Paris

Spent a glorious weekend at a beautiful apartment in Paris.  Found on airbnb, it must have the best view of the Eiffel Tower you can possibly get short of standing in the Champs de Mars.

The couple have a fantastic eye for positioning the modern and the ancient and their home showcases modern and street art as well as ancient Persian pieces.  Glass walls along two sides of the apartment allow unparelled views of La Tour as well Les Invalides - our kiddos could not believe their luck at being able to gaze adoringly at the sparkling Eiffel Tower from their bedroom at night - not to mention that the owners children, also 6 and 4, had left their 'french and therefore much more interesting' toys for our two to play with.

On Avenue de Suffren, the locale is perfect for evening picnics in les Champs (dodging the lunging joggers), food shopping on Rue Cler or taking the Batobus along the Seine.

We had yet another perfect lunch at our favourite bistro - Le Petit Pontoise on rue Pontoise.  It's on a forgettable wee street on the left bank near the Jardin des Plantes.  Yet it's full of Parisiens in the know and savvy diners.  Their 'poulet fermier' with jus and pommes puree might just be the most delicious and most simple dish I have ever eaten.

Already planning the next trip and have just noticed that Air France have returns to Paris from Edi for £133 - which is surely a bargain too good to miss!

Airbnb

I have booked quite a bit of my next break to France via airbnb.  We've booked a huge apartment right beside the Eiffel Tower for about the half the price of a hotel room in the area, especially good value when you need two bedrooms, and the Frenchhotel system doesn't seem to understand the concept of 'family suites.'  The owners of the luxurious apartment were understandably nervous and asking lots of questions, but having established we're respectable enough, all is now set and ready to go.  The concept is good, but it's based on trust, and it is kind of wierd living in someone else's home - and with small kids you do tend to feel a bit paranoid about everything.  Nevertheless it's so good to have your own space and live like a local for a bit.

Planning to go visit Pink Flamingo for pizza when in Paris - dinner by the Canal St Martin sounds rather lovely.