The meaning:

arrondissement = district, quarter, the name of a division forming Paris’ neighbourhoods

Take a snail tour through the capital’s arrondissements!

The “pre-arrondissement” postcard:

Before the arrondissement division was enacted, Paris was just a quiet collection of “villages” and the so-called “proto-Parisians” inhabited the self-sufficient microcosms of their “quartiers”, each equipped with its own bakery, butcher’s shop, grocery, newsagent’s shop, florist, post office, school and church.  A popular institution of the time, the café-tabac was a vital assembly point where men would gather on Sunday mornings to bet on horse-racing and chat over a glass of wine. In other words, going “into town” was kept for special occasions only (clothes shopping, theatre going). Besides those, many spent their whole lives without ever leaving the boundaries of their own “quartier”…

The history:

The division of Paris into arrondissements originates in the French Revolution, whose main goal was to reform France economically and administratively. However, before the 19^th century there were only 12 arrondissments in Paris. The 20 districts we know today only emerged in 1860, when Baron Haussmann had Paris’ toll walls destroyed and new territories incorporated into the city limits (basically the villages that previously lay around it). This called for some major restructuring – first, the old arrondissement numbers were altered (today’s 10th was the ex-5th) and then, the city layout changed (starting with the 1^st arrondissement at the heart of the city and spiraling out clockwise like a snail shell, or the so-called “l’escargot de Paris” as the Parisians fondly denote their city plan). Today Paris’ arrondissements regularly comprise a number of neighborhoods, each having their own distinct spirit and character.

The philosophy:

Mirroring the social, cultural and economic history of Paris, each arrondissement forms a peculiar atom essential to the construction of the big cell of Paris. Due to their singularity and character, the arrondissements seem to know how to keep their residents close, as if attached with a magnet.  Just like in the past, old-time dwellers get so used to the universe of their neighbourhood that they have a hard time venturing far off their beaten paths. To quote Thirza Vallois, a renowned Parisian connoisseur: “Today the administrative life of every Parisian, from birth to death, is regulated by and revolves around his arrondissement which, in a way, has replaced the old parish. Its center of gravity is the monumental Mairie, where newborn babies are registered, children are enrolled in school and couples get married…”

The curious fact:

Did you know that there was a big commotion over which arrondissement would be assigned the ominous number 13? Nobody wanted it! The area which finally got it was a cholera-ridden slum during the time, so the unfortunate number was simply dumped on this ill-fated zone, no questions asked!

The tour:

With local color and character to spare, each arrondissement merits a visit for one reason or another. Here is our brief overview of all 20 districts with their most significant highlights and points of interest. Located at the geographical center of Paris and packed with historic sights, the 1^st arrondissment has The Louvre Museum, the Tuileries gardens, the rectangular Palais Royal and the ritzy Place Vendôme, among others. Mainly a business district, the 2^nd is the smallest Parisian arrondissement, with the Palais de la Bourse (the former stock exchange market) and the eternally chic shopping arcades as its most prominent landmarks. A charming old district, the 3^rd   arrondissement is home to the oldest Chinese quarter (around Temple) as well as the oldest covered market in Paris (Le Marché des Enfants Rouges). An all-time favourite, the 4^th contains a number of assorted highlights – starting from the medieval yet trendy Marais district (home to the Jewish and gay communities), the gothic Notre Dame cathedral, the Renaissance Place des Vosges, Paris’ stunning 19^th century City hall, the modern Centre Pompidou and the eternal island Saint Louis where you get to have the best ice cream in town (Berthillon)! Another much-loved area, the 5^th allocates the glory between the Latin quarter, the prestigious Sorbonne university, the chestnut tree-flanked Saint Michel boulevard, the mausoleum of the Panthéon, the Roman Lutetia Arenas and the pretty Jardin des Plantes, the city’s botanic gardens. The 6^th is another popular arrondissement offering decadent pleasures such as relaxing under the shades of the Luxembourg gardens, having a sip in one of Saint-Germain’s famous cafés or enjoying a highbrow play at the Odeon, one of France’s six national theatres inaugurated by Marie-Antoinette. Nothing shines brighter than Paris’ Iron Lady (la tour Eiffel), the 7^th arrondissement all-star performer, but once there don’t fail to walk over Paris’ prettiest bridge (Pont Alexander III) or to add some wow to your day with Musée d’Orsay chef-d’oeuvres. Once in the 8^th, go for a swanky walk along the world’s most famous boulevard (Champs-Elysées), pass by the presidential palace and the Madeleine Church and, if artistically tempted, visit a fleeting exhibition in the magnificent Grand or Petit Palais. The 9^th district welcomes ballet lovers (with a pilgrimage to the splendid Opéra Garnier) and shopaholics alike (whose temple would be the Belle Epoque department stores, such as Galeries Lafayette and Printemps). The 10^th’s unquestionable high spot would be the Canal Saint Martin, Parisians’ much-loved and overly preferred versatile picnic location and nightlife hot spot. Another top Paris nightlife district lies in the 11^th, with the lively Rue Oberkampf – a famous bar scene housing the city’s hippest locales and clubs. The 12^th calls for a long green walk along the Promenade Verte (an elevated park built on top of an ex-railway), some daily market finds at the famous place d’Aligre or a calm stroll by the yacht-flanked canal of the peaceful and Northern-looking Jardin de l’Arsenal. Home to the city’s largest Chinatown, the 13^th parades a hidden village charm many don’t even suspect of (Cité Florale, Square des Peupliers); other landmarks include the huge modern National Library on the banks of the Seine and the notorious hospital Salpétriere (an ex-gunpowder factory, converted to a dumping ground for the poor, a prison for prostitutes and a holding place for the mentally disabled in its turbulent past). Aaah…the 14^th- with its macabre catacombs, romantic Montparnasse cemetery and the artistically historic Montparnasse boulevard! The largest of all 20 districts, both in terms of size and population, the 15^thholds the rights to the unduly scorned Montparnasse tower, the Pasteur museum (housed in the scientist’s last apartment and full of personal and scientific memorabilia) and Aquaboulevard, Europe’s largest waterpark. With a reputation of being the richest, the 16^th arrondissement offers some eye-candy in terms of some fancy Parisian architecture, the famous Trocadéro square and the bourgeois Bois de Boulogne. Starting at the Arc of Triumph and the Étoile, the 17^th borders the famous grands boulevards and features the Place de Clichy, an eclectic area once frequented by Edouard Manet and other 19^th century artists. The Sacré-Coeur basilica, the Place du Tertre, the Moulin Rouge and the bohemian and village-like charm of old Montmartre count as the 18^th arrondissement’s major highlights. The 19^th, a district of parks, hosts another picnic favourite – the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (whose most eminent feature is the Temple of Sybille perched atop a cliff 30m above an artificial lake – a miniature version of the famous ancient Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli) and the vibrant Parc de la Villette, famous for its open-air summer movie festival, Europe’s largest science museum and Paris’ Conservatory. Finally the edge of the escargot’s shell takes us to the 20^th arrondissement, home of Edith Piaf, the districts of Belleville and Ménilmontant (emblems of working class Paris becoming trendy with the young crowd) and the world’s arguably most famous cemetery, Père Lachaise.

Be adventurous and happy rambling!

Discover the fascinating story behind Montmartre’s picturesque windmills in our captivating Christmas walk around the hill 

Paris is not the first city that usually comes to mind when one thinks “windmills”.

Hard as it is to imagine, until the beginning of the 20^th century the Parisian landscape was dotted with numerous mills, which once numbered more than 300!

An important element of the landscape and a vital aspect of human activity, the mills had a lead role in a society where alimentation was based on milled grain transformed into bread or mash.

Montmartre’s windmills as seen by Utrillo

These primitive industrial establishments gave a characteristic look to the city, one which never ceased to impress the visiting foreigners.

The history of the windmill is also that of the miller, an important figure of his time, detested and mocked by its fellow citizens who reproached him of getting rich on their behalf.

Even though today most windmills have disappeared for good, we could still admire a few significant examples which diversify Montmartre’s unlikely horizon and take us back to the 16^th century.

Long before becoming the hill we know today, Montmartre has been a rural settlement populated by peasants, craftsmen and millers – a village organized around its ancient abbey.

Montmartre’s windmills as seen by Van Gogh

During the 17th and 18th centuries, many mills were erected here.  They were used to grind wheat, press grapes, help the locals determine the direction of the wind or crush fibers and other materials for Parisian factories.

A favourite choice for the Sunday walk of the Parisian, the mills served as an inspiration to many of Bateau Lavoir’s painters who featured them in dozens of canvases, the most notable of which being those of Lautrec, Van Gogh, Renoir and Utrillo.

The Palace’s Mill, The Old Tower’s Mill, The Fields’ Mill and the Fog Mill were some of the hill’s fifteen grinders. Interestingly, some mills used to change names in tune with different epochs and owners. So a mill named “The New Mill” when it was erected could easily become “The Old Mill” just a century later.

Of all the windmills atop the hill, only two remain today.

The Moulin de la Galette in 1885

The Radet (83, Rue Lepic) and the Blute–Fin (now part of an Italian/French restaurant located on the corner of Rue Girardon) are the sole survivors, which collectively form the grounds of the legendary Moulin de la Galette, known for its illustrious ball immortalized by Renoir’s painting “Bal du Moulin de la Galette)”.

Not many suspect that Montmartre actually has a third windmill. Located in Montmartre’s cemetery, a small mill is fixed on the grave of a soldier who protected Paris from the Russian army in 1814.

Renoir’s take on the ball in the Moulin de la Galette

In the history of all the famous mills of the hill, however, there is one which will always be eternal.

Built in 1889, the world’s most legendary cabaret, The Moulin Rouge, had its symbolic red windmill erected as a relic from the time of Louis XIV, when the hilltop was dotted with numerous mills. A visiting Italian poet once observed that the windmills “turned as swiftly as the Parisians’ heads.”

The legendary Moulin Rouge in 1900 and today

Today The Moulin Rouge still spins its red neon sails night by night and remains a symbol of French culture and Bohemian influence. And it perpetually proves that the hill’s most famous mill hasn’t lost its knack for turning heads yet…

The board of directors of Studios Paris is proud to announce the opening of our new territories with properties in Canada, Italy and in Portugal as a logical first step in Studios Paris’ planned line of long-term expansion.

The announcement follows a strong company performance throughout 2012 and 2013, when the firm generated good revenue and built on a strong Parisian client base – a sufficient condition prompting us to expand our presence across and beyond the European region.

In this latest expression of Studios Paris’ creative endeavors,  we have discovered for you the perfect hideaways, the places untouched by tourism, the gems of no guide-book  – all the while remaining truthful to our philosophy of quality over quantity.

And while we all love Rome, Florence and Lisbon, we thought you might be charmed by that dreamy fishing village in the Algarve or the medieval town of Recanati, birthplace of poet Giacomo Leopardi and tenor Beniamino Gigli whose voice fills the enchanted piazzetta of his hometown.

“We are extremely pleased with this latest development and are delighted that our effort to launch new international territories has culminated successfully. We look forward to many years of rich and exciting aesthetic discoveries,” concludes Studios Paris’ CEO, Eva Léandre.

Coming as a natural fit for the spirit of our company, the new territories offer recreational opportunities integrating the pleasure of living, beauty and aesthetic values, all constituting an indispensable part of Studios Paris’s élan vital.

Ready to spread our company philosophy of “more than housing, an aesthetic experience” and promote our activities further across the continents, we will be happy to share with you our discoveries of unique places in the world throughout 2014.

 About Studios Paris

Founded in 2004 by Eva Léandre, Studios Paris is a unique conglomeration of sorts – a blend of a rental agency, an interior design studio and an art gallery – all under the same hat. What unites the odd feathers of this rara avis is our main goal – making life more beautiful, integrating art and aesthetics in all our projects. A partnership between architects, interior designers and professionals of the hotel business, our company allows you to benefit from the expertise of top-end hotel management while enjoying the aesthetics and intimacy of a universe of your own: your home in Paris. With some 300 “suites” scattered around the City of Lights, our “Cloud-Hotel” has a unique concept – to seek out all possible resources of inspiration in order to create an exclusive world, a shrine of creativity and imagination, an inhabitable idea for you to live in. We provide more than just housing, we give you the key to an aesthetic experience… 

For more information about our brand’s history and philosophy or further details on our newly integrated territories, please visit our website http://www.paris-apartment-rent.com/

Studios Paris’ particular fondness of the spectacular world of Architecture, Design and Aesthetics has sent us on a Christmas quest for beauty in the realms of the City of Lights. Enjoy our fairy-tale journey through time with some of Paris’ most spectacular monuments…

The world’s most famous pyramid, seconding those in Egypt

For hundreds of years Paris has served as a genuine “research lab” where pioneering architects have come to experiment with their ideas. This has ultimately fashioned the French capital into a city which has bit of everything. If you looked around, you would grasp the presence of different epochs coexisting harmoniously in the city’s Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Neo-Classical, Art Nouveau and Contemporary Architecture styles.

Compared with most metropolitan cities, however, Paris remains a historic city – and it’s exactly this approach to cherishing and treasuring the past which has turned it into one of the most visited and loved cities in the world.

Historically speaking, Paris can be divided into four architectural periods: Roman, Medieval, Renaissance and Classical.

Symmetrical and organized, Roman architecture is easily recognized by its columns giving its buildings a majestic, dominating feeling.  Throughout the Medieval period  Paris became maze-like, disorganized and claustrophobic.  With no layout plan for the city, buildings were erected chaotically and streets were narrow and unplanned. In the course of the Renaissance period Paris copied the architecture of others, rather than developing its proper style. Inspired by the Italian Renaissance, it favored symmetrical and proportional design, very much like in Roman architecture. The proper Parisian architectural style began to elaborate when singularity and elegance were added to the uniformity and proportion of both Ancient and Renaissance styles. This was the birth of French classicism, which stroke a balance between tradition and innovation, continuity and variety. Established in the 1600s, the French Classical style made Paris renowned for its architecture, which has since been celebrated throughout the world.

Now, let’s hop on the magical Christmas sleigh and enjoy our fairy-tale ride through time by swishing past some of Paris’ most spectacular monuments…

Musée de Cluny (Ancient Roman)

Very little remains from the Ancient Roman heritage which actually engendered today’s city of Paris. However, the Musée de Cluny is one rare and beautiful example of this lost era.  This medieval monastery built on top of a Roman baths complex (fragments of which are still noticeable on the grounds outside and in the vast conserved frigidarium (cold-water bath), houses a selection of significant medieval artifacts, such as medieval sculptures, antique furnishings, illuminated manuscripts and the the 15^th century tapestry cycle The Lady and the Unicorn.

Musée de Clunty’s entrance

The Notre-Dame Cathedral (Gothic)

Built between 1163 and 1250, the Notre-Dame Cathedral is an archetypical Gothic cathedral. Its key Gothic features comprise of pinnacled flying buttresses, a trio of France’s best rose windows, vaulted ceilings, portal carvings and of course, its iconic gargoyles.

The Notre Dame cathedral

Place des Vosges (Renaissance)

To create unified and consistent structures, the Renaissance style emphasized on proportion, symmetry, order and classical inspiration. Paris’ finest examples of Renaissance architecture are the Renaissance mansion of Hôtel Carnavalet (1544, the only 16th-century hotel to be found in contemporary Paris) and unquestionably, the sophisticated square of Place des Vosges (1605), flanked by Renaissance mansions rising above a charming arcaded corridor enclosing the famous square.

Place des Vosges panoramic view

Place Dauphine (French Classicism)

It was during the Renaissance period when Parisian architecture eventually stopped imitating Italian design to begin developing its own style. Among the earliest city-planning projects of Henry IV, a novel and distinctively Parisian square was built – the tiny but charming Place Dauphine was meant to embody the spirit of modernity and France. From the square one can easily access the Pont Neuf and the islet of Square du Vert-Galant, but what makes the Place Dauphine particularly enchanting and different is its unusual shape – oxymoronically enough, this square is triangular!

The triangular gem of Place Dauphine

The Panthéon (Neoclassical)

Soon after the short-spanned life cycle of the Rococo style, a neoclassical movement began to fashion Paris’ cityscape. Favoring structures strictly based on ancient examples, the neoclassical style re-sparkled the interest in classical ideals which had an impact on European society through thought, politics and fine arts in the 18^th century. One of the most notable examples of the neoclassical style is the Panthéon (1758), modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and containing the remains of illustrious French citizens. Another example is the Madeleine Church commissioned by Napoleon I as a neoclassicist temple and intended to be a “Temple to the Glory of the Great Army”. However, the monument was still unfinished when Napoleon lost his rank, so it became a church consecrated in 1842.

The Panthéon

The Haussmann Plan

We cannot truly review Parisian architecture without highlighting the famous Haussmann Plan, a modernization program of 19^th century Paris, commissioned by Napoleon III and managed by the Seine prefect, Baron Haussmann, from 1853 to 1870. The project which featured all aspects of urban planning (modifying streets and boulevards, building facades, public parks, city facilities and monuments) gave the city its present form, established the image of today’s popular representation of Paris around the world and played a key role in creating the capital’s halo of charm and beauty. The key characteristics of Haussmannian architecture showcase long, tree-lined boulevards with cafés and shops and feature buildings with wrought iron balconies and aligned windows aimed to create a sense of perspective. Thanks to Haussmann’s modernization of the city during the 19th century, the medieval appearance of the city was fairly effaced and a new type of urban scenario was promoted – one which had a thorough impact on the everyday lives of Parisians.

An old postcard of the then new Boulevard Haussmann

Métro Abbesses (Art Nouveau)

Art Nouveau architects opposed against the Third Republic’s concept of mass production by creating disproportionate and voluptuous designs with organic basis (like plants and flowers) in mediums like wrought iron, stained glass and tile. Designed by Hector Guimard in 1900, the Abbessess’ metro station entrance is one of the best preserved Parisian examples of the classic Art Nouveau style. It is also one of the only two original iconic metro entrances left in Paris (the other being at Porte Dauphine).

The Abbesses metro station

Castel Béranger (Art Nouveau)

Perceived as radical when designed by famous architect Guimard, the Castel Béranger ignited scorching debate reflecting the widespread resentment towards the Art Nouveau style at the time. Seen as perverse, breaking with all tradition and defying all convention, the building was considered a real nightmare – so much so that it was derisively renamed to Castel Dérangé (or The Deranged Castle). It fuelled controversy mostly because it defied conventional perception and did not fit into any familiar frame of reference – people just did not know how to judge it! The interplay of forms and mix of materials rendered all the more unusual this beautiful and enigmatic building resembling an enchanted castle. Both strange and foreign, it lacked French moderation and temperance and was never appreciated despite the fact that it had won the first prize in Paris’ “Concours de Facades” in 1898.

The enchantingly enigmatic Castel Béranger

Centre Pompidou and the Louvre Pyramid /Contemporary/

During the 20^th century, France appointed some ambitious “grands projets”, most of which attributed to the late president François Mitterrand. Considered controversial or even scandalous, these projects aimed to contemporize and revitalize the city were not well accepted. The concept of the Centre Pompidou (1977), Paris’s industrial-looking modern-art museum, was to “turn architecture inside out” by using exposed pipes, steel supports, and plastic-tube escalators marking its exterior. Another shock came with the Louvre’s glass pyramid (1989), anathematized as a “ridiculous piece of fantasy which would ruin the Louvre” and the Bibliothèque Francois Mitterand, housing knowledge in four glass towers the shape of each symbolizes an open book.

The inside-out world of the Pompidou centre

Paris, January 2014: Cherries trees blossom while the some Christmas trees still decorate the public squares

Seeing what we’re seeing?

Let’s demystify: these are not two pictures of Paris taken during two different seasons.

It is actually an objective report of those two seasons peacefully and simultaneously coexisting in Paris’ 15th arrondissement, a few streets apart.

So which season would you rather live in?

Spring or winter?

Amazingly, in Paris, this could be up to you…

So why not enjoy being the shadow weatherman and devise your personal weather forecast for a change?

S’embrasser n’est pas une mince affaire, en particulier dans une ville telle que Paris qui regorge de formidables occasions d’échanger des baisers !

Vous êtes tenté par un baiser de cinéma sur les hauteurs de Belleville ? Ou bien par un bisou « à la carte » dans les plus charmants cafés de Paris ? Ou encore par un baiser fougueux lors d’une croisière sur la Seine ?

Ne faites pas l’erreur de laisser au hasard ce moment privilégié, trouvez l’endroit idéal pour un baiser inoubliable grâce à notre guide du baiser romantique à Paris !

Testez-les tous pour savoir lequel est le plus doux…

Après tout, comme le proverbe le dit si bien, c’est en forgeant que l’on devient forgeron…

Un baiser sous le pont

La légende veut que si vous faites un vœu sous le joli pont Marie, aussi connu sous le nom de « pont des amoureux », il se réalisera ! Une fois sous ce pont extraordinaire composé de cinq arches différentes, comme le veut la tradition, embrassez la princesse ou le prince de votre coeur, faites un vœu et pourquoi ne pas le sceller par un autre baiser ? Si toute cette tendresse venait à aiguiser votre appétit, vous êtes au bon endroit : il vous suffit de traverser le pont pour vous régaler chez le meilleur glacier de la ville, la célèbre maison Berthillon sur l’île Saint-Louis !

Un baiser au milieu de la place

Paris regorge de merveilles et la place de Fürstenberg en est une ! Discrète, cette placette cachée au cœur du tumulte de Saint-Germain-des-Prés échappe facilement aux visiteurs non avertis. Destinée aux âmes romantiques, aux artistes et aux initiés, cette place, l’une des plus petites de Paris, tire son charme incomparable de son décor théâtral. La symétrie architecturale, les majestueux paulownias et l’énigmatique lampadaire à cinq globes donnent à ce lieu l’ambiance théâtrale propice à d’inoubliables répliques d’amour. Une fois le rideau tombé, n’attendez plus pour ravir un doux baiser à votre Juliette dans les coulisses de la plus charmante place de Paris !

Un baiser classique

Retrouvez votre bien-aimé(e) devant la magnifique façade de l’Hôtel de Ville pour réinterpréter un classique intemporel. Renommé pour son cliché emblématique de 1950, Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville, représentant un couple qui s’embrasse au beau milieu d’un trottoir encombré de passants, le légendaire photographe Robert Doisneau a passé la majeure partie de sa vie à immortaliser des scènes de rue « ordinaires », comme celle-ci. Toutefois, l’extraordinaire impact de cette photographie est qu’elle nous rappelle le caractère éphémère de l’existence, nous invitant à ne pas manquer les occasions de profiter de la vie, à embrasser l’élu de notre cœur et à lui dire que nous l’aimons. Alors, qu’attendez-vous ? Allez vite rejouer ce grand classique !

Un baiser sur l’île du roi 

Le square du Vert Galant doit son nom au roi Henri IV, surnommé le Vert-Galant en raison de ses innombrables maîtresses en dépit de son âge avancé. Situé à la pointe ouest de l’île de la Cité, sous le pont Neuf, le plus ancien pont de Paris, ce magnifique square est devenu l’un des lieux les plus prisés pour des balades romantiques où les amoureux se plaisent à observer le ballet des péniches et à contempler les paisibles vues de la Seine, du Musée du Louvre et du pont des Arts juste en face. Être au milieu de la Seine vous donne l’impression de faire une croisière sur un bateau qui s’est arrêté quelques instants pour vous permettre de profiter d’un moment idéal et d’échanger un baiser sous les ombrages du magnifique saule pleureur qui incarne à lui seul cette île si poétique…

Un baiser avec vue

Pour embrasser votre Valentin(e) dans un décor typiquement parisien, profitez d’un après-midi ensoleillé et rendez-vous au 9^e étage du Printemps où vous pourrez sortir le grand jeu : regards tendres, coupes de champagne et langoureux baisers devant le spectaculaire panorama qui s’étire de la tour Eiffel au Sacré-Cœur. Le lieu idéal pour mettre en scène vos baisers de carte postale avec les plus grands monuments parisiens en toile de fond…

Un baiser rétro

Perdus dans la foule ou précipités par le départ d’un train, les baisers d’adieu les plus doux restent ceux échangés sur le quai d’une gare. Masquant la promesse d’un « Nous nous reverrons », un baiser au charme rétro est encore plus romantique lorsque la magie du décor opère. Pour revivre la romance en noir et blanc du passé, échangez un long baiser avec votre bien-aimé(e) sur l’un des quais de la gare Montparnasse. Le train peut bien attendre…

Un baiser gothique

Les amateurs de romance gothique se réjouiront de faire un pèlerinage au Père-Lachaise pour s’embrasser devant le tombeau d’Héloïse et d’Abélard, deux figures emblématiques de l’amour. Si l’une des liaisons amoureuses les plus ardentes de l’histoire – l’amour interdit du philosophe Abélard et d’Héloïse, sa jeune et talentueuse étudiante, au XII^e siècle – a scandalisé la société d’alors, elle reste de nos jours une source d’inspiration par la passion spirituelle dont elle était empreinte. Émue par leur incroyable histoire, Joséphine Bonaparte ordonna que les dépouilles d’Héloïse et Abélard soient réunies dans un tombeau six cents ans après leur mort. Aujourd’hui encore, les amoureux du monde entier se recueillent devant leur tombe pour célébrer les retrouvailles des âmes des deux amants.

Un baiser artistique

Les férus de culture trouveront l’inspiration romantique parmi les sculptures de baisers du musée Rodin. Pour une interprétation passionnée de l’histoire de l’art, promenez-vous main dans la main dans le musée pour découvrir ce qui fait battre à l’unisson ces cœurs de pierre. Commencez votre visite par la sculpture en marbre Le Baiser et poursuivez en admirant les confessions sur la ferveur de l’amour dans les œuvres Adam et Ève, Paolo et Francesca dans les nuages, L’Éternel Printemps ou Vaine Tendresse. Enfin, défiez Rodin en devenant une œuvre d’art éphémère dans son musée et créez une sculpture vivante de vos deux corps entrelacés dans un baiser !

Romantisme sur mesure : montez au plus près des étoiles grâce à nos vols en hélicoptère

À l’approche de la Saint-Valentin, les Studios de Paris vous proposent une expérience inoubliable !

Profitez de notre toute dernière offre Escapade VIP et entrez dans la peau d’une célébrité grâce à nos vols en hélicoptère ou en jet privé vers la destination de votre choix, garantie 100 % sans paparazzi.

Grâce à nos offres de tourisme sur mesure (composées d’un atterrissage en hélicoptère sur une piste privée, sans paparazzi ni publicité inutile), vous pourrez découvrir des lieux que vous ne verrez jamais dans aucune publicité ou simplement goûter à la liberté d’être dans les airs et d’apprécier le cadre romantique d’un vol en hélicoptère pour deux !

Mêlant aventure et vues sensationnelles, les Studios de Paris ont concocté l’offre de vol idéale pour votre journée spéciale en amoureux.

Après avoir survolé des paysages à couper le souffle et vous être familiarisé avec le monde vu d’en haut, qui sait, vous trouverez peut-être le courage de faire votre demande ?

Prenez de la hauteur avec cette escapade romantique idéale et laissez-nous vous emmener sur la lune ou au-delà !

Pour rendre cette expérience unique encore plus exceptionnelle, le pilote le plus qualifié de la planète, le légendaire Michel Anglade, nous fera l’honneur d’être l’un des pilotes d’hélicoptère et de jet des Studios de Paris. Totalisant plus de 23 000 heures de vol, M. Anglade a été le pilote privé du président Georges Pompidou, de Thierry Sabine (le fondateur du Paris-Dakar) et du célèbre directeur de cascades Rémi Julienne, entre autres. À présent, c’est à votre tour de découvrir ce que c’est d’explorer les airs en compagnie de ce pilote de légende !

Éric Klichowski  notre ‘in-house pilot’ d’hélicoptère et de jet privé vous expliquera en quelques mots  notre toute nouvelle offre Escapade VIP :

Qu’offrons-nous précisément à nos clients dans notre offre Escapade VIP ?

Grâce à notre hélicoptère, nous pouvons vous proposer une sélection variée d’offres de tourisme personnalisées avec des horaires de départ flexibles, en fonction de vos préférences. Nous pouvons organiser des vols sur mesure vers n’importe quelle destination, de Paris la huppée et Versailles la royale aux châteaux de la Loire, en passant par les vignobles ensoleillés du Bordelais ou les cimes enneigées des Alpes. Nous pouvons même organiser un inoubliable Tour de France par les airs, sur quelques jours, en faisant halte dans quelques-uns des plus prestigieux Relais & Châteaux de France.

Avec notre avion, vous pouvez choisir n’importe quelle destination en Europe au départ de Paris, notamment les tout nouveaux lieux de villégiature VIP au Portugal, en Italie et à Ibiza.

With our plane, any flight from Paris to anywhere in Europe is possible (including drop-offs in Studios Paris’ newest celebrity resorts in Portugal, Italy and Ibiza).

How does the aero-transfer work for our celebrity destinations? 

We can organize all the transportation (taxis, cars, airport pick-ups) for our clients and then privately fly them straight to their selected destination by helicopter or plane. In some cases – should there be enough space for a safe landing – we can even land in your resort’s very own private garden!

Is there anything our clients should know before hopping on board?

First of all, do you suffer from air sickness?  Despite being an unforgettable experience, 15 hours in 3 days around France might be a really long flight time for the non-experienced flyer. Secondly, you should know that we have the right to postpone or cancel any flight for the sake of our guests’ safety. For all sensation-loving thrill-seekers, we can stage a 10-minute simulation of a combat flight (consisting of safe yet realistic physical recreation of military aircraft’s operations) which is something you’ll never forget!

Comment se déroulent les transferts aériens vers nos destinations VIP ?

Nous pouvons organiser tous les transferts (taxis, voitures, navettes pour l’aéroport) pour nos clients et les emmener directement par hélicoptère ou par avion à la destination de leur choix. Dans certains cas, à condition qu’il y ait suffisamment d’espace pour un atterrissage en toute sécurité, nous pouvons même atterrir dans le jardin privatif de votre lieu de villégiature !

Que doivent savoir nos clients avant de monter à bord ?

Premièrement, souffrez-vous de mal de l’air ? Bien qu’il s’agisse d’une expérience inoubliable, 15 heures de vol en 3 jours dans toute la France peuvent s’avérer relativement éprouvantes pour le passager inexpérimenté. Deuxièmement, sachez que nous nous réservons le droit de reporter ou d’annuler tous les vols pour votre sécurité.

Quel est le plus bel endroit à voir du ciel pour un couple d’amoureux ?

Les côtes de Bretagne, le Mont-Saint-Michel, les Alpes, les châteaux de France… Quand il y a de l’amour dans l’air, tout mérite d’être vu !

Pour plus d’informations sur notre offre Escapade VIP, contactez Eric Klichowski  à l’adresse  services(@)studiosparis.net

Kissing is a serious affair – especially in a city like Paris which abounds in marvelous kissing opportunities!

Feeling tempted by a movie-like kiss on the hills of Belleville? Or a peck “à la carte” in Paris’ most charming cafés?  Or a daring smack on the lips while cruising the Seine?

Don’t commit the crime to leave that special moment to chance, find the right spot for the perfect kiss with our romantic kissers’ guide of Paris!

And do try them all to see which one tastes best…

After all, that’s how the saying goes – practice makes perfect, right?

Under the bridge

Legend has it that if you make a wish under the pretty Pont Marie (also known as “the lovers’ bridge”) it is bound to come true! Once beneath this extraordinary bridge with five unique arches, follow the old tradition to kiss the person next to you, make a wish and why not seal it with another kiss? If all this caressing happens to whet your appetite, you’re in the right place to be – just go over the bridge and treat yourself to the best ice cream in town – Ile Saint Louis’ famous Berthillon!

In the middle of the square

Paris is full of little wonders and Place de Furstenberg is one such very fine example! This serenely secret square hidden in the heart of Saint Germain-des-Près’ hustle and bustle is easy to miss for the non-initiated. Meant for romantic souls, artists and insiders only, one of the tiniest squares in Paris derives its incomparable charm from its chamber theatre setting – the architectural symmetry, the paulownia trees and the enigmatic solo lamp with five lanterns all give the space this matchless and intimately theatrical ambiance needed for the staging of the perfect dialogue of love… Just wait for the final curtain to fall and share a gentle kiss with your Juliette right “behind the scenes” of Paris’ most charming square!

Restaging the classics

Meet your sweetheart in front of Hotel de Ville’s gorgeous façade to restage an eternal classic.  Renowned for his iconic 1950 photo Le baiser de l’Hôtel de ville (Kiss by the Hôtel de Ville) – a picture of a couple kissing in the dizzy streets of Paris – the legendary French photographer Robert Doisneau spent a great deal of his life shooting “ordinary” street scenes, just like this one. The extraordinary impact of this very image, however, remains in that it reminds us of how short life is, prompting us not to miss the opportunities to enjoy life, kiss your chosen one and tell them you love them. So what are you waiting for? Go have your personal remake of this grand classic instantly!

On the king’s island

Founded in tribute to Henri IV and his countless mistresses, the Square du Vert Galant owes its name to the king’s legendary womanizing which had earned him the nickname of Le Vert Galant (a literary expression describing a man chasing after women despite his advanced age). Located in the center of the capital, right under the oldest bridge in Paris (Le Pont-Neuf), this pretty little island has become a legendary spot for romantic strolls where loving couples take delight in admiring the passing boats and sink in the peaceful views of the Seine, the Louvre Museum and the romantic Pont des Arts just in front.  Being in the middle of the Seine gives you the impression of cruising on a boat which has stood still for a moment or two so you could enjoy your perfect moment and share a kiss under the dreamy shadows of the pretty weeping willow epitomizing this poetic island…

A kiss with a view

To kiss “your honey valentine” in an ultimately Parisian setting, wait for a sunny afternoon and climb up to the 9^th floor of Printemps where you can alternate romantic glances, clinks of champagne glasses and kiss-sharing in front of the spectacular vistas stretching from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré Coeur. An ideal place to stage your “private postcard” kisses with most major Parisian monuments serving as your personal romantic backdrop…

Retro kissing

Lost in the crowds or hastened by the trains, the most tender farewell kisses remain those exchanged on the railway platforms, just before the train leaves. Hiding the promise of “We will meet again”, a retro-scented kiss becomes even more romantic when the setting is right. To live the black-and-white romance of the past, share a long kiss with your beloved one on one of Montparnasse railway station platforms. The train can wait…

Gothic kissing

Those of you who get a kick out of gothic romance might want to make a pilgrimage to Père Lachaise to kiss in front of the mutual grave of love icons Heloise and Abelard. One of history’s most passionate and tender love affairs – the forbidden love of 12^th century philosopher Abelard and his young and gifted student Heloise – has scandalized society back then but continues to inspire with its spiritual intimacy to this very day. Moved by their incredible story, Josephine Bonaparte ordered that Heloise and Abelard’s remains be entombed together six hundred years after their death. Today lovers from all over the world visit their tomb to celebrate the fact that the souls of the two lovers have been finally reunited.

Artistic kissing

All culture vultures can find romantic inspiration among the kissing sculptures in Rodin’s museum. For a passionate take on art history, take a hand-in-hand tour to discover what makes those hearts of stone beat in sacred unison. You can start with the iconic marble Le Baiser (The Kiss) and proceed with the fervent love confessions to be found in Adam and Eve, Paolo and Francesca, Eternal Spring or Vain Tenderness. Finally, defy Rodin by being the ephemeral artwork in his own museum and create a living sculpture with your own two loving selves entangled in a kiss!

Fly under the rainbow with our bespoke romantic helicopter tours  

With Saint Valentine’s Day approaching, Studios Paris proposes you the experience of a lifetime!

Benefit from our latest custom-made Celebrity Getaway Offer and live the life of a true celebrity with our private airplane or helicopter flights which can drop you off at a secluded paparazzi-safe destination of your choice!

With our bespoke sightseeing packages (featuring helicopter landing on private runway, no paparazzi  and no undue publicity), you can discover places you could never find in any advertisement or simply experience the freedom of being in the air and enjoying the romance of a unique private helicopter ride for two!

Blending adventure and marvelous views to last a lifetime, Studios Paris concocts the perfect flight package for your special day as a couple.

After passing over all kinds of scenic beauties and getting up intimate with the world from above, who knows, you might even get courageous enough to pop the question?

Reach for the sky with this perfect private romantic getaway for two and let us fly you to the Moon or beyond!

What makes this unique experience even more exceptional is that the planet’s most qualified pilot, the legendary Michel Anglade, will be one of Studios Paris’ honored helicopter and jet guest pilots. Having over 23 000 hours of helicopter flight experience, Anglade has been the private pilot of French President Pompidou, Thierry Sabine (the founder of The Dakar Rally) and the famous stunt director Rémi Julienne, among others. Now it is your turn to discover what it is like to explore the skies in the company of the flying legend that he is!

Highly trained, Eric Klichowski is Studios Paris’ second private airplane and helicopter pilot who can take you just anywhere in the world.  In charge of our newest Celebrity Getaway Offer, he presents all the opportunities offered by Studios Paris’ aero-transfers.

What precisely do we offer our clients in terms of Celebrity Getaway services?

With our helicopter, we can deliver a diverse selection of bespoke sightseeing packages with flexible departure times, depending on your preferences. We can organize “custom-made” flights to anywhere in the world – starting from posh Paris and royal Versailles and buzzing over the historical châteaux  of the Loire River, the sunlit valleys of the Bordeaux vineyards or the snow-covered peaks of the Alps… We can even stage the unforgettable “Tour de France”-inspired flight (which lasts a few days) and reside in some of France’s prestigious Relais & Chateaux by night.

With our plane, any flight from Paris to anywhere in Europe is possible (including drop-offs in Studios Paris’ newest celebrity resorts in Portugal, Italy and Ibiza).

How does the aero-transfer work for our celebrity destinations? 

We can organize all the transportation (taxis, cars, airport pick-ups) for our clients and then privately fly them straight to their selected destination by helicopter or plane. In some cases – should there be enough space for a safe landing – we can even land in your resort’s very own private garden!

Is there anything our clients should know before hopping on board?

First of all, do you suffer from air sickness?  Despite being an unforgettable experience, 15 hours in 3 days around France might be a really long flight time for the non-experienced flyer. Secondly, you should know that we have the right to postpone or cancel any flight for the sake of our guests’ safety. For all sensation-loving thrill-seekers, we can stage a 10-minute simulation of a combat flight (consisting of safe yet realistic physical recreation of military aircraft’s operations) which is something you’ll never forget!

 What is the benefit of flying with Studios Paris? 

Giving you the chance to experience panoramic views and admire impressive landmarks from a fresh viewpoint, a helicopter ride with Studios Paris is probably the most exciting way to live out your private fantasy of flying with your loved one to a destination of your choice!

 What is the best place to see from above for a romantic couple?

The sea coast in Brittany, the Mont Saint Michel, The Alps, France’s châteaux… When Love is in the air, it is all worth seeing!

For more information on our Celebrity Getaway Offer, please contact Eric Klichowski at services(@)studiosparis.net

Feeling in the mood for love this St. Valentine’s Day?

If so, we at Studios Paris know just the perfect love nest for you to fly to!

With a balcony encircling the apartment and allowing lovebirds of all feathers to enjoy breathtaking views from every room, L’Envol has this heartfelt appeal which makes it so hard to resist.

Celebrating the idealistic side of life, this exclusive romantic “gift basket” really does have it all – from a picturesque and private terrace offering amazing vistas over the whole city of Paris and the Sacré Coeur to a cozy interior with a charming fireplace emanating warmth and sweetness!

Envol’s cozy living room

Located on the 5th floor of an elegant Parisian building – with a lift and a concierge – the apartment is a real gem for the romantically inclined.

Relaxing and traditional, L’Envol charms the senses with a homey feel and unpretentious style.

An essential element, wood creates a cozy, snug atmosphere and evokes a longing for the past with its refined presence throughout the apartment.

Envol’s kitchen

L’Envol’s sitting room has a lounge area and an open bedroom which can be separated with a curtain.

Conducive to rest and relaxation, the flat’s creamy white walls glow with a particular softness and keep the romantic look as sophisticated as possible, yet jazzing it up with the lively golden yellow shades of the sofa and the curtains.

Complemented by the apartment’s natural brightness, the mild furniture colours add soft romantic touches and contribute to the overall aesthetics of the space.

L’Envol’s main room holds the dining area and an open kitchen.

In this updated take on the classical romantic look, the completely equipped American kitchen features an open bar corner with two bar stools – a sight which instantly creates an intimate mood and gives the space a snug feel.

And if romance was all about cuddling and snuggling up, then one of the best ways to extend this feel would be through the natural beauty of the fireplace creating a bewitching mood and setting a romantic scene in L’Envol’s sitting room.

Cherry on the cake?

Watching the Eiffel Tower glitter while falling asleep…

An open-air breakfast on your private terrace and a nonchalant chat with Paris on the morning after would be another great way to create instant romance.

Residing in the heart of historical Montmartre, you will enjoy the charming and authentic local life and most notably, the feeling of “flying” over Paris while making a toast for you beloved one…

People who fall for romance will fall hard for L’Envol, the indispensable first step to truly believing in your “happily ever after”…

To rent L’Envol or search for more of our romantic havens, please write to bookings(@)studiosparis.net

No Saint Valentine’s Day would be complete without a genuine and moving true love story.

The view from Million Dollar View’s terrace and the pink champagne for our clients’ first toast as an engaged couple

And we are particularly honored to tell you this one, as it took place in one of Studios Paris’ gorgeous designer apartments!

Rita, a New York actress who specializes in voice training, public speaking and interviewing skills, agreed to share this one special moment in her life when she found herself to be “lost for words” for a change!

So if you crave some fine romance, grab a box of chocolates and sink in her amusing tale to discover how she got proposed during her stay in fabulous Paris!

How did you come across Studios Paris in the first place? Did you enjoy your stay with us?

I have always loved Montmartre with its winding streets, village-like charm and incredible history.   A few years ago, I was on a trip alone and found myself wandering around la Butte and came upon the offices of Studios Paris.  I tucked away the idea of staying in an apartment in Montmartre and so just a few years later, when my boyfriend had a business trip in Paris, I joined him for a few days where we rented Million Dollar View.  With its gorgeous view of the city, this apartment couldn’t be more romantic.

How did you react when he proposed? Did you expect this?

The night of our arrival,  we took a walk through the charming streets of Montmartre when out of nowhere my boyfriend started acting just a little bit strangely…  he suddenly seemed to be obsessed with and highly critical of ill-placed garbage cans and groups of tourists of any size.  I figured it was the jet lag until he sat me down on a stone wall overlooking the steps and the beautiful city and asked me a little question to which I said “yes”.  (The strange behavior has since subsided.) The picture above is the view from our terrace and the pink champagne for our first toast as an engaged couple.

In which apartment did you stay? Was it “romantic-friendly”?

Since our marriage we have stayed at Million Dollar View every time we come to Paris and it now feels like our very own Paris home.   One of our favorite things to do is to wander the streets and find delicious things to eat.  We love to cook and so staying in an apartment is perfect for us.  Now when we stay at Million Dollar View we head down to Rue Lepic and pick up some seafood, or a quiche or some incredible Greek food from the traiteur and then bring it back to eat dinner on the terrace and watch the sun set…

What is the most unconventionally romantic thing to do in Paris?

Truly the best part of “Million Dollar View” is watching the city below.  Whether it’s with your cafe au lait in the morning or champagne at night, looking down at the graceful sloping mansard roofs and the Eiffel Tower rising in the distance you feel truly part of this magnificent city.  It is so beautiful in fact, you just may skip the Louvre and stay in all day… and you won’t even feel guilty about it!

A walk on the foggy side of the street

Romantic and poetic yet strangely obscure, the lyrically named Allée des Brouillards (The Alley of Mists) and the eponymous Chateau des Brouillards which borders it are two Montmartre legends which seem to have remained surprisingly untouched by touristic interest…

This charming area appreciated by artists like the poet Nerval, the painter Modigliani and the filmmaker Jean Renoir to name but a few, is now a must-see for love pilgrims searching to relive the rural and picturesque spirit of the hill of yesteryear.

A rare find, the Alley and Castle of Mists form the perfect choice for an inspired and contemplative walk for two or a romantic pause away from the crowds of Montmartre.

Their enigmatic name goes a few centuries back when a farm and a windmill named “Les Brouillards” occupied the same location.  The “mists” in question probably originated from the water vapours emanating from the numerous springs located in the small plateau and forming a cloak of mist when in contact with the fresh air.

In 1772, an advocate from the Paris Parliament bought the ruins of the mill and its surrounding area of 7000 m2 to build a small “folie” (a suburban building in the form of a castle, built to satisfy a fancy often of an eccentric kind) which he called The Castle of Mists.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the chateau’s servants’ quarters deteriorated significantly. The park and its gardens were invaded by vagrants and gypsies and turned gradually into a wasteland which later became part of the famous “maquis de Montmartre”, so dear to the nostalgic residents of the hill.

Falling to abandonment, in the 1890s the property was occupied by poor artists like Steinlein, Poulbot and Van Dongen who were neighbours with Modigliani and Renoir living in the shacks on the opposite side of this improvised shanty town.

Nevertheless, the same unfortunate slum happened to prevent the destruction of the chateau by the City of Paris, which had originally planned to demolish it in order to connect the parallel Rue Girardon and Rue Simon Dereure. Instead, a small alley was opened to connect the two streets in 1929, more popular today as the charming Allée des Brouillards.

Purchased by the composer and violinist Marius Casadeus in 1928, the Castle of Mists was thus saved and restored to its original beauty.

Yet all those artistic ghosts of the past probably still haunt this magical place, which exudes a special charm to this very day.

That’s why seeing an affectionate couple sharing soft whispers while sitting on the stone balustrades of this tiny alley is not such a rare sight, especially for those loving souls who happen to have a knack for finding the right place in the right time…

The official excuse to indulge in our Paris’ finger-licking good chocolate tour!

The meaning:   chocolatier = master chocolate maker

The history:

The French do take their chocolate seriously! With more gourmet chocolate shops in Paris than in any other city in the world, master artisan chocolatiers have never stopped amazing or delighting us with their extraordinary chocolate creations. From high-end old-time chocolatiers to independent artisans rethinking old-fashioned recipes and competing in creativity, Paris has become a chocolate lover’s paradise of sorts! Distinguished for its superiority and originality, dark chocolate is one of French chocolate artisans’ specialties, as are ganaches: chocolates with rich, velvety centers. Let Paris’ cocoa experts and their succulent creations take your taste buds on a journey of discovery, as romantic as it could get…

The must-tries:

For a taste of a world-famous traditional ganache, head straight to La Maison du Chocolat. Those on the fun-loving side should give a chance to Michel Chaudun’s chocolate “sausages”. Savvy collectors can stuff their bags with chocolate memorabilia, including Jospehine Vannier’s chocolate masks and mini-grand pianos, Michel Chaudun’s (slightly cheaper than the original) chocolate Hermès Kelly bags or Rochoux’s sweet garden gnomes, bronze emperors’ busts or exotic animals that promise not to bite! You’re in it for the flavour? Then go wild with Paris’ imaginatively flavoured ganaches: Pierre Hermé’s orange and balsamic vinegar, Rochoux’s basil ganache, or Marcolini’s refreshing thyme-orange, Earl Grey tea and violet. For more unusual stuff, sample Richart’s star anise, fennel and curry or Christian Constant’s ganaches scented with jasmine, ylang-ylang and verbena.

The curious fact:

Consider yourself a classics’ lover who would only order what the “celebrities” before him did? Then go dip your pinkie in the divine flavours of Debauve & Gallais, Paris’ oldest chocolate shop and a gorgeous historical monument of 200 years ago, where Balzac, Proust and Brillat-Savarin went to satisfy their cocoa cravings…

Some like it hot:

If you’d rather enjoy a cup of decadent hot chocolate in the company of your beau or belle, Angelina’s belle époque salon located under the archways of the posh Rue Rivoli might be your thing! Their specialty is the velvety “African” hot chocolate, which teams well with their most popular dessert, the Mont Blanc, an island of meringue topped with whipped cream and sweet chestnut. Prepare for long queues, though, and preferably go during the week!

Not to be missed:

For a really personal chocolate-related experience, visit the shop of the sweetest woman in Paris! With her plaited pig-tails, necktie and pleated kilt, it’s always a pleasure to come across Madame Denise Acabo, famous all over the world as an authority figure in all chocolate matters. In her charming shop “A L’Etoile d’Or” on 30, Rue Pierre Fontaine, she will charm you with her bright and informative descriptions of each bonbon in her vast collection featuring a variety of chocolates from France’s best artisans. Another unique and unusual place to pay a chocolate pilgrimage to would be the chocolateries of Patrick Roger. On his eccentric shop windows huge chocolate sculptures raise awareness of animal species on the brink of extinction profits from the sales of which are donated to numerous charities.  This year’s highlight, the hippopotamus (at 7 m in length and 4 tons in weight), was all carved by hand and took about a year to complete!

Retrouvez les Studios de Paris en plein cœur des Pouilles

Enthousiasmée par l’esprit du printemps, la saison des nouveaux commencements, l’équipe des Studios de Paris a elle aussi choisi de se lancer dans une toute nouvelle entreprise !

Avec le lancement de notre dernier projet, la construction de deux villas jumelles privées dans les Pouilles, une région historique et authentique de l’Italie, nous sommes sur le point d’enrichir notre offre locative déjà très attrayante.

Véritable défi en soi, le projet de création d’un complexe VIP à l’étranger est le premier investissement de ce type pour les Studios de Paris, mais certainement pas le dernier…

Basé près de Manduria, à deux kilomètres de la mer, le projet prévoit la construction de deux villas jumelles en plein cœur de trois hectares d’oliveraies : un complexe exceptionnel qui, luxe suprême, offre tout loisir de s’évader du quotidien !

Quelque part entre les oliveraies au parfum divin et le bleu infini de la mer Ionienne (dotée de plages parmi les plus sauvages et les plus isolées qui soient), votre future villa privata promet d’être le lieu idéal pour une escapade romantique ou (ré)créative loin du quotidien…

Pour une reproduction authentique du fameux cliché de la grande famille italienne, n’hésitez pas à louer les deux villas ensemble. Double dose assurée de rire, de bonne humeur et de plaisir estival !

Laissez le charme rustique de nos villas de vacances opérer pour apprécier une petite tranche de vie apulienne.

Grâce à la situation géographique idéale de notre complexe, vous pourrez aisément rayonner dans toute la région. À vous la magie de l’Italie !

Commencez par explorer la ville de Manduria et sa source magique mentionnée dès le 1^er siècle ap. J-C par Pline l’Ancien, écrivain et naturaliste romain à qui elle doit son nom : Fonte pliniano. Cette source souterraine (dont le volume n’a jamais changé, quelles que soient les quantités d’eau prélevées) est encore visible aujourd’hui, fidèle aux descriptions datant de 2 000 ans, un amandier poussant en son centre…

Les activités touristiques ne manquent pas dans les Pouilles. N’hésitez pas à quitter la villa pour sillonner les environs à la journée. Visitez Lecce à juste titre surnommée « la Florence baroque » (à 50 km) ou Oria (à 10 km), l’un des nombreux villages baroques de la région. Vous pouvez également vous rendre à Monopoli, de l’autre côté du talon de la botte. Découvrez la magnifique ville portuaire de Bari (à 142 km) et le labyrinthe des ruelles étroites de son centre historique ou émerveillez-vous devant les énigmatiques trulli d’Alberobello (des habitations de pierre sèche surmontées de toits coniques, classées au patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco) à 67 km à peine de votre lieu de séjour. Vous pouvez aussi choisir de profiter de vos trois hectares de jardins privatifs sur lesquels se dresse un trullo d’origine, entièrement rénové, que vous pourrez utiliser en tant que maison d’accueil.

Pour une courte pause riche d’expériences et de convivialité, empruntez les routes bordées d’oliviers des Pouilles pour découvrir le charme de ses villages authentiques ou prenez la direction de ses plages baignées d’un soleil radieux.

Partez à la rencontre des Apuliens en vous rendant dans l’un des nombreux festivals d’été de la région. Au rythme de la musique populaire jouée par l’orchestre installé sur la piazza de chaque ville, dansez et dégustez de délicieuses spécialités locales vendues directement dans les rues. Laissez-vous tenter par cette Dolce Vita et souriez, vous êtes filmé !

Découvrez nos régions préférées d’Italie avec les Studios de Paris !

Dès ce printemps, chantez comme un rossignol grâce à nos tout nouveaux cours de bel canto !

Comme en témoigne le budget de l’Opéra de Paris, l’un des plus élevés au niveau international, la France est le mécène et le leader mondial des arts du spectacle. Et Paris n’est-elle pas l’une des capitales mondiales de l’art ?

Habituée à accueillir des chanteurs d’opéra et des passionnés de musique du monde entier, l’équipe des Studios de Paris souhaite faire perdurer cette tradition en multipliant les occasions de ponctuer de musique la vie de ses clients qui ont la fibre artistique.

Inspirée par l’arrivée du printemps, le moment propice pour découvrir de nouveaux horizons, l’équipe actualise son réseau immobilier en intégrant plus d’appartements équipés d’un piano et offre aux clients la possibilité de participer à des cours de chant peu ordinaires qui honorent l’esthétique de la renaissance vocale.

Enseigné en français et en anglais, ce voyage mélodique vers les terres sacrées d’une tradition vocale disparue est destiné aux chanteurs professionnels comme aux débutants.  Animé par Thalia Carouza, le seul professeur en France formé à cette méthode, le cours développe la puissance de la voix naturelle qui a fait la splendeur de chanteurs d’opéra comme Beniamino Gigli, considéré comme l’un des plus grands ténors de l’histoire de la musique et mondialement reconnu pour l’immense beauté et la parfaite maîtrise de sa technique vocale.

Aux Studios de Paris, nous considérons ce cours de bel canto comme une forme de pèlerinage esthétique et en le proposant à nos clients, nous réaffirmons notre vocation de rendre la vie plus belle et restons fidèles à notre mission de préserver les technologies pouvant contribuer à la beauté.

* * *

Thalia Carouza est diplômée de l’École normale de musique de Paris et a complété sa formation professionnelle par des cours de piano et d’art dramatique au théâtre de l’Inspiration. En 1997, elle rencontre David Kauffman, fondateur de la School of Natural Voice (l’École de la voix naturelle) aux États-Unis, à Londres et à Paris, qui lui enseigne l’art lyrique dans la pure tradition italienne dont étaient issus Antonio Cotogni, Riccardo Daviési et Herbert Ceasari. Thalia est l’héritière d’une tradition vocale datant des 18^e et 19^e siècles, disparue au 20^e siècle. Ces techniques de l’ancienne tradition italienne du chant sont basées sur les lois de l’acoustique et s’appliquent à tous les styles (pop, jazz, blues, rock, classique). La soprano se produit régulièrement et a donné des concerts dans de nombreuses cathédrales en France, en Grande-Bretagne et en Espagne. Elle a également participé à plusieurs festivals en France et à l’étranger et se produira prochainement à Paris et dans le Loiret.

Comment a commencé votre relation avec la musique ?

Très jeune, j’ai découvert l’univers de la musique classique en admirant la virtuosité des grands compositeurs, en particulier ceux de la période romantique. Ma passion pour l’opéra est née très rapidement à l’écoute des grandes voix de notre époque. J’ai découvert les chanteurs lyriques du début du 20^e siècle un peu plus tard, lorsque j’ai entrepris des études de musique et après avoir rencontré David Kauffman, l’homme qui allait devenir mon professeur et mari.

Qu’est-ce qui singularise la technique de chant que vous enseignez ?

David a fait des recherches approfondies sur les techniques de chant de l’ancienne école italienne qui ont marqué les grands chanteurs d’opéra du siècle dernier. Son enseignement était basé sur une tradition du chant d’un lointain passé, qui respecte la beauté et la puissance de la voix humaine. Oubliés depuis longtemps, le timbre et les nuances des voix naturelles sont rarement entendus de nos jours, mais autrefois, tous les chanteurs de renom avaient en commun cette particularité très appréciée du public. Véhiculant un « son exprimant une sonorité désincarnée » (le son semble provenir de toutes les parties du corps à l’exception du chanteur et paraît flotter, suspendu dans l’espace), cette technique basée sur les lois de l’acoustique a permis à la voix humaine d’atteindre la tessiture la plus étendue qui soit sans risque de distorsion. Le chanteur guidait mentalement les vibrations qui changeaient de direction en fonction de la voyelle ou de la note chantée. Malheureusement, cette glorieuse tradition datant de l’âge d’or du chant a disparu il y a un siècle. Les recherches de David Kauffman ont permis de redécouvrir cette voix spirituelle qui inspire l’artiste et lui procure une sensation de liberté ressentie lorsqu’il chante.

Qui peut pratiquer cette technique ? Faut-il avoir des compétences musicales particulières pour suivre vos cours ?

Quiconque peut parler peut chanter ! De nombreuses personnes qui ont travaillé avec des professeurs incompétents ou qui ont été exposées à des critiques infondées peuvent finir par penser qu’elles ne peuvent pas chanter. Tout le monde peut chanter du moment que l’enseignement est de qualité. Il n’est donc pas obligatoire d’avoir des connaissances musicales pour s’inscrire à nos cours de chant. Les cours sont ouverts à tous et la technique s’applique à tous les styles, notamment le jazz, le blues, le rock, le folk, la pop et le classique. Les étudiants progressent très rapidement et les résultats sont au rendez-vous dès la toute première leçon.

Quelle est la structure d’un cours ? Comment se déroule-t-il ?

En principe, chaque session dure une heure, mais vous pouvez choisir des sessions de 30 minutes, en fonction de vos besoins et de vos disponibilités. Dans la dernière partie du cours, les étudiants chantent un morceau dans lequel ils comblent le fossé entre la technique acquise et leur propre interprétation du morceau.

Pourquoi suivre ce cours ?

L’objectif primordial de l’art du chant est de transmettre des émotions au public. Les personnes qui maîtrisent cet art en tireront d’inestimables avantages en termes de développement personnel. Véritable outil pour renforcer la confiance en soi, le chant est un passeport pour mieux communiquer avec les autres dans la vie personnelle et professionnelle et puiser de l’inspiration, de la créativité et de la joie dans le plaisir d’avoir une nouvelle corde à son arc.

Pour les professionnels, la technique vocale qu’enseigne Thalia Carouza aux Studios de Paris permet d’inscrire les carrières dans la durée en évitant les problèmes que rencontrent aujourd’hui les plus belles voix du monde après une vingtaine d’années d’intenses représentations.

Notre offre garantit des cours sur mesure et un programme dont le rythme adapté à l’emploi du temps de nos clients.

Pour vous inscrire ou en savoir plus sur nos cours de bel canto, contactez-nous:  http://www.paris-apartment-rent.com/contact.htm

Celebrate the arrival of spring in Montmartre’s historic “La Maison Rose”

With the trees finally into leaf now, we all feel the urge to make up for lost time and forget about the weeks of endless rain, cloudy skies and unfriendly weather we have been tolerating for so long…

One of the best ways to declare war on winter (and to invite spring for breakfast!) is to add some colour to our life!

Rosy pink, one of springtime’s indubitable favorites, comes first to mind when we wish to perk up our day and make it more energetic, vibrant and bright.

And to complete the seasonal equation, let’s try adding the colour pink to a fresh morning walk through the cobbled streets of Montmartre until your steps mysteriously take you to…   La Maison Rose!

Just like a spring flower having freshly sprouted above the ground, this charming little restaurant with a distinctive rosy colour which makes it impossible not to notice, can well become your personal celebration of spring on the hill!

Situated just north of the crowded Place du Tertre, this relic of Montmartre’s golden days frequented by Picasso and Gertrude Stein is a vestige of the fin de siècle.

Stopping by for a glass of rosé would certainly make you feel initiated to the artistic past of the area, even if in a small way.

All the more so when knowing that this quintessential Montmartre bistro had once lured painter Utrillo to capture its perky spirit and immortalize it forever in one of his paintings now proudly exhibited in San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art.

Today this “très coquet” abode located in a rosy pink house on the corner of two streets is the perfect spot to hang out and enjoy the more invisible part of the hill, dotted with winding streets, ivy walls and even a vineyard!

Ideal for daydreaming, cozying up with a book, planning the rest of your day with a map or sharing romantic glances over the rim of your glass, La Maison Rose is your invitation to discovering the “Parisian village” against the flow. What adds to the charm, is the café’s romantic terrace, which permits you to discover the real Montmartre off the beaten track and in an exclusively pastoral setting.

Discovering one of Montmartre’s cozy little secrets, a stop at the Maison Rose will help you experience the genuine Montmartre, with a decidedly less touristic feel, but all the more dreamy for it.

The ideal spot for an aperitif as the sun sets or for a café crème in the rosy afternoon, this is the place to visit if you want to rejoice in the fact of being in Paris, Montmartre, during the spring when everything is beautiful and budding with life…

An Easter rendez-vous with the capital’s world-famous “friendly demons”

The meaning:                   gargouille = gargoyle

The history:                       Representing animals or imaginary monstrous creatures, gargoyles have always intrigued us with their baffling petrifying looks. Eerie and fascinating, they are believed to date back to the 12th century. Widespread all over Europe, these stone grotesques undertook the important role of illustrating some Biblical parables to the largely illiterate Middle Ages’ crowds.

The function:                    Curiously, gargoyles were initially created for a practical purpose. Designed to convey rainwater away from the sides of a building so as to prevent it from running down and eroding the church façades, they were used to reduce the potential damage a rainstorm could be causing on buildings. Originating from the French word “gargouille”, the term “gargoyle” most likely represents the gurgling sound of water passing through those water sprouts.

The symbolic significance:

Apart from their technical purpose, the statues were thought to have another, more heavenly mission. Said to scare evil spirits away from churches thanks to their terrifying appearance, gargoyles were seen as the keepers of Good, appointed to reassure the faithful that salvation is to be found inside the places of worship where the Devil could not enter. Legend has it that you could even hear the gargoyles shriek should an evil spirit approach the church walls, be it a visible (witches, wizards and demons) or an invisible one…

The reactions:                  Paradoxically, there was a time when the poor stone creatures were received with mixed feelings even by the church itself! Seen as a form of idolatry, all these “grotesque, horrific, fantastic creatures with eagles’ beaks and wings” became suddenly unpopular with the medieval clergy. Known as their fervent opponent, St. Bernard of Clairvaux became famous for his 12^th-century quote: “What is the meaning of these unclean monkeys, these strange savage lions, and monsters?”

The curious fact:              Interestingly this was not the end of the “anti-gargoyle movement”!  In the late 1700s, architects ostracized gargoyles so much that they had the Notre Dame and other Parisian Gothic buildings stripped of “devils, dragons and other grotesqueries”. Fortunately for us, during the 1800s all ornaments were restored back to their original perches.

Not to be missed:           Undeniably, Paris’ most illustrious gargoyles ornate the façade of the Notre Dame cathedral. As in any other Gothic building, here too nothing is due to chance and each sculpture encloses a hidden or esoteric meaning, where gargoyles and chimeras take on certain roles. Here is our short selection of the famed cathedral’s notoriously gothic cast.

“The pensive demon” or the strix is Notre Dame’s best known chimera. Originally combining the features of a woman and a bird, this kind of ancient demon which used to haunt cemeteries now observes the world with nostalgia, as if musing over the time of sorcery and magic to which it once belonged.

Portrayed with a long beard, anxious eyes and mouth wide open, the statue of the Wandering Jew was inspired by a medieval legend. According to the story, on his way to the crucifixion, Jesus met a shoemaker and asked him for help. The man spat in Christ’s face instead. As a punishment, he was condemned to wander endlessly through the world, lonely and hopeless, without ever being able to find rest even after his death…

Cerberus, the three-headed dog, is an underworld creature believed to be guarding the doors of hell. His sickly appearance gives it a disturbing look evoking the time of epidemics, famines, fear and uncertainty Paris has long gone through.

Legend has it that some of these fantastical stone creatures still come to life at night…

Sing like a bird with our brand new spring-launched Bel Canto singing classes!

As a world capital of art and with The Paris Opera having one of the highest budgets internationally, France is the worldwide leader and sponsor of the performing arts.

Accustomed to housing opera singers and music lovers from all over the world, we at Studios Paris are willing to prolong this tradition by creating more opportunities of living alongside music for our artistically tempted clientele.

Inspired by the advent of spring – an apt moment for favoring fresh starts and venturing into new challenges – Studios Paris upgrade their current real estate network by integrating more piano-equipped apartments and present their customers with the possibility to become part of a very rare singing class project, honoring the esthetics of vocal revival.

Taught in French and English, this melodic voyage towards the sacred lands of a lost vocal tradition is targeted at professional singers and beginners alike. Delivered by Thalia Carouza, the only person in France trained in this method, the course brings around the might of natural voice which made the greatness of opera singers like Beniamino Gigli, considered to be one of the finest tenors in the recorded history of music and renowned internationally for the immense beauty and soundness of his vocal technique.

We consider the Bel Canto course to be a form of an aesthetic pilgrimage and by proposing it to our clients we pursue our vocation to make life more beautiful and remain faithful to our mission to preserve any technology that can contribute to beauty.

* * *

Thalia Carouza graduated from the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris and completed her professional training by attending piano classes and drama courses in the Theater of Inspiration. In 1997, she met David Kauffman, founder of the School of Natural voice in the USA, London and Paris, who taught her the art of opera in the pure Italian tradition deriving from Antonio Cotogni, Riccardo Daviési and Herbert Ceasari. Thalia is the heiress of a vocal tradition dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, which has disappeared in the 20th century. These techniques of the old Italian singing tradition are based on the laws of acoustics and apply to all styles (pop, jazz, blues, rock, classical). The soprano regularly stages concerts and has performed in many cathedrals in France, Great Britain and Spain. She has participated in numerous festivals in France and abroad and her next appearance will take place in Paris and in the French department Loiret.

How did your relationship with music start?

While still very young, I discovered the universe of classical music by admiring the mastership of great composers, particularly the romantic ones. My passion for opera blossomed very quickly as I listened to the great voices of our time. I discovered the opera singers of the early 20th century just later, when I began my musical studies and after having met David Kauffman, the man who would later become my teacher and my husband.

What is unique and specific about the singing technique you teach?

David had done extensive research on the singing techniques of the old Italian school which marked the greatest opera singers of the last century. His teaching was based on a singing tradition from the distant past, respecting the beauty and power of human voice. Long forgotten, the tone and nuances of natural voices are rarely heard nowadays, but in the past all renowned singers had this one feature in common appreciated by the audience. Conveying a “sound expressing a disincarnated sonority” (the sound seemed to come from all parts of the body except from the singer, and it seemed to be floating, suspended in space), this technique based on the laws of acoustics allowed the human voice to achieve the highest possible vocal range without risk of distortion. The singer mentally guided the vibrations which changed their direction depending on the vowel or the note sung. Unfortunately, the building of this glorious tradition dating from the Golden Age of singing has vanished one century ago. Thanks to David Kauffman’s research, it was possible to rediscover this spiritual voice inspiring the artist and bestowing him with a sense of freedom experienced in the process of singing.

Who could practice this technique? Do people need to have any particular musical competence to subscribe to your class?

‘Anyone who can speak can sing’! Many individuals who have worked with incompetent teachers or have been exposed to unfounded criticism might end up thinking that they cannot sing. However, everyone can sing as long as they receive proper education. Therefore it is not mandatory to have any previously acquired musical knowledge to enroll in our singing classes. The course is open to everyone and the technique is applicable to all styles, including jazz, blues, rock, folk, pop and classical. Students progress very quickly which can be certified after the very first lesson.

What is the course’s structure? How does it unfold?

Normally each session lasts one hour, but you may choose to take 30 minutes only, depending on your needs and availability. In the last part of the course, the students perform a piece in which they bridge the gap between the acquired technique and their own interpretation of the piece.

Why should our clients consider taking this course?

The primordial aim of the art of singing is to convey emotions to the public. Each individual mastering this art will derive invaluable advantages in terms of personal development. They would boost their self-confidence; learn to better communicate with others in their personal and professional life and find inspiration, creativity and joy from the pleasure of developing a new skill.

For professionals, the vocal technique delivered by Thalia Carouza at the Studios allows for safe, long-lasting careers without the troubles encountered today by the most beautiful voices in the world after two decades or so of intense performance.

The course guarantees personalized tuition and a program unfolding at a pace that suits our clients’ agendas.

To enroll in or learn more about our Bel Canto course, please contact us at:  http://www.paris-apartment-rent.com/contact.htm

Fancy pampering yourself with a truly graceful Easter celebration while on your festive trip to Paris?

Studios Paris rewards you with the best holiday gift of all – residing in a stunning apartment which offers you the invaluable adventure of constantly experiencing Paris as a moveable feast.

Ideally located in the very center of the French capital and equally close to the Luxembourg Gardens, the Pantheon, the vibrant medieval Rue Mouffetard or the nearby Montparnasse district where Hemingway and the “Lost Generation” crew loved to hang out, our stylish, spacious and cozy True Grace apartment has a poetic appeal that matches the outdoor charm of its illustrious surroundings.

Located at the intersection of 5th and 6th arrondissement, True Grace offers stunning views of a stylish symmetrical square with two fountains and the “Val-de-Grâce” church.  Considered by some as capital’s best example of baroque architecture, the church’s dome is one of Paris’ skyline’s primary landmarks the sight of which you will have the pleasure to enjoy every day.

With its ample space of 80 m2, True Grace can generously accommodate up to five guests.

Furnished with state-of-the-art equipment and furniture, the apartment’s décor is a carefully chosen blend of modern and antique.

Just like in the best hotels, True Grace offers numerous upscale amenities to help you enjoy your stay to the fullest.

High speed Internet access (200Mb/s fiber optic) with Wi-Fi and 2 HDTVs with 3D glasses as well as a   VOD (Video On Demand) provide you with a working space and a family video club directly at home.

Each room is equipped with a separate volume controller for an exclusive Hi-fi experience and, what’s more, all of True Grace’s windows and ceilings are supplied with anti-noise systems for comfort.

Equipped with 2 separate toilets and a bathroom with a large bathtub and a shower corner, True Grace guarantees you a truly “zen” showering experience thanks to the professional water softener rendering the water neither too hard nor too soft… feeling in the mood to make some soap bubbles already?

For a feeling of being up in the clouds, enjoy the quietly elegant 25m2 blue master bedroom overlooking a discreet courtyard. Looking airy and light with its soft timeless aqua shades, your retreat of calm makes for a space both relaxing and inviting.

Creating a really homey and cozy atmosphere, the fully equipped 10m2 kitchen  (with dishwasher, Nespresso coffee machine, robot KitchenAid, the Tefal Actifry fryer without oil, induction hot plates, washing machine) is a piece of paradise for the amateur chef and the professional alike.

Have fun exploring this exclusive apartment in search of your own private little corner.

Some will find it by the window, while sitting on the soft throw pillows, daydreaming at the royal view of the stunning Val-de-Grâce church.

Others might discover it in the intimacy of the cozy kitchen over their first cup of home-brewed coffee…

Still others could grasp it in the originality of the idea of having a comfy office space in the tranquility of the water-shaded bedroom…

But wherever your treasure trove may be, you won’t fail to breathe in the magic of True Grace, a place radiating the divine energy of its refined historic surroundings…

Please check True Grace’s availability on our website: http://www.paris-apartment-rent.com/True-Grace.html