6 Churches in Paris That Aren’t Notre Dame
December 28th, 2017Notre Dame may be world-famous and we’d certainly recommend a guided tour – but what about the hundreds of other beautiful churches that shine like stars in the City of Light? Religious or not, you won’t want to miss their stunning architectural features and soaring celestial heights. Here’s our guide to a handful of historic churches you might not have visited before. ... Read More
Gougères: French Cheese Puffs Recipe
December 26th, 2017The French take their pre-dinner drinks very seriously. Known as the apéro (derived from the word apéritif) it’s a pre-dinner drink with finger food and can encompass everything from olives and cured ham to elaborate bite-sized snacks. The star of any pre-dinner drinks, however, is the gougère, the French cheese puff. Light, fluffy and with a delicious cheese flavor, it feels warm and welcoming at the same time. ... Read More
A Winter’s Tale: Romantic Paris in December
December 22nd, 2017Winter in Paris can be surprisingly romantic, with crisp blue-sky days, magical illuminations at night and even a dusting of snow. Paris Perfect’s beautiful rental apartments are an ideal base for exploring the city, combining indulgent interiors with dreamy views. For a wonderful winter getaway, one-bedroom apartment Clairette in the 7th sleeps up to four with elegant interiors and Eiffel Tower vistas. ... Read More
Best Wishes For a Wonderful Holiday Season!
December 20th, 2017On a recent wintery Saturday, my sister Lisa and I enjoyed a brisk 4-mile walk from the Eiffel Tower, along the Seine, to our destination, 25 Place Dauphine to put up some Christmas decorations. It was one of the coldest days of this holiday season, but we took off some of the winter chill by stopping along the way at one of my favorite crepe stands, for a bite and some mulled wine. ... Read More
5 Fab Ways To Ring In The New Year In Paris
December 15th, 2017The City of Light is a famously seductive spot for ringing in the New Year. Expect iconic backdrops including the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe to light up to welcome 2018 in vibrant color. Many of Paris Perfect’s chic rental apartments boast stellar Eiffel Tower views, such as the Beaujolais, Bergerac, Chablis, Margaux, and Merlot apartments, where you can make magical memories by raising your champagne glass at the stroke of midnight. ... Read More
Paris Real Estate Hits a New Record in 2017
December 13th, 2017In 2017, it has been a bumper year for apartment sales in Paris, both in terms of price increases and volume of sales. According to a recent report by Notaires of Paris Ile-de-France, sales increased 21% year over year. In fact, the first nine months of 2017 produced more transactions than the entire years: 2012, 2013 or 2014. ... Read More
7 Of The Best Hot Chocolates You’ll Ever Taste In Paris
December 8th, 2017Hot chocolate is just for kids, right? Not in Europe, it isn’t. Imagine a cup of luxurious molten hot chocolate before you, profoundly rich and velvety and with a perfectly-tempered balance of bitterness and sweetness. This stuff isn’t child’s play – it’s a serious undertaking. Here are seven of the best places for hot chocolate in Paris: but remember, please drink responsibly. ... Read More
Why Rue des Martyrs Is The Perfect Paris Street
December 5th, 2017Beginning at the imposing columned church of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette and stretching right up into the foothills of Montmartre, Rue des Martyrs is a beloved stronghold of local community life and spirit. The street may be one of the most authentic Parisian street in the city – the hustle and bustle of hardware stores and grocery stalls mixed in with pharmacies and bookstores, florists and bakers. ... Read More
5 Bookstores Every Book Lover Should Visit In Paris
November 30th, 2017If Midnight in Paris is anything to go by, Paris is arguably the greatest literary city in the world. Between its poets and philosophers, novelists and playwrights, this city is a historic melting pot of famous thinkers and revolutionary ideas. Where else could you discuss existentialism in the seats of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, or pay your respects at the graves of Molière and Proust? ... Read More
The Merlot Apartment: An Amazing Small Home Remodel in Paris
November 28th, 2017Fifteen years ago, owners and now good friends, purchased the Merlot apartment. Named after the wonderful red grape from Bordeaux, the stunning views merited the name of this rich red wine. Ten years ago, they were thrilled when the Fine Living Network called the Merlot apartment,“The most romantic apartment in Paris.”In June 2016, we helped the owners put the perfect finishing touches on it after a comprehensive renovation. ... Read More
A Guide to Shopping in Paris’ Covered Passages
November 24th, 2017It’s Black Friday, so we’ve got shopping on our minds. As the days shorten and the weather gets colder, seek refuge in one of Paris’ enchanting passages couverts. These traditional antique shopping arcades are hidden in scattered locations across the 9th, 2nd and 1st arrondissements. With eclectic offerings from second-hand books and stamp collections to designer Louboutin’s, here are some of our favorite secret spots. ... Read More
Where To Shop For Candles In Paris
November 21st, 2017To the untrained nose, candle shopping in Paris might seem like a no-brainer. But with so many diverse and intoxicating scents to sniff, from honeyed tobacco to Mexican orange blossom, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Here’s a handful of our top recommendations, so you can come up smelling of roses (or maybe lavender – whatever your preference). ... Read More
Paris’s Best Crème Brûlée
November 16th, 2017Remember the scene from Amélie where Audrey Tautou ponders life’s little pleasures? One of them is cracking into a luscious crème brûlée. A rich and creamy vanilla-laced custard covered in a crisp sugar shell, it’s hard not to love the classic French dessert. It takes time to perfect this sublime dessert and while it’s a staple in Paris, it isn’t that easy to find a first-rate version of the scrumptious treat. ... Read More
Lorette & Jasmin: Vintage Designer Shopping
November 14th, 2017Looking to find a really special designer piece while in Paris? Look no further than Lorette & Jasmin, an alluring consignment store (dépôt vente in French) in the heart of the chic 16th arrondissement. At Paris Perfect, we also have a host of guided shopping tours for those that want a more expert-led option. Specializing in high-quality second-hand clothes, this is the place to find a real bargain. ... Read More
Five Christmas Gift Ideas From Paris
November 10th, 2017Starting to write your Christmas shopping list? Gone are the days when two turtle doves or a partridge in a pear tree would have sufficed for festive gifting. Originality is everything in gift-giving this holiday season (think monogrammed velvet slippers and personalized perfumes). But if you’re in Paris, you’re in luck – it’s the best city to discover unique treasures and custom gifts, unavailable back home. ... Read More
