Coach House Rentals Newsletter

Welcome to our September 2006 newsletter. We've sent it to you either because you've been to our website and signed-up to receive it, or because you've previously enquired about a London or Paris rental, or because you've stayed with us before.

We send out some 4/6 newsletters a year, approximately every 2 months though it can sometimes be shorter or longer depending on what there is to tell you. We cover such topics as:

*    Interesting and unusual things to do and see in London / Paris over the coming months
*    New or unusual properties that have joined our listings
*    Tips on how to make the most of your time in London / Paris
*    Special deals

In every newsletter you have you the chance to un-subscribe and we will remove you from the distribution list on request - see end of newsletter.

Harley Nott
Coach House Rentals - Short lets in London and Paris
www.rentals.chslondon.com
www.rentals.chsparis.com

Christmas Shopping in Paris - ooh-la-la!

If Paris never had the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre it would still be famous just for the shopping! The words fashion and chic were born here, no other city has so many exquisite shops and so many well known designers, it truly is a shoppers' paradise.

Label lovers should make a bee-line to Avenue Montaigne (Métro Champs Elysées Clémenceau) where some of the worlds most famous designers can be found (Chanel, Lacroix, Chloé, Dior) or the slightly less brash rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré (Métro Tuileries or Palais Royale) home to the concept store Colette, which has become a Mecca for anyone in the know. Indeed those who are looking for cutting edge, should head for the truly trend setting rue Etienne Marcel and the Place des Victoires (Métro Etienne Marcel) which has become a giant cat-walk for the young fashion gurus of Paris, or the cluster of up-and-coming labels found along the rue Charonne and the rue Keller (Métro Charonne or Bastille) - a must for any fashionista!

If you prefer a more leisurely pace you will enjoy the small windy streets of the Marais (Métro St-Paul) that offers a mix of kitsch and couture especially along the rue des Francs Bourgois which leads to the magnificent Place des Vosges.

Collectors will head to Saint Germain des Prés (Métro Saint Germain des Prés) or more precisely the rue du Seine, rue Jacob or rue du Bac, where the cobbled streets are lined with pristine antique shops, and the flea market at Saint-Ouen (Métro Porte de Clignancourt) where most of the city's antique dealers gather at the weekend.

Those who are looking for an enjoyable one-stop shopping experience should head for the department stores, the most famous being Printemps and Galleries Lafayette (Métro Chaussée d'Antin), rivals found side by side on the Boulevard Haussmann. Paris's equivalent to Harrods in London, both stores offer five floors of designer fashion, decoration and perfumes, as well as exquisite food halls.

Where to stay?

Coach House Vacation Rentals, the leading specialist in short term central London rentals, have now opened in Paris - same quality rentals, same personal service. And - most important - English speaking management and representatives who will show you in, tell you about the local area and answer any questions you may have.

• English is the native language of all our reservations team and spoken fluently by all our staff in Paris.
• You are met by an English speaking representative who shows you in, tells you about the local area and answers any questions you may have.
• Each rental comes with its own mini-guide written in English and covering the neighbourhood shops, local transport, bars, restaurants and cafés, and emergency services.
• We operate an English speaking telephone help line to provide guests with answers to questions about Paris, what to do and see.
• An English speaking 24/7 number is also provided in the unlikely event of an emergency - such as losing keys.
• A car (usually with English speaking driver) to meet you at the airport and take you to your Paris rental can be arranged on request - by far the easiest way to get into town with lots of bags.

We currently have some 20 properties on offer including a large family house in the upscale 17th and quality apartments around Montmartre, in the 4th - The Marais and the 5th - The Latin Quarter. Full details together with suggested itineraries and a helpful list of things to see and do can be found at: www.rentals.chsparis.com.

London in November - Fireworks, Ice, Pomp and Pageantry

November might not immediately strike one as the most obvious month to visit London but as well as the advantage of seasonally low air fares and far fewer tourists there are some uniquely British happenings.

5 November 2006 - Bonfire Night. Bonfires are lit and there are fireworks displays all over London (and the UK) to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up James I and his Parliament. The plot's most famous conspirator, Guy Fawkes, ("The Guy") is burned as an effigy. Although the official anniversary is on the 5th, bonfires and firework displays start up to 2 weeks before and go on for a week after the actual date. More details at: http://www.bonefire.org/guy/.

11 November 2006 - The Lord Mayor's Show. The inauguration of the new Lord Mayor of the City of London. The first Lord Mayor's Show was held in 1215 when King John's Charter stipulated that the new Lord Mayor must swear an oath of allegiance to the King and also to literally 'show' himself to the people. Since then only major disasters such as the Black Death have stopped the Show. The Lord Mayor's procession winds through nearly 800 years of London's history, marching unscathed through everything from the black death to the blitz. From 1422 and for centuries after, it travelled down the River Thames - hence the term 'floats', and there followed a time when the Lord Mayor rode on horseback. Since 1757 however, Lord Mayors have travelled in the famous ceremonial gold coach. In the 21st century, it's a day out for half a million people, with 3 million more watching on the BBC. More details at: http://www.lordmayorsshow.org.

15 November 2006 - State Opening of Parliament. The State Opening of Parliament marks the start of the parliamentary session. It occurs when Parliament reassembles after a general election, and each subsequent year it is normally in November. It's the main ceremonial event of the parliamentary year, attracting large crowds, both in person and watching on television. The Queen drives in state from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. Before the State Opening, the cellars of the Palace of Westminster are to this day searched by the Yeomen of the Guard - a precaution dating back to the Gunpowder Plot of November 1605. More details at: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page4942.asp.

22 November 2006 - 28 January 2007 - Somerset House Ice Rink. The highly successful ice rink at Somerset House will open again this year. During the day, the ice rink is the perfect family attraction with skating lessons and guides to aid inexperienced skaters. Once darkness falls, the rink is illuminated with flaming torches and special architectural lighting. The Courtyard is dominated by a magnificent 40ft-high Christmas tree. More details at: http://www.somerset-house.org.uk/whatson/icerink.

Where to stay?

If you are two or more, staying in a vacation rental often works out cheaper than a hotel. Coach House London Vacation Rentals are the leading specialist in short term central London rentals. We have over 75 properties on our books, ranging from cosy apartments just for 2 to grand mansions that will sleep up to 12. We are a fully accredited member of Visit London - the official visitor organisation for London. Full details of our services and properties, together with suggested itineraries and a helpful list of things to see and do can be found at: http://www.rentals.chslondon.com/.

Or, for a real British experience, stay in the Coach House - http://www.coachhouse.chslondon.com/, a charming old Victorian Coach House, and experience true English style hospitality in our own B&B. Prices from USD65, CAD 73, Euro50 ¥7700 per person per night and this includes an incredible English breakfast!