The Paris Apartment

22/08/2026

Hidden in the 6th arrondissement, Cour du Commerce Saint André feels like stepping into another century. This quiet little passage connects Rue Saint André des Arts to Boulevard Saint Germain and has been here since the late 1700s. It is one of those places that’s easy to miss but hard to forget once you’ve wandered through.

There’s a lot of history packed into this short stretch. The old cobblestones under your feet are originals. So is Le Procope, one of the most storied cafés in Paris. Opened in 1686, it’s where Voltaire, Diderot, and later even Napoleon were said to have lingered over coffee and conversation. You can still eat there today.

Keep walking and you’ll find independent shops, book-filled windows, and places to stop for a proper lunch or just a pastry and coffee. Le Relais Odéon and La Jacobine are good shouts if you want something classic but not too flashy.

A plaque near the end of the passage marks where the guillotine was tested in the 1790s. It is a strange detail, but one that reminds you how much Paris has seen.

Cour du Commerce Saint André is also used in films. Its atmosphere makes it a favorite spot for directors who want to show the city’s quieter, more historic side.

Photo:

16/08/2026

Across the Seine from Notre Dame stands a living piece of Paris history that most visitors never notice. Hidden in the small Square René Viviani is a black locust tree planted in 1601, making it the oldest known tree in Paris.

Think about that for a moment. When this tree was planted, Shakespeare was still writing plays, Louis XIV had not yet been born and the Louvre was still a royal palace. More than four centuries later, it is still here.

The tree was planted by Jean Robin, botanist to King Henri IV, using seeds brought from North America. It survived revolutions, wars, major rebuilding projects and even damage from a World War I shell. Today, its hollow trunk leans against a concrete support, giving it the appearance of an old man resting on a cane.

What I love most is that it still blooms every spring. New leaves and white flowers appear on branches that have witnessed over 400 years of Parisian history. Meanwhile, thousands of people cross the nearby bridge toward Notre Dame every day without ever realizing one of the city's oldest survivors is standing just a few steps away.

📍 Square René Viviani, 5th Arrondissement, Paris

If you were walking to Notre Dame, would you stop to see a 425 year old tree?

16/08/2026

✨ Welcome to Parisi Concierge ✨

Your trusted private concierge in Paris, dedicated to making your stay seamless, comfortable, and unforgettable.

🇫🇷 Airport Transfers & Travel Assistance
🏨 Guest & Hospitality Support
🏠 Airbnb & Rental Management Assistance
🍽️ Restaurant Reservations & Exclusive Experiences
🛍️ Personal Shopping & Lifestyle Services
💼 Business & Travel Support

Available 24/7, we provide personalized, discreet, and professional assistance tailored to your needs.

Whether you're visiting Paris for business or leisure, Parisi Concierge is here to take care of every detail.

📍 Paris, France
📧 [email protected]
🌐 parisiconcierge.com

✨ The Art of Living Paris, Tailored to You ✨

14/07/2026

🇫🇷 Bonne Fête Nationale, Happy Bastille Day, and Happy Game Day!

Image: Eiffel Tower

05/07/2026

Nicknamed the "mini-Paris" of southern France, this city combines elegant architecture, great food, and plenty of character that makes it unique. Here are 9 reasons it's worth adding to your itinerary (first comment 👇)

01/06/2026

Enjoyed the photos in their article.

Some of the best meals in Paris happen at traditional bistros and brasseries, with classic French dishes, handwritten chalkboard menus, and an atmosphere that encourages you to linger. These are 9 I've personally eaten at and loved (first comment 👇)

05/05/2026

Interesting architecture in the 14th

10/04/2026

Looks cool!

The show, titled “Renaissance: De Vinci, Raphaël, Michel-Ange,” is currently running at the Atelier des Lumières, a digital art center located in a former industrial building in the 11th arrondissement. It opened on March 13, 2026, and will continue until June 28, 2026.

Instead of traditional paintings on walls, visitors step into a large space where the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo are projected across floors, walls, and ceilings. The experience lasts about 50 minutes and takes visitors through the lives and creations of these three Renaissance masters.

The exhibition uses high-resolution images, digital reconstructions, and 3D effects to show details that are often hard to see in museums. For this edition, new atmospheric effects have also been added, creating a more immersive environment.

A narrated storyline guides visitors through the artistic ideas and innovations of the Renaissance period, while the visuals are paired with a modern soundtrack, mixing classical art with contemporary music.

The Atelier des Lumières has become one of the most popular cultural venues in Paris for this type of experience, known for turning famous artworks into large-scale visual shows.

This exhibition offers a different way to explore some of the most important works in art history—by stepping inside them rather than just looking at them.