Travelers often ask us for that elusive Parisian address with real Gallic charm — hotels with character, not just another generic stay. The truth? Such gems are becoming rare. Many long-loved favorites are now too worn to recommend with confidence, and international brands are steadily edging into the crooked lanes of Le Marais and up the steep streets of Montmartre. Paris itself still overflows with character, of course, but avoiding the sight of a Starbucks entirely is impossible. What our experts can do is point you toward a carefully chosen list of hotels that still embody authentic Parisian charm.
For the charm
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L'Hôtel, Paris- Oscar Wilde’s final refuge — oozes Parisian decadence. Reimagined by Jacques Garcia, its opulent jewel-box rooms, themed suites, and candlelit plunge pool revive 60s–70s louche glamor. Sleep where Wilde expired, if you can bear the romance and tristesse.
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Hotel d'Aubusson, a 17th-century townhouse near the Seine, blends romance and grandeur with exposed beams, vast doors, and a sunlit courtyard. Since 1690, this honey-stone gem has lured literati and glitterati alike with its timeless Parisian atmosphere.
For a boutique
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Hotel Therese is a wonderfully restored 18th-century building, smack bang in the center of Paris. Small but achingly chic suites are decorated with great attention to detail in a mix of traditional and contemporary styles. A romantic boutique.
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Caron de Beaumarchais is a boutique hideaway set in the historic Marais district. The lobby feels like stepping into an 18th-century French drawing-room, with intricate objets d'art and floral motifs. Heritage suites have exposed beams and period artwork, while romantic gable rooms offer views over the rooftops.
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Le Petit Moulin is a fabulous, vibrant and unique 4* boutique designed by Christian Lacroix. Each stylish and comfortable room exudes its own unique charm. Enjoy a super-chic stay at the heart of the Marais. Parisian chic at its best.
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La Maison Favart is a chic city bolt-hole boasting 18th-century-style suites, five minutes from the Opéra Garnier. Bold prints reign in the guestrooms, dressed in a rich, regal palette. Complete with a spa, this is an indulgent choice.
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Hôtel Providence, in Paris’s hip 10th, epitomises chic with 18 intimate rooms and a standout Penthouse Suite. Housed in a townhouse with lofty ceilings and sash windows, interiors mix antiques with moody, seductive tones for boutique Parisian allure.
For Left Bank
- For hotels with Paris charm and a private house feel you can't do much better than the Hotel Duc de Saint-Simon in St. Germain. Plush, romantic, traditional, elegant and intimate are all good ways to describe this hotel — think overstuffed furniture and cleverly conceived paint effects, TVs only on request and room service instead of a mini-bar.
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Le Bellechasse is a flamboyant Left Bank hotel that puts aesthetics before all. Enjoy the riot of color, patterns, and frescos in this remarkable Christian Lacroix-designed property. Fun and frivolous.
For luxury
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Hotel San Régis, steps from the Champs-Élysées, pairs a neoclassical façade with lavish wallpaper and country-house charm. Beloved by fashion insiders, this refined hideaway proves that timeless elegance and character never go out of style in the heart of haute couture.
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Hotel Bourg Tibourg in Le Marais, has taken luxury in a different direction again, this time the compact townhouse has been transformed into a Moorish palace.
For the location
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Hotel de Saint-Grégoire, a family-run 18th-century townhouse near the Luxembourg Gardens, radiates warmth and charm. Thoughtfully decorated and deeply personal, it offers a cozy, welcoming stay where every detail feels lovingly considered.
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Hotel Brighton, overlooks the Tuileries, just steps from the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. With the same coveted views as Hotel Le Meurice at a fraction of the cost, it blends Parisian grandeur with the intimacy and charm of a quiet B&B.
- Behind Sacre Coeur, Le Relais Montmartre is one of several hotels with Paris charm in Montmartre. Here chintz and dainty period furniture welcome you in to the intimate feeling hotel. A good one for romantics as well as people who want a base in Montmatre.
- Between the Louvre and Notre Dame, Le Relais du Louvre is squeezed into an old house right on the river, with some windows within touching distance of the pinnacles of St Germain-l'Auxerrois. The rooms aren't large, but the family suite is very comfortable, and Le Relais du Louvre is one of the best value hotels with Paris charm.
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Hotel Mansart is another great value option in a fantastic location. This time you're on place Vendome, and can expect individually decorated, unfussy rooms with a lovely collection of antiques.
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Hotel Le Sainte-Beuve is a luxury boutique base, set five minutes from upmarket Saint Germain and the artistic hub of Montparnasse. Traditional interiors mirror the cultural richness and bohemian spirit of Paris. A unique and elegant choice.
For the view
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Hotel Le Meurice, opposite the Tuileries, is a Parisian palace hotel blending 18th-century grandeur with Philippe Starck design. Favored by royalty and artists, it offers opulent rooms, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, spa, and the unrivalled Belle Étoile Suite terrace with sweeping city views.
- Overlooking Paris' stunning Pantheon, Les Dames du Pantheon is a chic little boutique. Stylishly decorated rooms have hip clashing patterns and modern artwork. Pick a room with a balcony to best enjoy the views.
Still not sure?
