Outdoor Opera in Paris: La Traviata

Played for the first time in Venice in 1853, La Traviata is by far one of the most popular operas by Giuseppe Verdi. If you love going to watch live music at stunning venues, you should check out the Opera en Plein Air in Paris this week from September 8-12, 2015.

Each year one opera is chosen and put on at various stunning outdoor venues around France. This week the event will take place at the absolutely stunning Hotel des Invalides in central Paris. This is guaranteed to be a unique experience you will never forget!

The show begins nightly at 8:45pm. To purchase tickets, follow this link:

https://operaenpleinair.fnacspectacles.com/ficheManifestation.do?rewritten=true&codman=TRAV5

Bisous from Paris!

Gorgeous Apartment on a MOST Prestigious Street – Featured Apartment September

 

This large one bedroom with a truly stunning courtyard is an absolute gem!  The ave Junot is home to some of the most expensive real estate in Montmartre. The charming neighborhood street is lined with immaculately maintained “villas” giving it a village appearance which is completely unique to this avenue.  It is well shaded with a canopy of trees and several art deco buildings that allow visitors to literally step into the history of the area.

 

The avenue Junot was created between 1910-1912 in an area known as the “Maquis de Montmartre”. It owes its name to General Jean-Andoche Junot (1771-1813), Duke of Abrantes. The avenue was originally called “Storm of the Avenue,” the nickname of Jean-Andoche.

The large apartment is perfect for business or vacationing travelers alike with 2 desks/work ares and quiet privacy.  The WiFi extends to the courtyard for peaceful afternoon work or play online.  The remodeled interior and historic exterior is a rare find in Paris and we highly recommend it to 1-3 travelers as in addition to the double bed, it also boasts a large sofa perfect to accommodate a 3rd guest.

 

Book NOW by following this link: http://bookings.takemetoparisapartments.com/Unit/Details/104588

Bisous from Paris!

Summertime in Paris is Easy

I have just returned from a fabulously relaxing and rejuvenating birthday get-a-way in Paris coordinated by Take Me To Paris Apartments. If you’re looking to escape the heat and humidity of summertime in the States, Paris is where you want to be!

I spent much of my 5 days outdoors – strolling along the Seine, lounging in Jardin des Tuileries, and taking advantage of end-of-season sales at outdoor markets and boutiques.

Parisians are making the most of the breezy real estate along the river – where pop-up bistros, crepe stands and cafes are interspersed between outdoor activities like hopscotch and tether-pong.

The gardens at Tuileries are in full bloom and immaculately pruned. Soothed by the tranquil sounds of a trickling fountain, I spent most of one afternoon sunning and people-watching.

Although truncated from the extensive offering during the spring and fall months, the outdoor Saxe-Breteuil market still has an amazing selection of treats and gifts. 

If you’re fond for finding a bargain, most boutiques are still open and looking to sell their final items before setting out fall and winter collections. I found lots of good deals along Rue du Commerce in the 15th. For big spenders, or faire du lèche-vitrine, stroll along rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th … and be sure to stop for a drink in the famously elegant Hotel Bristol.

While indulging in the French delicacies of pain au chocolat and fromage, I also mildly kept an exercise regime – logging between 12,000 and 15,000 steps per day and with a one-day pass at CMG Sports Club on Rue Frémicourt.

A big thanks to Sonja and her team for making this birthday a special one!

Featured Apartment in Paris this August

Renting an apartment in Paris is the perfect way to experience this city like a local. Each building in Paris has its own unique history and qualities.
For the month of August we are featuring a charming studio in the 7eme arrondissement, located directly beside the fascinating Invalides and Rodin museums and just a short stroll from the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower.
Aside from the gorgeous central location, the studio is also fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy a comfortable stay, including WIFI and unlimited long distance calling to North America.

Overlooking a quiet courtyard, this lovely studio would be perfect for a couple travelling through Paris this summer.
Attempt to master that French dish you always wanted to learn to make and enjoy a bottle of our complimentary wine from the Loire Valley.
Over the years renovating these old buildings to include modern amenities while still maintaining their historical integrity has become a delicate balancing act! The idiosyncracies of each building are part of Parisian life.
When you stay in a Paris apartment you really get to see what its like to live like a Parisian.

Why is Take Me To Paris Apartments in Ethiopia?

Greetings from Arbegona, Ethiopia!  This week we are at the Davis Moon Project School in rural Ethiopia.  This mission, we are working at the DMP School, which is a pillar of hope in this small community.  Our School is a true partnership with local leaders, parents, the local church, regional elected officials and the School administration.

Students at the Davis Moon Project School in Arbegona, Ethiopia!

The DMP is honored to support the school with ALL infrastructure costs, teacher training, all library books and supplies, medical supplies for the Clinic at the School and 1500 uniforms every 2 years. The DMP School is currently serving K-6th grade with 1500 students.  Approximately 500 of our students are pure orphans with no living parent and the school and faculty are particularly important to these student’s lives.

The beautiful students at the DMP School!

This trip we are delivering uniform shirts, delivering 2 donated computers and training the School administration on using them, meeting with all interested parties about school expansion and reviewing medical needs in anticipation of the 2016 mission.

Happy students, smiling faces!

The DMP and School is the beneficiary of 10% of all Take Me To Paris Apartments profits so thank you to all of our owners and guests who contribute to the health and literacy of all 1500 of these beautiful students!  For more information about The Davis Moon Project literacy efforts, please visit davismoonproject.org or to make a much needed donation to this 100% volunteer operated 501(c)3, please visit http://davismoonproject.org/donate/.

We can’t wait to go back in 2016!

Bisous from Ethiopia!

The Event You Don’t Want To Miss in Paris This Weekend!

The Taste of Paris festival is on this weekend until May 24th, 2015 at the Grand Palais! This absolutely amazing event brings together some of Paris’ most talented chefs and offers you the chance to sample their amazing food, along with fabulous wines and champagnes. Sponsored by two of the most famous French chefs in the world: Alain Ducasse and Joël Robuchon, this event is absolutely exceptional!

Be prepared to spend around €50 if you really want to have a great experience and try lots of different goodies!

The Friday Five: The Top 5 Books to Read Before Visiting Paris

One of my favorite pastimes is reading and reading books about the City of Light captures anyone’s imagination.  Leading up to a Paris adventure, it will greatly enhance your journey if you can fully appreciate the rich history of the streets which you travel and the buildings that you pass.  One of my most beloved books is Is Paris Burning? by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins. It follows the dramatic story of the Allied liberation of Paris. Is Paris Burning? reconstructs the network of fateful events–the drama, the fervor, and the triumph–that heralded one of the most dramatic episodes of our time. This bestseller about 1944 Paris is a true delight!  If you find yourself with a free afternoon in Paris, head over to the Rodin Muse in the 7th arrondissement, buy a 2 euro “Parc entrance only ticket” and read in the third largest gardens in Paris tucked away behind the museum (there is a cafe there too!). Pick up a copy on Amazon or your eReader before your take off.

Other recommended readings:

Wine and War by Donald Kladstrup and Petie Kladstrup: In 1940, France fell to the Nazis and almost immediately the German army began a campaign of pillaging one of the assets the French hold most dear: their wine. Like others in the French Resistance, winemakers mobilized to oppose their occupiers, but the tale of their extraordinary efforts has remained largely unknown–until now. This is the thrilling and harrowing story of the French wine producers who undertook ingenious, daring measures to save their cherished crops and bottles as the Germans closed in on them. Wine and War illuminates a compelling, little-known chapter of history, and stands as a tribute to extraordinary individuals who waged a battle that, in a very real way, saved the spirit of France.

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain:  Chicago, 1920: Hadley Richardson is a quiet twenty-eight-year-old who has all but given up on love and happiness—until she meets Ernest Hemingway. Following a whirlwind courtship and wedding, the pair set sail for Paris, where they become the golden couple in a lively and volatile group—the fabled “Lost Generation”—that includes Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Rodin: A Biography by Frederic V. Grunfeld: Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) was not only the world’s greatest sculptor, known for such works as The Thinker, The Kiss, The Hand of God, and dozens of others, but also one of the most remarkable personalities of modern times: an artist who outraged contemporaries with his disturbingly unfinished monuments; a sensualist who shocked France with his scandalous relationships; and a friend to the most gifted writers and artists of his day.

Camille Claudel Biography by Odile Ayral-Clause:  Camille Claudel (1864-1943) was a gifted 19th-century French sculptor who worked for Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), became his lover, and eventually left him to gain recognition for herself in the art world. After she crumbled under the combined weight of social reproof, deprivations, and art world prejudices, her family had her committed to an asylum, where she died 30 years later. Although Claudel’s life has been romanticized in print and on film, a fully researched biography has never been written until this one.

Bisous from Paris!

The Hottest New Cabaret Show in Paris!

The story of the famous Lido theatre in Paris began in 1928. Since then this magnificent theatre has gone through numerous transformations and established itself as one of the most famous cabaret venues in the entire world.

Home to the long-legged, elegant Bluebell Girls in the mid-20th century the Lido still maintains the same reputation for putting on dazzling shows full of glitz, glam and incredibly beautiful costumes.

This month a new show is debuting for the first time in almost a decade. The spectacle, entitled ‘Paris Merveilles’, was created and directed by Franco Dragone. After many years of experience with Cirque du Soleil, Dragone has created a show that combines both cabaret and circus elements. Enjoy this totally new and unique show over dinner or a bottle of champagne on your next trip to Paris!

 Bisous from Paris!

Tips for Planning a Trip to Paris with your Kids

When most people think about Paris, their first thought is a romantic get-a-way for two.  I admit, that does sound wonderful.  However as an avid traveler and adventure-seeker, I have been determined to not allow motherhood to slow me down.  Traveling with my child has been a source of immense pride and priceless bonding for our family.   Experiencing Paris through the eyes of my son from a baby to the 9-year old boy he is now has made be grow to love Paris even more than I thought possible.

Renting a private apartment with your family is an experience like no other. It enables you to enjoy some home cooked meals, do some laundry, and spread out and relax in the evenings.  Take Me To Paris Apartments is the perfect, service-oriented agency to work with to book an apartment. (www.takemetoparisapartments.com). We have apartments ranging from studios to 4-bedrooms, which would suit any of your needs.

Outside of the obvious zoo (www.parczoologiquedeparis.fr/en), aquarium (http://www.cineaqua.com/index.php/en/), tons of parks, bike (paris.fattirebiketours.com) and boat tours (www.bateaux-mouches.fr/en), some of our favorite activities in Paris are:

Outdoor Adventure Park – Bois de Vincennes

http://www.paris.fr/english/parks-woods-gardens-and-cemeteries/woods/bois-de-vincennes/rub_8211_stand_34153_port_18985

This park is nothing short of incredible. The zoo here was fully refurbished in 2014, and is a great afternoon activity. Along with horseback riding, 4 lakes, rollerblading, ideal picnic spots, trails, and playgrounds – this park has it all. It is also a very Parisian place to go, and is populated with lots of locals and French tourists.   Taking a day to explore here is fun for everyone of any age!  The most convenient metro stops for accessing this section of the park are Porte Doree and Liberte on line 8.

Zip-lining in Parc Floral de Paris – Bois de Vincennes

http://www.evasion-verte.fr/parc-floral/

The Parc Floral de Paris is located on the other side of the Bois de Vincennes. It is a lovely spot full of giant jungle gyms and playgrounds. By far our favourite activity here is the Accrobranche park. A huge network of bridges and ziplines ranging from 1.5-12m high are available for kids and adults to climb through the trees. There are four different courses with varying degrees of difficulty, which are appropriate for anyone above the age of 6. Kids of all ages absolutely love it. We recommend taking a picnic and eating in the park and spending a few hours climbing afterwards. The most convenient metro stops for accessing this section of the park is Chateau de Vincennes on line 1.

AquaBoulevard – 15^th Arrondissement

http://www.aquaboulevard.fr/

This is a small but very fun water park inside the City for children over 3 years of age (be prepared to show ID for small kids).  There is a large outdoor area that is open in the warm weather but we also go in the winter for the indoor pools and slides.  Wave pools, lounge chairs and slides for all ages abound.  There is also a handy changing area and lockers for your personal items. The most convenient metro stop is Balard on metro line 8.

 Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie – 19^th Arrondissement

http://www.cite-sciences.fr/en/home/

This is my all time favorite place to spend an entire day with kids.  I have to admit, I visited the Parc de la Villette (that extends over 35 hectares) for years before I actually ventured inside the exhibits.  The Parc has expansive playgrounds and rides appropriate for all ages.  The Cite building is full of fun and interactive exhibits for all ages as well.  Booking in advance online is both easy and highly recommended if you’d like to gain access to popular exhibits or the planetarium.  This is a very inexpensive, entertaining and educational day for kids.  Take line 7 on the metro and exit at the Porte de la Villette Station.

EuroDisney – Marne-la-Vallée

http://www.disneylandparis.fr/destinations/parc-disneyland/

This experience could not be any easier as the Paris RER trains literally drop you off at the gate of the theme park (RER A train).  It is the ideal way to enjoy a taste of familiarity while staying in the heart of the city (I would take this out… It is easy to get there but Eurodisney is considered to be in a very distant suburb).  I prefer not to stay in the chain hotels around the resort that offer packages, as they are all quiet generic and lack charm.  Luckily, the metro ride to the park is typically 25-minutes and even buying a weekend pass is worth the investment with the close proximity.  I recommend going in April or October but if you are going in the summer, you can buy a fast track pass to skip the long lines.  There are typically discounts for purchasing your tickets online and I HIGHLY recommend doing so as the ticket counters are not the most efficient.  Print your tickets before hitting the park!  Take the RER A Metro Line to the Marne-la-Vallée — Chessy Station.

Finally, carving out time to enjoy an adult dinner or two is also invaluable.  Paris has a licensed and bonded babysitting service that I swear by called Babychou and the website is in English for your convenience!

http://www.babychou.com/agence-paris_72.html

Ultimately, experiencing Paris with children is an education in and of itself. It exposes kids to cultures from around the world and expands their horizons immeasurably.   It’s healthy to take children out of their comfort zone without being dangerous and allow them to explore the possibilities of their future!

Bisous from Paris!

Win a free 7-night stay in Paris! Enter our #homeawayfromhome Photo Competition on Instagram!

At Take Me To Paris Apartments our goal is to help our guests find the perfect home away from home in this beautiful city! We are very conscious of the fact that planning a trip to Paris is a dream come true for many travelers and we want to make sure that every one of our guests has the best possible experience. After matching our guests with the best apartment for their needs we are there to help them with everything they may need before and during their stay.

Win a free 7-night stay in Paris!!

This Valentine’s Day we want to hear your stories about somewhere you consider your home away from home, so we have created a photo contest on Instagram! You could win a free 7-night stay in Paris valued at almost $5000 for you and three other guests in an apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower!!

Enjoy a gorgeous view of the Eiffel Tower from your apartment!

How to enter:

– Like our Facebook and Instagram page.
– Take a photo of somewhere you consider to be your home away from home and post it on Instagram with the hashtags #takemetoparisapartments #tmtpa #homeawayfromhome
– Don’t forget to include a short explanation why you consider this place your home away from home!!
– Share your photo and your story with the world!
– The top five photos with the most likes will be entered into a draw and the winner will be randomly selected.

IMPORTANT CONTEST DETAILS:

– The winner will be randomly selected from the top five photos with the most likes on Instagram on February 14th, 2015.
– Contestants must be 25+ years old to be eligible to win.
– Only one photo can be submitted per contestant.
– Only photos posted AFTER the day the contest was announced (January 19, 2015) will be considered.
– The winner will receive free accommodation in Paris for Valentine’s Day Weekend 2016 (February 10th, 2016 – February 17th 2016) for themselves and three other guests! The prize includes accommodation ONLY. It DOES NOT include flights.
– The prize is non-transferable.
– The winner will have free access to our concierge service to help with the planning of all the details of their trip.

Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to experience Parisian life!

We will be announcing the winner in 5 days on February 14, 2015. Make sure you get your entries posted soon and collect as many likes as possible for a shot at making it into the draw! Good luck to everyone!

Bisous from Paris!