A La Carte Paris Apartment Rentals

We’re proud to have selected for you two splendid new central Paris apartments for short-term rental.

These are new, so click to view:

• Marais Design (one-bedroom apartment rental)

This bold and stylish apartment, located on a fashionable street in the historic marais district with many hard to resist boutiques, offers all that one would need to enjoy their dream Parisian vacation with the modern amenities and comfort

Have a look at the full photos, specification and availability of the “Marais Design” Paris apartment rental here.

• Marais Panache (one-bedroom apartment rental)

This apartment has all that one would hope for in terms of aesthetic appeal, plenty of space, comfort, old charm, and modern amenities. The fact that the apartment is located in the central Marais, with a balcony, further adds to the appeal of this property

Have a look at the full photos, specification and availability of the “Marais Panache” Paris apartment rental here.

For more information and to book simply email Katy at:  katy@alacarteparis.com

Let me know what you think of them by using the “Comment” link below.

The end of the year 2011 brings good news for Paris lovers: the Euro has hit a 16-month low and is staying below $1.30/€. This is much more attractive than the $1.60/€ that was prevalent in 2008.

In practical terms, this means that you’re effectively getting 20% off EVERYTHING: accommodation, transport, restaurants, visits, shopping…

Maybe you have worked hard to earn a good living. Well, now you know that a trip to Paris hasn’t been this affordable for the last 8 years, so maybe the time has come to treat yourself.

Isn’t it great when the nicest treats are also economically reasonable?

So take advantage of the 20% off everything that the low Euro gives you and browse and book an apartment today.

If you read French, then here are some further resources:
- La Baisse de l’Euro, une bonne nouvelle
 L’Euro reste sous la barre des $1.30
 Les vraies raisons de la chute de l’Euro

Paris travelers regularly ask me for advice before booking a short-term rental apartment: “Is Paris with kids is a practical or even desirable proposition?”

I have just one teeny tiny problem: I don’t have any kids! At least not yet…

That’s why this time I’m going to hand you over to the considerable parental expertise of Julie Cadé, who was the manager of A La Carte Paris for 5 years and is now the manager of A La Carte Invest and A La Carte Design.

Over to you Julie!

« Visiting Paris with kids ? Sure, it’s possible. There are even kids who live in Paris all year round. Sure, I can assure you, as I have 3 of them at home.

And it’s even possible to ENJOY your trip with kids.

You’re going to need to be a bit organized and to have some advice. But that’s what we’re here for.

Firstly, accommodation.

I’m not even going to mention hotel rooms, as I find them ill-adapted to family travel.

In an apartment, you live like at home. Your kids have a bed adapted to their age, a baby booster chair if you need it, a bath tub… You prepare whatever meals you deem best for your children, at the most appropriate time for them. You get them to bed at the time that suits them, they can take naps, while you enjoy the living room to rest, read, watch a DVD or prepare your next Paris visits.

Or simply watching the spectacle that is Paris out of the window…

Then, getting around as a family. Paris kids have a secret… The MacLaren : the (almost) only pushchair that easily fits in buses (and the Metro but you’ll have to carry the child and the pushchair in the stairs…). I’m not sponsored by MacLaren and you will notice for yourself that this pushchair is widely adopted by young Parisiens… As it folds like an umbrella and unfolds using only one hand, it is also perfect for air travel… In addition if you have an extending model, your little treasure will be able to have a nap… If you don’t have one then borrow one or buy a pre-owned one for your trip, you won’t regret it!

Visits: Paris is full of places suitable for kids, and places that are specially adapted to kids. You can easily share your day between a more serious visit and a more leisurely moment of recreation. (Personally I am a fan of “a time for the kids, a time for the parents” and if the carrot is enticing enough it is possible to keep them patient for a good while).

In every district there are parks where our children can run around and burn off some energy (daily, for the most part) and which will have the effect of transforming your pushchair-riding munchkins into in little angels in the museum…

There are even central Paris parks which are sights and visits in and of themselves, like the Tuilleries Gardens next to the Louvre and its superb merry-go-round, not forgetting the poney rides of of the Luxembourg Gardens and its old merry-go-round, its clown, hives, little boats, swings and more…

The Paris Town Hall and its winter ice skating rink, its year-round merry-go-round… While your little whipper snappers are having fun, you can explore the history of these magnificent grounds that really “make” Paris as much as the monuments do.

The Grande Galerie de l’Evolution will no doubt go down a treat with your ankle biters and more “classical” museums usually offer circuits adapted to children, according to their age…

Meals: even though you can of course have them in your apartment, it would be such a shame to not enjoy French gastronomy. In Paris, children and pushchairs are very often welcome, contrary to lore. Loads of restaurants offer high chairs, special kids menus, and the waiters are used to slaloming between the pushchairs. You just need to choose the right restaurant. Some simple advice: look at the patrons lunching. If there are only businessmen in suit and tie, steer clear…

If you want, there are even restaurants that were designed so that children can play and let their parents eat in peace. For exemple, a few steps from the Buttes Chaumont park , try Les 400 Coups. Inside the park, you simply must stop at the Rosa Bonheur www.rosabonheur.fr “guinguette” (popular drinking establishment of the 1920’s) that is both old fashioned and trendy (absolutely, both at the same time).

For shopping fans, the Bonpoint tea room inside the eponymous boutique makes for the perfect resting place in the desirable 6th district of Saint Germain.

Finally, if your kids are too small for long days out, don’t forget you can always bring along your usual baby sitter, you will just need to book an apartment with an extra bedroom… or call on us to find you a local baby sitter.

That way you can enjoy Paris fully, knowing that your sweeties are nearby, but not too near…”

Julie Cadé

Well, thanks Julie for all that helpful advice, which I’m going to put aside for when I have kids of my own!

In the meantime I’m glad that our apartment rental clients now have some good practical tips to avoid frustration and get the most from Paris with kids.

If you have experience travelling with kids, what do you think of these tips?

And what other tips of your own might you contribute? (use the “comment” like or box below)

We’re rather excited to be offering a romantic and elegant apartment that is actually ON the fabled and lyrically beautiful Place des Vosges, in central Marais (the unfortunately infamous Dominique Strauss Kahn (DSK) is also a resident of the renowned Place des Vosges, though rest assured – journalists are no longer waiting 24/7 in front of his building).

Clic to have a look:

• Marais Marvel (studio apartment rental):

Have a look at the full photos, specification and availability this Paris apartment rental here.

This studio apartment rental was completely renovated, furnished and designed by A La Carte Design. As such, it was designed to be the perfect pied-à-terre pad or short-term rental.

Here are some “before renovation” photos of the apartment that was to become Marais Marvel:

A La Carte Design performs residential renovation and interior design, specialized in the Paris pied-à-terre or short-term rental.

Should you be interested in having your Paris home or rental redesigned, then please contact Carole Decaix, our project leader: carole[at]alacarte-invest.com.

We’re proud to have selected for you two splendid new central Paris apartments for short-term rental.

These are new, so click to view:

• Opera Central (one-bedroom apartment rental)

Spacious and beautifully appointed one-bedroom apartment between the Palais Garnier Opera House and the Musée du Louvre.

Have a look at the full photos, specification and availability of the “Opera Central” Paris apartment rental here.

• Elysées Design (studio apartment rental)

This striking studio apartment combines a snazzy black & white design, with the rare pleasure of a balcony large enough to enjoy a meal on.

Have a look at the full photos, specification and availability of the “Elysées Design” Paris apartment rental here.

For more information and to book simply email Katy at:  katy@alacarteparis.com

Let me know what you think of them by using the “Comment” link below.

“We came to decide that maybe winter is the best season of all in which to visit Paris. We visited museums without suffering huge crowds, we took our kids up the Eiffel Tower without any lines or wait, we spent time in playgrounds in weather that was much milder than back home in the U.S., and we loved the excuse of cold weather to duck into tea salons for coffee and delicious treats. Oh, and the sales were incredible! “

Those are not my words ; they are those of Sara Saint Antoine, a guest with A La Carte Paris.

And you know what? Sara’s right: Off season travel is usually much more fun, as crowds are smaller, lines are shorter and prices lower!

“In three visits to the Louvre it was the first time I actually saw the Mona Lisa ! We had a wonderful time.  We enjoyed just walking around, as the museums weren’t too crowded”, added Kathryn McClurg.

When you visit France in the off season, you also feel more like a local, just like Kathryn: “Since there weren’t quite so many tourists and we had an apartment, we could pretend we lived in Paris, for a week anyway…”

And I know what you’re going to say: the weather. Sure, it can get a bit chilly, but the weather is considerably milder than New York or Chicago. Indeed, as long as you bring an umbrella, a coat and a scarf with you, you’ll be fine and people will believe that you belong in the city!

Paris is the winter is not that cold and if it does rain for a day or two, you will still find many things to enjoy indoors… “If we are to be cold, we would want it to be in Paris!” exclaimed an enthusiatic Marjory Butterfield.

Another of our guests, Kathryn McClurg,  wanted to experience paris in off season because “A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway makes Paris in the cold and damp sound very romantic”…

Indeed,“ it can be romantic to stroll along in warm coats, stop at boulangerie for a coffee and beautiful bakery item”, suggests Sharon Drinkall. “We loved the excuse of cold weather to duck into tea salons for coffee and delicious treats”, added Sara Saint Antoine.

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Think about it: our most popular (and therefore most expensive) week of the whole year is Christmas / New Year. This just goes to prove that Paris in winter holds great appeal, no matter the chilly weather!

And, last but not least, prices… Sharon acknowledged “cheaper prices and greater availability allowed us more options and better value for money”. Yes, our rental rates are 15-20% lower in the off season… Saving money means you can spend more on restaurants, clothes (especially during the winter sales…), and so much more!  If, like several of our guests, you combine your stay in an apartment with an airfare paid by Miles, as it is often recommended to do so in low or off season, you’ll soon ask us to book a table for you at La Tour D’Argent! Which we’ll be happy to do. Right after we’ve booked you the perfect dream apartment for your party…

Low or off season dates are:
- January 7th to March 14th
- August
- November 1st to December 20th

The appeal of low season is a secret that many first-time visitors are not aware of. So I recommend you do what many savvy Paris regulars do: take advantage of the almost lyrical off-season appeal of Paris, avoid the lines and save money too.

Check our Paris apartment availabilities here and consider staying in Paris’ beautiful off season. Not only will you save 15% to 20% off your stay, but you will also have more choice!

Finally, if you know off season Paris, then I’d love to read your views. What do you think? Please let me know by commenting below.  :-)

The 3 apartments that I just introduced to you (last blog post) were fully renovated and designed / furnished / equipped by A La Carte. As such, they nicely embody the A La Carte look.

Did you know that we have an separate specialized entity called A La Carte Invest? It’s about time I mentioned this, as A La Carte Invest has been preparing dream apartments for investors for over 4 years now!

If you want to invest in a high-yield Paris rental that you can also use as your dream pied-a-terre Paris home, then A La Carte Invest can help.

The A La Carte Invest process takes you from start to finish in 4 steps: 1) Targeted flat hunt to find the right apartment, 2) Renovation, 3) Design, furnishing and equipping, and 4) Property renting and management (via A La Carte Paris of course).

This investment activity is a logical extension of A La Carte Paris: A La Carte Paris has over 10 years of successful experience of high-yield rentals, so what could be more natural for A La Carte than helping investors achieve the same success themselves?

Take a peek at the BEFORE/AFTER PHOTOS of the 3 latest apartments (introduced in my last blog post):

• Elysées Terrace two-bedroom apartment rental
• St Louis Secret one-bedroom apartment rental
• Notre Dame Noblesse two-bedroom apartment

I think you might be surprised at these 3 transformations!

You can also look at before/after shots of all our projects.

We’re very passionate about creating Paris dream homes that we can rent, and our rental clients are as happy as our investors are.

If you like the idea of owning a Paris dream home that can largely pay for itself through weekly rentals, then contact us for a free feasibility study to see if you can qualify.

Make sure you also grab a copy of our free report “The Success Factors of Paris Investment”, by filling in your name and email here.

Let me know what you think about the A La Carte Invest buy-to-let concept by hitting the “comment” link below, or using the “Leave a reply” box.