Normandy Hotel Le Chantier

An elegant facade gives way to quirky, antiquey interiors at this upscale hotel that's undergoing a full facelift, expecting to debut its complete new look by the end of 2024. It's situated on the Rue Saint-Honoré, which runs right through the heart of Paris’ first arrondissement. You’d struggle to pinpoint a better spot than this to base yourself for exploring the French capital, such is the hotel’s proximity to several top attractions and numerous public transport options. 

Most notably, the Louvre is only a five-minute stroll away, while the Musée d'Orsay is around 15 minutes’ walk away on the opposite side of the Seine – so you’ll have no trouble getting your fill of Paris’ finest art collections. Just around the corner, the Tuileries Garden is a lovely spot for a leisurely stroll and to escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets, and if you continue west from here, you’ll soon arrive at the Champs-Élysées, which runs all the way from Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. 

The closest metro station, Pyramids, is just a few steps from the hotel’s front door, and you’ve also got two others (Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre and Tuileries) within a five-minute radius. Venturing further afield, such as to the Eiffel Tower or the Basilica of Sacre-Cœur de Montmartre, is therefore a breeze. 

A fresh and plentiful breakfast is available in the mornings – the perfect way to kick-start your day before heading out to take in the sights – and you’ll definitely want to check out the speakeasy bar, Rehab, for exquisite cocktails in the evenings, as well as the Buckwheat Crêperie and El Vecino taqueria. The choice of restaurants and bars around here is practically endless, so if you’re struggling to decide, feel free to ask the hotel’s staff for local recommendations.