PERFECT HOMES MAGAZINE - Issue 13 Issue 13 | Page 154

PARIS F rance boasts extensive navigable waterways (rivers and canals), which are perfect for those whose ideal home is one that floats The fact that Paris property prices are so astronomical doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t afford to live right in the middle of Paris. How does the Seine river sound? The Seine River runs through Paris, France crossing the 16th, 15th, 7th, 8th, 1st, 6th, 4th, 5th, 13th and 12tharrondissements. A number of lucky and adventurous people have made their homes in anchored vessels on the river. In all there are about 1,000 houseboats in Paris, their postal addresses are written on the boats! The most common kind of Paris houseboat is the peniche or barge. This is a flat bottomed vessel specifically designed for narrow canals or rivers. The peniche are not necessarily cramped living spaces as you might have imagined a boat to be, in fact a peniche can cover 220m² and include outside terraces and spacious interiors. Some peniche include more than one bedroom, a living space, bathrooms and even individual studio “apartments” as well as the rooftop terraces. A huge luxury peniche of this kind can cost up to €