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“Basque-ing” in Berets

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“Basque-ing” in Berets

Wednesday, November 30, 2016 • Paris, France

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FOR SALE BY AMERICAN OWNERS: One-Bedroom Perfect Pied-à-Terre on rue Daguerre, 14th Arrondissement, Steps from RER and Métro Denfert-Rochereau

Paris apartment for sale through the Adrian Leeds Group

Well-located on one of Paris’ best market streets, steps from the Métro, RER and bus lines, this pristine, updated one-bedroom apartment is move-in ready. The apartment is on the first floor, with elevator, of a well-maintained 19th-century building and has recently been repainted to look fresh and clean. The entry is on rue Daguerre, but the three large windows of the apartment overlook the quiet side street.

The living/dining room with a window comes with a sofabed, armchair, dining table with four chairs, a small desk and television with stand. The door to this room makes it an ideal additional sleeping space for guests. The bedroom is spacious, has a large window and an en-suite bath with shower, sink and vanity. The toilet is separate. Two single beds can be made into one king-size. An antique armoire and a chest of drawers provides ample storage. The bright kitchen with a window is equipped with cabinets, washer/dryer, microwave and two-burner stove.

All furnishings are included in the purchase price along with an 8m2 cellar. Rue Daguerre is home to many shops selling all of the delicacies that France is famous for. In addition, there is a full Monoprix supermarket on the corner. The apartment is ideal as a pied-à-terre for yourself and doubles as a perfect vacation rental. There is nothing to do, but unpack your bags.

• Two-Room, one-bedroom apartment, 34 m2 Loi Carrez
• Principal room with sofa, dining table, desk and TV with stand
• Kitchen with stove, microwave, sink, washer/dryer
• Ample-size bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and vanity
• Powder room with toilet
• Electric heating
• Annual homeowners fees €920, annual taxes total €950 per year
• Perfect condition – move-in, rental-ready

Asking Price: €390,000 (all agency commissions included)
Ref.#026

For more photos and information, contact the listing agent, John Rule at [email protected] or phone +33 (0) 6 09 95 12 08.


Dear Parler Paris Reader,

On the Set, Filming a House Hunters International episodeOn the Set, Filming a House Hunters International episode

Field Marshall Bernard MontgomeryField Marshall Bernard Montgomery

John Wayne in a Green Beret

Onion JohnnyOnion Johnny

Che GuevaraChe Guevara

Patty HearstPatty Hearst

Sonny RollinsSonny Rollins

Bob Marley, RastafarianBob Marley, Rastafarian

It was a happy day that I discovered the French beret. That must have been in 1979 on my first trip to France. Sure, I know it’s old fashioned and reeks of being touristy, but it’s so downright practical, that I simply don’t care. The moment it turns cold, out come one or more of the dozens of berets stacked on a shelf in my closet.

I love that a beret fits snugly over the head and ears, and can be shaped to have whatever form works best on the face. On me, it’s most flattering if it angles to one side de-emphasizing my prominent nose. Berets come in just about every color and fabric: in wool and cotton and lots of others — velvety, fleece, sequined…you name it. I have one made of black of sheered mink and while not politically correct (it was a gift), I can tell you that it’s pretty heavenly to wear.

While its popularity and mass production began in the 19th-century in France and Spain (the first factory was Béatex-Laulhere from 1840), there is evidence that it’s been worn since the Bronze Age by the Minoans, Etruscans and Romans. The Basque beret was worn by the shepherds in the valleys of the Pyrénées from as far back as the 17th-century and by the 1920’s, factories in France, Spain and Italy were pumping out millions of the wooly headgear.

The military loves berets, too. The French hunters adopted them in 1889, then a British General put them on the heads of the Royal Tank Regiment during World War I with the approval of King George V. In World War II, it was made even more famous by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. In the 1950’s and early 1960’s, the U.S. became so fond of them that their specialized forces wore them and they came to be known as the “Green Berets.”

Military berets tend to have a headband made of leather or ribbon. (I have one of these in red.) It may be stiffened on one side so that a badge can be attached. The Scottish adopted them (“bluebonnet” or “tam-o’-shanter”) and added feathers to identify the wearer’s clan and rank. The image of the stereotypical French black beret comes from the Onion Johnnies from Brittany who sold pink onions door to door from their bicycles in Great Britain. (My favorite black beret is made by Kangol.

You wouldn’t recognize revolutionary Che Guevara or Patty Hearst without one and jazz musicians such as Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins made them the symbol of hip and cool. Rastafarians wear knitted ones of their red, gold and green circles, but they call it a “kufi.” (I have one of those, too, and I bet it looks pretty silly on me.)

I get recognized on the street thanks to my signature beret and people always ask where I get them.

The answer is: just about anywhere! Every souvenir shop in France sells them. If you want a better quality beret, order on line at Laulhere or Kangol or for the Basque Beret, try Boneteria Aotearoa. A search on Amazon.com pulls up dozens. In the spring I like to wear cotton berets, and they aren’t as easy to find. Try the Parkhurst berets from Canada which are sold in lots of places.

But watch out. Once you start wearing them, you may never wear anything else!

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds - blue beret

Adrian Leeds
Adrian Leeds Group

 Respond to Adrian

P.S. At the next Après Midi, meet Lisa Anselmo and hear the story behind her new memoir My (Part-Time) Paris Life: How Running Away Brought Me Home. Lisa will reveal how she turned the devastating loss of her mother into a purposeful new life—and share her 5 Keys to Reinventing a Happier Life. See the full details at Après Midi.


The ADRIAN LEEDS GROUP Apartments

Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the “seal of approval” from ALG, Paris Sharing and me, Adrian Leeds.

Adrian Leeds Group Apartments - Le Petit Bretagne

Featuring Le Petit Bretagne

Le Petit Bretagne studio, is located on the quiet courtyard of a very charming 18th-century building in the heart of Le Marais. There isn’t an apartment in Paris more charming and cheerful…ask all who have had the pleasure of staying here. It is completely equipped in spite of its size with a queen size bed that converts to twin beds, a washer/dryer, espresso maker, microwave, toaster-oven, two-burner ceramic stove, refrigerator, high speed Internet with WiFi, flat screen TV, DVD player, stereo, free(!) long distance phone service and more! 

Visit Adrian Leeds Group Apartments to view our full selection or email:[email protected]

FREE one-hour consultation! Guests of the Adrian Leeds Group apartments who are considering the purchase of their own “pied-à-terre” for pleasure and profit, can take advantage of a free one-hour consultation while enjoying the apartment in the City of Light or on the Riviera. Simply complete the request form to book your consultation.


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