“Ce Jou” by Yelle

Posted by Staff in France, Travel Tunes

While in Paris I fell in love with euro-pop diva Yelle. Her debut album “Pop Up” is amazing. Get it here:

Have art…need food

Posted by Staff in France, Luxury Monday

Long ago an aspiring artist, Paul Roux, was the innkeeper of a quaint inn and restaurant called La Colombe d’Or (the golden dove), in the South of France. An aspiring artist himself, he found it hard to turn away starving artists that could not afford a meal or a nights stay…so he would have his guests trade art for food. The starving artists eventually blossomed into well known figures like…Picasso, Chagall, Miró, and Calder to name a few. Word got out about his generosity and his collection of art grew…as the collection grew, the notoriety grew…eventually making the restaurant a popular enclave for the who’s who in art. 

Set in the picturesque medieval town of Saint Paul de Vence, a short drive from the Côte d’Azur…this Inn spews romance and as does the town. Perched on a hill and filled with storybook cobblestone passageways, it is easy to see how this town inspired some of the worlds most famous artists.

The Inn itself was once a 16th century house. The accommodations are rustic, not grandiose…but the art collection is what gives this place the luxury touch.  Where else can you lounge by a pool with a Calder mobile flying above your head?

As for the restaurant, rumor has it that the menu has never changed.  The focus is traditional Provencal food, so those looking for gourmet-experimentalism should look elsewhere…but something has to be said for sitting at Renoir’s favorite table and eating Picasso’s favorite dish!

The average room price is around $350 per night, and dinner starts at $50 per person.  For more info visit www.la-colombe-dor.com

How to say kaixo

Posted by Staff in France, How not to say, Spain

When visiting the Basque country (an area of Northern Spain and Southern France)….sound like a local by saying “kaixo” instead of “hello”.  Listen below:

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Live like a local

Posted by Staff in England, France, Wed. Travel Web

For those who find hotel rooms stifling, renting an apartment could be a lifeline to living like a local.  

On past trips to Paris I have relied on New York Habitat to help me find a Parisian home-away-from-home and every time they have delivered exactly what I dreamed of…..to the point I find myself never wanting to leave my faux-parisian-local life.  

The agency started with short term rentals in New York (hence the name) and then expanded into Paris.  They now offer properties in the South of France, London and Rome.

In each location they offer apartments in every price range and size. So no matter what your budget or the size of your group, you’ll be sure to find a place…..and for those on a budget your dollar goes much further renting an apartment than a hotel.  

With 12,000 apartments in their database, even the most discerning tourist will find an abode…and with the minimum stay at only three nights for many properties, you can feel like a local on a short trip as well.

Their website is super informative with very detailed descriptions of the apartments, along with many photos covering every nook and cranny….this way there are no surprises lurking when you arrive.  So when in Rome visit nyhabitat.com, to literally do as the Romans do.