Step through the massive old door into the cobbled courtyard, and the teeming streets of Paris yield to an oasis of tranquillity. This vast converted ware-house is open yet intimate, with soaring ceilings and cosy corners; its modular living concept ensures that no area feels closed off, yet privacy is available. It's set over 3 floors, with a gloriously luminous and airy living area at its heart. Above, the central section is cut away to leave walkways, floating on steel girders reminiscent of Eiffel, which lead to the master bedroom and study. A cathedral window spans the 2 floors, flooding the space with daylight, while at night intelligent lighting and home cinema contribute to the ambience. In the basement – which housed a Resistance printing press during World War II – you'll find a gym and sauna.
Once you've soaked up the loft's decadent delights, you'll find authentic quartiers a short promenade away: rue Montorgueil for gourmet shops and designer clothes, the Marais for cafés and and culture; and the Louvre and Centre Pompidou are walkable. Perfect for a group of friends, or a family with older kids, or a honeymooning couple wanting top-dollar space and style – no wonder it's been scooping up awards left, right and centre.
Highs
- Pedestrianised streets and courtyard setting make this an extremely quiet location – but the bustle is only a block away if you want it
- At 300 sq.m. (3000 sq.ft), this place is palatial compared to most Parisian boltholes
- Like Paris itself, it's steeped in history yet stylishly modern and effortlessly chic
- All the luxury of a 5* hotel (home cinema, gym, sauna and concierge), but with the privacy and convenience of your own place, plus concierge services on request
- Flexible accommodation (2 bedrooms, plus study and gym which convert to 2 more bedrooms) means it would suit a couple, a family or a group of up to 8 friends
Lows
- It's expensive – but there's really nothing else like it in central Paris
- The 2nd bedroom and the study-bedroom are significantly smaller than the master room (no squabbling please…)
- If coming with kids, bear in mind that all rooms have double (not twin) beds; and it's not very toddler-friendly
- Book early, as it's often reserved by showrooms or for shoots (especially during Fashion Weeks)
Best time to go
Paris in spring is delightful – but then, the other seasons are pretty special too! If you’re looking for sale bargains, then January and July are the times to go. Much of Paris shuts down in July and August, when Parisians stream south for the summer and Paris is filled with visitors, so the atmosphere is quite different.
Our top tips
Julie, designer and owner of the Loft, has thought of everything: you could turn up with only the clothes on your back and settle in for a week.
- Luxury Apartment
- 3 bedrooms
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Sauna
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
Rooms
The master bedroom has a private balcony overlooking the courtyard, complete with tables and chairs so you can enjoy your morning coffee and croissant en dehors. The comfy queensize bed is piled with pillows, and the big wardrobe contains an impregnable-looking safe, bathrobes, and bales and bales of fluffy white towels. The ensuite bathroom is delightful and spacious, and we particularly loved the immense sunken tiled bath (but steered clear of the supplied weighing scales).
The second bedroom, on the ground floor, is more modest in size but still meticulously furnished, with queensize bed, large closet, yet more towels and bathrobes, and a quirky floor – a pinky-red resin, which sounds strange but works. The second bathroom (not ensuite) has an invitingly large walk-in shower. Twin water tanks ensure you will never run out of hot water.
The third bedroom/study has a queensize futon-style bed with a proper sprung mattress, and a clothes rail and cupboards for storage. If used as an office, there is a desk with scanner, printer, WiFi, etc.
If 3 bedrooms really aren't enough, there is a double sofabed in the gym - a little unorthodox yes, but this room does contain a shower room, a sauna, and a home cinema and hi-fi system, so it's a fairly comfortable option.
Decorated in calm neutral contemporary furnishings with floral decorations including orchids, the main lounge is ideal for long evenings reclining on the beige leather sofas, listening to the French CD collection or expanding your Gallic film knowledge. There's also beautifully incorporated art work – we loved the downstairs mural designed by French artists “Comme 2 poissons dans l’eau”.
A 3.2m projector screen descends to create a home cinema, complete with a Bose multi-media surround sound system. Upstairs is a more intimate lounging area, with red comfy chairs and scatter cushions, a Plasma TV (again with DVD and cable), and a mini-fridge and bar.
Click for floorplan
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Microwave
Eating
Your only dilemma every day will be whether to eat in or out. On the one hand, the sparkling kitchen cries out for use, with Labrador black granite surfaces, well stocked cupboards, every conceivable gadget and utensil, a polished 6-seater dining table with white leather chairs, and the largest fridge-freezer this side of Texas. A top French chef can be arranged to prepare meals in the property for special occasions.
On the other hand, you are in the centre of the culinary capital, with a wealth of restaurants and cafés to explore. Turn out of rue Greneta into rue Montorgueil and brasseries burst onto the street, their terraces open in all weathers. Wander to the south end (by the church) to investigate the food market, and pig out on patisseries at the famous Maison Stohrer (so good that even the Queen has paid them a visit).
If you’re looking for a true taste of France (we're talking foie gras and lobster), try Aux Crus de Bourgogne on rue Bachaumont; for a more relaxed meal we recommend Comptoir de la Gastronomie on rue Montmartre, where you can sample the goods in the restaurant before buying stocks to take home from the épicerie. And if you fancy a change of cuisine, Little Italy on Montorgueil is a favourite with the locals, while La Bocca on rue Montmartre has a more romantic atmosphere.
Features include:
- Children's meals
- Microwave
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- The Montorgeuil neighbourhood is vibrant, trendy and largely pedestrianised, with lots of streetside cafés, market stalls, restaurants, bakeries (including La Maison Stohrer), cheese shops and flower stalls; and it's only a few minutes' walk to the designer boutiques around Place des Victoires
- Liase with Frédéric Corneille, your personal concierge, before or during your stay to help plan you time in Paris, from jazz concerts to art exhibitions to the best places to eat and drink - he knows it all
- Pop into the Pompidou: It’s one of the most famous structures in Paris, crammed full with contemporary art from around the globe, and just around the corner from the loft. And when you’ve absorbed all that culture, cross the plaza and treat yourself to un verre at the Café Beaubourg (a source of inspiration to Julie when remodelling the Loft)
- It’s as cheesy as Camembert, but still the simplest way to see most of the major Paris sites: hop on a Bateau Mouche at Pont Neuf, and soak up the sights along the Seine
- Stop in at the 17th century church St Eustache at the bottom of Montorgueil, renowned for its music and concerts, followed by a long lunch à la francaise on the terrace of any of the cafés opposite
- Explore the quirky cobbled back streets of the Marais, with their teetering walls and meandering paths, which managed to escape Haussmann’s clutches
- See Paris by pedal power! The “Velib” system allows you to pick up and drop off bikes at hundreds of points across the city 24 hours a day, and all you need to subscribe is a credit card
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome, and we think it's especially good for older children, with plenty to keep them amused nearby, and a home cinema for rainy days. With 3 double bedrooms, it works perfectly for a family of 4-6; and by converting the gym room into a 4th bedroom, it can also accommodate two families holidaying together (a single air mattress can be added if necessary).
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
All bedrooms have queen size beds. The gym can also be converted to a fourth bedroom, and has its own shower (and sauna) and home cinema so is an ideal, self-contained space for a nanny or grandparents or den for older kids
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
- Baby cot
- High chair
- Push chair
- Baby bath
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
The Quartier Montorgueil is very centrally located and has lots of restaurants, bistros and cafes. It is also renowned for its fresh produce and food markets. The Gym Room has its own purified water fountain. The Les Halles quarter has lots of family-friendly dining
Kids Activities on site:
- Home cinema in Main Lounge including a 10 foot screen
- Second home cinema system in Gym room
- Third TV with cable channels and DVD player on Mezzanine Lounge
Kids Activities nearby:
- Visit Paris' top patisserie, Stohrer; chocolate ateliers nearby
- Large park with magic fountains and adventure centre at Les Halles
- Les Halles cinema complex
- Pompidou
- Marais to explore
- Nearby Centr'Halles Park has a large park for picnics, indoor climbing facilities, an adventure park for kids, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool
- Shopping on doorstep including designer clothes (area is known as Paris' best fashion preserved fashion district and has couture ateliers)
- Jardins de Palais Royale and the Jardins des Tuileries both have adventure playgrounds and seasonal fairs
Families Should Know:
Parents of toddlers need to be aware that the Loft does have gaps in the railings on the first floor
Distances:
- Airport: 30-40 minutes (Orly and Charles de Gaulle)
- Metro: 4 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The loft is situated in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, in the vibrant Montorgueil area, surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops. The closest métro stations (both 3-5 minutes away) are Etienne Marcel and Reaumur Sebastopol.
By Air
Charles de Gaulle (30km north) and Orly (south). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
Both airports are connected to the RER (line B), which runs into central Paris. Change at Châtelet Les Halles to connect with the Métro (1 stop to Etienne Marcel on line 4). Alternatively you can take a taxi, or Julie can arrange a chauffeur collection (enquire when booking).
By Train
Eurostar whisks you from London straight into Gare du Nord. From there, it's 5 stops down to Etienne Marcel on line 4.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape. More on getting to Paris and getting around
Airports:
- Charles de Gaulle 30.0 km CDG
- Orly 0.0 km ORY
Other:
- Beach 150.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km