Keeping a eye on the market

Sellers are sticking to their high expectations in matters of price whilst buyers are waiting, hoping for the prices to drop… as a result of this, during the third trimester of 2012, the real estate market of Paris and the greater Paris region remains rather stuck, the Paris Notaries´ Chamber has pointed out. The sales

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A Perfect Week in the 12th Arrondissement

Monday: Setting the scene After a quick glimpse at the program of this year’s Festival d´Automne, which is filling many Parisian stages with life this season, we begin our week by going to the opera (http://www.operadeparis.fr) before swapping our stage costume for a cocktail dress and heading for a drink or two at Calbar (http://lecalbarcocktail.com/).

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Keeping an eye on the market

According to the latest figures of the Paris and Ile de France notaries´ association, the real estate market has oscillated between a decrease in sales volumes and a stabilisation of sales prices, in the entirety of the surveyed area including Paris, during the second trimester of 2012. The market for houses and apartments, whilst still

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The French Gimlet

Parisians love keeping regular habits as well as constantly discovering new experience, safe in the knowledge that their dear capital will always purvey them with both. Distinguished among other locales of the Boulevard Beaumarchais, Grazie, with its cosy little lights, is one of these places which are both established institutions yet always invite their clientele

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Gerhard Richter : Colours of life

The Centre Pompidou has brought together over one hundred of Gerhard Richter’s works for the monographic show dedicated to this artist, running until September 24th 2012. We grab this opportunity to introduce his work to you, and to maybe convince you to go visit the show on the last floor of Beaubourg (as the Museum

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Around the world…without leaving Paris

The holidays are getting closer. Some will be leaving the capital to see whether the grass really is greener elsewhere, whilst others will remain in the city, strolling through its streets seeking new adventures. Paris being the ideal city for staycations and homelidays, allow us to present you a list of this summer’s events that’ll

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Keeping an eye on the market

Activity on the real estate market has been somewhat atypical since the beginning of this year, being marked by the consequences of an electoral period, tax reforms, and most importantly by the worsening of the economic climate. This period of wait-and-see is slated to last for another few weeks, if not another few months, depending

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A week around Gare de l’Est

You’ve reached Gare de l’Est, the final stop on the line! Unboarding a train, or just getting off the metro, one can’t help but muse about what spending a week in this area would feel like. Locals and tourists alike can enjoy playing the urban nomad in the streets of the tenth arrondissement, on a

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Strolling down the Canal

A walk down the Canal Saint Martin is the perfect occasion to enjoy the city at your own pace. You can make your way either riding a bike or strolling leisurely on foot, taking your time to settle on one of the many benches, stop by a shop or in a café, as the embankments

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Keeping an eye on the market

With the average square metre price in Paris reaching 8390 Euros during the last trimester of 2011, and prices in seven arrondissements standing at above 10 000 Euros, real estate remains at record highs in the capital. However, during the last three months of the past year, the average price increase has only been 0.2

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My first months in Paris…

Christine, a former expat in Paris, talks about her first months in the City of Lights, about her initial excitement at living in Paris, the period of disillusionment that followed, and how she finally made peace with the city and felt at home. Paris – the name alone has a certain ring to it. Nearly

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La dolce vita in Paris

BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN FOOD TO FEEL AT HOME, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S ITALIAN! Sometimes I find myself fitting the Italian stereotype perfectly, especially when I sing while cooking a risotto! I have to say that being Italian and living in Paris isn’t so bad. I very rarely feel homesick. As I love to cook, when I want

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Paris, reinventing itself

A brief overview of what’s new in the city The New Year is always a time for good resolutions – so why not decide to keep in shape by wandering around the capital, in order to discover all the novelties it has to offer? It is common knowledge that Paris equals culture, fashion and gastronomy

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Real estate prices by area

Location, location, location. Indeed, apartment prices in Paris are first and foremost defined by where the apartment is located. But other criteria also come into play, and even within a single area, prices can vary greatly depending on the quality of the building, which floor the apartment is located on and its general state.  

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When in Paris, do as the Parisians do (maybe)

Once you venture beyond “une baguette, s’il-vous-plaît”, social interaction may entail updating some of your knowledge about French culture. Today: musical icon Serge Gainsbourg. In the French musical landscape, Gainsbourg is as prominent an icon as the Eiffel Tower is in its architectural one. Unique, instantly recognizable, he is a secret catalyst of pride, even

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Japan in Paris

I have lived outside of Japan for more than ten years, currently residing in Paris, and I still miss my home country sometimes. Whenever I feel homesick I go to one of the places I compiled on a “feel better” list. Fortunately for me, Paris is a cosmopolitan city where you can find many good

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Paris sweet Paris

The City’s Sweeter Side One says that being gourmand – having a sweet tooth, and generally being fond of good food – is sinful. On the other hand, it is a known fact that sweetness soothes the mind and therefore highly advised to go on a sugar-spree from time to time. Paris, one of the

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Keeping an eye on the market

Paris real estate prices, as well as those of the greater Paris area, have reached new heights in the second quarter of 2011. The prices of ancient apartments in Paris have particularly increased, seeing a growth of a magnitude unheard of in the past twenty years: prices grew by 22,5% over a one year period,

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Paris est une fête….

An overview of what’s new in the city this season After the annual migration to go catch some sun and warmth in our holiday homes, we invariably end up impatiently awaiting our return to the familiar sight that is the Eiffel Tower. This year’s rentrée (return to everyday life after the long break of the

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Amazing house in the 10th

This vast apartment is one of those dreamy places one doesn’t expect to see in the heart of the city. Its owners have skilfully turned a former Eiffel construction factory into a comfortable family abode in a resolutely contemporary spirit. Comprising numerous floors, just like a house, this property is located in a building hidden

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