Ever Dream Of Owning An Apartment In Paris? And More French Things
Ever since we lived in an apartment in Paris 24 years ago, we’ve visited there once or twice every year. We have reserved a Paris apartment rental in September (after the Olympics)…so this is our Paris fix until then!
Remember the painting of the living room of our apartment in the 8th arrondissement in Paris that my cousin, Janice did?
Here are things Parisian like I new book I received, a tiny apartment in the 14th arrondissement (that’s got me thinking about wanting a little but very nice apartment), a French clothing source you can buy online and more. It’s Five Fave time with Annie and Cindy!
1. My New Fave Book: Sweet Paris
My mother and sister-in-laws gave me this great book Sweet Paris: Seasonal Recipes from an American Baker in France by Frank Barron. He grew up in Southern California (like me) and was transplanted to Paris for his husband’s work (also like me). PLUS he has a Boston Terrier! like Chief
“A dazzling cookbook featuring 59 seasonal dessert recipes with American and French influences, accompanied by exquisite photographs and tips on serving and hosting with French flair for any occasion, from a casual afternoon teatime to an intimate dinner party to a festive holiday gathering.”
You can follow Frank on Instagram: Cake Boy Paris. His apartment in Paris looks like how ours did (in the first photo with the moldings, door on the right and sunlight).
2. Pied ‘a’Terre In Paris In Architectural Digest
I enjoyed a peak inside designer Jessica Helgerson’s 550 square foot dream apartment in Paris.
“Located in the 14th arrondissement, the home mixes California cool and French countryside chic.”
When we lived there, we had a much larger apartment with two growing kids and a dog and lots of visitors. But this got me thinking that wouldn’t it be fun to have a pied ‘a’ terre (foot to ground literally) place?
Photography by Aaron Leitz
(Howard: think of all the shopping for groceries you could do at the French markets? I mean I know you love Publix and all).
I would love to buy and furnish a one bedroom or studio apartment in the heart of Paris near convenient metro stations and cafes. We have stayed on both the right bank (when we lived there) and left bank in hotels and furnished apartments. We always look at the real estate notices in the various neighborhoods when we are there.
Would you consider buying an apartment in Paris?
Follow JH Interior Design On Instagram.
3. French Clothing By Sezane
Annie looks so good in this Clyde Trench Coat. It was out of stock in every color but now it is back in camel, olive and black. It’s a little hard for me to justify buying it right now living in Florida (and this time of year)…but I’d love to have it for our trip to Europe in September. Annie says it runs large.
Here is a dress you could wear right now. It’s made of a heavier t-shirt material. I have the black long/midi dress but I would like this one in coral or this one in floral for summer. It’s a flattering fit and they come in the midi versions too.
Returns are no charge and hassle-free.
Isn’t this such a cute basket tote embroidered with raffia flowers? I could see packing a small baguette and cheeses in it for a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens or along the River Seine.
4. My Best Paris Posts
If you or a friend are going to Paris, you might want to give them this roundup of best Paris posts.
5. What To Cook – Salade Niçoise
As the weather warms up, we like to make this grilled tuna salad with green beans, eggs, radishes, tomatoes and potatoes. The recipe is here.
The first time I had this salad was actually in Nice, France. We were living in Paris and went to the south of France for a few days. We stopped for lunch near the water’s edge. The kids played on the pebbly beach while Howard and I enjoyed a chilled glass of rosé and waited for our lunch to arrive…Salade Niçoise.
Notice the grilled lemons which make them easy to squeeze.
I did this again last weekend for simply sliced summer squashes and onions grilled with good olive oil and sea salt.
Happy Mother’s day to all you human and pet moms. Au revoir!
If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
We are buying an apart’ of 1238 sq ft in a chateau built in 1620 and surrounded by 5 acres of parkland. It has big rooms with high coffered ceilings, ornate plasterwork, marble fireplace, and original point de Hongrie floors. The initial investment is not much, but be careful what you wish for: New French laws allow an increasing number of cities/areas (and Paris is very much on the list) to raise taxes on second homes in a murderous way, escalating each year. Already they have increased by 60%. Thank goodness we are not in one of those areas…
That apartment sounds lovely!! Thank for telling us about the taxes. That is something we definitely need to look into if we proceed.
You will owe taxe d’habitation and taxe fonciere, paying accelerated costs as a nonresident. Many areas are adding taxes also in the form of parking, etc., in a bid to make up for tight rental markets caused by second home owners. You’ll need a Crit’Air sticker for your car because of pollution controls in most cities. Also look into the administration of apartments–usually they are governed by a syndicat, and you will be expected to participate in their meetings (like a co-op in the US) in French. French bureaucracy is a nightmare, to be honest. The process of buying and owning is much different than the US or UK, and it’s easy to get off on the wrong foot. Also figure out how you will be paying the bills, because most EU banks will not deal with Americans. (We lived in France for over 10 years before; now trying it again part-time.) Good luck…but do your homework.
I love when you post about Paris, you remind me of the 2 times I visited there, once with girlfriends and then with my 2 nieces. You’re so lucky to have gotten to live there, what a wonderful experience it must have been.
Hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day.
It’s a fun place to visit with girlfriends.
Paris is a wonderful city! We’ve been fortunate to visit quite a few times, and stayed for a month in an apartment in the Marais in 2007. Unfortunately, with my very bad geographic and place name memory (very hard for someone who loves to travel!), I do not remember a lot of special places I’ve visited nor important streets without a map :-{ We loved having a month pass to the Louvre, and visited weekly at night with very few other visitors.
We have a lovely, well-situated one bedroom apartment in my husband’s home town of Turin/Torino, Italy (2006 Winter Olympics site) that we completely renovated. Just a reality check: my husband is always hoping we spend several weeks there, even as a base for European travel, but I don’t love long trips (more than 3 weeks): so much planning before leaving home (house plants, garden, pet/s, etc.) and so much catching up upon return. Really, it is about accurate expectations: agreeing how to use it, how often, whether you will rent it privately or through an agency, limiting hassles with bills and repairs, etc. — and not feeling that it is underutilized! You know all this, Mary Ann — and judging from your smooth relocation from SF to FL, you two are much better at tactical planning than us!
Thank you for the Salade Nicoise recipe: I am always comparing ingredients and how others make it! And I will check out the ‘Sweet Paris’ book. Sezane is a lovely store: I bought a very flattering light wool cardigan there and the quality is wonderful.
Thanks for the reality check, Joan!!
Since our son will be finishing his culinary studies in Paris, we’ve started looking for a place there. He likes the most relaxed/ artistic Montmartre area, i honestly would be happy even in a tent by the Seine 🤫. After his acceptance interview we’ll make the decision. Paris might become closer to us than Florida. Fingers crossed
Mary Ann,
Happy Mother’s Day!
I too love Paris! Luckily I have been there to visit most every year since I turned 16. I also went to school there for 6 months so over the years have been able to travel all over France. My very good friend has/had 4 houses, including an apartment in Paris and I have been lucky enough to use them all. Sadly, as she ages she is selling them off and in January sold her Parisian apartment just across the street from Invalides. I spent many weeks each summer there and I cannot tell you how sad I was to see it sold. But I am thankful that I was able to stay in them all.
There are several bloggers that I follow that have small apartments in Paris. In theory I think it would be nice but I also think it is a lot of commitment.
I have that same cookbook!
Sezane has so many beautiful pieces. I love the trench but like you do not have much use for in in NC. The bag however I could see myself using for years!
The salad looks beautiful, although I would skip the fish. I do not eat seafood. Love the grilled veggies.
Have a wonderful week!
Good Mother’s Day Sunday Mary Ann,
The painting of your Paris apartment is a treasure. I know how much you and Howard love love love Paris I think after giving it serious discussion you will make the right choice. It sounds so tempting.
What a beautiful and perfect Mother’s Day gift for you. It sounds wonderful. I will be checking it out soon. You have so much in common with Frank Adrian Barron.
Enjoy your day.
Yes! I thought so too.
I’ve been to Paris every year for the past 12 years. I’ve been staying in the same apartment in the Marais for the last five visits and just can’t get enough of it. Have you read L’appart? It’s a very good behind the scenes book of David Lebovitz’s buying and remodeling of his Paris apartment.
I will get the book, Janette!
‘A pied ‘a’ terre (foot off the ground literally)’
Pied á terre = Foot ON the ground …although my feet would definitely be off the ground if I was lucky enough to own a little apartment in Paris.
Bonne fête des mères!
Sorry ‘pied à terre’ got my accents mixed up!
Yes..you are right or “to” the ground.
Great post about one of my favorite places. However I think pied a terre means foot on the ground doesn’t it?
Yes…you are right…I was just envisioning my feet “up” after walking all over Paris 🙂
I would love to visit Paris and the surrounding area. Perhaps, you could do a blog post on finding accommodations, where you have stayed and loved….I have no idea where to start looking.
There are lots of accommodations in
this roundup of best Paris posts.
https://classiccasualhome.com/planning-a-paris-trip-round-up-of-best-posts/
Hi Mary Ann,
Happy Mother’s Day ! I love Paris and l wish l knew the city better; my brother taught at the Sorbonne for many years and every time my husband and l would visit him he would take us to these amazing places.One time l remember he took me on a real adventure and we caught the metro to a area of the city late at night,
that was way off the tourist map, and we went into a nondescript corporate skyscraper building and took the lift to the top floor and there laid out in front of us was this incredible view of Paris. Magnificent.
I wish l could remember the name of the building.
But yes l would live there. In a heartbeat. Have fun exploring the possibility.
Take care!
That is so cool, Francesca. I wonder if it was in Montparnasse?
Yes that sounds right 🙂