French Property Insider, Weekly E-Zine About Investing in France

French Property Insider
Yves Saint Laurent Apartment on Rue de Babylone

For Sale by YSL

French Property Insider

Volume VIII, Issue 22
June 3, 2010
Paris, France
http://adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/insider

Subscribe your friends to French Property Insider...it's FREE!

This is Your Lucky Day...Be One of a Lucky 13!
Hurry! This exclusive offer for our readers ends Friday.

On June 5th, 2010, the price of the eight remaining shares of the city's most beautiful fractional ownership property, "Le Palace des Vosges," are going to increase by about 20% -- more than 30,000€...

This offer is open to our readers only. To qualify, all you have to do to become an owner is send us a signed purchase contract and proof that your deposit has been transferred to the escrow account. This guarantees your share at the current price for a luxurious two-bedroom/two-and-a-half bath apartment in the Place des Vosges, Paris, France, 4th arrondissement.

To learn more about Le Palace des Vosges and see photos, or for more information, visit http://www.palacedesvosges.com

Bonjour French Property Insider Subscriber,

Tuesday afternoon after a sumptuous meal at the city's most beautiful and romantic restaurant, Le Grand Véfour, I visited the Yves Saint Laurent retrospective exhibition at the Petit Palais. Over 300 models in 15 rooms display his creations produced over the 40 years of his 'reign' as one of the greatest artists of our time.

The exhibition is 'under the patronage of Madame Carla Bruni-Sarkozy in association with the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent' and is on until August 29th, so you have plenty of time to see it. Even those less fashion-conscious will enjoy seeing it as 'wearable art' if not for what it was -- a concept that changed the way women saw themselves and each other, as more confident, equal, elegant, romantic and sexy.

The fashions weren't for sale, but YSL's personal Left Bank Paris apartment is. Rumors have been flying, citing imaginary prices and potential buyers, including President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife. Anyone can visit the agency's Web site and find the photos and description, so we know by that no buyer has yet been found.

It doesn't say much about the 520 square-meter space (5,595 square feet):

7ème, rue de Babylone, dans un immeuble ancien, accessible par une entrée privative, somptueux duplex de 520m² donnant sur un magnifique jardin privatif de 436m², plein sud sans vis à vis. Au 1er niveau très belle entrée, grand salon de 70m², salle à manger, salon de musique, une suite avec dressing et salle de bains, 3 chambres. Au 2ème niveau, vestibule avec un cabinet de curiosités, salon bibliothèque, une chambre avec dressing et salle de bains, une cuisine, pièces de service. Très beaux volumes.

English translation:

7th (arrondissement), rue de Babylone, in an old building, accessible via a private entrance, sumptuous duplex (two levels) of 5,595 square feet, which gives onto a magnificent private garden of 4,691 square feet, facing south with no obstructions of view. On the first level is a beautiful entry foyer, a large living room of 753 square feet, dining room, music room, a suite with a dressing room, bathroom and three bedrooms. On the second level is a vestibule with a curiosity cabinet, library, bedroom with dressing room and bathroom, kitchen and service rooms. High ceilings, large spaces.

Price? They aren't mentioning it.

Féau Immobilier advertises a 600 square-meter "hôtel particulier" (townhouse) in the 16th arrondissement for 13,650,000€ and a 343 square-meter apartment with a terrace on the Ile Saint-Louis once the house of the nephew of Cardinal Richelieu for 10,800,000€...so my guess is the price isn't too far different...or more just for the legacy it carries with it?

The interior is surprising to me -- dark and masculine, a simple backdrop to the collection of luxurious furnishings and art that broke all records at the Christie's auction in February 2009 -- with the first round bringing in more than $264 million alone.

YSL was Algerian-born and moved to Paris at 17 years old with an impressive portfolio of sketches. One year later he won his first award in the International Wool Secretariat contest for an asymmetrical cocktail dress and was immediately hired by Christian Dior. In 1958 he met Pierre Bergé, his alter-ego, partner and business manager. Together they created an empire.

Today it's for sale. Let's hope someone worthy inherits it. Perhaps Carla Bruni-Sarkozy?

French Property Insider A bientôt,

Adrian Leeds
Editor, French Property Insider
Email: fpi@adrianleeds.com

French Property Insider

P.S. Don't forget to tune in to House Hunters International this coming June 6th to see "Settling Down in Paris" - Episode HHINT-402. Scroll down for more information.

P.P.S. Mark your calendar for next Tuesday, June 8th, to attend our monthly coffee gathering, "Parler Paris Après Midi," from 3 to 5 p.m. at La Pierre du Marais. Visit parlerparis/apresmidi.html for more information.

Watch us on House Hunters International.

***"Settling Down in Paris" - Episode HHINT-402
Tune In:
June 6, 2010
12:30 PM ET/PT
House Hunters International Episode HHINT-402

To learn more, visit AdrianLeeds.com or email Adrian Leeds, at adrian@adrianleeds.com

This Time Next Year, You Could be Living Your Dream...

Live & Invest Overseas
September 16-18, 2010
Las Vegas, Nevada

If money were no object, what would your dream retirement look like? This fall, let International Living show you where you can make that dream your reality… for as little as $649 a month. Maybe you long for your own cottage on a quiet beach… a grand apartment in a city vibrant with concerts and cafes...a mountain villa where the air is crisp… or even your own vineyard amid gently rolling hills.

French Property Insider Whatever you fantasize about... come with that idea in mind. We’ll show you the places in the world today where you can live your dream, for a small fraction of what you’d pay for a comparable life at home.

Adrian Leeds will be a guest speaker at the Live & Invest Overseas Conference on "Living the Dream to Live in France"

Click here to learn more and register!

2010 Speaking Tour
"Living the Dream to Live in France"

Alliance Française San Francisco
September 22, 2010
http://www.afsf.com
1345 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94109-5611
$25 Entry Fee Includes 2-Hour Presentation and Wine Reception Following

French Property Insider Book your "FREE" personal consultation with Adrian Leeds.

If you would like to consider having your own "pied-à-terre" for your pleasure and profit, guests of any one of our luxurious Parler Paris Apartments can take advantage of a FREE one-hour consultation with Adrian Leeds while you're enjoying the apartment in the City of Light. It's our way of saying "thank you" to our community!

Visit: http://www.parlerparisapartments.com to book your stay and for more information or email Adrian at: adrian@adrianleeds.com

Parler Paris Apartments Summer Specials

Enjoy summertime in Paris and save when you book any of our well located and luxurious Parler Paris Apartments starting in August like the newly renovated, luxurious and fun Le Saint-Tropez plus the studette La Brigitte, pictured here, complete with a rooftop terrace and air conditioning! http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/saint-tropez.html

August Special – Start your stay in August and receive the lowest advertised rate when you book by June 15. (Maximum 30 day booking, rate ends on Labor Day, September 6).

The apartments are booking up fast, so reserve today!, click here to make your request: Request_Form or contact apartments@adrianleeds.com

Please note: These special deals are valid only on new bookings of four nights or more and offers cannot be combined.

Helpful Conversions for Real Estate

1 square meter = 10.7639104 square feet
1 hectare = 2.4710538 acres
For more conversions, refer to: www.onlineconversion.com/

Take the Risk Out of Currency Conversion

If you’re buying a holiday home or investment property overseas, when you trade your currency is crucial. The euro exchange rate is constantly fluctuating, so trading at the right time will mean your money goes a lot further. Adrian Leeds Group LLC and Moneycorp are working together to ensure you make the most of your Dollar or Sterling when buying a property in France.

For the latest exchange rate use our currency converter at http://www.adrianleeds.com/frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor and learn more about moneycorp ere:
http://www.moneycorp.com/affiliates/microsite/index.cfm?agentid=10168408.

Practice Your French...or English!
Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group

Practice speaking French and English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily. Meets three times a week -- come as often as you like!

For further details, visit Parler Parlor

Subscribe to the Parler Paris Nouvellettre®...It's twice-weekly and it's FREE! Visit Parler Paris to learn more and subscribe.

[FOOTER]