An American (kitchen) in Paris

15 years ago

I'm spending a week in Paris and have rented a small apartment off the Rue de Rivoli. It's very chic and was advertised as having an "American" kitchen. I'm not exactly sure what that means to the French, but in this case it's a compact, modern kitchen along one wall of the apartment. It has a small dishwasher, combined oven/microwave, induction stove (Miele) and a small fridge (not visible in this picture). The counter seems to be man made (Okite?) and the backsplash is glass.

There's practically no counter space, but otherwise the space functions well.

From Paris

The lighting is imaginative, with light above the cabinets at the ceiling at below at the floor. The wall seems to be painted in a faux gold leaf - the bedroom wall is the same. It's more decorative than practical, as the space really needs a better light over the table.

From Paris

Enjoy!

Here is a link that might be useful: Chic Paris apartment

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Comments (19)

User
15 years ago
Works for me ! Afterall how much time are you going to be inside ??!! You are a lucky one. I think it looks very clean and sleek . Have a wonderful time and report back on all you do. c
rmkitchen
15 years ago
When I lived in Paris (mid-late '80s - early '90s) it was called a California Kitchen, which meant that the kitchen was open to the rest of the apartment (as opposed to being its own room). Maybe since then or in a different parlance it's called an American Kitchen???

Have a wonderful week!!!
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wallycat
15 years ago
In he 90's, I stayed for 4 months and was put into a sort of apartment/hotel. Talk about a tiny kitchen!!! But I agree...in Paris, with an expense account...I think I only cared where to put my wine :-))
minette99
15 years ago
I spent some time in Paris last fall at a friend's apartment. I was at a party one night with a bunch of French people and actually got ask what is meant by American kitchen. It was described to me as "fitted" or having built-in matching cabinetry and in Paris where space is at a premium, usually large enough for an eat-in area, either an island or table.

Enjoy Paris and Rue de Rivoli -- lovely! Having an apartment to stay in with a nice kitchen is actually great for picking up the phenomenal food shops (and wine!) you'll pass on many streets and trying them at the flat later on, even if you eat out a lot. Despite many meals out, I was so glad I had a fridge and stove! Food in Paris is half the fun! :)
lacuisine
15 years ago
My French DH thinks Cuisine Americaine means that you can somehow look out towards the rest of the apartment via a cutout in the Kitchen. But rmkitchen's definition sounds right, too. In any case, anywhere on the Rue de Rivoli is a great location. don't forget to have some hot chocolate at Angelina.

LC
lynninnewmexico
15 years ago
What fun to see your pics. . . and to check out a Paris kitchen. Thanks for sharing them with us. Enjoy your stay!
Lynn
jessie21
15 years ago
my niece, who spent a year in paris and throughout france and who still visits every summer for a couple of months (she's fluent and a french teacher) told me just last week that in france, generally the kitchens are tiny. Really tiny. She said that they call a big kitchen with lots of counterspace and room to maneuver an "american kitchen."

she said she couldn't understand why the french have such tiny kitchens and speculated that maybe cooking was a more solitary activity or a proprietary thing ....here, the whole family pitches in...... anyway viva la american kitchens, lol
minette99
15 years ago
Jessie -- I would agree with your niece -- what I learned while there is that cooking for others is usually done alone or without guests in the kitchen -- at least for the middle aged set. I don't know if this applies to younger adults anymore though. I learned this when I was one of several dinner guests one evening and no one offered or made a move to help clear the table afterward. I asked my friend about it after and she explained it generally wasn't done unless with family, maybe. Kind of like the mess needs to stay hidden... Just an interesting cultural difference.

I second the mention of Angelina's! The hot chocolate is YUM! :)
annkathryn
Original Author
15 years ago
I've been glad to have this little kitchen because it's been a great way to save money. Dinner for 2 at a nice restaurant runs around $150. Dear fiancÃ© (DF) and I have been shopping at the local Ã©piceries, boulangeries and fromageries and making delicious meals of salads, cheeses, crusty baguettes, and pastries for dessert.

A week in Paris is truly a luxury. Every day we explore a different arrondissement. Yesterday was the Latin Quarter, somewhat abbreviated as the crowds were amassing for the Pope's visit. Today was Montmatre and the SacrÃ© Coeur. And who knew that the Eiffel Tower is now lit up with blue lights? Stunning!

Thanks so much for the recommendation of Angelina's. DF is a chocolate lover extraordinaire and is very eager to try their chocolat chaud.
MariposaTraicionera
15 years ago
Bonjour, Ã§a va?

We spent two weeks this past June in Paris and totally loved it! I remembered that the Pope was going there for a visit. We had seen him at the Vatican in late May :-)

Anyway, we had a kitchen at the apartment that was similar to the above and it functioned very well. I would trade my bigger house/kitchen for a smaller place in Paris any day. They know how to live!

Salut!
minette99
15 years ago
Annkathryn! If you are still there, try to get over to Rue Cler -- It's just off the metro stop for Ecole Militaire. Rue Cler is one of the BEST market streets in Paris, tons of all the little cheese shops, boulangeries, green grocers, butchers, chocolat, etc. It's wonderful! If you go, I'm sure you'll find some great foods to bring back to your flat!

Also, I suggest a stop at CafÃ© FlorÃ© on Blvd. St. Germain, just across from the church... very well known cafÃ© where the likes of Hemingway and JP Sartre and so many more hung out. It's just a fun, historical place to go for cafÃ©.

Lastly, stop at any decent looking cafÃ© where you see "Salade Chevre Chaud" on the blackboard menu ... if you have one, you'll be in heaven! Oh YUM!

Have a wonderful trip!!
growlery
15 years ago
Beautiful apartment!

I agree apartments are the way to go. Some people think the whole point of going on vacation is to get away from shopping and cooking and doing dishes though, so I can't argue with that. If people are intrigued by this idea, slowtrav.com has a lot of vacation rental reviews and some forums with nice people.

Annkathryn's post also serves as another reminder that one of the countries most famous in the world produces the lion's share of its meals in small kitchens. (This "American style" one is obviously atypical. The small refrigerator is not unusual, even for for families, though European fridge size is growing. A microwave in France is ... I don't know of a French person who would ever use one. Though that may be changing too.)

Kitchen size and appliance size have zero to do with the quality of cooking.

Wish I were there. The exchange rate is getting a little better!
annkathryn
Original Author
15 years ago
It's fun to read everyone else's comments on life in France. Good point about great meals coming out of very small kitchens.

minette,
Thanks for the tip about Rue Cler. We went there yesterday since we'd already planned a day of the MusÃ©e d'Orsay and MusÃ©e Rodin, so it was more or less on the way. Unfortunately most of the shops were closed because it was Sunday (we're so spoiled with our 24-hour groceries in the US!). But I did find an open boulangerie for lunch.
Today I have a list of fromageries on the rue Mouffetard near the PanthÃ©on to explore, so a picnic is definitely in the cards.
From Paris
minette99
15 years ago
Annkathryn -- Sounds like you're really enjoying your trip! Sorry you found Rue Cler mostly closed! Ah, Sundays! Rue Mouffetard is also great for hunting great foods -- I'm sure you'll love it! Love your picture above! YUM! If you haven't gone already, there is the wonderful ice cream shop, Berthillion, on Ile St Louis -- the best! I will be in Paris on Thursday for a week -- staying at a friend's in Le Marais, with a kitchen about 1/8 the size of yours. :) I don't mind tho -- everything tastes good in Paris! :)
marthavila
15 years ago
Oooh la la! Now here's a thread that has me excited enough to stop lurking and to chime in! IMHO, taking an apartment in Paris is the only way to really do Paris. On my last trip there, we ditched the hotel experience and rented a wonderful 2 bedroom apartment on the Rue d'Arbalete. (That's a very teeny street which is only a block away or so from the Rue Mouffetard.) Of course, the kitchen was tiny as heck. But, honestly, as one who lives in NYC, I didn't find it to be shockingly so. (Most Big Apple dwellers tend to be pretty accustomed to learning how to live and love small kitchens.) :) At any rate, I agree with Minette99, you will absolutely love the Rue Mouffetard! Needless to say, we prepared most of our meals with the wonderful produce, fish, cheeses, baked goods, etc. that we would pick up from the market each day. Besides the winding cobblestone street and the great shopping there (not just the food markets but also clothes, jewelry, crafts, etc.) I was really impressed by the friendliness and willingness of the produce vendors to help us make the best, most informed choices on our purchases.

BTW, while in the 5th, you may also want to check out these spots that aren't generally at the top of most tour stops -- which also makes them great "in-the-know" places to visit: Jardin Des Plantes (botanical gardens), the totally funky Museum National d'histoire Naturelle (Museum of Natural History) and the Hammam de la Mosquee de Paris (Hammam Mosque)which is famed for its mud baths, marble steam room, mint and oil massages and afternoon tea!
cooperbailey
15 years ago
ahhh, I had fun reading this post and drinking my coffee this morning. As I read I imagined shopping here, no, shopping over there. Coming in to this apartment here or someon elses apartment on another street. Shopping for pastries and cheese. And then going back out for the best hot chocolate and gazing up at the eiffel tower, or sitting in a sidewalk cafe and chatting. Moseying here and there among the different avenues. I am just tired from all my roaming around Paree!! A mini Parisian treat for a blah Monday in the office! Oui?
annkathryn
Original Author
15 years ago
La Rue Mouffetard certainly had potential, but hÃ©las we were foiled yet again. Our meeting with a prospective client ran late, so by the time DF and I got to Mouffetard the shops had closed for their mid-afternoon break from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. This is the time that the French linger over espresso at the outdoor cafÃ©s looking very sophisticated, and all the food stores are closed.

All was not lost, however, as we simply went home to plan our next attack. This was to Rue Montorgueil near Les Halles. You can see what my priorities are! I now have a lentil soup aux herbes de Provence simmering on the stove, using those gorgeous Puy lentils that are stunningly expensive at home. We have a selection of goat and sheep cheeses for the cheese course.
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
From Paris
lacuisine
15 years ago
annkathryn,

so if your husband is into chocolate, IMHO, the BEST chocolate in the world can be found at Debauve et Gallais.
30, rue st peres
or
33, rue vivienne

enjoy!

LC
minette99
15 years ago
Don't forget to stop at LadurÃ©e for fabulous pastries,macaroons, cafÃ© or thÃ©!
Annkathryn, your pictures are wonderful!!! I'll send up some more later this week when I arrive! :)

An American (kitchen) in Paris

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