What’s Not Foolish on “Poisson Avril” (April Fools’ Day)

The April Fools story begins in the 16th-century, under Charles IX. Until 1564, many parts of France celebrated the New Year at the end of March, with festivities culminating on April 1st. Then came a major shift: The Edict of Roussillon moved New Year’s Day to January 1st.

Not everyone got the memo. Some people continued celebrating the New Year around April 1st. Others mocked them as being “behind the times.” They were given fake gifts, sent on fool’s errands, or tricked. These people became known as “April fools.”

In France, it’s called “Poisson d’Avril” (April Fish), because early April falls during Lent, when fishing was restricted. Giving someone a “fish” was a joke or a fake gift. It’s playful, not mean—and very French humor.

April Fools’ Day likely began in France as a reaction to a calendar reform in 1564—and evolved into a global tradition of playful deception.

And here we are today worried about being foolish on this silly day.

Here’s what is NOT foolish:

1) Owning a share at Le Bijou de l’Hôtel de Ville (or any of our fractional properties).

This is your chance to enjoy Paris for four weeks a year by making a small investment in a Fractional Ownership property that will end up generating a nice profit…when you sell your share, that is (which likely won’t be for a very long time!).

Meanwhile, make use of it. Enjoy two weeks in Paris, then two weeks six months later, and every year until you’re ready for something else. You can own it, luxuriate in it, as long as you like. Then, one day, when you can’t come to Paris anymore, or want a place of your own because four weeks a year isn’t enough (which happens a lot), you can sell your share and make a profit. We’ve never sold a share for less than someone paid for it!

There’s nothing not to like about Fractional Ownership except the usage calendar if it isn’t designed well. Our calendar compared to most of the others on the market happens to be very brilliant and is proven to work by the happy owners at the many properties we have developed (about a dozen).

Le Bijou de l’Hôtel de Ville is our newest one. We only have 3 shares left—not many, so you don’t want to drag your feet making a decision. This isn’t a “cost.” It’s an investment. It’s an investment in the quality of your life and in your future pocketbook.

Remember, while you’re owning your share, you’re not spending money on short-term rentals (have you seen the price of those lately?!). And you get to stay in YOUR OWN HOME, rather than someone else’s apartment. The operating expenses are shared by everyone, so it’s a drop in the bucket to maintain.

Again, this is no April Fools’ joke, nor is it foolish in anyway.

2) For more non-foolish investments, see the other fractional shares we can offer: in Paris, Villefranche-sur-Mer and the countryside.

Here’s how to find our more about them:

Boulevard Saint-Germain – 1 Share Available

79 rue du Bac – 1 Share Available

Le Petit Trésor – 1 Share Available

Maison Bize – 3 Shares Available

Chez La Tour – 2 Shares Available

La Belle Terrasse – 2 Shares Available

To learn more about Fractional Ownership and the properties we offer, visit our website and/or email us.

A la prochaine…