This classic French town house dates from around 1690 when it was host for the city's first literary salon. Original Aubusson tapestries are displayed on the walls of the hall at the entrance and the lounge where breakfast is served. The Grand Salon amazes you with the oak beams that span the ceiling and the "piece de resistance", a gigantic fireplace in Bourgogne stone. The lovely courtyard with its stone-cut water fountain separates the hotel from the street. The location, in St. Germain des Près, is perfect for discovering in a stroll the Louvre, the Notre-Dame cathedral, the Orsay museum, St. Chapelle or the Pompidou Center.

The 50 rooms and suites, renovated in 2004, are decorated in a Regency style, in tones of beige or burgundy with flowery patterns. Some of the rooms have beamed ceilings and original stone walls. The standard rooms are on the smaller side but the deluxe units are quite spacious. Bathrooms with bath/shower combination are equipped with Hermes toiletries. Amenities include flat-screen TVs with DVD player, fax and modem connections, American plugs, air-conditioning, hair dryers, mini bars. Rooms start at 280 euros and breakfast is 23 euros.

There is no restaurant onsite but the lovely restaurants, cafes and brasseries of St. Germain des Près that surround the hotel certainly make up for it. The piano bar, Cafe Laurent, hosts live jazz evenings a few times a week and Salon de Tapisserie serves a full breakfast buffet each morning.

33 rue Dauphine, Paris 75006
Metro: Odéon
Tel: 01-43-29-43-43
Fax: 01-43-29-12-62
http://www.hoteldaubusson.com