The City Of Fleas

THE CITY OF FLEAS

April 15, 2002

*** NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN PARIS

There is never a dull moment at International Living’s
Paris Office.

We’re preparing our IL pied-a-terre on rue Mazarine for
rental beginning April 22nd with "new" antique furnishings
our manager, (Katrine Grillard, of Rendez-vous a Paris)
discovered at a brocante (flea market). The pale blue
marble-topped dresser, a matching low-seated high-backed
cane chair, and guilded mirror are going to look awfully
sweet in the bedroom. The apartment is in a charming
17th-century building and in one of the best locations in
town, so if you want to see our latest photos (with the
previous owners furnishings) click here:
/parlerparis/property/mazarine.html and if
you want to make a reservation, write to:
mailto:[email protected]

Flea markets–as regular readers will know–are one of my
favorite things about living in Paris. I love wandering
around the Marche aux Puces at Porte de Clignancourt or
Porte de Vanves. Judging from your e-mails, it’s something
many of you are interested in too. That’s why we’re working
to put together a four-day tour of the Paris Flea Markets
complete with guides who can help negotiate the best price
and assist in shipping your purchases to the States. It’s
planned for mid summer, so if you want to be notified when
we have more details, write to:
mailto:[email protected]?subject=fleamarkettour

We’re also scurrying around preparing everything for the
upcoming Travel Writers Workshops (
/parlerparis/travelwriters). Workshops I and
II are booked and there are just a few spots left in
Workshop III at the end of May. Participants are going to
get much more than they bargained for–workbooks in big,
thick binders are being prepared for everyone, and authors
will be bringing their books and signing special copies.

Meanwhile, Schuyler (sky-ler) Hoffman, author of The
Insider Guide to Gay Paris
(http://www.insiderparisguides.com/gay), is preparing to
take over as Assistant Director of the IL Paris Office the
first of May (coincidentally, May 1 is Labor Day in
France).

Schuyler’s got a lot of talents that we will be very happy
to have working for us. One is as a professional tour guide
of Paris . . . so if you want a tall, handsome, smart,
personable, muscular blonde on your arm while exploring
parts of Paris you haven’t seen before, have a look at his
site (yes, there’s a picture) at http://www.skyvue.com or
email Schuyler at
mailto:[email protected]?subject=parlerparisschuylertours

While you read this, I’m actually stretched out on a lounge
on the deck of a luxury oceanliner getting bronzed and
relaxed, no Eiffel Tower in sight, just the sun, the surf
and some trashy novel to read. It’s the annual spring
"vacances de scolaire" for Paris students and that means
Mom (me) gets to go along. My own Mom is along, too, all 84
years of her. (Don’t tell her I told you her age, but she’s
looks and acts like a spring chicken, so hopefully she
won’t mind.)

Next week, I’ll tell you all about it . . .

A la prochaine fois . . .

Adrian Email: mailto:[email protected]

P.S. I want to thank each and every one of you who writes
and comments or questions Parler Paris. We are getting
hundreds of letters every week now, so, if you don’t hear
back from us, it’s not because we don’t read your letters .
. . we love every one. We are trying to respond as best we
can, so please bear with us, but know we care.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Parler Paris /parlerparis/
Written and Edited by Adrian Leeds

Published by International Living
http://www.internationalliving.com
mailto:[email protected]

Issue Number 34, April 15, 2002

In this issue:

*** Take a Shot in the City of Light
*** The Best Way to Buy an Apartment in Paris
*** Good News For Insider Guide Readers
*** My Favorite Airport Shuttle
*** Farmhouse Rental in Provence
*** Parent’s Guide to Paris

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*** SHOOTING UP (AND DOWN) IN PARIS

Reserve May 23rd in Paris for the Paris A La Carte one-day
travel photography workshop–the perfect accompaniment to
the Travel Writers Workshop III!

Learn how to take great travel photographs–compose a
picture, how to photograph in a variety of lights and how
to photograph a variety of different types of scenes, from
buildings to markets to people.

If you’re registered in the Travel Writers Workshop, you
save $50 on your registration:

$295 for non-workshop participants
$245 for workshop participants

To register or for more information, contact Barbara
Perriello, email
mailto:[email protected]?subject=photographyworkshop or Bea
Garcia at
mailto:[email protected]?subject=photographywor
kshop

* * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * *

LUXURY TRAVEL COSTS LESS THAN YOU THINK…
IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK

London’s best hotel…North America’s most luxurious spa…
the unusual Paris restaurant that attracts a lively local
crowd… from Tuscan villas to beachfront bungalows…

Our writers–long-time residents of the destinations they
cover–share with you the details only a local would know.

To see why "the world’s best" doesn’t mean "the world’s
most expensive", click here now :
http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/remy/wparlad4

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*** YOUR "IN" TO PARISIAN APARTMENT OWNERS LOOKING TO SELL

It is not easy, shopping for an apartment in Paris, where
there is no MLS system (Multiple Listing Service). Finding
great apartments means having an "in" with the owners, even
before they post details in the windows of the agencies.

I looked at a stunning apartment this week, for sale by
owner . . .on the chicest of streets in the 6th overlooking
one of Paris’ most beautiful landmark churches with two
bedrooms, wood floors and lots of closets on a gorgeous
courtyard.

This is a perfect place to hang your hat full-time or
part-time and rent it while you’re not there, earning money
while you’re somewhere else.

We’re looking all the time and we’re finding them
one-by-one, through owners, agents and friends . . . so if
you’re interested in having your own home in Paris, write
us to be put on a mailing list to be notified when we get
something great: [email protected]

*** TO ALL INSIDER PARIS GUIDE READERS

Jean Taquet’s "Insider Guide to Practical Answers for
Living in France", and Melinda Herron’s "Insider Guide to
Black Paris" have just been updated. If you’ve bought
guides in the past, you can get your free updates here:
http://www.insiderparisguides.com. If you haven’t, it’s not
too late.

* * * * * ADVERTISEMENT * * * * *

WORK AND LIVE IN FRANCE

Have you ever dreamed of working and living in France…but
just don’t know how to go about simply doing it?

What if you knew someone who had already done it? Navigated
the tricky French system…successfully dealt with
residency and work permits…knew how to find a
job…create a business…and more…

Plus, they’re willing to share with you everything they’ve
learned.

To read more about this JUST UPDATED resource, click here:
http://www.insiderparisguides.com/workandlive/index.html

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*** THE EASIEST WAY TO GET FROM THE AIRPORT TO PARIS

The best way (for the price) to get to and from the airport
in Paris is with a shuttle service and the best one in
Paris is one I’ve been using for years . . . AIRPORT
SHUTTLE. These are the guys with the blue vans and the
yellow letters. I’ve found them to be reliable, pleasant
and fast.

Inexpensive, too–14.50 euro for 2 or more, 22 euro for one
person.

It’s easy to request a shuttle in advance–just select the
following text, copy it and past it into an email at this
address:
mailto:[email protected]?=ParlerParisAirportShuttle
then complete the information and hit your send button.

SHUTTLE REQUEST FORM
(select, copy, paste into email)

ARRIVALS

Last name:

Arrival date:

Arrival time:
(first departure from CDG 6:00 a.m. and last departure from
CDG 7:30 p.m.)

Arrival flight number:

Full address in Paris:

Number of passengers:

DEPARTURES

Last name:

Departure date:

Airport: Charles de Gaulle or Orly

Flight time:

< font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">
Time you wish to arrive at the airport:

Arrival flight number:

Full address in Paris:

Telephone number:

Number of passengers:

You will get a confirmation and–if you requested a
transfer back to the airport–a pick-up time that is
pre-set according to your check-in time. Should this
confirmation / info fail to reach you in due time, then
call them toll free from North America at 1-888-426-2705,
or assume that pick-up time will be set by default 3 1/2
hours before take-off.

Please note that cancellation of reservation must be made a
minimum of 24 hours before pick up time.

*** CAPTURE THE MOMENTS

After years living in France–having lived, loved and been
educated in Paris, Christine Foster has the touch–as a
fine art photographer/photojournalist photographing
weddings and events in the US and abroad for more than ten
years. Clientele include socialites, rock celebrities, and
ordinary folk. Her images can be seen regularly in Elegant
Wedding Magazine.

Christine would be honored to bring her team to France to
celebrate your special wedding day with you. For more
information or to receive a CD of portfolio images, please
contact: mailto:[email protected]?subject=refParlerParis

* * * * * * *

— BY THE BEACH

* Relax this summer in a four-bedroom stone farmhouse with
a pool 12 minutes from the beach in Provence . . . 2,500
euro per week from May 11 to September 16

"La Lausiero":
/parlerparis/property/lalausiero.html

* Live luxuriously among the olive trees in a centuries-old
farmhouse near St. Tropez with a pool . . . $5,790 for a
two-week period April 8 through May 2, May 8 through June
21 and after July 27.
.
"La Vernatelle" can be found at
/parlerparis/property/lavernatelle.html

If you are interested in renting these properties, contact
us at mailto:[email protected] to be
connected directly with the owners.

— SEEKING ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT IN THE MARAIS

Schuyler Hoffman is seeking a furnished one-bedroom
apartment in the Marais for a mid-term rental (1 month to 1
year). If you know of anything, please contact him
immediately at mailto:[email protected]

— FEEL AT HOME IN PARIS

Shop the markets, make your breakfast, wash your clothing
and invite your friends . . . all the things you can do
when you stay in an apartment in Paris instead of a hotel.

Apartments start at $450 for simple studios to $3,900 for
luxury three-bedroom apartments in prime locations.

Click on
/parlerparis/property/rentalrequestform.html
and let the agents and managers do the rest.

— STAY FOR A WHILE

Stay for a month or more and rent a furnished apartment . .
.easy to say, but tough to find. We’ve made it easier. Just
click on
http://www.internationalliving.com/paris/apartments and
post your message on our new bulletin board.

— GET THEM WHILE THEY’RE HOT

There are a few last minute Paris apartment rentals to take
advantage of . . .

* Beautiful studio in the Marais on a courtyard near Le
Musee Picasso with three windows overlooking a quiet,
peaceful and romantic courtyard. It is outfitted with two
large, high quality single beds that together make a king
size bed, TV, VCR and films in English, hairdryer, iron +
ironing board, digitcode and intercom entry, telephone and
answering machine, Internet access, Hi-Fi, safe,
kitchenette with fridge, two-burner stove, microwave oven,
coffee maker, toaster and all the basics needed to have a
snack or dinner at home, plus a welcome kit including
breakfast basics and complimentary drinks and French wine.
Hand and bath towels are provided for every day’s use. 100
euro per day, minimum 5 nights. #pmstudio

* Rue St. Gilles: Very charming one-bedroom, located next
to the Place des Vosges in the Marais. Very quiet and
sunny. US$950/week. From April 10th. #gcstgilles

* Avenue des Ternes. Spacious, sunny one-bedroom apartment,
located between the Arc de Triomphe and the Porte Maillot
in a luxury building. US$1,200/week. From May 1st. #code
gcternes

* Rue Poncelet: One-bedroom, located in the heart of the
Famous Poncelet market street, near the Arc de Triomphe.
US$950/week. Available from April 19th. #gcponcelet

To contact the agency/manager of these apartments, please
email: mailto:[email protected] and
please specify the apartment number (example: #gcponcelet)
of those apartment(

s) you are interested in.

* * * * * * * * *

*** LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

* Bonjour Adrian-

I’m working with a group of moms who might need
baby-sitting or nanny services in Paris. Can you help?

Best
Terrance g.
Paris Through Expatriate Eyes
http://www.paris-expat.com

Terrance,

Since my "baby" is a baby-sitter herself, I asked Juliette
Andrews, author of the soon-to-be-launched electronic
"Insider Guide to Paris for Kids" to answer your question
and here’s what she had to say:

The following baby-sitting services are all bilingual. They
average about $7.00 an hour:

Kid Service
http://www.Kidservice.fr
01 42 61 90 00
They have been in business 30 years and are highly
professional and reliable. You can give as short as 2-hour
notice and also reserve before you get to France.

Ababa
01 45 49 46 46
Call after 4:00 PM to guarantee an English speaker.

Allo Maman
01 46 03 03 46

Special notes:

For those interested in being notified when the "Insider
Guide to Paris for Kids" is ready for download, email us
mailto:[email protected]?=subjectparisforkids

Also, bilingual high-school senior Erica Leeds takes on
baby-sitting assignments and can be reached at:
mailto:[email protected] and 06.15.93.09.77 after April
22nd.

* Hi Adrian,

I am going to be living and working in Paris for three
months this summer. What do you think is the best way to
call the US, with phone cards or is there a better, cheaper
way to do it? I studied abroad in Paris for a year in
1998-99 but due to short-term memory loss (!!) I can’t seem
to remember what I did about calling home back then.

Thanks,

Lauren E.

A few weeks ago I wrote about the least expensive calling
card I’ve ever come across! For 15.24 euro you can have 753
minutes to the US and they sell cards equally as
inexpensive for other destinations. This translates to
approximate 1.7 cents per minute and can be used within two
months of activation.

It’s called "Soleil" and it can be purchased at only two
locations in Paris: 62 rue de Tolbiac in the 13th and 133
rue de Charonne in the 11th.

Obviously, there are others easily purchased, but this one
is the least expensive.

Happy phoning, Adrian

*** TO READ MORE: Go to /parlerparis/

*** HAVE A SPECIAL MESSAGE? WANT TO EXCHANGE LINKS?

If you would like to have your message read by the
subscribers of the Parler Paris Nouvellettre^®, please email me
at mailto:[email protected]

If you have links about Paris or France and would like
reciprocal links, please email me at
mailto:[email protected]

*** TO RECEIVE THIS E-LETTER REGULARLY:

If you’re not a regular reader of this e-letter, and would
like to be, simply enter your e-mail address here (it’s
free): http://www.internationalliving.com/signup.cfm

*** To CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS:

http://www.agoramail.net/home.cfm?list=pparis

*** Know someone who would be interested in the
opportunities in this e-letter? Forward it to your friend,
relative, or associate!

*******
To REMOVE yourself from this list, send an email
to: [email protected] or go to our web interface
at: http://www.agoramail.net/home.cfm?list=PParis