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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Pissaro's Place - A Special B&B

Calling all creative’s… We have PISSARO’S Apartment!! Yes you heard right. Pissaro!!!...As in Camille Pissaro!!!...As in the famous French Impressionist whose works are wondrously displayed in the Musee d’Orsay!!!! Do i need more exclamation marks?? Yeah ok, I think I've made my point!!!!!

(Self Portrait 1898)

Well I could hardly believe my ears when I found out that Anne and Brice’s apartment belonged to the one and only Pissaro. After years of studying and admiring this painters magnificent work, I felt damn lucky, like I'd just hit the B&B jackpot and I wanted to go shout it from the rooftops...COME STAY WHERE PISSARO LIVED IN PARIS!!!

(Boulevard Montmartre au printemps 1897)

(Boulevard Montmartre la nuit 1898)

Pissaro painted rural and urban French life particularly landscapes in and around Pontoise, as well as scenes from Montmartre while he lived there. Annie and Brice currently own his former apartment and happily offer it to guests when they are not occupying it.

Montmartre is an area that was hugely populated with artists in its day. The most famous names...Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Lelouch, Utrillo and Amedeo Modigliani; and its no surprise why! The quaint village feel and magical ambience of this district incited creativity and inspiration in so many artists that they decided to reside here.

The wonderful thing is Montmartre has maintained it’s quintessential French village life and ambience even today. Many still come to Montmartre seeking inspiration.

Annie and Brice offer their home to you. Now I say this in the un-spookiest sense but; come and feel the ‘spirit’ of creativity and art in this cozy apartment that is full of character and charm. Unfortunately images are still limited but I am hoping to get many more quality shots on my next Paris apartment visit in July. weeeeeeee, can't wait

The Apartment:

Situated just above the Montmartre basilica and not far from "Château des Brouillards", in the wings of the Moulin de la Galette, you will find yourself in the heart of “Montmartre d'antan”. You can walk in the footsteps of the other famous habitants of this district to “la Place des Abbesses”. In this flat you are surrounded by greenery, you will only hear birds singling and the sound of footsteps on the paving stones.

The apartment is on the ground floor, in the paved inner courtyard of a beautiful; stone Haussmann building, constructed at the end of the 19th century. Your hosts’ romantic hideaway is approximately 30 m2. You will spend peaceful nights in a magical place.

At the door of the studio, you will find facing you Studio 13 (Lelouche cinema) and 300 meters away you are in the heart of the famous vines of Montmartre, its museum and its famous cabaret "the Nimble Rabbit". Just further on you will find Place of the Hillock, its painters, and his entertaining and vibrant environment, the Sacré Coeur, the pink house of artist Utrillo, rue des Saules and strolling a few meters further, you will go down to the Place des Abbesses to sit at a table in an open coffee terrace throughout the year, or in the Rue Lepic, a shopping street which houses the famous Amelie Poulain café.

This warm and charming little flat with its baroque-style decoration offers for your private stay:

An entrance with a coat stand and a side table with Art Nouveau: jewel box, angel, candles and scent bottles.

An intimate and romantic alcove (of 14m2) with a comfortable, soft double bed (140 x 190), a baroque style mirror, a lamp and net curtains.

A living room section with antique tiled floor "tomettes of paris", offering two sofas covered with satin material, which is convertible into two beds to accommodate additional guests, a LCD television fixed on the wall, a small table, four art deco chairs (in black leather) and a Venetian mirror.

A bathroom equipped with a small bath (with an hand-held shower) and a washbasin. A hairdryer as well as towels and toiletries are at your disposal. The toilet is separate.

A kitchen equipped with a sink, a refrigerator, a microwave, a toaster, an electric coffeemaker, a kettle, two stools, kitchen utensils and basic cooking ingredients: salt, pepper, oil, vinegar, rice and pasta.

Finally, a dressing room to put your luggage and your clothes.

About Breakfast: Breakfast is not served, but ingredients such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, orange juice, cereal, jam, honey and biscuits will be left at your disposition in the fridge. Every morning, you will be able go to the closest bakery to collect fresh croissants and baguette for free.

About your hosts:

Brice and Annie are in Love with Montmartre and both have strong artistic backgrounds. They offer you their studio near Montmartre when they do not occupy it. This small apartment is ideally located if you wish to benefit from the artistic and picturesque environment of Montmartre, while having the privilege of remaining in a haven of peace, at the top of the Montmartre just near the town centre/square - Place du Tertre.

Brice is a student in Fine Arts. He is a "duty companion" in renovating historical monuments He is passionate about photography and a great "nostalgic" of Paris during the 1950s. Annie is a forty-year-old woman who is a non-professional actress. She will be glad to advise you on theatre plays and other shows.

Just a few more reason to love Montmartre:

Arrondissement: 18 ème

Street: Near Girardon

Metro: Lamark Caulaincourt (3min walk)

Quartier Butte Montmartre: 1min walk

Place du Tetre: 1min walk

Moulin de la Galette: 1min walk

Basilique du Sacre Coeur: 4min walk

Place des Abesses: 4min walk

Rue Lepic: 5min walk

Champs Elysees, Louvre, Saint Germain des Pres, Opera, Grands magasins:

20/30min on metro or 35 /40 min on bus.

www.petiteparis.com.au