In the Wanderlust issue of our current newsletter we’ve done all kinds of travelling.

We’ve gone past national boundaries to visit Morocco, India and Japan, we’ve taken inner journeys to lead philosophical dialogues with ourselves and now it’s time for us to sign up for a little trip back in time…

Still Life in Marché Saint Pierre

A journey in itself, the largest and oldest textile market in Paris – the Marché Saint Pierre – will take you back to the 50s when the common practice dictated that ladies should be their own style-makers. Whether they would choose patterns from the style magazines, fashion them themselves or go to their dress maker for advice, the Saint Pierre market would always be their obligatory first stop. Providing an eyeful of colour and fabrics from around the world, it never failed to delight and please its faithful clientele.

Beautifully folded, enticingly printed and warmly colored – the tissues of the market are looking for their soulmates

Today, this legendary textile market has by no means lost its yesteryear charm. With its broad-beamed wooden floors, antique-looking cash machines and employees walking around with wooden meter sticks and scissors ready to cut you a piece of your selected fabric, the market still sustains the spirit of the 1920s. What’s more, this is the last Parisian department store to have an elevator operator taking you up and down through the shop’s 5 floors (each committed to a specific kind of fabric) at your fancy.

The kitchen corner provides ideas on how to jazz up your kitchen. Feeling inspired already?

Located at the base of the stairs to the Sacré Coeur, with its five floors and its surface of 2 500 m², the market holds yet another record – it is admittedly the largest fabric shop in the world.  Specialized in selling textiles for the past 60 years, the area (along with its adjacent streets) got its name from the former covered market built in 1868 by a disciple of Baltard (the architect of the famous markets of Les Halles), which still stands there but currently houses the Musée d’Art Naïf.

Peek-a-boo! Curtains-picking on floor 4

From tulle and lamé, raw silk, brocade and georgette, silk jersey, cashmere and chiffon in sumptuous colours to deep and soft velvets for the famous Parisian shows and cabarets, you could find the most amazing of fabrics in the Marché Saint-Pierre. To draw shoppers in with prices starting from the attractive 99 cents to 3 euros per meter, the cheapest fabrics are strategically stored on the ground floor. “We want to promote the atmosphere of a warehouse”, the market’s manager says. “We want shoppers to feel like they’re at the market!”

Rolls of fabrics waiting to be taken home

And so they do! The mixed clientele of the market permits you to shop side by side with fashion students searching for the ideal fabric, Parisian housewives hunting out a new pair of draperies and professional designers looking for a waft of inspiration.

In the Saint Pierre market, “more is more”

For everyone does enter “this Ali Baba’s cavern with its decrepit, unpretentious décor only to leave with their arms full of happiness, new looks just waiting to be made and ideas inspired by this stimulating store, where decorators rub shoulders with stylists, students and many housewives who have come to search for inexpensive treasures, as well as dancers and brides-to-be purchasing miles of white, pink or cream tulle…”

This is not the theatre, we’re still in the Saint Pierre market

Resembling a little fabric village surrounded by specialty stores selling scissors, beads, buttons, ribbons, hooks, fringes and other whatnot, the Saint-Pierre market is a dream come true for all the textile lovers of Paris. However, the historical fabric district should be an interesting place to visit even to the non-tempted. This “patchwork-made wonderland” is certainly worth the detour, as in visiting it you’ll be able to get a colorful eyeful of everyday Parisian life which the regular tourist would rarely get the chance to see.

One, two, three… Which one’s the right for me?

Enroll in a stimulating metaphysical journey with Les Studios de Paris’ new Philosophy and Design Classes

Visiting Paris without going through its Ideas is like going to the Louvre without having one’s spectacles

A cultural and intellectual center of international renown, Paris has always possessed this aura of fragile sophistication which has enraptured philosophers, poets and painters for centuries. Often called the City of Light in tribute to its intellectual supremacy, the city of the Seine, which devised the notion of modern thought and that of the avant-garde, still represents culture, freedom and independence of thought.

Whether seen through the eyes of the Impressionists, whose pensive, sensuous visions never cease to charm and allure, or through those of the Existentialists, who prompt us to fall in love with the very pointlessness of our own existence, Paris is – and always has been – a daunting idea, a rebellious manifesto and a tempestuous work of art, which provokes, inspires and challenges to be explored.

Arte Dia

Inspired by this living image of the City of Light, Les Studios de Paris’ latest project aims to fly open the doors to this massive intellectual treasure, which is Paris.

Our partners Arte Dia

As a tangible way to approach French culture, Les Studios’ Philosophy and Design classes, organized in partnership with Arte Dia, offer an original new way of exploring the city, bringing alive Paris in all its splendor, might and richness. Inspiring creativity and critical thinking, our classes are geared to the culturally curious and grant them an immediate immersion into the essence of France, a country where intellectuals have been highly esteemed at all times and where the intelligentsia indeed has changed the course of history more than once. One cannot really claim to know Paris or France without revisiting its classics. This common belief, along with the acceptance of Aesthetics as a philosophy of life, inspired the partnership between Les Studios de Paris and Arte Dia.

The ARTE DIA team brings together a group of philosophy teachers currently working in the field of national education, several professional photographers and visual artists graduated from different prestigious art schools in Paris, such as BOULLE, DUPERRE, ESTIENNE THE ART DECO and LOUIS LUMIERE. What unites them is their common viewpoint that knowledge and appreciation are born and reinforced through dialogue, debates, collective creativity and exchange of ideas.

Les Studios and Arte Dia’s new Philosophy and Design classes

Sharing indispensable and essential elements which will give you real freedom in artistic expression, the Design classes are destined to those wishing to learn or improve artistic techniques in ink drawing, anatomy drawing, watercolor, portraits, sketches, acrylic painting and more.

Covering important landmarks in the history of French philosophy and highlighting basic concepts, major authors and most common argumentation techniques, the Philosophy classes make for a journey of significant philosophical texts and key themes, inspired by the desires of group members.

We met Arte Dia’s founder and philosophy teacher, Bilal Brahim, who will introduce you to our new Philosophy and Design classes and explain the reasons behind his love of Art and Philosophy.

Mr. Bilal Brahim, Arte Dia’s founder and one of their philosophy teachers

What inspired you to create Arte Dia and what is the company’s philosophy?

ARTE DIA offers a comprehensive study of philosophy and applied arts, simply because I believe – like many other philosophers before me – that these two domains are the most fundamental of human activities. From Lascaux to Paris via Athens and Rome, man has always had but two real passions: Art and Thought. ARTE DIA is the synthesis of these two activities: art and philosophy for adults in small groups. With this unique philosophical experience, taking place in the evening, after work, now you can postpone the inevitable metro’s rush hour in a quest to prolong Eternity.

How did Arte Dia and Les Studios find each other? What motivated you to form your new partnership?

Arte Dia has always wished to establish a connection with the Montmartre district, a historic neighborhood which has been home to Paris’ major artists, such as Dali, Picasso, Toulouse-Lautrec and the master Van Gogh! Having our Philosophy and Drawing classes held in such a legendary quarter has long been a dream of Arte Dia’s philosophy and art teachers. With Les Studios’ location in the historic heart of Montmartre and Art and Aesthetics being the ultimate expression of both our philosophies, Les Studios proved to be the ideal partners. From our very first discussion with Eva Léandre, Les Studios’ CEO, we saw through the original and complementary nature of our two companies, meant to support and actively encourage both philosophical thinking and artistic practice. This is why we’ve rapidly established a partnership which currently consists in offering Philosophy classes (held in Les Studios’ art gallery on Wednesday evenings); Design classes (held in a number of Les Studios’ exquisitely selected prestigious apartments), as well as Nude Drawing Classes (held in the historical Atelier Pablo Picasso, the artist’s first atelier in Paris). Given in both French and English, our classes will introduce you to some exclusive Parisian homes with the possibility to actually gain new abilities and explore Paris in a wholly different fashion. Our partnership allows you to experience and develop a historical, touristic, creative and philosophic awareness of artistic Paris all at once. Individual Philosophy or Drawing classes are also possible.

Our Philosophy Classes are apt for the curious minds

Why come to Paris to do Philosophy and / or Drawing?

Paris is all about Art and History. After Athens and Rome, Paris has been the world capital of philosophy since the opening of the Sorbonne in 1254. Some great monuments, such as The Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower, have been inspired by concrete philosophic ideas, essential to be understood, in order to better appreciate the splendor of the city. Paris is as much for the Mind, as it is for the Eyes. Visiting Paris without going through its ideas is like visiting the Louvre without having your spectacles. In Paris, history, philosophy and art blend to offer wonders to the one who is interested. The artworks would reveal their secrets to those who’d take a pencil or a paintbrush and confront the artistic challenges of the artist himself. They would tell their story to the ones who study and draw them. That’s why we try to inspire our students approach these stories and encourage them to enter into a dialogue with artists and artworks alike during our classes and the visits to Parisian museums where we go to draw Michelangelo’s, Carpeaux’s and Rodin’s spectacular sculptures …

Look inside to paint the invisible with our Design classes

How are Arte Dia’s classes different from the general Art and Philosophy classes and who are they aimed at?

Our courses are intended for a wide audience of adults who may or may not have attended Philosophy or Drawing courses before. What’s different about Arte Dia’s workshops is their educational approach, based on the recognition of the different individuals that make up each group. We believe that the artistic and philosophical sensitivity of each person can be better developed through a personalized approach towards group members who are encouraged to express themselves freely in the presence of their philosophy and art teachers. This is why, unlike other conventional schools, we do not have a preset training program. Our teachers prepare the next course taking into account the questions, comments and ideas raised by the class members.

What does the Philosophy class cover?

Each course covers a different philosophical theme such as “What is artistic inspiration in art?” (based on a text by Bergson) or “What is religion? “(based on a text by Rousseau). The author is presented by the teacher and the text read and analyzed by the group. Then the teacher develops further the text’s main ideas, by interacting with the group members and letting them exchange thoughts between themselves. At the end of the course the teacher and the group members select together the theme of the next class, with priority given to French philosophers.

Visiting Paris’ museums to paint their masterpieces is another interesting approach to art, offered by Arte Dia

What does the Design class cover?

There are different types of Design classes. The first one consists in visiting Parisian museums (like the Louvre) on Friday evenings or going to parks during the weekend. In small groups of five people, we work around indispensable art history artifacts, such as Michelangelo’s “The Slaves”. The teacher monitors and advises each member during all stages of creation, from composition to completion going through proportions, work volumes, lights and materials.  The second type of Design classes features extraordinary sessions of drawing costumed live models. Focused on themes inspired by the Burlesque, Pin-Up, Futuristic, Manga, Indian and Oriental looks, these classes offer a unique experience and an original and contemporary approach to the artwork. Organized each month in Les Studios’ exclusively selected luxurious apartments, those are fit for fifteen members who will draw portraits of Parisian artists and dancers, costumed by our partners Happy Onigry. The third option, the Nude Drawing Classes, takes place in the historical Atelier Pablo Picasso and involves more technical and theoretical exercises.

Below you can see a behind-the-scenes’ prep-up of one of the artists to be painted during the sessions of drawing costumed live models 

Art and Philosophy – what unites them in the first place?

For me, it was Art History which tempted me into the World of Ideas. To reflect on the subject of art meant to question the criteria of Beauty itself, a research which has naturally led me to delve into Ancient Philosophy. Art and Philosophy are similar in that they are both creative and intellectual activities, the complexity and richness of which knows no boundaries. These two human dimensions, which create the values ​​through which we appreciate and review reality, seem to constantly interconnect unbeknownst to us and this mystery has never ceased to fascinate me.

To enroll in our Philosophy or Design classes or learn more about our Client Services, please contact services@studiosparis.net

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Or… How to rent your property and travel the world, stress-free

Your dream of “world travel” is now a reality

Who doesn’t have the itch to take a career break, dream big and hit the road to explore the globe?

The freedom of starting each new day in a novel surrounding, the inspiration of savoring the unknown like an exotic new fruit, the autonomy of living life on your terms…

The world at your disposal with Les Studios

The truth is, travelling is now a whole lot easier with Les Studios’ new business opportunities on the horizon. If you have a Parisian property in your possession, this instantly takes world travel a step closer to you. With Paris being one of the most high-demand cities in the world, a partnership with Les Studios will enable you to effortlessly and efficiently rent out your home to gain the time, money and freedom to jet off to some exciting corner of the globe and live your dream of short or long-term travel.

The Global society: living and working “on the go”

You don’t even need to quit your job to do so! In today’s world where countries are neighbours, deeply interconnected beyond individual cultures and national boundaries, it is much easier for us all to travel, communicate and do business internationally. The advances in communication, the rise of the Internet, the practice of telecommuting and “nomad working” and the whole major phenomenon of globalization, causing further economic and cultural independence for the individual, all help the lifestyles of today to evolve which renders new kinds of living now possible.

A refreshing change of scenery – renting this gets you to Venice

So whether you’re considering the well-deserved vacation you have been postponing for years or an inspiring change of “work” scenery for a while, everything is possible with the new rules set by today’s global society, making all of us, more or less, world citizens.

With our lifestyles becoming more and more international, renting your apartment as a means to travel might be the forerunner of a new style of life – satisfying, stress-free and rewarding. This might well be the lifestyle of the Future!

The benefits of being Les Studios’ owner

Rent and Travel – it’s as simple as that! Many of our owners are already doing it!

Views swapping: trading the Eiffel Tower for the ports of Greece

One of our favorite owners spends her afternoons under the olive tree shadows on the beaches of sunny Greece, another proprietor finds inner peace in the land of the mystical Taj Mahal, one lucky landlord enjoys travelling to romantic Venice whenever we rent his home and a lovely lady renting her property with us just came back from six blissfully sabbatical months in exotic Bali.

A few months’ worth of rent in France may offer you a year’s stay in dream-countries where the cost of living is less high.

Exchanging a dream of India for the real India

With a boost of interest towards vacation rentals, letting your apartment would be a serious money-maker, allowing you too to leave the city, pack your bags and go explore the world at your whim. Renting out your property to make money off it and justify holidays is something you, as an apartment owner in Paris, can relate to. What you gain is the independence and freedom to discover the world, enjoy bespoke vacations and take long holidays, wherever and however you want them to be like. We will take care of the rest.

Don’t postpone your dreams – rent your flat and go to Bali!

All you’ll be left to do is choose your destination…

Explore the benefits of a laid-back life on the Spanish Mediterranean? Appreciate the pleasures of a life lived leisurely in South America? Enjoy the perks of moving to a busy metropolis like London or Rome? All topics for you to consider…

Look forward to reading our interviews with specific owners in our next issues!

*Anyone having a Parisian pied-a-terre has the opportunity to contact Les Studios, become one of our owners and make money to travel the world.  Be it your own living space or vacation home, the types of properties may take all forms – from small studio apartments to luxurious triplexes. For more information and/or to become one of Les Studios de Paris’ owners, please contact owners@studiosparis.net

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Montmartre’s cowboy

Is he holding a gun? Is he on his way to the smokehouse?  Where did he tie his horse?

And who on Earth is the mysterious Montmartre’s cowboy?

We don’t know for sure, but since yesterday the Wild West has officially settled in on the peaceful hill of Montmartre.

If you have any additional information on this modern wrangler’s identity, please inform the local sheriff.

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“Some rock” vs “Duroc”

What’s the difference between “Du Rock” and “Duroc”?

Ask any Parisian and observe him/her raise a knowledgeable eyebrow and crack a jaunty little smile.

“Aaah, du rock, alors…”

Through this smart and very French underground wordplay, the classically named metro station “Duroc” has been temporarily renamed “Du Rock” (meaning “a little bit of rock”, or “some rock”) in honour of the rock festival “Rock en Seine” (“Rock on the Seine”), which takes place in Paris later this summer.

Pronunciation-wise, there’s no difference between “du rock” and “duroc”, but in terms of meaning, it makes all the difference, because right now there’s one Parisian metro station that really rocks the casbah for all the rock lovers out there!

We will, we will “Duroc” you!

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How desperate can a monkey get?

Monkey’s despair? Yes, it’s a medical condition. Ask PETA!

Pretty much, it turns out, especially as it comes across a species of the Araucaria araucana (otherwise known as “monkey’s despair” tree in France)! This fright of a tree has made many a monkey see all the colours of the rainbow, gape, gasp, stare in disbelief, then cry in awe and finish by biting its monkey fingernails smitten with despair! Located in the tiny park Square Boucicaut, just behind the Bon Marché and the Sèvres-Babylone metro station, a proud Parisian specimen of Araucaria Araucana is ready to freak out all potential monkeys in passing. Here’s what the fuss is all about:

The fright of the monkeys!

First found in Chile in the 1780s, the tree has thick, tough triangular leaves with sharp edges and tip and no handy branches which our monkey friends could grasp and happily swing on. Having said this, if I were a monkey, I would be pretty desperate myself!

Named “monkey puzzle” in Britain, the origin of the tree’s name is just as curious. During its early cultivation in the UK in about 1850 when the species was still rare and not widely known in public gardens, the proud owner of a young specimen at Pencarrow garden in Cornwall was showing off his new acquisition to a group of friends, when one of them made the prompt remark “It would puzzle a monkey to climb that”.

And whereas in Britain, it would “puzzle” a monkey to climb “that”, in France the same monkey would be practically thrown into fits of despair.

What’s left for us is hope that there aren’t many loose monkeys jumping around the Parisian public gardens…

“Désespoir du singe”, a.k.a. Monkey’s despair, written in black and white

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Dîner à Paris n’est pas seulement une question de nourriture, il s’agit en fait de toute une expérience. Vous trouverez ci-après des lieux exceptionnels qui nourriront certainement votre réflexion, lors de votre visite.

Dîner dans l’obscurité totale : Dans Le Noir, 51, rue Quincampoix

Un dîner dans l’obscurité complète, pendant lequel vous serez guidés et servis par des non-voyants, représente avant tout une expérience sensorielle, sociale et humaine. Au cours de ce curieux réveil des sens, vous abandonnerez tous les stéréotypes pour inévitablement ouvrir votre esprit au nouveau monde fascinant de l’énigmatique et du sensationnel. Soyez prêts à remettre entièrement en question votre perception des sens, dont l’odorat, avec le célèbre menu surprise du restaurant : en effet, non seulement vous ne verrez pas mais encore vous ne saurez pas ce que vous mangez ! « Plongez dans votre imagination et redécouvrez vos sens ! » avec ce bond fascinant dans le noir.

(Cuisine : mystérieuse)

Dîner dans une chapelle du xii^e siècle : La Table des Gourmets, 14, rue des Lombards  

Imaginez dîner dans une chapelle du xii^e siècle dotée de plafonds voûtés ? Ce scénario hautement improbable est toutefois possible dans le monde réel du Paris du xii^e siècle. Conservez cette expérience unique pour une occasion spéciale et nul doute que vous impressionnerez par le choix remarquable de ce lieu. Situé dans le sous-sol, la salle principale de cet inhabituel restaurant français donnera un cachet particulier à votre dîner grâce à l’atmosphère spectaculaire qui émane d’une chapelle du xii^e siècle. Pour ceux qui se posent la question, il n’est pas obligatoire de réciter sa prière avant le repas.

(Cuisine : française)

Dîner dans un wagon de L’Orient-Express : Le Wagon Bleu, 7, rue Boursault

L’Orient-Express s’est arrêté à Paris, et pour de bon ! Créé dans un wagon des années 1920 du célèbre train, Le Wagon Bleu n’est pas qu’un simple restaurant, c’est un voyage dans le temps et l’espace. Allez dîner dans ce lieu totalement singulier et imaginez que vous vous trouvez sur une route fascinante qui mène vers l’inconnu. Avec ses panneaux muraux en merisier, ses banquettes bleu marine et même le porte-bagages d’origine situé au-dessus, Le Wagon Bleu vous conduira dans une époque où dîner était encore une affaire sérieuse. Après un mélange de plats français et de spécialités corses agrémentés de quelques bouteilles de vin, il est même possible que vous voyiez défiler les paysages derrière la vitre du wagon.

(Cuisine : française et corse)

Dining in an ex-bank hall: Josefin, 20, Rue Lafayette

 “Put your hands in the air and give me all your money!” You might not get away with this sentence in a normal bank, but in Josephine, a restaurant housed in an ex-bank hall – who knows – you very well might. With its majestic hall, high ceilings, immense glass roofs, mosaic tile floorings and some wooden countertops still intact, the architecture of the old bank has been preserved, but don’t try to apply for a loan between the main course and dessert. What’s different about this ex-bank nowadays is that they don’t trade with money anymore, but with the “white gold” of mozzarella and other scrumptious Spanish treats from the cuisine of the Mediterranean. (Cuisine: Spanish and Mediterranean)

Un dîner mystérieux dans un appartement inconnu : le réseau Live My food, site Internet : http://www.livemyfood.com/index.php?action=concept

Vous recherchez une expérience dînatoire vraiment singulière ? Pourquoi ne pas partager un repas avec de parfaits étrangers dans un appartement inconnu ? Bien que l’idée semble un peu inattendue, le concept du « plus délicieux des réseaux sociaux culinaires » est plutôt simple : Live My Food met en relation des personnes qui aiment la nourriture, autour d’une même table. Voyageur, vous pouvez découvrir la palette des aliments locaux à travers un certain nombre de spécialités culinaires préparées par votre hôte. En tant qu’hôte, vous pouvez exprimer votre amour de la cuisine et concocter vos plats favoris à l’attention des amateurs de bonne chère de passage. Loin du dîner traditionnel au restaurant, cette expérience inattendue qui se déroule dans une atmosphère amicale et décontractée fait la promotion des découvertes culinaires, du partage et du croisement des cultures dans un monde où l’on considère souvent son propre voisin comme un étranger…

(Cuisine : française).

Dîner sur une balançoire : Sur un Arbre Perché, 1, rue du 4-Septembre  

Invitation au retour à l’enfance, Sur un Arbre Perché vise à rendre à ses clients leurs sensations en les laissant « se percher dans un arbre et dîner en plein air ». Nous ne sous-entendons pas que la lévitation est pratiquée ici mais plutôt que vous aurez la possibilité de vivre une expérience zen inhabituelle en faisant de la balançoire au cours du repas. Si vous ne pouvez réserver l’une d’entre elles (il n’y en a que deux paires), vous serez peut-être conquis par l’esprit cabane du lieu ou bien par le massage shiatsu traditionnel auquel vous céderez après le dessert.

(Cuisine : française)

Bon appétit !

 “…personne ne naît bon cuisinier, on apprend à le devenir.” 

― Julia Child, “My Life in France”

« Capitale sentimentale de la gastronomie », il émane de Paris une excellence culinaire à chaque coin de rue. Avec ses marchés à ciel ouvert, restaurants historiques et boulangeries dignes d’un décor de cinéma, la ville d’Alain Ducasse, du Cordon Bleu et du célèbre macaron est le lieu idéal pour vous imprégner de la culture française par l’intermédiaire de sa cuisine, récemment inscrite au patrimoine immatériel de l’Humanité de l’Unesco. Pour découvrir votre propre « saveur de Paris », prenez le temps de déguster ses célèbres plats, dînez dans l’un de ses bistros authentiques, parcourez le chemin long et sinueux conduisant à la maîtrise de l’art de faire des trouvailles culinaires. Ou alors, combinez tout cela à la fois et faites l’expérience d’une aventure culinaire inoubliable en participant à un cours dans une école de cuisine parisienne renommée : une tradition de longue date pour les bourlingueurs en quête de plaisir tout comme pour les mordus de cuisine !

Que vous souhaitiez parfaire vos techniques culinaires, recherchiez une inspiration créative originale ou bien que vous vous lanciez dans la cuisine, le choix en matière de cours de cuisine à Paris est simple. En effet, Le Cordon Bleu, école de cuisine la plus célèbre au monde qui a enseigné à certains des plus grands chefs internationaux à transformer leurs rêves culturels et gastronomiques en réalité, vient tout de suite à l’esprit.

Aux Studios de Paris, nous avons toujours aspiré à rapprocher la culture française de nos hôtes. Pour ce faire, nous vous offrons une nouvelle façon originale et subtilement délicieuse de découvrir l’esprit de Paris. Que vous y séjourniez pendant quelques mois ou simplement une semaine, un diplôme délivré après un cours pris au Cordon Bleu peut se révéler être l’un des souvenirs de Paris les plus surprenants que vous rapporterez chez vous. Pour certains d’entre vous, il s’agit peut-être là d’une raison suffisante en elle-même pour venir visiter la capitale. Suivant notre ligne de services orientés vers la gastronomie, nous vous invitons à entreprendre ce voyage culinaire unique en compagnie des grands chefs du Cordon Bleu. Nous serions ravis de nous charger de votre inscription auprès de cette célèbre institution culinaire. Vous pouvez planifier votre voyage autour des cours de cuisine ou bien simplement en choisir un, selon l’impulsion du moment, une fois sur place.

Si vous désirez que nous vous inscrivions à l’un des cours dispensés par Le Cordon Bleu, merci de nous contacter à services@studiosparis.net.

Expression de l’ultime manifeste chérissant l’esthétique comme art de vivre, Eva Léandre soutien le talent brut de l’artiste Jack Servoz afin de prendre possession du passage des Abbesses pour leur dernier projet artistique, créant ainsi un remake rebelle du concept hollywoodien du « Walk of Fame » dans un contexte parisien, à Montmartre.

Portés par l’idée de promouvoir et partager l’art et les belles idées, Eva Léandre et Jack Servoz ont insufflé une nouvelle vie dans l’anciennement sombre et quelque peu insignifiant passage des Abbesses, le transformant complètement afin de créer une scène artistique animée et alternative en présentant une exposition vivante de portraits d’artistes de renommée mondiale. Cet hommage spirituel au génie artistique de Rimbaud, Hemingway, Kafka, Mondrian, Nick Cave, Camille Claudel, Iggy Pop, Johnny Rotten, Janis Joplin et William Burroughs a fait du passage un panthéon idéologique et une scène artistique contemporaine extrêmement vivante.

Dans cette galerie d’art de rue interactive qui change chaque jour du fait de l’arrachage des affiches par des passants et de la réalisation de tags sur ou bien à côté de celles-ci, un dialogue perpétuel s’instaure entre les spectateurs (parfois tentés de prendre un petit souvenir en essayant de décoller les affiches) et l’artiste, Jack Servoz, qui infatigablement et de manière dévouée, les rapiècent en peignant sur les morceaux déchirés et en modifiant les couleurs afin d’améliorer l’expression des yeux des portraits ou autre. Cela est devenu une occurrence constante, transformant cette allée en une scène artistique conviviale et pleine de vie.  

Aspirant à libérer une exposition d’art conventionnelle et à rendre la liberté aux modèles en les autorisant à vivre leur propre vie, comme des oiseaux, cette intervention artistique transgresse les murs et les esprits et rompt la chaîne qui relie l’artiste à son interprète. Elle donne ainsi au « lecteur » le pouvoir d’une « interprétation illimitée » dans laquelle chaque nouvelle paire d’yeux ajoute son propre sens aux œuvres et, en conséquence, les transforme.

Concernant sa décision de représenter ces artistes en particulier, Jack Servoz déclare :

Certains grands artistes ont laissé derrière eux une empreinte indélébile. Toutefois, à leur époque, ils étaient considérés comme étant « fragiles », hypersensibles, instables, imprévisibles, voire schizophrènes. Par exemple Antonin Artaud, acteur, peintre, écrivain et peut-être notre dernier grand poète maudit, « enfermé dans la maison des morts » à l’hôpital psychiatrique de Rodez, Camille Claudel, sculpteur de génie qui, abandonnée de tous, écrivait de son lit d’hôpital dans le sud de la France : « Je réclame la liberté à grands cris ! » ou encore Ernest Hemingway, prix Nobel, qui se tire une balle dans la tête après des années de traitement psychiatrique et d’électrochocs…

Pour Servoz, ce sont les artistes « hors normes » qui comptent, écrivains, peintres, poètes, musiciens, les rebelles, ces âmes maudites et esprits turbulents prisonniers d’une idée fausse, séparés par le temps mais réunis ici et maintenant par leurs idées radicales, indisciplinées et violentes dans le cadre de cette rencontre des esprits, dans ce lieu inattendu qu’est ce passage du xxi^e siècle à Montmartre. 

Figurant déjà dans certaines visites guidées de la Butte comme un arrêt valant le détour, la dernière métamorphose du passage des Abbesses est à l’origine de sa réputation de pôle artistique le plus recherché de Montmartre. Pour preuve, le mannequin Willy Cartier en parle sur ses réseaux sociaux et le journal Le Figaro l’utilise comme toile de fond pour ses prises de vue de mode avant-gardistes.

Quant aux résidents du passage, les quelques chanceux qui tutoient désormais les majestés artistiques que sont Antonin Artaud, Arthur Rimbaud et Camille Claudel, ils se sont tellement attachés à leurs nouveaux voisins qu’ils agissent en fervents gardiens et conservateurs qui gronderont tout « voleur d’affiches » ou vandale potentiel, empêchant ainsi ardemment « l’extinction » des Kafka, Hemingway et autres Nick Caves habitant le passage.

« Nous savons maintenant que rêver est une nécessité biologique… », déclare William Burroughs dans sa citation introduisant le passage. « Je pense que c’est ce que font les artistes. Ils rêvent pour les autres. »

Une promenade dans le passage des Abbesses est tout autant une invitation au rêve, pas pour les autres mais pour vous-même. Toute personne tentée de se perdre dans une vive rêverie onirique pour une période de temps indéterminée est la bienvenue.

L’accès au passage des Abbesses se fait au 57, rue de Trois-Frères (juste en face de notre bureau) et au 22, rue des Abbesses. Passez un agréable moment !

No visit to Paris would be truly rewarding until you’ve browsed the local gastronomic scene, wandered through a traditional marché, dined in a century-old brasserie, bought a baguette from an old-fashioned boulangerie  or visited one of the city’s top-notch delicatessen selling the incredible (such as La Grande Epicerie de Paris). For the beauty of relishing Paris is in discovering its flavours, one at a time. Whether you’ll get hooked on the grands classiques or will fall in love with  the  spécialités exotiques, our list of Top 10 French dishes to explore and extraordinary venues to visit in Paris, will give you some valuable gastronomic suggestions to put in the “must-taste” section of your little black books.

Eating for the Flavour – a tour around France’s specialties:

Whether it’s simple and filling comfort food, unique and characteristic bistro favorites or hearty regional dishes, you can eat your way around the culinary inventions of France’s diverse regions and go on a gustatory trip to Brittany, Savoie or the Southwest of France – all from the table of a good Parisian restaurant.

The classic: Onion Soup

Popular as far back as the Roman times, the modern version of the onion soup goes back to 18^th century France. Rich in flavour, this staple of  French comfort food is made from beef broth, caramelized onions, croutons and gruyere cheese, traditionally melted on top. A definite must-try! (Where to try: Au Pied de Cochon, 6 Rue Coquillière)

Onion soup

Aligot

Typical for the Auvergne region, this irresistible dish of mashed potatoes intimately blended with garlic, crème fraiche and melted tomme cheese from Cantal, comes in two forms – the smooth and divinely stringy purée called aligot and its chunkier cousin with potato chunks still inside, known as truffade. Usually served with a scrumptious sausage or a juicy steak, a dish of aligot is always a good idea! (Where to try: Au Plomb du Cantal, 3, rue de la Gaité)

aligot

Steak tartare

A renowned Parisian bistro classic, the traditional steak Tartare is made of finely minced raw beef, mixed with egg yolk and spices and served with onions, capers, seasonings, green salad and fries on the side, so they don’t warm up the raw meat. Lately, the classics are being reinvented with more creative entries such as tartare with rucola and honey, tartare with feta and pesto or infused with Pastis and roasted peppers. (Where to try: Les Tontons with their variety of over 20 tartars; 53, Rue Bracion)

Steak Tartare: A treat for carnivores

Crêpes and Galettes

“Dear God, give me health for a long time, Work, not too often, Love, from time to time, but Crêpes and cider – all the time!” That’s how much the gents from Brittany love their crêpes! These traditional Breton pancakes always escorted by the famous apple cider, are consumed practically everywhere in the region of Brittany and in the Parisian streets around the Gare Montparnasse, where the densest concentration of Parisian crêperies is to be found. Whether you’ll go for the sweet (crêpe) or the savory (galette) version, enjoy this yummy discovery in the friendly and pleasant atmosphere of the narrow sidewalks of the charming Montparnasse streets. (Where to try: Le Petit Josselin with its beautiful white lacy lamp shades on 59, Rue du Montparnasse)

Warm and tasty, a galette

Escargots

While in Paris, you’ll positively want to try l’escargot. Legend has it that Carême, one of the first internationally renowned celebrity chefs, once served a dish of snails to the Russian king Alexander who didn’t seem to turn them down. Today this classical Parisian bistro favourite is most often prepared à la Bourgignonne – a dish of snails fried with butter, garlic, shallots and parsley which makes it absolutely delicious! (Where to Try: L’Escargot Montorgueil, 38, Rue Montrorgueil)

Green and slimy? That’s the way I like it!

Cassoulet

Coming straight from the heart of Languedoc, this winter’s special is one of France’s most celebrated regional dishes. The cassoulet (named after the dish in which it is cooked) is a rich, slow-cooked casserole of meat (pork sausages, goose, duck), pork skin and white haricot beans. The towns of Toulouse, Carcassonne and Castelnaudary, considered the traditional homeland of cassoulet, have their minor differences regarding the types of meat used in the recipe, but what’s most important for the rich peasant flavor of the dish is the fine selection of the beans and their long and happy marriage with the pork skins rendering the beans soft and juicy. (Where to try: Au Trou Gascon, 40, Rue Taine)

Cassoulet, the original

Foie gras

Consumed by the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans some 2000 years ago, today the Fois Gras is one of France’s culinary ambassadors and a synonym of “festive food” here in France. You could enjoy it hot steamed in the leaves of Savoye cabbage (Alain Senderens’ style), or cold like Michel Guérard’s foie gras pepper jelly. In a restaurant you could taste the classical version of fresh foie gras over a warm toast lighly peppered just before serving. Whatever you choose, its rich, buttery and delicate flavour is sure to make a statement! (Where to try: Chez Dumonet, 117, Rue du Cherche-Midi)

A speck of salt and freshly ground black pepper and we’re ready to roll!

Fondue  

As the French are acclaimed experts in the field of cheese and wine, this specialty from the department of Savoie comes as no surprise. A mix of melted cheese (usually Comté savoyard, Beaufort and Emmental), this alpine delight is served in a communal pot over a portable stove and is consumed by dipping long-stemmed forks of bread or meat into the cheese. Delicious! Don’t forget to eat la religieuse (“the nun”) – the thin crust of toasted cheese which forms at the bottom of the dish – it has the texture of a cracker and is crispy and irresistible! (Where to try: In the Latin quarter go to “Heureux comme Alexander” on 24, Rue de la Parcheminerie; in Montmartre, head straight to  Le Refuge de Fondues on 17, Rue des Trois-Frères, where the wine is served in baby bottles!)

Fondue: the heaven of melted cheese

Confit de canard

Famous in all the South-West of France, the Confit de canard (or duck confit) is a dish emblematic of French cuisine. This specialty from Gascony is cooked following in a centuries-old tradition of preparation, consisting in salt curing the meat, rubbing it with garlic and herbs and then cooking it in its own fat.  When cool, this famously greasy French classic is completely submerged in duck fat and preserved for up to six months, the whole process resulting in its very French, crispy and rich taste. For some, there’s no better way to say “welcome” that a smoking hot dish of confit de canard. (Where to try : L’Écureuil, l’oie et le canard ; 3, Rue Linné)

Confit de canard

Huitres

Enjoyed in France since Roman times, Parisians were indulging in one of the classiest and healthiest versions of “fast food”: oysters. Increasingly popular since the 19th century—with oyster stands becoming a fixture in front of Parisian brasseries – today, France is Europe’s top oyster producer,  which means that a trip to Paris wouldn’t be enough of a spectacle unless you shucked at least one oyster shell open! Although mid-winter is considered “prime oyster-eating season”, in Paris you could enjoy them all year round because “the nostalgia of the summers among friends, the freshness of the oysters from the Atlantic coast and the fragrance of the warm nights of a fishermen’s village all make life worth living.” (Where to try: Le Bar à Huitres, 33 ,Rue Saint-Jacques; or Le Dôme, 108, Blvd. Montparnasse)

The sea platter from Le Bar à Huitres

Eating for the Experience – some exceptional and extravagant eateries that can only exist in a city like Paris

Dining in Paris is not just about the food, but also about the experience. Here are 10 exceptional venues that are sure to provide some “food for thought” in time with your visit.   

Paris’ fanciest restaurant: Le Grand Véfour, 17, Rue de Beaujolais

If you want a taste of the real Gallic gastronomic splendor, head for the fashionable dining room of Le Grand Véfour, one of Paris’ oldest and most historic restaurants. Opened in 1784 and named “the most beautiful Parisian restaurant”, Le Grand Vefour rightfully welcomed Victor Hugo, Napoleon, Colette and Jean Cocteau in its rich and extravagant décor of mirrored ceilings and glass paintings of deities and muses. Tucked in the northern edge of the Palais Royal gardens, it is a safe harbor of haute cuisine, with the internationally acclaimed inventive chef d’oeuvres of Guy Martin’s adorning the exquisite menu. (Cuisine: French)

Le Grand Véfour

Dining in complete darkness:  Dans Le Noir, 51, Rue Quincampoix

A dinner in total darkness, where you will be guided and served by blind people, is above all a sensorial, social and human experience. In this curious awakening of your senses, you will leave all stereotypes behind to inevitably open your mind to the intriguing new world of the enigmatic and sensational. Be prepared to entirely reconsider your perceptions of sense and smell with Dans Le Noir’s famous surprise menu, where you not only won’t see but also won’t know what you’re eating!  “Dive into your imagination and rediscover your senses!” with this captivating leap in the dark.  (Cuisine: mysterious)

In the dark?

Dining in a 12th century chapel: La Table des Gourmets, 14, Rue des Lombards  

Imagine dining in a 12th-century chapel with vaulted ceilings? This highly unlikely scenario is somehow bound to happen in the real world of 21^st century Paris. Save this unique experience for a special occasion and be sure to impress with the remarkable choice of the venue. Located in the basement, the main room of this unusual French restaurant will add a glowing halo to your dinner thanks to its spectacular atmosphere of an old 12^th-century chapel. For those who wonder, saying your prayers before dinner is not mandatory. (Cuisine: French)

Dining in a 12th century chapel

Dining in a castle-like ambiance:  1728, 8, Rue d’Anjou

Built in 1728, the eponymous 1728 restaurant is one of Alain Ducasse’s recommended must-try venues in Paris. “We wanted a «different» place, a very Parisian way of life at the crossroads of Fine Arts, innovative gastronomy, wine creators and collectibles”, the venue’s inventors confess. Located in the restored salons of the Hotel Mazin La Fayette, 1728’s interior is the spitting image of a real chateau of the Loire valley, only in the heart of Paris. Like any other castle, 1728 too takes pride in its weapons room, musical salon and ladies’ library. To feel like a king for a day, make a reservation for one of the restaurant’s private salons. The only “con” to visiting 1728 is that afterwards you will have to return to real life. (Cuisine: French)

1728

Dining in an Orient Express train wagon: Le Wagon Bleu, 7, Rue Boursault

The Orient Express has now stopped in Paris. And for good. Set up in a 1920s car from the iconic Orient Express, Le Wagon Bleu is not a simple restaurant, but a journey in time and space. Go have dinner in this utterly unusual dining venue and pretend you’re on the intriguing road to the Unknown. With its cherry wood-paneled walls, navy blue banquettes and even the original overhead luggage compartments still present, Le Wagon Bleu will make you travel back to the time when dining was still a serious affair. After a mix of French dishes and Corsican specialties and a few bottles of wine, you might even start seeing the running landscapes behind the wagon’s window. (Cuisine: French and Corsican)

Travelling to the past with Orient Express

Dining in an ex-bank hall: Josefin, 20, Rue Lafayette

 “Put your hands in the air and give me all your money!” You might not get away with this sentence in a normal bank, but in Josephine, a restaurant housed in an ex-bank hall – who knows – you very well might. With its majestic hall, high ceilings, immense glass roofs, mosaic tile floorings and some wooden countertops still intact, the architecture of the old bank has been preserved, but don’t try to apply for a loan between the main course and dessert. What’s different about this ex-bank nowadays is that they don’t trade with money anymore, but with the “white gold” of mozzarella and other scrumptious Spanish treats from the cuisine of the Mediterranean. (Cuisine: Spanish and Mediterranean)

Ex-bank, current restaurant

The mysterious dinner in an unknown apartment: The Live My food network, website: http://www.livemyfood.com/index.php?action=concept

Looking for a really unusual dinner experience? How about dining with complete strangers in an unknown apartment? Although the idea might sound a bit wild, the concept of “the most delicious of culinary social networks”, is rather simple: Live My Food connects people who love food around a single table. As a traveler, you can discover the local food palette through a number of culinary specialties, prepared by your local host. As a host, you can express your love for cooking and offer your favorite dishes to the foodies who happen to be passing by. Away from the classical restaurant dinner, this unlikely experience set in a friendly and casual atmosphere, promotes culinary discoveries, sharing and cultures’ crossing in a world where your neighbor is often considered a stranger…  (Cuisine: French)

Where will this old door knob take you?

Dining in a “one-table” restaurant:  La Tete dans les Olives, 2, Rue Sainte Marthe

Remember the good old pop-up books, which you flipped open only to find the happy ending unfold before your delighted eyes in gorgeous 3-D? “La Tete dans les Olives” preaches a similar philosophy. This marvelous olive oil boutique can magically transform into a one-table restaurant, should the latter be booked for an exclusive dinner for 6 guests set amidst the shelves of this “olive garden”, rich in scents and flavours.  In this theatre-like feast, you’ll be seated on the stage of the “restaurant”, while Cédric Casanova, the Sicilian shop owner (and “performance director”) will take you on a gustatory journey towards the Mediterranean and its sun-kissed delicacies. The menu remains a secret until the time of your booking, which grants your fairytale an ever more fascinating open ending.  (Cuisine: Sicilian)

Original, exclusive and intimate!

Dining on a swing: Sur un Arbre Perché, 1, Rue du 4 Septembre  

In a quest back to childhood, Sur un Arbre Perché has aimed to restore its clients’ inner piece by letting them “perch on a tree and dine in thin air”. We’re not implying that anyone practices levitation over there, but rather that you could have the unusual zen experience of swaying on a swing during dinner. If you couldn’t make a reservation for the swings, (there’s only two pairs of them), you might be seduced by the overall hut spirit of the place or by the traditional shiatsu massage you may indulge in after dessert. (Cuisine: French)

Perche on a tree…or quite

Paris’ Dinner in White: the eccentric and gastronomic Parisian “flash mob”  

You might not be able to enroll in the next White Dinner of Paris, (the subscription being currently restricted for new members unless an existing one sends you an invitation to join), but you’ll certainly recognize it if you see one! A giant flash mob, consisting of thousands of people all dressed up in white and dining in front of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre or the Notre Dame, is not something that goes unnoticed. This tradition of 25 years takes place at a different spot each year and is kept secret from the Parisian authorities, which is why the invited ones get to know the meeting point just half an hour before the actual dinner itself. But once there, the massive and decadently elegant royal spectacle is guaranteed! (Cuisine: unconventional)

The elegant diners

Blue and white go well together

 “…no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing.” 

― Julia Child, “My Life in France”

Master the techniques of French cuisine in the Cordon Bleu

As “the sentimental capital of gastronomy”, Paris emanates culinary excellence at every corner. With its open-air markets, historic restaurants and movie-like bakeries, the city of Alain Ducasse, “Le Cordon Bleu” and the famous macaron is the ideal location for you to absorb France’s culture from the perspective of French cuisine, recently featured on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. To discover your very own “flavour of Paris”, take your time to eat your way through its signature dishes, dine in one of the city’s authentic bistros or take the long and winding road to mastering the art of culinary serendipity. Then again, achieve all these in a row and live the unforgettable cooking adventure of joining a class in a renowned Parisian cookery school – a long-standing tradition for pleasure-seeking bohemians and culinary buffs alike!

Le Cordon bleu logo

Whether you’d like to perfect your cooking techniques, search for refreshing creative inspiration or make a debut on the culinary scene, when it comes to cooking classes in Paris, the choice is simple. It has to be “Le Cordon Bleu”, the most famous cooking school in the world which has taught some of the world’s top chefs turn their gastronomic and cultural dreams into reality.

That’s how you would roll after your class in Le Cordon Bleu

At Studios Paris, we have always aspired to bringing French culture closer to our guests. In our attempt to do so, we offer you a new, original and sophisticatedly delicious way to experience the spirit of Paris. Whether staying here for a few months or visiting for just a week, a diploma from a class taken in “Le Cordon Bleu” can be one of the most amazing memories to take home from Paris. For some, it might even be a reason in itself to come visit the city in the first place. Following our line of gastronomic-oriented guest services, we invite you to take this unique culinary journey delivered by the master chefs of “Le Cordon Bleu”. We would be delighted to help you save time and efforts and organize your schooling in this celebrated culinary institution. You could build your trip around the cooking classes or choose your preferred one on the spur of the moment, once you have arrived here.

Julia Child, the lady who first introduced French cuisine to the US, was one of Le Cordon Bleu’s most famous graduates

Founded in 1895 and considered as the guardian of French culinary technique, Le Cordon Bleu is a worldwide leader in Gastronomy, Hospitality and Management education. Evolving by combining innovation and creativity with tradition, it is a living laboratory for students gaining experience through hands-on learning. With over 100 years of teaching experience, it is considered by many to be the world’s first culinary arts institute, where teachers are not just instructors, but “mentors providing lifelong inspiration and support to graduates”. But most importantly, Le Cordon Bleu sets students on a journey inspiring brilliance, imagination, creativity and personal enrichment.

Hollywood actress Blake Lively’s life-long dream of taking a class in the Cordon Bleu

You can follow in the footsteps of Le Cordon Bleu’s many famous graduates, like Julia Child, Eric and Bruce Bromberg and Ming Tsai. Currently offering both professional education and workshops for non-professionals, all of Le Cordon Bleu’s courses are taught in French and translated into English. There are a number of short-term courses and demonstrations which last for just a day so if you are a real for food enthusiast, the “no time” card won’t be enough of an excuse for you.  Choose from a long list of tantalizing classes which would help you master traditional French techniques from the world of classical and contemporary “haute cuisine”, cultivate your talent for successful food and wine pairing, develop your personal creativity and advance your technique in the field of artistic decoration and food presentation and concoct inventive and sophisticated French dishes such as sautéed sea bass fillet with foie gras, eggplant purée and meat juice.

French gourmet style

Set in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, a class taken in “Le Cordon Bleu” would take you on an unforgettable aromatic journey in the world of flavours, aromas and delicious ideas.

We would be glad to help you get your gastronomic “ticket” because once you set foot in Paris you will come to find out that French people do take their food seriously.

As Remy, the celebrity “rat” chef from “Ratatouille” says “If you are what you eat, then I only want to eat the good stuff.” 

And so will you, after a class taken in “Le Cordon Bleu”.

The happy graduates

If you want us to help you enroll in one of Le Cordon Bleu’s classes, please contact services@studoisparis.net

To see more of our gastronomic services, please follow these links :

http://studiosparis.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/whats-for-dinner/ 

http://studiosparis.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/a-taste-of-spring/

For travelers who prefer to search for the genuine spirit of a city and to create a life for themselves rather than just “borrow the Parisian cliché” for a while, there is no better choice but to select renting a real Parisian apartment and to daydream, even for a short while, to truly live in Paris.

The view from the “Lady Eiffel” apartment

A great setting for this fanciful reverie would be, without a doubt, Lady Eiffel – an exquisite two-bedroom apartment with terrace at the foot of the Eiffel Tower – where not only would you experience life as a very privileged local, but also in the company of one of Paris’ most iconic “ladies”.

Vibrating with a life of its own, the elegant Lady Eiffel is simply a dream come true! Recently renovated, this chic apartment can comfortably host up to four people (adults only) and provide them with the perfect spot to set base and explore the marvels of Paris.

The artistic hallway

As you enter the apartment, you will find yourself cross the large hallway, which instantly intrigues the eye with its ambiance of an art collector’s curiosity cabinet, offering many little wonders to be explored on its transparent glass shelves. The hallway gives access to the living room, which – like the dining room and the master bedroom – looks out onto the spectacular “iron lady” and its green-carpeted gardens. With a view as stunning as this, sipping at your favorite apéro on the terrace while watching the tower dance into the light of the Parisian night will give you many unforgettable and magical moments to go back to.

A drink with a view on Lady Eiffel’s terrace

This warm and classic home provides privacy yet not at the expense of light and a sense of openness, which add up to the appeal of the apartment. Equipped with an en-suite bathroom with shower and WC, the master bedroom features a beautiful old-fashioned fireplace and French windows providing ravishing views of your world-known sky-high “neighbor”. The master bedroom opens onto the lounge and can be closed by a sliding partition, thus separating the private and social spaces of the apartment, which can be united anytime the guests need them to come together and form a coherent whole. The secondary bedroom looks out onto a courtyard and has a stylish en-suite marble bathroom with a shower and bath tub.

The master bedroom

Spacious, comfortable and elegantly furnished, Lady Eiffel’s sitting room is decorated with Asian antiques, which stand out beautifully on the monochrome canvas of the light-colored walls.

With direct access to the fully-equipped kitchen, the dining room oozes glamour with one neat architectural detail – the elegantly crafted decorative wall niche, hosting a richly ornamented antique cupboard and a beautifully gilded mirror, all adding a touch of style and a bit of excitement to the concept of the traditional dining space.

The classy wall niche

Overlooking the Eiffel tower, the dining room features a large welcoming table ready to host both hearty jovial gatherings and intimately royal dinners for two. With a backdrop like this, it would be a shame not to stay in for dinner at least one evening during your stay.  To feel like real Parisians, don’t buy everything from the shop. Play by the rules and make a tour around the neighborhood’s caviste (wine merchant) for the perfect bottle of wine, then visit your local artisan boulanger (baker) to get a hold on the crustiest baguette and finish with a drop off at the fromagerie (cheese shop) for an irresistible selection of delicious creamy cheeses. This done, you can prepare your light French dinner and enjoy it on your improvised terrace picnic with a view of the tower, perfectly located for inspiring late night discussions about “everything and nothing”.

The living room

Alternatively, you could cozy in and take advantage of our gourmet service, The Private Dinner in Paris, which allows you to relish the encounter with French cuisine in the private coziness of your Parisian home. With this different kind of gastronomic experience, you will enjoy a dinner which is more intimate, more special and created exclusively for you – and most importantly – enjoyed in the unforgettable silhouette of the sparkling Eiffel tower.

The second bedroom

We invite you to try and melt the heart of this “iron lady” and benefit from the exclusive experience of spending a few nights in its prominent shadow. One thing, however, is certain – a stay at Lady Eiffel will provide you with sparkling memories for a lifetime…

The flower tower

To rent Lady Eiffel, please contact bookings@studiosparis.net

To learn more about our gourmet service “The Private Dinner in Paris”, please follow this link or contact services@studiosparis.net 

Bestseller cookbook author Trish Deseine on French food and her new book “The Paris Gourmet”

French in Ireland and Irish in France, Trish Deseine has become one of France’s top food writers having sold over one million cookbooks and presented cooking programs broadcast by RTE and BBC’s Good Food Channel. Having lived in France for more than 20 years, she was featured in the French Vogue’s ’40 Women of the Decade’ in 2009.

Trish Deseine

Known for her simple and generous recipes, Trish’s food philosophy differs from the French chef’s fixation with doing things “the right way”. Food should be simple, delicious and adaptable – each recipe a delicious opportunity to offer yourself something exquisite without too much effort, she says.

In “The Paris Gourmet”, her latest book due in September, she serves up a definitive guide on how to shop, cook, eat and live like the French. Covering everything from selecting the produce at the market and hosting a great cocktail party to creating an authentic Parisian ambience in the dining room and being the perfect guest, “The Paris Gourmet” is a glimpse of France’s fabulous edible heritage.

The Paris Gourmet, Trish’s newest book

So let’s all have a seat in Trish’s “little kitchen” for a few tips and a treat.

You have had a long-running relationship with food. What triggered this love affair, how did it all begin? 

As a child I loved baking and as my parents entertained I would usually make desserts for their guests. Coming to France at 14 was a revelation and I was determined to come live here. Not only because of the food, of course, but I loved how important family gatherings and all socializing around a table was important to the French.

Originally from Ireland, you have been living in Paris for more than 20 years. How did you choose Paris and do you sometimes miss eating a good old Irish shepherd’s pie? 

Paris chose me! I was helpless. You can find every food in the world in Paris, and if you’re missing one vital ingredient there’s always the Internet, so food nostalgia is no longer much of an issue for me.

Fois gras candies with chocolate powder by Trish Deseine

French cuisine has been recently honored on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. What is so special about this “rare species” in your opinion?

The UNESCO listing is very specifically for “Le repas gastronomique” with an order to the courses and a way of serving them at a formal occasion. I think they are right and justified to register this very French tradition for posterity.

Besides being an insatiably curious cook you are also a renowned cookbook author.  Could you tell us a bit more about “The Paris Gourmet”, your latest book coming out in September?

 It’s a notebook of my favourite foodie addresses, restaurants, markets and food shops peppered with little tips about decoding Parisian eating. It’s written mostly with American and British visitors in mind, even those who dream of coming one day but who may never make it.

Beetroot salade with baby spinach leaves and pistachio nuts by Trish Deseine

What is your favourite French dish, dessert, snack?

A St Honoré’s choux pastry, chantilly cream and caramel. Three of my favourite things.

Your hidden gastronomic gem in Paris?

Nowadays nothing stays hidden for long! But when something is good, the Parisians will keep coming. Recently I tried Gilles Verot’s (the world famous pork butcher/caterer) Quenelles de Brochet aux écrevisses and I’m going to have to go back for more pretty sharpish.

If in Paris, one should definitely try…?

Anything from Pierre Hermé.

A Pierre Hermé pastry

The strangest food you’ve ever eaten in Paris?

People often make dishes from my cookbooks for me. I still find this a very strange and at times nerve-wracking experience.

Your best place for a “café gourmand” pause would be…?

I love the garden at the Mandarin Oriental – not particularly Parisian feeling, but so peaceful and cozy.

Baked olives with orange appetizer by Trish Deseine

What is your most astounding Parisian culinary discovery?

A rediscovery, really. I recently had lunch at l’Arpege, not having been there for years. Alain Passard is a true aubergiste (inn-keeper), always in his kitchen, the precision and simplicity of his cooking are simply breathtaking.

Drink to the summer with Trish Deseine’s sparkly cassis-inspired aperitif!

Cassis Time cocktail by Trish Deseine

Cassis Time

Ingredients :

6 dessert spoons of crème de cassis liquor

6 dessert spoons of dry Vermouth

6 dessert spoons of orange juice

a dash of fresh lemon juice

grapefruit zest

6 dessert spoons of chilled champagne

In a shaker, add the crème de cassis, the vermouth, one dash of lemon juice, the grapefruit zest and some ice and shake well.

Pour the mixture without the ice cubes in a flute glass.

Top with the champagne to fill the glass completely.

Tips: Add frozen berries that will serve as little colored cubes and will bring an extra touch of freshness. Replace dry vermouth with gin.

A fresh presence in the world of French cuisine deeply centered on traditions, le Café Gourmand is Parisian bistros’ new frisky little secret. This welcome invention, which eagerly wraps up any meal in an elegant, sophisticated and oh so sinfully delicious manner, is the best way to treat yourselves to something mini, yummy and fashionable. 

Coffee, the French way

The meaning:                  

Café Gourmand = a laid-back culinary French concept proposing a cup of espresso along with a couple of tiny, doll-like desserts served on the same plate

The history:                      

Believed to have appeared in Parisian restaurants some twelve years ago, the first café gourmand was supposedly served in “La Criée”. After its eventful appearance, today 40 % of French restaurants have included it in their menus with one in three clients ordering it, according to a study in Figaro Economique.  What’s more, in recent years the sale of traditional desserts has decreased by 20% which is partly to be blamed on the rise of the much-loved café gourmand – a “dessert” which actually emerged as a step further in a new direction aiming to render French lunches quicker than those in the past century (consisting of a starter, main course, a plate of cheese, a dessert, a coffee and a digestive!)

Coffee, sweets and a bit of art

The philosophy:             

The idea of the café gourmand is brilliant and utterly Parisian. This tiny luxury is the living proof that “good things come in small packages” – and fortunately in this case, they don’t cost a fortune.  In this heavenly marriage of coffee and sweets, your petit noir comes aesthetically surrounded by “sweet nothings” – a creative assortment of a few bite-sized desserts. Put off by the idea of having a real dessert (as it could be expensive, fattening and too long to get), today’s Parisian is nevertheless tempted by the alluring prospect of “sinning” just a little bit by cracking for the inoffensive café gourmand. “Mini and sweet is something that satisfies the Parisian. “Mini sweet” is “mini sin”. Works.” declares Olivier Magny, a renowned connoisseur of the Parisian species.

The sweet life

The assortment:             

Although there is no fixed rule regarding the assortment of the desserts coming with the café gourmand, it most often includes three, whose presence may vary. Expect a mini chocolate soufflé, a scoop of ice cream, a shot glass of chocolate mousse, a chunk of apple pie, a mini raspberry tart or a triangle of brownie, a helping of clafoutis and the ever-present French crème brûlée.

There you go!

The advantages:             

For starters, you have the option to try a number of different desserts at once, without worrying for the calories, as they are presumably tiny. Secondly, coffee and sweets have always had a ying-yang relationship, with the bitterness of the coffee softened by the sweetness of the treats. And finally – now here comes the best part! – ordering a café gourmand is like going for a mysterious adventure ride or taking a leap in the dark, as it creates this feeling of surprise, because the dessert types are not listed on the menu, so that you wouldn’t know what you’d be getting in advance. Neat, huh?

Simple beauty

Good for:                           

For those indulging their sweet tooth, it’s pure bliss – so many diverse flavors all together! For the uncertain ones, it is noncommittal: you don’t need to make a choice, they’ll do it for you! For the prudent, it is still righteous: the helpings are tiny and harmless. For the beauty seekers, it’s a canvas: a blend of flavours, shapes and sizes. In a nutshell, a café gourmand is the ideal way to top off your lunch on a sunlit terrace and continue with your day, an extra smile down your way.

The whole palette

Not to be missed:          

An amazing place to initiate yourselves to this sweet discovery would be the open-air terrace of patisserie “Paul” in St. Germain’s most charming little street, Rue de Buci. Enjoy!

In an expression of our ultimate manifesto treasuring aesthetics as a way of life, Eva Léandre has united forces with the raw talent of artist Jack Servoz to take over the passage des Abbesses for our latest artistic project, creating a rebellious re-make of the Hollywood concept of a “walk of fame” in the context of Paris, Montmartre.

The passage entry welcomes visitors

Driven by the idea to promote and share art and beautiful ideas, Léandre and Servoz have breathed new life into the previously somber and somewhat insignificant passage des Abbesses, transforming it completely to create an animated and alternative art scene, showcasing a live exhibition of portrays of major world artists. This spiritual tribute to the artistic geniuses of Rimbaud, Hemingway, Kafka, Mondrian, Nick Cave, Camille Claudel, Iggy Pop, Johnny Rotten, Janis Joplin and William Burroughs has rendered the passage both an ideological pantheon and a highly alive contemporary art scene.

The artist Jack Servoz and his star companions Kafka, Camille Claudel, Nick Cave, Iggy Pop and Mondrian

In this interactive street art gallery, which changes every day as people tear down the posters and tag over or next to them, there’s this perpetual dialogue running between the spectators (who sometimes feel tempted to take a little artistic memento by trying to unglue the posters) and the artist Jack Servoz who tirelessly and selflessly patches them up, painting over the torn bits and changing the colors to enhance the expression of the portraits’ eyes or so. This has become a constant happening transforming this alley into a vibrant and convivial art scene.    

The artist at work

Aspiring to liberate a traditional art exhibition and set its specimens free by permitting them to live their own lives, just like the birds, this artistic intervention transgresses walls and minds and breaks the chain between the artist and his interpreter, thus giving the “reader” the power of “unlimited interpretation”, in which every new pair of eyes adds their own layer of interpretation to the artwork and so changes it.

The amused passers-by watching Jack work

On his decision to represent these artists in particular, Jack states:

Certain great artists have left behind an indelible imprint in time. Yet in their time, they were seen as “fragile”, hyper sensitive, unstable, unpredictable, sometimes even schizophrenic. Like Antonin Artaud, an actor, a painter, a writer and perhaps our last great accursed poet “locked in the house of the dead” in the psychiatric hospital in Rodez. Or Camille Claudel, a genius sculptor, who – abandoned by all – wrote in her hospital bed in the South of France “Screaming out loud, I ​​demand freedom!” Or else, Hemingway, the Nobel Prize winner who shot himself in the head after years of psychiatric treatment and electroshock…

Servoz and the guardians of the passage doors, Nick Cave and Mondrian

For Servoz, it’s the artists “hors normes” that count - writers, painters, poets, musicians – the rebels, these cursed souls and turbulent spirits, prisoners of misconception separated by time, but united here and now by their radical, unruly and blazing ideas – in this meeting of the minds set in the unforeseen juncture of a 21^st century passage in Montmartre.

An assembly of some of the passage portraits; From left to right – Rimbaud, Kafka, Janis Joplin, Camille Claudel, Nick Cave, Hemingway

Already featured as a highlighted stop-over in some of the hill’s guided visits, the newest metamorphosis of passage des Abbesses has started to lay the foundations of its reputation of Montmartre’s hottest artistic hub, with model Willy Cartier bringing it up in his social networks and “Le Figaro” using it as a backdrop for their cutting-edge fashion photo shoots.

Model Willy Cartier posing with the street exposition of Jack Servoz, his favourite artist in his own words

http://instagram.com/p/a6Rz89sw1K/

As for the passage residents – those lucky few who are now on first-name terms with artistic majesties such as Antonin Artaud, Arthur Rimbaud and Camille Claudel – they have grown so attached to their new fellow passage dwellers, that they act as their fervent guardians and keepers who will scold any potential “poster thief” or vandal, thus ardently preventing the “extinction” of any Kafkas, Hemingways and Nick Caves inhabiting the passage.

William Burroughs by Jack Servoz

“We know now that to dream is a biological necessity…” says William Burroughs in his opening quote in the upper end of the passage “I think that it is what make the artists – they dream for the others…”

A stroll in passage des Abbesses is just as much an invitation to dream, not for the others but for yourselves. Anyone tempted by getting lost in a crisp oneiric reverie for an indeterminate amount of time is welcome to visit.

Seated up there above the world, with Arthur Rimbaud, Johnny Rotten and Antonin Artaud keeping them company

Passage des Abbesses can be entered from 57, rue de Trois-Frères (just opposite our office) and 22, rue des Abbesses. Enjoy!

Sparkling water lovers of Paris, unite at 19 rue Neuve Tolbiac!

We’ve got the perfect summer treat for you!

Believe it or not, now you can choose with what to fill your “cup of tea” once in front of the Parisian Water Supply Headquarters.  

At your disposal – warm water, cold water and – extravagantly enough – sparkling water!

Having a choice is always a good thing, especially when free!

So go fill your bottle (or cup! or handfuls!) with fresh jumpy bubbles – it’s imaginative, it’s fun, it’s practical and it’s the perfect new way to enjoy fizzy tap water differently!

(Another fizzy water fountain can be found at the Reuilly garden (12th).  

Happy gurgling!

the fountain itself

La résidence d’été idéale à Paris : soyez comme Adam et Eve dans le jardin d’Eden 

Les Français sont pourvus de ce flair naturel pour le goût et le raffinement qui ornent souvent leurs maisons d’une grâce européenne inégalable. Mélangeant la chaleur du style traditionnel à une silhouette contemporaine, nette et plus audacieuse, l’appartement Eden incarne tout à fait cet exemple dont l’attrait réside dans le fait de jouir du meilleur de ces deux mondes. Son apparence sophistiquée trouve le juste milieu entre le style traditionnel et l’effervescence contemporaine qui coexistent pacifiquement sous le même toit. Résultat ? Un lieu ingénieux et charmant qui vous permet de voyager dans le temps sur une mer harmonieuse.

Elégamment meublé d’un chic mélange de pièces modernes et d’antiquités, original de par sa simplicité, Eden présente la beauté naturelle de manière austère et sans prétention. Grâce à ses textures et formes organiques, à l’atmosphère naturelle qui émane de son décor rustique, il vous rapproche de la belle campagne française et met en avant cette relation particulière avec le passé tellement difficile à obtenir dans le monde d’aujourd’hui où tant de choses sont virtuelles.

Situé dans le 5e arrondissement de Paris, à quelques mètres des agréables jardins du Luxembourg, cet appartement de luxe avec jardin privé offre une surface habitable spacieuse et ravissante, au rez-de-chaussée d’un élégant immeuble parisien.

L’atténuation des limites entre intérieur et extérieur est une marque de fabrique caractéristique des régions rurales françaises où aucun intérieur campagnard n’est considéré comme complet sans la présence d’un bouquet de fleurs quelque part dans la maison ou, mieux encore, de plantes poussant directement dans le jardin devant la porte comme c’est le cas dans la magnifique cour verte d’Eden. Cette exceptionnelle retraite estivale constitue une alcôve de paix confortable et presque improbable au cœur de Paris. L’appartement dispose d’un accès direct à un jardin paysager intime et reposant qui vous permet de pénétrer dans votre petit Paradis estival privé où vous pouvez siroter un apéritif rafraîchissant, savourer un dîner romantique ou bien discuter tardivement de l’univers tout en cherchant la parfaite feuille de figue pour parer votre tenue céleste.

Conduisant directement au jardin et meublée d’une cheminée, d’un piano, d’une importante bibliothèque et d’un grand canapé d’angle invitant à la conversation, la salle de séjour d’Eden est un lieu clair et plein de caractère. Les bûches rangées apportent au lieu le charme d’un chalet ; elles sont parfaitement assorties aux poutres taillées grossièrement qui se distinguent sur fond de murs blancs et lisses. Non seulement définissent-elles le lieu architecturalement, mais elles le rendent également simple et authentique tout en étant à la fois naturellement élégant, une apparence qui contente indifféremment l’âme et les yeux.

La peau de zèbre, exotique et indémodable, est jetée au sol en une parfaite inadéquation qui se fond cependant très bien dans le cadre, ancrant la pièce avec sa présence remarquable.

Entièrement équipée d’un four, d’un lave-vaisselle, d’un lave/sèche-linge et d’un téléviseur monté au mur, la cuisine associe la sensibilité du vieux monde à une touche de sophistication qui la rend élégante et fraîche.

Trouvant le juste milieu entre modernité et aspect traditionnel, la cloison rappelant celle d’un bar avec ses tabourets hauts et un mur noir lisse égayé par des vers choisis au hasard vous transporte instantanément dans l’ambiance tendance d’un bar ou d’un café branché tandis que le charme décontracté et simple de la salle à manger rappelle le confort et l’éclat d’une maison régionale à la campagne. La salle à manger donne sur le patio où de longs et agréables repas peuvent également être pris.

La chambre de style traditionnel s’inspire du passé. Avec ses murs en pierre beige pâle entrelacés de poutres en bois, son ravissant lit de princesse avec un magnifique cadre de lit en bois vert pastel, ses couleurs crème et douces, la pièce offre un grand confort avec style.

La chambre principale est reliée à une vaste et luxueuse salle de bains dotée d’une douche à l’italienne, d’une grande baignoire et d’un double lavabo.

Elle dispose également d’un dressing séparé avec un grand espace pour les vêtements et les rangements.

La salle multimédia équipée d’un téléviseur, d’une musicothèque, d’une vidéothèque et d’un bureau hi-fi peut aisément être convertie en une seconde chambre, le cas échéant.

Un air d’irréel flotte autour de cet appartement de conte de fées qui vous enveloppe comme une douce et chaude couverture.

Si jamais vous désiriez échanger votre « jardin d’Eden » privé, temporairement, contre les jardins royaux du Luxembourg, n’oubliez pas que ces derniers ne sont qu’à deux pas.

Pour louer l’appartement Eden, veuillez contacter  bookings@studiosparis.net

Vivre au bord de l’eau : ce rêve est désormais possible grâce aux bateaux (à vendre ou à louer) des Studios de Paris

La plupart des biens immobiliers prospèrent sur la terre ferme. Mais pourquoi ne pas choisir un lieu moins conventionnel pour s’installer ?

Si l’eau est votre élément, les Studios de Paris peuvent vous proposer un environnement aquatique pour vos vacances … ou votre quotidien.

Avec nos bateaux de location Léonide (amarré au port de plaisance de la Bastille) et  Saint-Laurent (à Neuilly) ou bien la péniche Orphée (à 25 minutes de la gare du Nord), la flottille des Studios de Paris est parée pour aborder la capitale cet été !

Situé à l’intérieur de l’exclusif port de l’Arsenal, à deux pas de la place de la Bastille, le Léonide, bateau cosy et authentique, constitue un lieu extraordinaire de vacances. Amarré près de la Seine où vous pouvez jouir de la quiétude du canal Saint-Martin, le Léonide est confortable et décoré avec goût. Que diriez-vous de passer des chaudes nuits d’été sur le pont ouvert d’un bateau, sous l’ombre dorée de la colonne de Juillet, au cœur de Paris. Quelques jours sur le Léonide peuvent transformer votre séjour en un voyage corsaire bohémien à travers la Ville Lumière !

Si vous recherchez une version plus isolée d’un bateau de luxe aménagé, le Saint-Laurent représente le lieu idéal. Flottant sur la Seine dans l’élégant quartier de Neuilly, vous pouvez jouir de sa terrasse, baignée de soleil ou de sa roseraie privée sur le quai, pour un barbecue. Situé à quelques pas du plus grand parc naturel de Paris, le bois de Boulogne, il offre comme autre avantage des voisins peu communs : seuls quelques canards, cygnes et oiseaux viennent troubler le calme divin de ce paradis parisien. Meilleur endroit pour combiner pêche et bronzage sur la plage pendant les vacances avec des visites de Paris, le Saint-Laurent recherche un nouveau capitaine : pourquoi pas vous ?

Beaucoup de personnes abandonnent l’idée de vivre à terre et optent pour un style de vie plus simple et respectueux de l’environnement, plus proche de la nature. Les créatifs commencent à voir l’opportunité que représente un bateau non seulement comme quelque chose de romantique et tendance mais également d’économique. En plus de l’ambiance détendue de la vie sur l’eau, une maison flottante représente un choix tentant à beaucoup d’égards : une alternative bien plus abordable qu’une maison faite de briques et de ciment. Un habitat mobile présente l’opportunité d’une vie nomade. La liberté de pouvoir changer de lieu à tout moment, le plaisir de dormir bercé par la douceur de l’eau et d’accueillir le soleil avec votre café matinal, assis sur le pont baigné de lumière…

Houseboat living is an exotic choice for those who have a thing for water…

Peut-être tomberez-vous amoureux de la péniche Orphée, notre tout dernier bateau, habitacle de 200 m2. http://www.paris-apartment-rent.com/Bateau-Orphee.html

Mme Bourgain, propriétaire de la péniche Orphée, évoque son expérience de vie sur un bateau :

Comment avez-vous choisi de travailler avec les Studios de Paris ? Qu’appréciez-vous particulièrement à propos de l’agence ?

Je connais Mme Léandre et l’équipe des Studios de Paris. J’ai confiance en eux et les recommande sincèrement. Les Studios de Paris sont très exigeants avec eux-mêmes et savent faire sortir du lot un bien et le mettre en valeur.

Quels sont les avantages de posséder une péniche aménagée ?  

Sur l’Orphée, la situation était parfaite ! A Creil, vous n’êtes qu’à seulement 25 minutes de Paris. Prendre le train jusqu’à la gare du Nord est finalement bien plus rapide que de se déplacer en métro, RER ou en voiture. Un autre avantage est de posséder un grand espace pour un prix modique et de profiter des avantages de la vie à la campagne tout en jouissant pleinement de celle en milieu urbain. La péniche n’est qu’à trois minutes d’une forêt et chaque été nos enfants avaient pour habitude de nager dans l’Oise.

A qui la péniche Orphée convient-elle ? 

Elle peut répondre aux exigences d’un large public : familles, travailleurs indépendants travaillant à distance ou investisseurs cherchant un studio indépendant à louer.

Quel est votre passe-temps favori à bord ?

J’aime son espace qui permet de donner de grandes fêtes sur le pont avec la famille et les amis.

Quelle est la chose la plus incroyable/précieuse concernant la vie sur un bateau ?

La sensation de liberté intérieure que vous ressentez dès que vous commencez à vivre à bord.

Au cours des chauds mois d’été, une foule de gens s’assied sur les berges de la Seine, regarde les bateaux voguer et rêve de vivre sur l’un d’eux. Avec les bateaux des Studios de Paris, nous vous accueillons à bord ! Attention, une fois que vous faites partie de l’équipage, vous n’aurez peut-être pas envie de revenir à terre !

Pour louer les bateaux aménagés Léonide ou Sain- Laurent, veuillez contacter  bookings@studiosparis.net

Vous souhaitez débuter votre vie au bord de l’eau sur la péniche Orphée ? Veuillez contacter sales@studiosparis.net

Your ultimate summer guide to the best hidden countryside nooks Paris has to offer

The meaning:   

villa = a small street or private cul-de-sac with specific (countryside) appeal flanked by luxurious houses habitually built in the early 20^th century

The pretty countryside paths of Paris’ Cité Florale

The history:                      

Believe it or not, there are places in Paris so outlandish that they barely seem to belong to the same city map as the Sacré Coeur cathedral, the Eiffel tower or the Arc of Triumph.  These “villas”, “squares” and “cités” – code names under which those pretty little retreats usually go by – paint an entirely different portrait of the capital. With their cobblestone streets, ivy-covered houses and wisteria lanes, they have this air of heavenly harmony which sets them apart from their fellow city streets and wraps up their world like a pretty floral ribbon.

We’re not in Britain but in Paris 14th, Pernety

Rare and exceptional, it’s as if these peaceful and secluded oases of calm belonged more to the impressionistic landscapes of the French countryside than to the throbbing heart of a busy metropolis. Much suited for a lovely summertime stroll away from the crowds, they are the perfect place to defy the image of the traditional picture postcard of Paris…

In the Parisian “countryside”, you come come across cats strolling the streets – a sight hard to enjoy elsewhere in Paris; Picture: Kalin Petrov

Discovering the “Villas”:

Calm, discreet and luxurious, Villa Léandre was built in 1926 on the site of a former Montmartre mill. Known as Villa Junot until 1936 and renamed after Charles Léandre (1862-1936, one of the major painters, lithographers and caricaturists of his time, also publisher of the humoristic magazine ’Le Rire’), Villa Léandre, a temple of tranquility, seems to go beyond the Butte Montmartre, Paris or the framework of time. With its paved streets and small houses built in the Anglo-Saxon style – with traditional tiny gardens and front steps – today this is one of the quietest and most expensive areas in this quarter.

A typical house door on Villa Léandre

As you linger in the street a bit longer, you could really get the feeling of being in a typical British village. Some say that visiting Villa Léandre is the fastest way to get from Paris to London. The proof: the house located at number 10. In addition to its “bow-windows”, which lend it a very London-like look, right above the bell, there’s a small inscription saying: “Downing Street, City of Westminster”. A funny coincidence isn’t it, as 10 Downing Street, London is the address of the residence of Britain’s very own Primer Minister!

A walk on Villa Léandre

Exploring the “Cités”:  

Used for an agglomeration of buildings forming a historic or architectural unity, the name “cité” is usually given to a group of houses creating an uniform whole consolidated by a common purpose. Located in the 13th, just behind the Parc Montsouris, there lies a “city” like no other. The City of Flowers (Cité Florale). Built in 1928, this former field was regularly flooded by the Bièvre river – a particularity which prevented the area from being heavily urbanized with apartment blocks.

Cité Florale

The district was therefore fully populated with small individual houses each dotted with its own flower-decorated garden. Besides the unusual and bucolic appearance of the area which sets it apart from its surroundings of modern buildings, what really makes this “cité” unique are its streets named after flowers. So if you are lucky enough to settle in Paris’ City of Flowers, you could choose your street’s scent between Wisteria, Iris, Orchid, Morning Glory, Bindweed or Mimosa.

The almost tropical colors of Cité Florale

Climbing the “Buttes”:

Paris’ most famous “butte” (hill) is undoubtedly Montmartre, but it certainly isn’t the only one worth exploring. Hidden in the 19^th district, in a triangle locked by the streets Manin, Mathurin Moreau and Simon Bolivar, the most secret of Parisian hills, the Butte Bergeyre, proudly rises above its neighboring streets just behind the park Butte Chaumont. Once you climb the stairs of this ex-pasture ground turned modern-day “village in the city”, your efforts will be rewarded.

The Butte Bergeyre

The hill’s maze-like streets, lined with pretty houses covered in ivy, a vineyard and a magnificent view of Montmartre and the Sacré Coeur will be waiting for you up there. Perfect for a Sunday stroll, this village of about 1200 inhabitants populated largely by architects, filmmakers designers and alley cats boasts its own “public garden” open on Wednesdays and Sundays which invites both residents and passing strollers to pick their own fruit, veggies and herbs free of charge but with moderation.

The view of Montmartre from the hill Bergeyre

Strolling the “Squares”:

A little courtyard circled by houses, the appellation “square” hides some fascinating architectural gems in the city of Paris. One of the prettiest, the Square de Montsouris, is just a magical place to be as it instantly swirls you into a landscape of marvelous otherworldliness. Green, paved and sloping, this adorable path flanked by beautiful Art Nouveau and Art Deco houses with baroque balconies, stained glass window medallions and mosaicx freezes, has been chosen by many artists who picked its peacefully provincial charm to set up their studios.

Square Montsouris

Created in the 1920 to 1930 as a housing estate for people with low income, the square was far from being an expensive and sought-after location back then. Its streets composed by detached houses are relatively rare in Paris and what distinguishes this picturesque alley even more are the various styles (artist’s studio, classical, modern or exotic construction) and diverse architectural elements (stone, brick and stucco facades) which provide a wide visual variety and appeal to this exceptional street.

Square Montsouris – even with the parked cars, it’s still pretty!

Another pretty and unusual triangle-shaped square located near the Butte aux Cailles, the private Square des Peupliers, is a reminder of the poplar trees which once grew alongside the Bièvre, a river which used to flow through the neighborhood until the early 20th century when it was covered to now run into the sewers of Paris. Flanked by small houses each embellished by their own tiny garden, this cobblestoned heaven is especially beautiful in the summer, with its flowers and trees in blossom.

Happy strolling!

Square des Peupliers; Picture: etsionsepromentaitaparis.com

Montmartre’s visual and gustatory experience of high-class New Wave Japanese cuisine

There is something delightful and intimate about a room of strangers all sharing the same meal. Seated around the 20-seat rectangular black bar, twenty chosen ones gather each night to attend to this mysterious festival of the senses blending Sight and Taste, Food and Show.

Guilo Guilo’s facade

Already a star in Kyoto when his first Parisian restaurant debuted with a blast, Guilo Guilo’s chef and founder Eiichi Edakuni wanted to create a place where you could not only enjoy inventive and sophisticated new wave Japanese cuisine but also take delight in observing the show of its creation.

This form of culinary alchemy where clients could fascinatedly observe their meals being composed in front of their very eyes is not a rare sight in Japan. The bar being a central element in a traditional Japanese restaurant, it’s only natural that once the clients have been comfortably seated around it, the show must begin!

Men at work: chef Edakuni himself, like a star from a Wong Kar Wai movie

“It’s an ancestral method in Japan”, explains the chef “Food preparation is a spectacle considered an integral part of the meal.”

The concept of Guilo Guilo’s open kitchen permits you to observe the maestro direct the culinary opus like an opera conductor, using chopsticks instead of the traditional baton. Because if there’s one thing Edakuni loves most of all, it’s toying with tradition and reinventing the classics.  So don’t be surprised if you come across foie gras sushi, Japanese boeuf bourgignon, calamari designed to look like fish’n’chips or a classic looking sashimi topped with a giant knob of “wasabi” (wisely masked pea or celery sauce) – it’s just the chef’s sense of humor… Because according to him, food should not only be tasty but amusing, too!

Guilo Guilo’s bar or scene – whichever you prefer

Serving a unique fixed price 8-course surprise menu with two seatings per night (at 19 and 21:30), Eiishi Edakuni rewrites the blackboard each month, so you’d never eat the same thing twice. Don’t bother trying to predict the menu in advance – it’s impossible and for the better!

“I invent it two hours before serving it”, Edakuni confesses “I operate on instinct, that’s how it’s always been!”

In an explosion of culinary brightness, the chef untiringly prepares long rows of smart bites and accurately crafted mouthfuls.  Once the dishes arrive in front of you – original, exotic and graphically presented – the friendly staff would lift the curtain on their mysterious contents. Expect treats like amazing soups (shrimp and mango soup with baby sardine “chips”), witty appetizers (smoked tofu with edible flowers, hot and crisp corn tempura with sea urchin coral), scrumptious yet extraordinary mains (seabream and Wagyu beef on spicy shiso leaves with Ponzu sauce, Turbot sashimi with Daikon radish) and unexpected deserts (black sesame panna cotta, savoury ice cream, watermelon balls glazed in Japanese plum wine) and more …

The tasty creations of Guilo Guilo

Voted the Best New Wave Japanese Restaurant of 2009, this out of the ordinary Eastern retreat will satiate your appetite for originality with sophistication by rejecting boredom and celebrating fun, in a world where rules are made to be playfully and deliciously broken.

With its subtle flavors, mysterious ingredients and aesthetic presentation, Guilo Guilo’s cuisine will initiate you to an original, state-of-the-art type of Japanese gastronomy, which you wouldn’t find just anywhere in Paris.

To dine there is more than having time well spent, it is an inspiring Zen journey worth taking…

Guilo Guilo is at 8 rue Garreau, Montmartre, Paris (Metro: Abbesses); Phone: 01-42-54-23-92 (Reserve well in advance!) Beware: The first seating (19h) tends to get rushed; reserve the 21:30h seating if you’d prefer to linger.