled to open in June 2007 and it appears stunning in terms of concept and architecture. We have enjoyed watching the steel and glass walls rise along with the unusual colored ‘box rooms’ that jut out from the façade to add to the interest of the building and to protect collections from direct sunlight. Large trees were delivered a few weeks ago. It was not everyone’s favorite idea to house the Museum here, but the building’s beautiful lines, its unique design and the garden areas outside are certain to make this a much discussed and visited spot.
The museum is dedicated to the arts and civilizations of Africa, America, Oceana and Asia. The French were early explorers to America, Africa and the Far East and their collections and artifacts have been scattered throughout Paris until Jacques Chirac initiated this project in the 1990’s. It will combine 25,000 objects currently located in the Musee National des Arts d’Afrique et d’Oceanie and 240,000 objects from the Ethnological section of the Musee de l’Homme, the Museum of Mankind. Both museums have long outgrown their unique collections and the new Musee de Branly promises to use the best of light and architecture to show them to their utmost appreciation.
The Musée du Quai Branly is located in one of the last public spaces available in Paris, along the river just next to the Tour Eiffel. It is a pet project of Jacques Chirac who himself has an extensive collection of ethnic art. Some say that he wants to leave his mark on Paris, as former President Mitterrand did with his Arch de la Défense and the Opéra Bastille.
Le mur végétal
The Plant Wall on Quai Branly.
We are fascinated by the Mur Végétal, or the Plant Wall belonging to the Museum along the Quai Branly, facing the river. It has caused a lot of stir and controversy, always something to strive for in Paris. It has taken over 3 years for the plants to establish themselves, and from dubious beginnings that looked like something from the 1960’s and problems with condensation inside the glass it has turned into a beautiful wall. It is covered with 15,000 plants which represent over 150 species from Japan, China, America and Central Europe.
The wall was planned by Patrick Blanc who observed plant growth on rocks and in rain forests for over 30 years. He realized that it was possible to build a wall of plants if there is a layer of material to hold the roots and if the roots are watered regularly, then certain plants can work to support others, as moss does on rocks.
For this project several layers of felt were stapled to a layer of 10mm polyurethane, then fixed to metal frames set slightly away from the building to guarantee aeration and water proofing. The felt assures capillary action and moisture, along with water pipes at regular intervals to water the plants. In the description about the wall on the Musee Branly’s site, we are told that the vertical system make it impossible for weeds to grow and that the greenery will need to be cut back annually. The system is also guaranteed to be water proof and to last for 30 years. The early plants show an amazing diversity of color and texture and it will be fascinating to watch it grow.
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN PARIS
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For more information, here are three excellent sites in English which describe the events and how to get there.
For Festivals and Fun
For Shows and Exhibits
Les grandes eaux musicales (Fountain Display)
From 1 April to 1 October 2006. What would it be like to walk in the footsteps of the Sun King and enjoy the magnificent gardens of the Chateau de Versailles?
May
Jazz Festival: From 9 to 21 May. Jazz, blues and gospel aficionados, diaries to the ready! Marva Wright, Lucky Peterson, the London Community Gospel Choir, the Orchestre National de Jazz, Manu Dibango. The Annual Jazz Festival enlivens with events every weekend in the Park Floral. Paris sponsors these wonderful music festivals in the spring and summer and they are well worth going to.
May 20: Museums open all night for a crazy and fun Parisian idea. It has been an enormous success.
The Great Paris Steeplechase takes place at the Hippodrome Auteuil.
Music and Outdoor Music: Go to the Parc de la Villette for movies and outdoor music, another excellent event. Parc de la Villette is highly recommended for children with lots to explore and do.
June
The Sales: Held from late June through early August; go early for excellent discounts on this season’s clothes.
On Your Bike: June 3 and 4 Last year’s event was such a success they are doing it again. Rent a bike from the Mairie and tour Paris with thousands of others.
Antiques on the Left Bank: Le Carre Rive Gauche The antique art dealers on the rue de Bac along the Seine.
Paris Jazz Festival: June 10 to July 30
Paris Air Show: Le Bourget Airport in Le Bourget is in mid-June and amazing if you like airplanes. At a past show, Philippe was awestruck when I introduced him to Chuck Yeager, a friend of my father’s.
Fête de la Musique: Find musicians from all over the world performing throughout Paris on June 21, the longest day of the year.
Midsummer Fireworks: A beautiful fireworks show on the Ile Saint Louis, and watched from the Quai Saint Bernard on the evening of June 24 in honor of St. John the Baptist.
Chopin Festival: Listen to Chopin’s music at the Orangerie de Bagatelle through mid July.
Choral Music Festival: The Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Eglise Saint-Louis-en-L’ile present choral music by artists from all over the world, including gospel and spiritual as well as traditional and classic church works. Held throughout the summer, from late June to early September. Call (33) 44 62 00 55 for more information.
Paris Pride Parade: The annual festival of the gay community, with live entertainment, refreshments and assorted festivities extends from Republique to Boubourg along the Champs Elysees in the Marais district. Call (33) 892 683 000 for more information.
July
Paris Haute Couture and Bastille Day couldn't be more exciting for guests who are so close to all the happenings at the Eiffel Tower.
Paris Haute Couture: All of the famous fashion designers of Paris display their latest creations on the runways of various venues at this annual invitation-only event organized by the Federation Francaise de la Couture. Held in early to mid-July. Call (33) 14 266 6444 for more information.
Paris Jazz Festival: June 10 to July 30
Bastille Day July 14: This is the biggest holiday in France and enjoy the fireworks from most of our apartments on the night of July 14. Or wander early to the Champs du Mars gardens and stake out a seat on the gras. Find dancing and especially military parades and flyovers along the Champs Elysees, walking distance from our apartments.
90th Tour de France: This year's 'tour' started from Paris on Saturday, 5. July, 'Le Tour' cycles all around France for three weeks before returning to the finish line on the Champs-Elysées on Sunday, 27 July.
Quartier d’Été and Paris Plage: The first and still the best: The beach comes to Paris. This is a sunbathing beach and fun to go there with activities for children, small wading pools and good food. It is near the Hotel de Ville along the river – remember you cannot go swimming in the river with its fast current.
Cinema Festival and Dancing: The Parc de la Villette is a great place to go with children, lots of education activities and films shown as the sun sets. Dance to live music on Sundays in July and August.
Garden Tours: View beautiful gardens at The Parc Andre-Citroen, Parc de Bercy and the famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery with spcially organized visits.
August
Arènes de Montmartre: Traveling theatre troupes perform in the tradition of the Italian commedia dell’arte at this outdoor playhouse through mid-September. Call (33) 48 40 27 71 for more information.
Movie Festival and Dancing: The Parc de la Villette is a great place to go with children, lots of education activities and films shown as the sun sets. Dance to live music on Sundays in July and August.
L’Étrange Festival – the Strange Festival Enjoy off-beat movies at the Forum des Images. I always think this would be good for adolescents.
Classical Music Festival: The Parc Floral hosts the Festival Classique au Vert open-air concerts presented by orchestras from all over the world during August and September weekends. Call (33) 55 94 20 20 for more information.
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