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Bonjour!
It's only been three full days since we arrived in Paris, but we're already quite smitten by this beautiful city; and though we speak basically no French, are feeling just the teeniest bit like Parisians.
We've strolled the grand boulevards, wandered down quaint cobblestone streets and sauntered along the lovely river Seine to the tune of about 6-8 miles each day. And yes, we've found ourselves hopelessly lost a number of times, not even knowing how to ask for help or directions. Each day, by the time we've made the final climb to our third floor, little (very little) Paris apartment, our tired feet seem to be shouting, "Enough, enough already!"
But then, as we turn the key and catch the first glimpse of our little home-away-from-home, we seem to forget the fatigue, knowing we have a place to throw off our shoes, make a cup of tea or sip a glass of French wine, curl up on the couch and chill. That's when it's easy to pretend that we belong in this amazing "city of light".
When Scott and I were planning this 40th anniversary trip to Paris, we both felt like renting a flat vs. living out of a hotel would be our preference for a week long stay. We're so happy we chose this route as it's been delightful as well as more economical than staying in a hotel and eating every meal out.
One of the things we've discovered over the years when traveling, is that the images you see in pictures of hotels or vacation homes are not always accurate representations. When you actually see the place in person, often there's a bit of reality shock. Have you ever had that happen? It's actually quite a let down. Not this time however: our little (very little) Paris apartment is actually way better than we ever anticipated!
The flat is little, but so efficient, interesting and well done. We thought it would be fun to take you on a pictorial tour to show you what we mean. Are you ready?
Of course I was quite interested in the kitchen; are you surprised? But we'll share that fun little space in our next post. You won't believe the miniature appliances! There's also the bath and bedroom; simple, but just perfect for this little pair from North Carolina.
We're headed out for the day now, so I'm going to sign off. We love blogging from Paris but, at the same time, can hardly wait to get out each day and explore. So, until later, au revoir! We'll be back in your inbox soon, with Our Little (very little) Paris Apartment - Part 2!
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Hello! What a lovely little apartment! If you believe this place is still for rent, would you be able to share contact information with us? thank you so much!!!!
Hi Karen, the last time I looked it was not for rent. But that could have changed. We went through Paris for Rent - they had lots of lovely places. https://www.parisforrent.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorPSdFAADRCnP51o36jWuTxHmrFnrka4a8m-E-RMLgsxzvZ2_Zj
I continue to return to your blog for many recipes. The French Yogurt cake is a standard for me and I sometimes make it in 2 6 inch round pans….one for us and one for the freezer or for a friend. It is a never fail easy recipe. Thank you for all the wonderful postings throughout the years.
Wonderful! Thank you for the kind and encouraging comment, Joann!
Hi Chris: I so enjoyed the tour of your little apartment in Paris - and the courtyard is beautiful. We rented one once on the other side of the river and it was definitely not so charming, though it's courtyard was fun. As yet, I have not made your cake , but will bake it for company next week. Thank you. Vicki
Thanks, Vicki!
Loved the post and recipes. As a Brit who grew up in London, who moved to the 'burbs', I always find it funny to see comments made about European home/property sizes. Most of us aren't living in huge homes, but are paying a fortune for properties. A 1,350 sq ft semi in the burbs is £750,000. Especially, those within commuting distance of London. Most people setting up home near London, don't expect more than a small flat. Average prices for that flat start at £400,000 / $555,000. I imagine Paris may well be the same. Small is relative to what you are used to.
Hi Maria, you are so correct! And we are so spoiled here, in America! We dearly loved that little Paris apartment and London is one of our favorite places in the world. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
I must have missed the Lemon Cake could you repeat it please it is my favorite flavour
Hi Elizabeth, here is the lemon cake- https://thecafesucrefarine.com/french-grandmothers-lemon-yogurt-cake/
Dear Chris,
I so enjoyed reading about your trip to Paris and the lovely flat you rented! It’s wonderful to live vicariously, especially now during these challenging times. You mentioned that you’d post a recipe for a salad vinaigrette that you enjoyed while in Paris, but I can’t find it. Would you direct me please?
Happy Holidays!🎄
Thanks, Rose! It's ture, we all have to live a little vicariously right now. Regarding the salad dressing, I never got it posted. But it's a classic French salad dressing that's served every in Paris and France. Here's a basic rendition:
1 small shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons good French Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
6 tablespoons good quality extra-virgin olive oil
Whisk together the shallots, vinegar, mustard and salt in a small bowl and let it sit for 8-10 minutes (this will remove any sharp flavor from the shallots). Slowly whisk in the oil until the dressing comes together. Taste and add a bit more salt and pepper, if needed. This will keep for 10 days-2 weeks in the fridge.
You can add some chopped fresh herbs if desired.
Hi Dear Chris,I hope all is Ok at your end. I enjoyed baking your easy lemon cake. It is tasty and delicious! I also enjoyed seeing your lovely little French flat. It brought sweet memories of home! Well done for your writing in describing your holiday...you reminded me of the lovely books I used to read when younger. Well done for all and Thank you for sharing. God Bless and Stay safe.☺😍
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Doreen! Paris is such a charming and lovely place to visit!
Your Little Apartment in Paris looks lovely. How did you find such a great place?
Thanks, Michelle! It was so charming. We looked at several rental agencies and ended up going with Paris for Rent. We were very pleased with their services.
Hi Dear Chris,I hope all is Ok at your end. I enjoyed baking your easy lemon cake. It is tasty and delicious! I also enjoyed seeing your lovely little French flat. It brought sweet memories of home! Well done for your writing in describing your holiday...you reminded me of the lovely books I used to read when younger. Well done for all and Thank you for sharing. God Bless and Stay safe.☺😍
Thanks, Doreen! What a sweet, kind comment! I appreciate you taking the time to write 💕
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your wonderful post in Paris and the Lemon Cake. Being in lock down and not having the chance to revisit Paris for a while, your cake recipe helped with the blues and gave me the French feeling. I tried the cake a few times and just love it. Last time I added 6 small passion fruits to the dough and also doused the cake in a mixture of lemon and passion fruit juice - delicious.
Merci Bien
Andreas Lippa
De rien, Andreas! I'm so happy you enjoyed both the cake and the post 💕 Your adaptation with the passion fruit sounds delicious!
Dear Chris, firstly I love the Lemon Cake have made it several times since I found your recipe, thank you.
Do you think you could tell me the names of the little flat you rented in Paris. My daughter and I are hoping to go to Paris in July. I would appreciate your help.
With my thanks and best wishes.💕
Olga Pringle Sydney. Australia.
Hi Olga, thanks so much! I'm so happy you've enjoyed the French Grandmother cake!
How fun, to go to Paris with your daughter. July would be a lovely time to visit. We rented our flat through Paris for Rent. It was in the Latin Quarter and the name was Sorbonne. It was a delightful area of Paris and easy to get around to see the rest of the city via Uber, the Metro or walking. Have a wonderful trip!
Thank you so much for letting me know. I am 78 and not too good on emails etc and didn't see your reply until now. Sorry for the belated thank you, will let you know how I go
With my thanks and best wishes. Olga. 💕🌺
Hi Chris, do you remember I said my daughter and I were hoping to go to Paris for 8 days. Well we went and thanks to you stayed in the Latin quarter at a wonderful little hotel called Melia Norte Dame, just the best spot. We had the best time and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Paris would have to be the most beautiful city. Everything about our holiday was just wonderful, couldn't have been better. I hope to celebrate my 80th there with family. Thank you and my favourite lemon cake for helping us decide on Paris.
With my best wishes. Olga Pringle, Sydney, Australia.💕💕
I would love to know the name of the apartment you stayed in could you please post it or send it to my email address. Many thanks
Hi Mary, we rented through Paris for Rent - https://www.parisforrent.com The name of our apartment was The Sorbonne.
I came over here from Monique's blog. I know where you are-my Dad and I went looking for the Curie institute-this looks like a lovely apartment. Who did you rent from?
We rented through Paris for Rent - they're based out of San Francisco, but are very helpful and worked well with us.
Chris & Scott--- beautiful apartment. Makes me think I was along with you. Question for you, my husband and I are planning to see Italy in 2 yrs and we would love to rent a flat like you did as well. How did you find it? VRBO? AirBnB? Craigslist? Or did you use a travel agent? I absolutely loved the quaint charm oozing from your pictures and hope to make the lemon cake this afternoon. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Terri, we just looked online and found Paris for Rent, they were great to work with.
Thank you for this wonderful post and lovely pictures! I saw much more of Paris than I have ever seen through photos before. I have 2 questions: What kind of camera and lens did you use? How did you come across the apartment for rent? Thanks in advance!
Hi Janelle! Scott here. I shoot with my "big boy" camera; a Canon 6D - it's a full frame camera and really turns out beautiful shots, even in limited lighting environments. The lens is the Canon EF 24-105mm 1.4 zoom lens. For food photography, I also use a Canon EF 50mm 1.4 primary lens and a Canon EF 100mm 2.8 macro lens for tight closeups.
Thank you so much for the tour! What a lovely and beautiful place. I miss Paris. I visit last summer and always longing to go back again! So nice to see your post.
Chris, you're seriously making me want to plan a trip to Paris!! I haven't been in so many years! Your apartment looks lovely, and I think you must live in a very big house because that little apartment doesn't look quite so little to me! 😉 Hope you're having a wonderful time!
Your little (very little) apartment is very quaint and cozy. It's beautiful!
I am so happy and lucky to have landed here today...first of all, happy 40th anniversary to you and your husband. What a beautiful way to celebrate; I couldn't imagine a more romantic getaway than with my husband in Paris and in a cozy apartment. And what a gorgeous apartment it is! I would never want to leave! : ) Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your very special holiday.
Wow what a gorgeous courtyard and breakfast overlooking tat courtyard sounds like a dream! Thanks so much for sharing this quaint and gorgeous apartment and trip with us, Chris!
Beautiful place Chris, Happy 40th!!!
This is my first time reading one of your blogs, normally i simply admire the fod related ones. But reading this particular gave me a sense e of happiness and utter content. It inspires me, and I truly look forward to Part 2 >_< 🙂
What a beautiful little spot Chris. I wish I could steal Scott's seat at your breakfast table and dig into to those treats looking out at the view. Can't wait to see the rest of the place.
What a charming space, the perfect home away from home!
By Paris standards, your place looks huge. 🙂 I'm so glad you're sharing your romantic anniversary with us.
Stay right here Tricia, we've got a lot more to come!
I love seeing Paris with you both! Thanks for sharing your amazing journey. A wonderful anniversary!
The best way to celebrate an anniversary! So beautiful!!!
Wish you the best, dear Chris!
Happy anniversary!
Thank you so much Lenia!
Chris and Scott,
That place looks precious! Great charm and history. Thanks for sharing it all through Scott's awesome photo's.
How's the weather? Seems like a perfect trip.
Flowers and pastry, couldn't ask for more!
Thanks Patti! The weather has been remarkable - a string of five days of clear skies and mid 70's temps. Yesterday, we had a little rain on the way home from St. Chapelle and today it has rained pretty steady, but that doesn't stop us! We hit a great flea market in another part of the city. Cait's Scottish neighbor in London used to say, "Never bad weather, only bad clothing!" How true!
Wow, it is just perfect! I think it must have been renovated since it was a convent. A lot of it looks brand new! How many others have apartments in this building? How did you know how to to rent such a perfect place, with the bakery and market so close?
Ginny, we'd love to say finding this apartment was carefully planned and executed by us, but we really just were blessed with accidentally running into a near perfect place. There are actually 4 buildings that wrap around the courtyard, so it's hard to say how many people live here, although it's very quiet, with the occasional pleasant sounds of children and parents playing in the courtyard.. Bakeries and markets abound all over Paris, so it's hard not to end up in a neighborhood with several of them. There are over 70 street food markets in Paris! Parisians just love to eat and shop!
What a charming place! This looks quite grand compared to the little 8' x 10' hotel room that we had when we visited Paris. But, hey, it's Paris! You now have me missing my favorite city. Have a lovely time.
Thanks Pattie! We met a couple today who had gone on a "tour" with a large group. They looked so weary, trying to make it to so many cities and sites in a short time. For us, we just love immersing in the life and culture. Maybe we don't hit all the sights, but the memories are so vivid when we get back.
That is the true way to see a city and learn the culture. We never went on tours, preferring, like you, to live like the locals. When in Paris we stayed in the Latin Quarter as well. I loved the area. I just finished watching a short film called "Monet's Palate," and now I want to go to Normandy!
It's in the 5th Monique.
Glenda, we walked past it on the way to the Eiffel Tower the other day and will probably do the Orsay or the Louvre on Monday.
Chris, this was such a fun post. I hope there will be more than a part 2. 🙂 I was happy to hear that you are getting along without knowing French. I am always impressed by the small living space. I guess if you are just sleeping/relaxing there, there really is no need for a bigger space.
p.s. I love that you bought flowers.
Madonna, with flower stalls on every street corner, it's impossible to not buy flowers on your way home! Knowing French has not been a problem at all and most everyone we've met has been so gracious and forgiving when it comes to language.
Be sure to go to Ile de Cite - close to Notre Dame on Sunday for what I always called the bird and flower market. I love Paris and your flat looks perfect. Hope you will give info so I can pass it on to my son & girlfriend.
We were just up there today Kay. We'll be market shopping tomorrow, so maybe we can walk up for that. It sounds so fun!
Happy Happy Anniversary.
I've never been a Paris fan but several of the blogs I follow seem to love it. Can't wait to hear/see about your adventures.
So far this place looks lovely.
Julie
It truly is Julie!
This is going on my travel bucket list, it looks like heaven! I would sit down at that little table by the window and never leave 🙂
Sue, there are mornings where we have to push ourselves out the door, it's just that warm and comfortable!
I am loving your stories and pictures., since I have never been to France. You make it seem like I am looking a photos from a close friend. Thanks, I am really enjoying your travels.
That makes us so happy Karen! We wanted to make it a trip with friends; and you are!
Living the dream...and, I'm right there w/you! xo
Thanks Ally!
What a joy! We have been to Paris three times and hope to return. We stayed in hotels previously but would much rather
go your route. Will you share how you found this special apartment? Happy 40th Anniversary!
We will Cherie, in Part 2 coming up!
So beautiful and thanks for sharing all the details I feel like I'm taking a little vacation along with you 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Thanks Jennifer, that's what we were hoping to do, to take all of you along.
you have a hidden jewel in paris!
c'est magnifique!
thanks so much for sharing
terrific pix! 🙂
Thanks! We think so too!
Happy Fortieth, what a great way to celebrate. The last time Rob and I were in France (Versaille) we did a home exchange and stayed on the third floor of a 16th century building over the market square. And yes it was fresh croissants or chocolatine for us in the morning too.
Enjoy.
Val, that sounds so great! Chris and I have always talked about renting a home somewhere in rural France; to get the country experience.
Oh Chris, your apartment is just beautiful. You paint such a beautiful picture of Paris. I love your apartment and am looking forward to seeing your kitchen. Enjoy yourself and I can't wait to read more of your stories.
Thanks Jennifer! Wait till you see how everything is in miniature compared to what we are used to in the States! And yet, it all works!
Hi Chris and Scott!
I'm enjoying your posts from Paris and even though I was just there, about a month ago, I'm ready to book again for next year ;-). I agree that renting an apartment is the best way to feel like less like a tourist and more like a local in a city like Paris. Enjoy those pastries..there is nothing quite like them at home in the States 😉 I'm sure you are walking off those calories every day and what a great way to enjoy all the lovely sights of Paris xxooxx Patty
Thanks Patty! It's a real dream come true!
What a wonderful little place. I too and from NC and have been to Paris a few years ago and stayed at the Hilton Arc de Triumphe, which is no longer there. I would love to know info on the apartment you are staying in as we plan a trip back to Paris next year.
Penny
Penny, we will be sharing a little about who we got the apartment through on Part II of Our Little (very little) Paris Apartment, so stay tuned later this week!
I already know this unique apartment you could rent through Paris For Rent. But until now I don't know in which neighborhood it is located...could you please tell us?
Hello Olinta, our apartment was in the Latin Quarter, such a fun area!
Oh, Chris! What fun! Thanks for sharing your adventure. The last time we were in Paris, we went as a family (the kids were 16 and 11) and stayed in an apartment for a week. Market shopping, whether the outside type or supermarket, are some of my fondest memories from that trip. 🙂 The bread/pastries in France are in a league all their own. My son, a huge baguette fan, told me the trip to Paris "ruined" American baguettes for him forever. 😉 So, I DO understand the feeling of maybe you had never had a real croissant before! Enjoy!
Thanks Wendy! It is so fun, and an incredible learning experience, which we both love.
You found a gem! Enjoy every minute. We walked more in Paris than we ever have anywhere. Hope you have tried the Metro. It is easier than NYC,. Even without speaking French in France, people are friendly and yes, we have been terribly lost also. But isn't it just the best? I know you will be back again. Paris grows on you. Also interested in what part of the city your (very little) flat is.
We have used the Metro Susan and, because we're so used to the London Tube system, it makes total sense, even though everything is in French. A very efficient way of getting around ... and a fun way to study the locals!
Your apartment looks beautiful - which arrondissement is it in? We rented an apartment in Montmartre, also smaller than we thought but the neighborhood more than made up for it - we have already been back and I don't think it was for the last time....
Wishing you a wonderful Parisian weekend!
Thank you! The weather is still amazing, and this afternoon we had a wonderful thunderstorm when we were safely in our cozy apartment! We are in the Latin Quarter, near the Currie Institute. 5th Arrondissement.
I am SO jealous! You are doing what I wish I had the nerve to do. The apartment, the setting, the simple culinary treats are all so wonderful. I can't wait to see and read more.
Thanks Brenda! It is truly a dream come true!
Love your little part of Paris! Thanks for taking us along on your wonderful adventure!
Thanks Kathy! We're loving every minute.