Bonjour [EMAIL], Provence: Pure Pleasure with a Capital "P" Parler Paris Nouvellettre® Your taste of life in Paris and France http://www.ParlerParis.com Monday, July 26, 2010 Paris, France • Printer Friendly http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/textissues/26-7-10pparis.txt • Parler Paris Blog http://parlerparis.blogspot.com/ • Community Calendar (Updated Every Wednesday) http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/calendar.html • Recommend to Friends http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php • Don't miss a single issue of Parler Paris! "Whitelist" Parler Paris by adding "info@adrianleeds.com" to your address book. --------------------------------------------------------------------- It's tomorrow! Watch Adrian Leeds and French Property Consultation on House Hunters International. ***"Settling Down in Paris" - Episode HHINT-402 AIR TIMES: July 27, 2010 12:30 PM ET/PT House Hunters International Episode HHINT-402 http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/settling-down-in-paris/index.html -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Parler Paris Reader, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. But it's not called "heaven." It's called "Provence." My daughter was invited to exhibit her photographic work and participate in an annual photography festival in the tiny Provencal town of "Pierrevert" -- "Les Nuits de Pierrevert." That's when I jumped to the chance of meeting her there to have a long weekend in one of the most beautiful regions in France. Pierrevert is just west of Manosque in the area of Provence known as "Le Luberon." The Luberon is well known for its hilltop towns such as Lourmarin, Bonnieux, Gordes, Roussillon and Lacoste. It is everything that anyone dreams of Provence -- fields of sunflowers and lavander, vineyards and olive groves, rolling hills punctuated by outcroppings of stone farmhouses and tiny villages made up of stone and pastel stucco houses with bright colored lavender, blue, rusty red and green window shutters. The trip down was perfectly delightful on the TGV to Aix-en-Provence in 3 hours and 3 minutes. From there we rented a car and set out for the countryside. Over the course of the weekend, the festival had scheduled exhibitions, cocktail parties, group dinners, workshops and a slide show every night on an enormous inflatable screen in the open night air. to exhibit the works of the participating photographers. Many very well-known and celebrated photographers attended, including Peter Knapp, legendary Art Director from "Elle" Magazine (1960-1964 and again 1974-1978); Mark Hispard, fashion photographer extraordinaire and Oliviero Toscani who is best known for designing the controversial advertising campaign usually captioned only with the company logo "United Colors of Benetton." Sure, it was a celebration by photographers for photographers -- a way to recognize one another's talents, to share ideas and experiences and to generally promote the art of photography. The setting was heaven. Provence is pure pleasure with a capital "P." The weather was warm and sunny with a fresh breeze during the days and the nights turned cool and fresh. You could hear the cicadas buzzing and smell the lavender in the air. The lighting, as the impressionist painters often remarked, is a bit rosy, the color of a pale rose wine, making everyone and everything look even happier and healthier. Visually Provence is a sight for sore eyes. Erica and I agreed that really no camera could capture how the eye can take in the whole scene. She tried, however, takings dozens of photos as we rode through the tiny towns and along snaky narrow roads along the hillsides. By Internet, I had booked a "Chambre d'Hôte" (bed and breakfast) not far from Pierrevert in the tiny town of "Lurs." It was a large sprawling farmhouse-tuned-guesthouse of more than 600 square meters named "La Grande Bastide." The room was quite nice and adequate, decorated to reflect the region's style in colors of yellow and red outfitted with black wrought-iron furniture. Julia and Patrick Orttner love what they do -- welcoming people from all over the world. As I was eating "petit déjeuner" on the outdoor terrace, a large Italian family was saying their warm goodbyes. Julia makes her own yogurt (creamy and light), fruit preserves and cakes. She smiles big as she brings the tray loaded with all the goodies "fait maison." Her pleasure in making her guests feel welcome shows in her glistening eyes. Over the years of taking short trips to various parts of France, the benefits of staying in the countryside in a Bed and Breakfast has proven itself time and again -- you are well taken care of and looked after while having free access at any hour to come and go with ready parking! Just try maneuvering a parking space in the center of a walled city or hilltop town late at night after a full day of touring? Not easy and not fun. One morning she presented us with "pain perdu" -- a "French Toast" made like a light mousse covered in brown sugar. Another morning it was an apricot and peach "compote." After three days, we didn't want to leave the comfort of this Provençal haven at the base of the medieval village Lurs. We would certainly come again. (Julia and Patrick Orttner, La Grande Bastide, 04700 Lurs, Tel: +33 (0)4.92.79.17.29, Portable: +33 (0) 6.60.51.77.47, email: lagrandebastide@voila.fr, http://www.likhom.com/site_adherent/La-Grande-Bastide/lurs ) Lurs is one of those magical little stone villages perched high with one of the most beautiful vistas in the Luberon. An old school buddy of Erica's surprised her by meeting up with us there for lunch on Sunday. We dined on the terrace of a local restaurant that for 20€ a person served an exceptional meal. The view was breathtaking and the setting near to perfect. Yes, we had died and gone to heaven. Saturday we took a grand tour of the tiny towns of the Luberon along the narrow and very winding back roads. We passed through Ansouis where an American friend, Barb Westfield, has a village house and stopped for lunch under the shade trees at the local cafe/bar. It's a three-story house with five bedrooms, five bathrooms, enough to accommodate ten! The home was once featured in the magazine "Maison et Decos" and is considered an historical monument as after the French revolution, Ansouis remained 'loyal' to the royals and this home was the local meeting place and headquarters for those in favor of the new République. Ansouis is officially classified as 'One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.' No wonder that the film "A Good Year," based on a novel by Peter Mayle where a British investment broker inherits his uncle's château and vineyard in Provence, is set in the area of Ansouis. Many of the scenes were filmed there as well as in neighboring villages and many of Barb's friends and neighbors were in the film as Extras. Barb promotes the house on the VRBO Web site (http://www.vrbo.com/30388) and says it "is the perfect haven to de-stress, and immerse yourself in AUTHENTIC French village life." I couldn't agree more. Then we headed on to Lourmarin where we once stayed with Françoise Herry at "La Cordière" (http://www.cordiere.com/anglais/accueil.html). Lourmarin has changed a lot, now with one expensive little boutique after another, but we found plenty to purchase and much to enjoy in the charming town at the base of the more mountainous areas of the Luberon. The photography festival itself was a wondrously "organic" event (as my daughter describes it) -- four days of celebrating the art of photography. For her career it was boost to be recognized for the quality of her work and to hobnob with other photographers from whom she could learn and who might help advance her career. Her photos were very well received and a publisher is encouraging her to create a book of the "Nue York Portraits" series. Over the weekend, she was interviewed on a local radio station about her work, in French of course, and everywhere we went, they were amazed at her level of French with no discernable accent coming from a "New Yorkaise" while "maman" (me) who lives in Paris sounds like a tourist! Today we trained back to Paris, a few pounds heavier from having left no taste of Provence inexperienced and a whole lot more relaxed. Now I have the itch to have our own little "maison de village" or "maison de pierre" among the lavender fields and olive groves. Wouldn't you? A la prochaine... Adrian Leeds Editor, Parler Paris Share this article with a friend... http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php Respond to Adrian mailto:info@adrianleeds.com P.S. To see more of Erica Simone's photos of Provence, visit her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?aid=188056&id=721855926 P.P.S. Beads, Bangles and Bows for Sale! An exquisite selection of European beads, findings and display forms are available for sale from a long-time friend of Parler Paris -- a retired costume jewelry designer here in the City of Light. The collection includes a wide variety of materials such as crystal, glass, wood, resin, metal and ceramic, all imported from around the world. Items are sold by the kilo, and there is enough stock to start a small business or host jewelry design classes. Don’t miss this unique opportunity! To purchase the lot or just a little, contact Mary Louise at mailto:marylouiseparis@hotmail.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoy summer in Paris with a rooftop terrace and air-conditioning…at the lowest rates for August. Le Saint-Tropez and La Brigitte http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/saint-tropez.html The gorgeous turquoise and sandy décor, plus every luxury and amenity, makes Le Saint Tropez a Mediterranean oasis right in the heart of Paris. Enjoy a chilled glass of rosé and relax on your private rooftop terrace – when you open the terrace doors, the size of the apartment practically doubles! Air-conditioning adds extra summer comfort to this jewel in Le Marais. "Je l'adore. Saint-Tropez is beyond category. Your passion and commitment to an extraordinary space makes this my/our private retreat magical. The moon from the bed and terrace is a gift from the universe. Thank you for the vision, thoughtfulness and space. I will be back." Grazell H., Charlotte, NC Visit: www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/saint-tropez.html Reserve today and take advantage of the lowest possible rate for August, plus take advantage of air conditioning and your own private terrace! Make your request: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/request_form.php or contact:mailto:apartments@adrianleeds.com And remember, all luxurious Parler Paris Apartments: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/ are available at the lowest rates for August! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfer Currency and Save Money in the Process... with Moneycorp When you're buying a holiday home or investment property overseas, trading your currency can be a crucial cost factor. 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 or anytime you transfer from one currency to another. For more information, visit: http://frenchproperty/loan/moneycorpconvertor.html --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Living the Dream to Live in France" -- a 2010 Speaking Tour with Adrian Leeds Perhaps you dream of owning property in France, but don’t know how to go about doing it. During a two-hour PowerPoint presentation, Adrian Leeds, Director of the Adrian Leeds Group, will provide a basis from which you can accomplish your goals to invest in real estate in Paris or other areas of France. Following the presentation, you'll have an opportunity to ask questions related to the topics and a cocktail reception will follow. SAN FRANCISCO Wednesday, September 22, 2010 Hosted by the Alliance Française San Francisco http://www.afsf.com SEATTLE Thursday, September 23, 2010 Hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest http://www.faccpnw.org PORTLAND Saturday, September 25, 2010 Co-Hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest http://www.faccpnw.org and the Alliance Française de Portland http://www.afportland.org PLUS!...Book Your Private Consultation with Adrian Leeds while she's visiting your town. For more information and to reserve your place or consultation, visit http://www.frenchpropertyconference.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Practice Your French...or English! Open All Summer Long. 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 at: http://www.parlerparlor.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- For Short Term Rental: Cool and Comfy Studio in New York’s West Village Photographer Erica Simone's West Village New York City studio apartment (with a perfect view of the Empire State Building) is available now for vacation rental July 7th through August 12th. It's "super cozy, clean and comfortable." Located in the heart of the coolest 'hood' in the city. $170/night, $1000/week, $3200/month. Four night minimum, a 50% deposit reserves your stay. More photos and information are available at: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apartments/rentals/west_village.html Contact Erica directly for your reservations: mailto:es@ericasimone.com?cc=adrian@adrianleeds.com&subject=PP_Reader_for_Rent_W.Village_Studio --------------------------------------------------------------------- Buy and sell with Parler Paris classifieds: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/advertise.html Earn money. Become and Introduction Partner of French Property Consultation: http://adrianleeds.com/introducers.php Read past issues of Parler Paris: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/issues/readpastissues.html Know someone who would be interested in the opportunities in Parler Paris? 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