Elegant Real Estate Locations in Paris, France: Avenue Montaigne and the Golden Triangle
By Karl Schabmuller
In 1649 when the royal gardener Le Nôtre began to lay out the renaissance garden of the Louvre, he also conceived the amazing east-west axis that now connects the Place de la Concorde, the Arc de Triomphe, and “La Défense” with its ultramodern skyscrapers. The most famous stretch is the “avenue des Champs-Elysées” which boasts myriads of cafes, stylish boutiques, and some top floor apartments that offer impressive views.
Fashion lovers find their eldorado on the exquisite “avenue Montaigne” which owes its name to the famous French renaissance philosopher. From a truly sumptuous town palace at the corner of the “Champs- Elysées” with its ornate stone-carved façade and wrought iron balconies, right down to the Seine river, there is no doubt that this is one of the most prestigious addresses of the city. Many famous couturiers are established on “avenue Montaigne”. Here elegant ladies and gentlemen from all over the world can be seen shopping at exquisite fashion boutiques. The luxurious “Plaza Athenée Hotel” with its handsome freestone facade and the well-known “Théâtre des Champs-Elysées” are located a bit further down on this pretty tree-lined contre-allée. International business people and famous celebrities have always been attracted to this noble neighbourhood and many of them choose to own their Parisian residence here. Interestingly, insiders distinguish between two real estate categories: properties on the courtyard side, and those overlooking the avenue. Understandingly, the latter are among the most expensive of Paris.
However, the surrounding neighbourhood also offers quite a number of remarkable locations: the so-called “golden triangle” which encompasses the avenues “George V”, “Montaigne”, and “Champs-Elysées” includes the elegant “rue and place François 1er” with countless stylish fashion boutiques and first-class real estate. The exquisite place “François 1er” with its fine fountain is surrounded by attractive buildings and town palaces. The top floor apartments on “cours Albert 1er” are very much appreciated as they have southern exposure and offer sweeping views of the “rive gauche” riverbank and the Eiffel tower.
KHS is a real estate agent in Paris specialising in selling and renting first- class apartments in the French capital "KHS Apartments Paris"
Read also the new "KHS Paris Real Estate Blog"
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karl_Schabmuller
N.B. This information should not be relied on for accuracy and is presented here without the responsibility of jml Property Service and the website it is being displayed at. ©jml property Services 11-06
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Elegant Real Estate Locations in Paris, France II: The Elegant Faubourg Saint Germain
By Karl Schabmuller
The aristocratic “Faubourg Saint Germain” is situated on the southern riverbank behind the well-known “Musée d’Orsay” and includes the entire area between the skirts of “Saint Germain-des-Prés” and the “Esplanade des Invalides”.
The historic origin of this district dates back to the late 17th century. After King Louis XIV’s decision to build the “Invalides” church and its flamboyant golden dome, the big meadow toward “Saint Germain-des-Prés” began to attract many investors.
Primarily aristocrats purchased large plots. They were inspired by leading architects and constructed splendid town palaces, the so-called “hôtels particuliers” which are architecturally very interesting. A modest wall facing the street is in stark contrast to the exquisite interior. Directly opposite and across from a spacious courtyard, the so-called “cour d’honneur”, is the main part of the building, the “corps de logis”, which has a beautiful garden behind it. The entire setting is flanked by two lateral wings on either side of the courtyard but the most precious apartments are situated in the main building between the courtyard and the garden; in French “entre cour et jardin”. Most “hôtels particuliers” (the term has nothing to do with ‘hotels’) are considered monuments of French history and house important institutions, such as ministries and embassies. They are very rarely divided up and sold as apartments.
Some “hôtels particuliers” are open to the public for visits. Although its architecture does not entirely follow the traditional setting, one of the most attractive is the so-called “Hôtel de Biron” at “77, rue de Varenne” which houses the famous “Musée Rodin”. The sculptor himself lived there and its magnificent park showcases many of his famous sculptures.
Except for the “Musée d’Orsay”, the “Musée Rodin” and some heavily guarded and important political institutions, the “Faubourg Saint Germain” does not offer spectacular sights. One of the most interesting features may be the simple fact that it is a very pleasant residential area offering attractive family apartments and excellent shopping facilities right in the centre of the city.
KHS is a real estate agent in Paris “ KHS Apartments Paris “ specialising in selling and renting first- class apartments in the French capital. " Read also the new “ KHS Paris Real Estate Blog ”
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karl_Schabmuller
N.B. This information should not be relied on for accuracy and is presented here without the responsibility of jml Property Service and the website it is being displayed at. ©jml property Services 11-06
For Car Rental / Car Hire & Car hire excess insurance- in France CLICK HERE
Travel Insurance — YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS WHEN VISITING FRANCE — If you are looking for a Low Cost Travel Insurance policy visit our Insurance section.
Holiday Home Property Insurance for France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Malta, Cyprus, England, Scotland and Wales — visit our Holday Home Insurance section.
Elegant Real Estate Locations in Paris, France III: Invalides and the Eiffel Tower
By Karl Schabmuller
By the end of the 17 th century Louis XIV realised his dream of a hospice for wounded soldiers. Upon the King’s request, one of the most renowned architects, Jules-Hardouin Mansart conceived the elegant “Hôtel des Invalides” and its beautiful church with the fabulous golden dome, which was completed in 1708. During the following years, Robert de Cotte designed and laid out the “Esplanade des Invalides”, a symmetrical green lawn that links the church to the Seine . In the late 19 th century, this axis extended to the northern riverbank including the impressive “belle époque ensemble”, the “petit” and the “grand palais”. The famous “Alexandre III bridge” with its beautiful lampposts was inaugurated in 1896 by the Russian Czar Nikolai II. The French Foreign Office, the so-called “Quai d’Orsay”, is located in a sumptuous “second empire” palace on the east side of the “Esplanade des Invalides”. In elegant buildings just a few steps further resides the Canadian Cultural Institute and the British Council.
The top floor apartments in “rue Fabert” on the opposite side of the lawn are particularly interesting. They are flooded in light and offer outstanding views of the “golden cupola”, the magic “Alexandre III” bridge, and the elegant glass-steel construction of the two “belle époque palais”. From here it is possible to see as far as “Sacre Coeur” and “ Montmartre ”. There is no doubt that this is one of the city’s greatest real estate locations. The southern side of “Invalides” on “Place Vauban” is also very attractive. Inspired by “Saint Peter’s” in Rome , the architects initially planned a two-wing colonnade opening at the entrance of the church and forming a large square. This plan was subsequently cancelled and thus the surrounding buildings are now situated very close to the church and its magnificent dome. The so-called “Bréteuil” district nearby is residential and highly prized by its “bourgeois” population. The remarkable “Ecole Militaire” conceived by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel under the reign of Louis XV is only a ten-minute westward walk from here. It marks the final point of the “Champs de Mars” ensemble, which also includes the Eiffel Tower , and the stretch up to the Seine . The buildings on either side of the park date back to the famous “Haussmann period” and many of them have exquisite stone-carved façades.
The top-floor apartments are prized because of their fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower and the city, whereas ground floor properties are sought after because of their private gardens, which are particularly rare in Paris .
The tree-lined lanes parallel to the park are highly appreciated as they are both quiet and green with the added advantage of being close to shops e.g., “avenue Charles Floquet” and “Elisee Reclus”. One of the most famous residents was François Mitterand who lived the last years of his life (and also died) here in “avenue Frédéric Le Play”.
The attractive residential area to the east offers some truly elegant 19 th century boulevards, for example avenues “Rapp”, “Bourdonnais” or “Bosquet”. Most of the sumptuous “Haussmann” buildings have extraordinarily beautiful stone-carved façades with little balconies. In some places, “Art Déco” buildings with opulent ornate façades can be seen eg, “29, ave Rapp”, by J. Lavirotte. Many Parisians enjoy living in the residential area between “Invalides” and “Champs de Mars/Eiffel Tower” as it offers both attractive real estate and an excellent infrastructure including the “rue Cler” street market, which is a real eldorado for gourmets. The charming “gros Caillou” district appears rustic in comparison and is considered the least expensive neighbourhood within the 7 th arrondissement.
KHS is a real estate agent in Paris “KHS Apartments Paris “ specialising in selling and renting first- class apartments in the French capital. " Read also the new “ KHS Paris Real Estate Blog ”
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karl_Schabmuller
N.B. This information should not be relied on for accuracy and is presented here without the responsibility of jml Property Service and the website it is being displayed at. ©jml property Services 11-06
For Car Rental / Car Hire & Car hire excess insurance- in France CLICK HERE
Travel Insurance — YOU SHOULD HAVE THIS WHEN VISITING FRANCE — If you are looking for a Low Cost Travel Insurance policy visit our Insurance section.
Holiday Home Property Insurance for France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Malta, Cyprus, England, Scotland and Wales — visit our Holday Home Insurance section.