There is no shortage of beautiful places to stay in Paris. If you’re a frequent visitor you might be tempted to stay away from the big crowds at the centre. Château des Fleurs will change your mind.
Just off the Champs Elysées and roughly a five-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe, to stay at Château des Fleurs is to stay in the heart of Paris. It’s also an opportunity to relive the glamour of La Belle Époque, which begins with an Art-Deco awning at the hotel’s entrance and continues inside with preservation architecture and period interior design (with just the right amount of modern interpretation).
The Vibe
Tucked away on the quiet Rue Vernet, this gorgeous 37-bedroom boutique hotel will charm you. From Gare du Nord it’s a 30-minute cab ride to Château des Fleurs in Paris’ Golden Triangle, in the 8th arrondisment. The vibe is Belle Époque, and it touches everything you see – from the Art Deco awning at the entrance, to the pink bar and the lush lounge, reminiscent of 19th-century Parisian balls.
The Rooms
A vintage lift in the lobby sets the tone for your stay, before you even reach your bedroom. My hideaway overlooked a quiet street, which remained quiet even during a busy weekend, and despite being in the heart of the city. The view from here is best enjoyed from the bedroom’s iconic Parisian balcony. A lush velvet headboard, fringed lampshades and art prints on the walls complete this cosy, intimate experience. The bathroom deserves a special mention too, for its red-wine coloured ceramic tiles, arched entrance to the shower and vanity lights around the mirror – all of which lean heavily in to the drama of old Paris. This might be the perfect place to get ready for a night out in the city of lights.
The Food + Drink
If I had my wish, breakfast would always be in bed. It was a wish granted at Château des Fleurs, where croissants, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit and wake-you-up coffee was delivered to my room on white ceramic crockery, and placed on the bed’s starched white linen. Feeling more social? Head down to the lounge to mingle with other hotel guests; breakfast is served from 7am until 11am.
For a hotel without an official restaurant Château des Fleurs has an impressive dinner menu. My order of salmon, served with gravlax sauce and roasted baby potatoes was fresh, light, and pitch-perfect. Place your order and eat it at the dining tables in front of the bar, or in a small, library-like space nearby. The ambience and service were as quietly luxurious as everything else I had experienced so far, and even dining solo, it was hard to resist the candle-lit romance of it all.
The Little Extras
Don’t miss the pink marbled bar which, at around sunset, begins to fill with hotel guests finishing dinner – and thirsty patrons arriving for out-of-this-world cocktails. Head bartender Julein Quettier was star of the mixology-show during our visit, and he’d drawn an adoring crowd (who had found him on Instagram). And the drinks flowed… from Champagne cocktails to vermouth, and alcohol-free cocktails with whimsical names such as Field of Roses and Cherry Blossom. They taste as good as they sound and honour the hotel’s history as a Parisian garden: it was formerly a space that hosted Bal Mabille, an annual Parisian high -society garden party.
The To-Do List
Hobnob with the creative crowd at Le Balzac Cinema
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This 1930s arthouse cinema is within a few minutes’ walk from Château des Fleurs, across the Champs Elysées, at the top of Rue Balzac. It is renowned for one-off screenings and popular with Parisian film buffs. There’s also a concert here every Saturday. The roster of films shown at Le Balzac are in French, but even if you’re not a French speaker the Art Deco auditorium is worth the price of entry. Book tickets in advance via the website.
Spa by Omnisens
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Light therapy masks, anti-ageing rituals, Japanese facials and more can be booked ahead at the spa in Château des Fleurs. Head to the lower ground floor for a morning dip in the pool. The wine-coloured tiles of the bathroom are repeated here, and the blue water contrasts against them to create a wonderfully relaxing space. If you wish to deepen your relaxation and recharge, the spa includes a sauna.
Champs Elysées
Even if big crowds are not your idea of a good time, it makes sense to immerse in the charm of Paris’ famous tree-lined avenue. From Château des Fleurs you are a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe. Along the avenue are also all of France’s luxury brands as well as great restaurants, cafes and shopping. Because no trip to Paris can be complete without a walk along the world’s most beautiful avenue stopping to purchase French fashion as you go (don’t mind if I do!).
Shop for produce at Puces d’Aligre
Spend a morning at Puces d’Aligre located in the 12th arrondissement. A taxi will bring you here from the hotel in under 30 minutes. This is the location of a popular antiques market but also the home of Paris’ most famous food market which opens every day except Mondays. The outdoor fresh produce market twins with indoor boulangeries, cheesemongers and bakeries. It’s a great place for crepes and coffee, so it’s no surprise that this is where in-the-know Parisians spend their weekends.
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All image credits: Jack Hardy
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