Hôtel du Petit Moulin

The site of Victor Hugo’s 17th century neighborhood bakery still stands, “Boulangerie” written in capital letters across the facade. But step through the wooden doors, and stumble upon a boutique hotel from the imagination of fashion designer Christian Lacroix. His animated, fantasy-laced couture creations – a whirlwind of color, motifs, precious materials, historical styles, and exaggerated shapes – transpires in glorious detail at Hôtel du Petit Moulin. When the hotel first opened in 2005, it was an immediate hit. A fashion designer moonlighting as interior decorator – such curiosity! Its haut Marais neighborhood was still boarded up with scaffolding and renovation, a bit off the tourist trail. How things have changed! But what has not changed is this hotel’s ability to delight and charm, its high style just as inspired then as it is now.

Lucky you, haute couture-design comes at a relatively low cost (approx €250) at this intimate hotel. You will want to make Hôtel du Petit Moulin a personal “secret getaway” for subsequent trips, exploring each of its 17 rooms through its maze-like halls. A seat is saved for you at the vintage zinc bar downstairs, it is for hotel guests only.

ROOMS
17 rooms ranging from 17-35 square meters are all awash in different themes – from starry nights to zebra stripes to florals – usually mixed together exuberantly in the same space. Exposed beams, non-standardized floor plans, and low ceilings typical to historical buildings further add architectural dimension. Bathrooms mostly feature bathtubs. If you are going to lounge in such splendor, bathing in a clawed tub is part of the deal – champagne is in the minibar, just in case.

AMENITIES

• BAR
• Free BICYCLE RENTALS at sister hotel Le Pavillon de la Reine (0.85 km away)
• SPA ACCESS from Spa de la Reine (0.85 km away)
• Complimentary WI-FI