>>Champagne..... I want to rent one for my husband and I on our next trip. ..... I hope it is not booked.<<

It's booked from Dec 9 through Dec 18 - by us. We were in Champagne for 3 weeks this past Sept & Oct. Had all kinds of plans to visit Reimes, Rouen, Chartres, etc. We walked into Champagne, re-arrarned the furniture to take advantage of the fabulous views, and spent a LOT more time in the Apt than we anticipated. Never made it to Reims, Rouen, etc. We actually dined in our own "dining room" quite often instead of eating at restaurants in the "Hood". Even with the economy as bad as it is now, staying at Champage, eating in our Apt 5-6 nights a week, makes for a fabulous vacation in Paris.

We actually cancelled a 3 week vacation in Eastern Europe, and substituted it with 10 days in Champagne - because of costs.

Stu Dudley

It sounds like you had a great time and from the pictures, OMG how could you not have been over the moon. I would cook and have wonderful dinners, with Champagne, read wonderful books, sounds like a dream vacation for sure. You guys have the time of your life when you go....I hope to make it there myself in the near future, I have sent an email asking about availibity. It can't be much more than our bill last summer at the Luxhembourg Parc....

elsiejune: I, too am sorry that our dates don't mesh..

returntoyourseat: I'm glad you have found your "lost" apartment! "Champagne" is a pretty special apartment. All who have stayed there rave about it. If you have sent a note off about availablity, Michelle will get back to you soo, I'm sure. Then you can make some Paris plans!!

dlejhunt: No, unfortunately I am not fluent in French! I have learned enough and know customs quite well, so am able to communicate well enough to always receive many niceities in return. I thank you for your compliments.

Stu: I didn't know, til now, that you had cancelled another trip to be back in the "Champagne" in Dec.

Maybe we need to add a new type of GTG..Paris Perfect Alumni! Wouldn't we all have fun, comparing and talking about the different places..along with Paris, of course....might be something to think about....a bientot..

Joan

elsiejune,
When I pulled up the Pinot apartment I thought it looked a bit different. I wondered if it had been recently re-decorated. So, I did ask. Yes, it has just been re-decorated and the bathroom was just re-painted, last week! They do keep them fresh and new!

Joan

Yes, it does indeed look lovely and we're so looking forward to our time there. We've chosen Pinot for the courtyard bedroom, balcony w/ET view, kitchen/dining area, and (hopefully) quiet building. Like Stu, we are just as happy to dine "chez nous" as eat in a neighborhood restaurant. This year, I've resolved to take advantage of the nearby marches (Saxe-Breteuil, Grenelle, Wilson). We've had some of our best food, however, at the small butcher shop, Viande du Champ de Mars, next door to 124 rue St. Dominique. Of course the Constant restaurants are on our short list, as well as Au Bon Accueil, to which Stu gave rave reviews. By the way Joan, do you have a favorite spot for lunch on arrival day? Will FlirThe fit the bill? EJ ((#))

elsiejune,

Flirt The is a simple place, but could easily fit the bill for arrival day. Do tell Florent that you know me. I will be seeing him just ahead of you, so will give him your name, too. Very reasonable, many items on the board and because he serves afternoon tea, you could have a late lunch. 3, ave. Duquesne. I like Les Cocottes for a convenient lunch spot, too.

Joan

elsiejune,
I'm not familiar with the butcher shop that you mentioned. I will have to stop by. Do they also serve food?

Joan

Joan, I'm sure you've passed the butcher shop, as it's right next door to PP's 124 St.Dominique address. They do have some prepared items: roasted chickens, saucissons, yummy side dishes. All in all, a great place to cobble together an apt. meal. EJ

elsiejune,

Yes, I have to pass it regularly!! I will definitely go in when there in April.

Joan

How nice to read all the planning for a PP stay. Having stayed last December at the Pomerol and Cote du Rhone with Joan, I can really second everyone for the excellence of PP apartments. Madelyn really does a wonderful job decorating and furnishing the apartments. The staff are wonderful and of course, the neighborhood (which is my old neighborhood) is excellent.

I wish you all a wonderful sejour in Paris! Wish I am joining you in my favorite city!

Lilia

Gracejoan & others, I just want to thank so many of you for all of your wonderful advice and comments. I have been reading silently for months and just returned from a week in the Pomerol with girlfriends, airport transport by Shuttle-Inter and visits to many of your favourite places. Thanks for helping to make our trip a cherished memory for all of us. I hope to meet some of you at one of your GTG - you are obviously a delightful group!

rampchic,

I'm sure that you and friends had a great time staying in the Pomerol. A convenient location for you to be in. You will have a lot of fun at home talking about the things that you did.

You will soon be planning your next trip to Paris!!

a bientot...

Joan

Joan and Stu, thanks for all the pleasant replies to the post on PP apartments. I believe we are going to book Champagne for a couple of weeks in December. Michelle has been wonderful corrensponding with me on the details. Stu, you have to tell me how you arranged the furniture:) This will be our first time after many trips to Paris, to rent an apartment on our own, I feel this will be a real test, but I am up to the adventure. I am sure I will be calling on all of you for advice as the date nears. Thank you again, I wish all of you safe and wonderful trips.

Stu or return. I'd look to look at the champagne, pretty please!

Mimi..just go to the website www.parisperfect.com and pull up any of them..Champagne is there.

returntoyourseat..Dec. must be getting full..Stu has 10 days or so..some other friends were looking for a few days ahead of Stu. Michelle will certainly take care of you. I think you will be able to tell how the furniture was re-arranged when you are in the apartment...to have those wonderful views at their best. Beware, though..you will be spoiled for anything else!

Joan, Enjoy your upcoming month in Paris. Please let us know if you participate in one of the cooking classes being offered or if you have any new suggestions for us. As predicted, I plan a return to Paris next April - Cotes du Rhone apartment this time.
To all, thanks for a lovely thread. I have learned so much!

rampchic,
Thank you. I'm not one for cooking. I seldom cook at home. I have all those beautiful PP kitchens that are barely used. Not even the Nepresso coffee makers!

I am all set to leave on the 14th. Will have lunch at Les Cocottes on the 15th. I plan to meet some nice friends there. They are leaving tomorrow for their first trip with their 2 children and parents. They will be staying in the Sancerre. I can hear all the excitement of a first timer! Also have reservations for a nice little spot across the Seine on Tremoille for that first evening with a gal from Philly, who will be joining me for several dining adventures..early dinner with some wine and then early to bed. Will be on Paris time in the morning.

I am adding a touch of Provence and taking the TGV on the 20th down to Avignon and driving to Les Baux to
www.riboto-de-taven.fr a favorite spot of mine. I do love the Alpilles. I will return to Paris on the 23rd. We have a nice GTG with small group of local friends and American friends who happen to be in Paris..another making plans for Paris now. That is for the 24th..all to my apt. to meet, greet and enjoy some champagne and then walk over to Cafe Constant for our Parisian dining hour of 9:00.

Just heard from another nice Chicago friend and Fodor's poster..weekender..who often takes these long weekend trips..Thurs. - Sun. He has had many already this year. He will be in London and will take the morning Eurostar and come by my apt. and we are going to Fables de la Fontaine for lunch and have a nice visit and he will return to London on the Eurostar and back to Chicago on Sunday! He is a traveler!!

You will like the Cotes du Rhone. Nice living room with the ET right there..also the Monaco Royal Apartments for some of your neighbors. Good boulangerie across the street. You are on the corner of Bourdonnais and Monttessuy. Location, location, location. Everything there and can walk to so much along with all the great restaurants.A good choice if that is the size that you need. We were there in Dec. The first ones to stay in that apartment.

a bientot....

Joan

Joan,
Lucky you to meet Weekender! He is a favorite poster of mine please do give him a warm hug. :)

Have a great trip,
Dawn

MomDDTravel,

Weekender was in Paris when I was there in Dec. He joined our small group GTG at Cafe Max.

Will be nice to see him again. It will be his first visit to Fables de la Fontaine.

Joan

Joan,
We are also fans of taking short trips to Paris. Mostly three to four days or extended weekends, so I can appreciate Weekenders' plan.
Have a great trip to France!

Waterdog,

Yes, you have the same kind of schedules, but for different reasons, I think. You have the older family dog that you don't like to leave for lenghty trips.

Joan

Joan -

He was so kind when he was there in December to scope out our upcoming apartment rental and report back in detail on the markets close by etc. :)


Enjoy - I am of course green with envy!

Best,
Dawn

Dawn:

Fly over...I'll buy lunch!

Weekender - tempter!I have miles!

Dawn,

Catherine already confirmed reservation..I can send an email and ask her to add another!!

Joan

Hi Joan,

Fancy seeing you on Fodor's.

I have a call into Paris Perfect. Thanks again for all of your helpful advice.

Your new friend Janiekins

Hi Janiekins,

Yes, Fodor's is a good spot!

You will enjoy being in touch with Taryn or Michelle. They will be very helpful.

Let me know what you end up with.

Joan

I'm thinking about booking the Paris Perfect apartment called Syrah. Has anyone stayed there before? What did you think?

MsMuse,

I stay regularly in the PP apartments. I'm leaving on Tues for a moth stay.

The Syrah is on r. Cler. It has a balcony to sit on and you can easily people watch. It is a cute apartment and has all the amenities of a PP.

All who stay in a PP do enjoy them. If I can help further, please let me know.

Joan

This just came out..it is fantastic..get your Paris fix...the music is wonderful. I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=...ct&view=videos

Joan

Joan, Thanks for the info on the Cotes du Rhone and have a safe and fun trip. Your plans sound lovely as always and I hope you'll update us from Paris. All the best!

rampchic,

Cotes du Rhone is a nice 2 B/R. apt. I will be checking out some others this trip.

I think this is going to be a great trip. I have so many things jelling with people, places, etc.

I have been asked to take pictures of what shoes are being worn, and which type/size of sunglasses! Guess I will have to start using my camera. Lilia did most of that in Dec.

I set up a blog..new to me..will see how/if I use it. The running trip report has worked well in the past.

At the moment, I still have all 4 center row seats to myself, for my flight over. I have been lucky that way the last several trips. Hope my luck continues!

a bientot...

Joan

Joan,
Wishing you a wonderful trip. I'll be looking forward to reading all about it ... and following you to the 7th at the end of May. Bon voyage, EJ ((#))

elsiejune,

Thanks. If I can make any reservations for you, let me know. I might run into some great new places.

a bientot..

Joan

Thanks Joan, I might take you up on that, especially for Le Florimond early in our trip and Fables on a Sunday night. We're always looking for new places, as well. Have our fingers crossed that Spring might reopen before we leave on June 4th. We're also hoping to put a GTG together, but thus far there's been little interest for our dates.
Safe travels, EJ

Joan, I am sure that the Constants will be feeding you again while you are in Paris. If you would be so kind as to mention that there is interest in their cooking program, but that I can't be there until next spring I would greatly appreciate it. Looking forward to your trip report - I hope you are able to stretch out and sleep on the flight over. Popping a Tylenol PM before takeoff has helped me on many trips across the pond. Bon voyage & bon appetit!

Tomorrow I will start a new thread..
"Paris April 15 - May 13, 2009"

"Spring" is on my list to check out for opening. Want a sneak preview, too!

EJ,I can easily make reservations for Le Florimond and Fables. Remember that Pasco's and Cafe d/Alma (on Rapp)are both open on Sundays, too. Not comparing them to Fables, but good places to know for Sunday evenings. Les Anges and La Cuisine are both good places in that area..153 Grenelle, too.Really, pretty endless.

At the present I have all 4 center row seats to myself. I have lucked out on my last several trips that way. I don't really eat much of their food and I don't drink anything..I don't like bathrooms on air planes! I just wait for them to take the trays so I can stretch out and see how much sleep I can get!

Just had a message today of another friend heading for Paris tonight. I have told so many people that I will be in Les Cocottes for lunch on Wed...should be quite a few of us there!

a bientot....

Joan

gracejoan,

Out of curiosity, how far in advance do you make your reservations (especially if/when there's not a tremendous amount of flexibility in your schedule)?

By the time you read this, you will probably be in Paris. Bon voyage!

Elsiejune, you should add your GTG idea to Monica's long thread. I think there were several people who posted there who would be in Paris late May or early June. They may not have seen your thread.

Thanks Leely, will do.

Leely2,

I am assuming that you mean dining reservations.

There are some places that will only accept reservations within a certain time frame...my reservations at the "Ritz Vendome", for instance..they accept one month. "Spring" you needed as far in advance as possible. Actually what I do with Daniel, is call him and tell him the dates I would be in Paris and for him to tell me what he had available for lunch/dinner.

I made my reservations (actually had Paris Perfect)for Table de Joel Robuchon about a month ago. They made them for my arrival night at a little place, too. My Crillon l'Obelisque have been made for at least two months. I feel fortunate in being able to email Catherine Constant for any reservations for their restaurants. I did that for my group of friends for Cafe Constant for 4/24. Some can wait til in Paris to make for a few days or so in advance. Starred restaurants require more advance and/or their set time frame. Sometimes best to use your hotel concierge or as I did, using PP. Perhaps they have an "in" for a more difficult reservation. I do call from here using the inexpensive 1010 dialing numbers..just have to get up early for the time difference!

Joan