Paris Ice Cream at Berthillon's

BERTHILLON GLACIER -- Where to find great ice cream in the heart of Paris


There are few things as refreshing as a great scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day. At Berthillion Glacier, you will find some of the world's best ice cream to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth. Along with ice cream, Berthillon specializes in scrumptious sorbets that come in a plethora of flavors. Some of the more popular flavors are fraise de bois (wild strawberries), and not to be missed is the chocolate-chocolate for the chocolate affectionado.

They have existed for well over 50 years and have a world famous reputation as being one of the best producers in Europe. They use only natural products and traditional recipes with no added chemicals or flavors. They are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Without a doubt Berthillon is a must for any discerning gourmet.

Berthillion Glacier is located right on the Ils St.Louis on that beautiful island in the middle of the Seine River. To top it off there is nothing like a stroll along the Seine to the tip of Ile Saint Louis for a great view of the city with a great scoop of sorbet on a hot day. Hands down the best ice cream in the city.

BERTHILLON GLACIER
31, rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile 75004
PARIS Métro :
Pont Marie, Cite, or Hotel de Ville

Rentals in Paris is proud to provide this information to our guests as one of the wonderful Paris establishments that we can highly recommend.

Neill Porteous
For
Rentals in Paris
www.rentals-paris.com

Paris apartments are always Excellent value

The Paris Tourism Office recently published their annual statistics relating to the tourism industry. This report includes the average price per night for a hotel room. In France you can rent an (average) room for 121 Euros/night. In Paris the same quality room (2 star category for two people) rents for 144 euros/night. It's important to keep in mind that an average hotel room does not meet standards expected by most American, Canadian or Australian travellers, in terms of size or comfort level. An average 2 star hotel probably won't have elevators, air conditioning or queen size beds. The room size is probably less than 10 square meters small and might be very noisy as many Paris hotels are.

These average rates are also far below the rates charged by most hotels in the central Paris neighborhoods where rates can range from 150-500 euros/night for a double room. The average rate is closer to 250 euros/night. These rates don't include breakfast, taxes, internet access, telephone calls, laundry facilities or kitchen access. A couple is therefore looking at spending between 1000-1500 Euros for 4 or 5 nights in a well located, but average comfort level hotel for 2 people. If your family includes more than 2 people, expect to pay much more than this.

The apartment rental option is therefore a very very cost effective choice. As a rule there is a one week minimum for most rentals in most agencies since the work involved has a number of fixed costs that can't be reduced. That's why many companies stick to the weekly minimum, even when guests reserve for 4 or 5 nights. In all cases, the weekly rates are a real bargain by Paris standards, and when you find a beautiful apartment which is located in one of the most central areas (the first, fourth, sixth or seventh districts) the weekly rates are usually 50% less than what an equally well located Paris hotel would charge you for 3 or 4 nights.

Even when going to Paris for less than a week, the Paris apartment rental option is a very good option for you and the extremely good value for money you will have will make your trip one of your best ones yet. For your next trip to Paris for 4 or 5 nights, don't hesitate to rent an apartment and you will certainly be satisfied with your decision.

Glenn Cooper
www.rentals-paris.com

The Grace Kelly Years: Paris Exposition

EXPOSITION FEATURING GREACE KELLY
Les années Grace Kelly, princesse de Monaco.
The Grace Kelly Years, Princess of Monaco.

With the summer in Paris well under way, there is no lack of cultural events to see that in grandeur, style and grace are equal to that of the beauty of the city itself. This summers exposition at the Hotel de Ville is certainly no exception. The retrospective called « Les années Grace Kelly, princesse de Monaco » The years of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, details the life of the Hollywood film star turned princess. It includes a photo album with some of her closest friends including Alfred Hitchcock, Carey Grant, and Bing Crosby to name a few. Also included are her wedding dress and other items from her wedding ceremony as well as home movies with her children and scenes from some her best known films.

The exhibit is open until the 16th of August at the Hotel de Ville, Paris and is free of charge. For more information concerning this and other expositions and events in and around Paris, go to www.culture.fr.

When: 10th June - 16th August 2008Where: Hôtel de Ville, Salle Saint-Jean, 5 rue Lobau, Paris 4th arrondissement. Métro Hôtel de Ville (lines 4 & 11)
Opening hours: open every day except Sundays and public holidays from 10am - 7pm (last entrance at 6.15pm)
Price of admission: adults 0 euros, children 0 euros, students 0 euros, princesses 0 euros. Expect to queue a little...

Rentals in Paris Team
www.rentals-paris.com

Paris Cinema en Plein Air

With activities ranging from canoeing on the seine to free salsa classes at the villette, the summer in Paris has lots to offer even the most finiky of travellers.

This week kicks off the 18th annual Cinema en Plein Air. It is a free outdoor film festival held in the Parc de la Villette in the 19th arrondisment of Paris. Starting on Tuesday the 15th of July, it runs until the 17th of august, showing films projected on a big screen every night for free. All the films are shown in their original format with french subtitles for the English movies.

This year's theme is Ava, Rita, Gina...les étoiles ne meurent jamais ( the stars that never die.) This years selections include Lost in Translation, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, O'Brother Where Art Thou, Who's Affraid of Virginia Wolf, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, to name a few. There are also films by directors Akira Kurasowa, and Pedro Almodovar.

For a full listing you can go to the official site at www.villette.com, or www.cinema.arbo.com. So bring a blanket, prepare a picnic, and enjoy the show.

Posted by Neill for Rentals in Paris
www.rentals-paris.com

The Crystal Skull in Paris?

Known for great food, romantic atmosphere and a wealth of cultural activity, Paris can also be quite an adventurous place! The Quai Branly Museum is exposing the Crystal Skull for the opening of the latest episode of the Indiana Jones saga: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!
From May the 20th to September the 14th, this museum, specialized in primitive art, is unveiling this ancient artefact, whose origins and conception’s are still surrounded by the greatest mysteries!
The Crystal Skull, a 5 inch high clear quartz ‘skull-pture’, was discovered in the 19th century on the land of the Aztec civilization and never stopped fascinating people ever since it first integrated the Trocadero Ethnology Museum in 1878, as a gift from the explorer Alphonse Pinart.
It was long considered a masterpiece representing Mictlantecuhtli, the ruler of Mictlan, the world of the dead. Its secrets are now yours to discover…

http://www.quaibranly.fr
http://www.rentals-paris.com

Great Paris Restaurant: L'Epi d'Or

Restaurant in Paris: L'Epi d'Or By Glenn Cooper - Rentals in Paris April 2008

Today it is getting harder and harder to find a good old fashioned Paris brasserie in the heart of the City of Light. True Francophiles who come to Paris looking to partake in those wonderful truly French dining pleasures have their work set out for them these days.

Luckily one of Paris' wonderful dining experiences is still there after 68 years and going strong at the Epi D'Or, conveniently located in the Palais Royal neighborhood around the corner from the Louvre and Les Halles.

L'Epi d'Or's owner since 1986, Pascaline is there every night catering to her clients, who range from many 'habitues' who eat here several times a week to a variety of newcomers whose smiles immediately illustrate their pleasure as the food makes it to their palates.

Pascaline offers a variety of meat and fish dishes including her famous Gigot de 7 heures (7 hour roasted lamb). There's also daily fresh fish, Fois Gras, an excellent selection of fresh vegetables and deserts that will make your mouth water.

One of her specialties is a Gratin de Fruits Rouges (a mixture of red berries, covered in a light cream and lightly baked which is my personal favorite. EVERY item on the menu is selected personally by her own hands as she does the food markets daily.

As she learned from her grandmother, a Cordon Bleu chef, who ran the business before her, "The key to offering clients a perfect meal is to master everything going into their plates."
These old fashioned values which make this establishment one of Paris' finest, are quickly noted by anybody having the pleasure to dine at l'Epi d'Or.

L'Epi d'Or, 25 rue Jean Jacques Rousseau 75001 Paris Telephone: +33 (0)1.42.36.38.12
Restaurant Review by Glenn Cooper of Rentals in Paris
http://www.rentals-paris.com/

Paris NON SMOKING capital

As of January 1st 2008, Paris finally moved into the new age of healthy well being. Smoking has finally been banned in all public places, despite the disgruntled cafe and restaurant owners who felt it would be the end of their businesses.

Thus far, the statistics have not demonstrated reduced patronage in either restaurants or cafes and things do seem a lot more 'lung friendly' these days.

Smokers are doing their thing in the streets in front of the buildings where they work or eat their meals, and for the moment, smokers and non smokers seem to be living peacefully in this beautiful city.

Just another great reason to plan to come back to Paris and to enjoy fully the wonderful restaurants and cafes in this new pleasant environment.

Glenn Cooper
www.rentals-paris.com