At the Mairie de 3ème...a Game of Chess
Counting on Currency and Culture
Your taste of life in Paris and France
ParlerParis.com
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 • Paris, France
An exclusive offer to our readers...
On June 5th, 2010, the price of the eight remaining shares of the city's most beautiful fractional ownership property, "Le Palace des Vosges," are going to increase by about 20% -- more than 30,000€...
This offer is open to our readers only. To qualify, all you have to do to become an owner is send us a signed purchase contract and proof that your deposit has been transferred to the escrow account. This guarantees your share at the current price for a luxurious two-bedroom/two-and-a-half bath apartment in the Place des Vosges, Paris, France, 4th arrondissement.
To learn more about Le Palace des Vosges and see photos, or for more information, visit http://www.palacedesvosges.com
Dear Parler Paris Reader,
The glorious weather came to a temporary halt last night when the rain came pouring down, stopping as abruptly as it came, and drying up before we even had a chance to venture out of "Le Coude Fou" ("The Crazy Elbow") about 10:30 p.m. My arms were glowing tanned from having lunched on the terrace of Le Saint-Tropez with my own renting guest, who has kind enough to offer sharing the sun with me. I must say, it was heavenly to be at rooftop level with the sun beating down, even if perspiring and watching the butter melt.
Meanwhile, the euro is melting against other currencies and for those of us living here, it can be a double-edged sword. If we earn in dollars and spend in euros, then it's a blessing. If we earn in euros and spend in dollars, then it's a curse. When I took a loan in euros to purchase an apartment in New York with my daughter, the rate was $1.50 to the euro. Now that the loan repayments are being made at $1.25, that's turned out to be a good deal -- and the foresight is paying off. But it was all guesswork, and as they say, "I'd rather be lucky than smart."
For you who travel to France, your U.S. greenback is going to stretch a whole lot further than it has in recent years...today's rate of exchange is $1.23 to €1. Book your travel now, while the rate is in your favor!
I've already sent a message to our currency specialists, Moneycorp Group Global Money Services, to prepare a transfer of funds, while the going is good. If you have a French mortgage to fund, then maybe this is your opportunity now, too. Using a currency broker will save you about 1% in the transfer when you compare it with your bank's rates -- as the banks take full advantage and build in a commission of 2% to 3% in every transfer. Moneycorp is our favorite. You can find a link to the agents that work with our readers on the left panel of our sites, or click here to go directly to their site: moneycorp.com
How long will it last and will the euro get weaker? If we knew the future, we'd all be 'laughing all the way to the bank,' but you can bet I'll ask the advice of the agent who deals in currency exchange all day long for advice. Maybe his foresight will turn out to be lucky, too.
Over the last 13 years of living in Le Marais, I've watched the "rétoucheurs" (tailors), "grossistes" (wholesalers) and "uzines" (factories) turn into chic boutiques, art galleries and designers' studios. These are the new "habitants" of the Marais that will be offering us all a glimpse at what magic they make.
Click here to read the entire program online and plan your visit: or stop by the Mairie de 3ème at 2 rue Eugène Spuller to get your printed copy.
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
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