This beautifully renovated 17th-century townhouse exudes charm, tucked away on a quiet street in one of the world's most beautiful cities. You're just a stone’s throw from the Musée d’Orsay, among the art-drenched cafés and historic houses of St Germain des Prés. Verlaine, Rimbaud, Camus and Sartre all lived, wrote and drank near here; today Karl Lagerfeld is your neighbour.
Inside you'll find stylish reception rooms with exposed beams, a literary theme throughout, wine by the glass, and a roaring fire in winter. The small but tastefully decorated rooms include on-trend touches like grouped vintage mirrors and little bookshelves behind the beds. You also get 20th-century mod cons, including air conditioning and complimentary smartphones to borrow. If, like us, you spend most of your time sightseeing, and want somewhere tranquil and elegant to lay your head, this makes for an excellent choice.
Highs
- We liked the sociable atmosphere - guests share stories in front of the fire in the library before going out to dinner
- Staff are friendly, helpful and happy to assist with restaurant bookings, travel recommendations and show tickets
- You're in a great neighbourhood - you can walk almost everywhere (the Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre, Les Invalides) and pass glitzy shops en route (Armani, Dior, Cartier, Vuitton)
- Serge Gainsbourg, the iconic French singer-songwriter, lived on the rue de Verneuil until his death in 1991. His house remains untouched but for the fan graffiti that covers the exterior walls
Lows
- Bedrooms and bathrooms are very small, but that is par for course in Paris
- Public spaces (lobby, library and breakfast room) are also pretty cosy - but very friendly
- The circular staircase may be difficult for some, and the tiny lift only starts halfway up to the first floor
- Rates spike during fashion weeks: June, Sept/Oct and end of Jan (check for exact dates)
Best time to go
Paris is wonderful all year round. A good time to come is August when the locals leave and the city is relatively empty; the sales are on in January. And if you're planning a romantic spring-time break, this is the perfect destination.
Our top tips
- Boutique Hotel
- 26 rooms
- Breakfast only (walk to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
The 26 rooms are small but perfectly formed, with white-painted ceiling beams and quirky vintage lamps. Splashes of bold colour, recessed spotlights and abundant use of mirrors make them feel larger than their 12-23 sq.m.
The 6 Classic Rooms have the smallest price tag due to their compact size. Slightly more spacious are the Club Rooms (where we happily laid our heads), though the bathrooms are quite small. The Deluxe Rooms are the top choice for a little more space and comfort, and come with extra perks like Nespresso machines.
Most have double beds of the queensize variety. We loved 501, a Club Room which is located at the top of the house and feels totally Parisian (though note it's not great if you are tall). Room 100 is on the ground floor off the lounge and is the best option for those who cannot manage the stairs.
All rooms feature complimentary smartphones for your stay, and come with air-conditioning, WiFi and a TV, as well as a minibar and safe. Black and white tiled bathrooms feature L’Occitane toiletries and generally have showers only - there are a couple with bathtubs but you'll have to request this specifically if it's a key factor for you.
Features include:
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Breakfast (additional charge) is laid out, buffet-style, in a stone-vaulted dining room. You get a good "continental plus" spread of cheese, fresh juice, fruit salad, yoghurts and cereals, as well as bread and croissants from Dominique Saibron. Bacon and eggs are available, and coffee and tea are brought to you at your table. Gluten-free options are also available, and you can order room service at no extra charge.
You'll need to eat out for all other meals. The nearest restaurant is Le Cinq Mars at 51 rue Verneuil, a lively bistro recommended by several guests. There's also a great Japanese restaurant nearby called Sous les Cerisieres, where you can enjoy some sake pairing. Or, for something very special, try L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (Joel Robuchon is a bit of a gastronomic star in Paris); it serves modern tapas, but is expensive. Lots more local bistros offer good French food at reasonable prices.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- You’re on the Left Bank, so don’t miss St Germain des Prés, stamping ground of artists and intellectuals. You can follow the Boulevard St Germain into the heart of bohemian Paris and find the Les Deux Magots, where Sartre and co. used to sit and talk (you can eat here too).
- It’s not all austere intellectualism though; try the jazz cafés for some simple hedonism
- This being Paris, you can’t move for the culture; the Musée d’Orsay is around the corner, as is the Musée Maillol, which is very well-respected for its temporary exhibitions
- Walk the short distance to the Saint Chapelle. It's a stunning example of medieval Christian architecture, and has one of the most extensive collections of 13th-century stained glass in the world
- Stroll through the exquisite Jardin du Luxembourg and rent out the toy 1920s sail boats - they turn grown men into children!
- Get a local's perspective by pedalling your way round Paris using the Velib bike network; bike stations are everywhere, and there are plenty of cycle lanes
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Children are welcome. Only the Deluxe Rooms have space for an extra bed or a baby cot (and even then it might be a bit of a squeeze). It's also possible to book 2 interconnecting rooms (Club+Club or Club+Deluxe), which is probably the best option for families.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request. A high chair is available in the breakfast room. Changing mats are available and baby bottles can be warmed.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
You are in the 7th arrondissement, 2 blocks from the Seine and 1 block from the Musée d'Orsay. The Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries are just across the Pont Royal.
By Air
Paris Charles de Gaulle (30km) is 45-60 minutes away, and Paris Orly (35km) is 30-45 minutes.
From the Airport
Jump on the RER - both airports are connected to the city on line B. Change at St Michel and alight at the Musée d'Orsay for the hotel.
By Train
The Eurostar whisks you from London (or Brussels) straight into the Gare du Nord. From here take the RER line B, and change at St Michel for the Musée d'Orsay stop.
Getting Around
There's an RER (express) station at the Musée d’Orsay, which is convenient for trips to Versailles. The nearest metro stations to the hotel are Saint Germain des Prés (line 4; direct access to Ile de la Cité and Chatelet les Halles) and Rue du Bac (line 12; direct access to Place de la Concorde and, further north, Montmartre). Buses (lines 27, 39, 63, 73, 95) give direct access to Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle 30.0 km CDG
- Paris Orly 35.0 km ORY
Other:
- Beach 150.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape