Normandy, Brittany & the Best of the North_ With Paris (Fodor's) - Fodor's [153]
Pavillon de la Reine.
$$$$ | This enchanting countrylike château is hidden off the regal Place des Vosges behind a stunning garden courtyard. Gigantic beams, chunky stone pillars, original oils, and a weathered fireplace speak to the building’s 1612 origins. The hotel has large doubles, duplexes, and suites decorated in either contemporary or 18th-century-style wall fabrics. Many rooms look out on the entry court or an interior Japanese-inspired garden. Pros: beautiful garden courtyard; typically Parisian historic character; proximity to the Place des Vosges without the noise. Cons: expensive for the Marais and the size of the rooms; the nearest métro is a few long blocks away. | 28 pl. des Vosges, Le Marais | 01–40–29–19–19, 800/447–7462 in U.S. | www.pavillon-de-la-reine.com | 30 rooms, 26 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: room service, bar, laundry service, parking (free), some pets allowed | AE, DC, MC, V | Station: Bastille, St-Paul
4E ARRONDISSEMENT (MARAIS/ILE ST-LOUIS)
Grand Hôtel Jeanne-d’Arc.
$ | You can get your money’s worth at this hotel in an unbeatable location off the tranquil Place du Marché Ste-Catherine, one of the city’s lesser-known pedestrian squares. The 17th-century building has been a hotel for more than a century, and although rooms are on the spartan side, they’re well maintained, with spotless tiled bathrooms and cheery, if somewhat mismatched, colors (some rooms facing the back are more muted). The welcoming staff is informal and happy to recount the history of this former market quartier. Pros: charming street close to major sites; good value for Le Marais; lots of drinking and dining options nearby. Cons: late-night revelers on the square can be noisy after midnight; minimal amenities; rooms have varying quality and size. | 3 rue deJarente, Le Marais | 75004 | 01–48–87–62–11 | www.hoteljeannedarc.com | 36 rooms | In-room: no a/c. In-hotel: Wi-Fi, some pets allowed | MC, V | Station: St-Paul
Hôtel Bourg Tibourg.
$$$ | Scented candles and subdued lighting announce designer-du-jour Jacques Garcia’s mix of haremlike romance and Gothic contemplation. Royal-blue paint and red velvet line the claustrophobic halls, and Byzantine alcoves hold mosaic-tile tubs. Rooms are barely bigger than the beds, and every inch has been upholstered, tasseled, and draped in a cacophony of stripes, florals, and medieval motifs. A pocket garden has room for three tables, leafy plants, and a swath of stars above. Pros: quiet side street in central Paris; luxurious style at moderate prices; great nightlife district. Cons: rooms are small and ill equipped for those with large suitcases; no hotel restaurant. | 19 rue BourgTibourg, Le Marais | 75004 | 01–42–78–47–39 | www.hotelbourgtibourg.com | 29 rooms, 1 suite | In-room: a/c, safe, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: room service, laundry service | AE, DC, MC, V | Station: Hôtel de Ville
Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais.
$$ | The theme of this intimate, romantic hotel is the work of former next-door neighbor Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, supplier of military aid to American revolutionaries and a playwright who penned The Marriage of Figaro and The Barber of Seville. First-edition copies of his books adorn the public spaces, and the salons reflect the taste of 18th-century French nobility—down to the wallpaper and 1792 pianoforte. Richly decorated with floral fabrics and period furnishings, the rooms have original beams and hand-painted bathroom tiles, as well as flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. Pros: cozy, historic Parisian decor; central location within easy walking distance to major monuments. Cons: small rooms; busy street of bars and cafés can be noisy. | 12 rueVieille-du-Temple, Le Marais | 75004 | 01–42–72–34–12 | www.carondebeaumarchais.com | 19 rooms | In-room: a/c,