Hotel Particulier Montmartre

Opulent suites in secluded Montmartre mansion, oozing originality and ooh-la-la

Venture down the secret passage, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve taken a wrong turn. But keep going and the curious Rocher de la Sorcière (Witch’s rock) marks your arrival. Screened behind the black iron gates is the white Hôtel Particulier, surrounded by lush green gardens. You feel a million miles from bustling Paris; instead you are a 5-minute promenade from the postcard-perfect Basilique du Sacré-Coeur.

Inside this classic Directoire townhouse, the 5 strikingly spacious suites are a visual feast. Owners Morgane Rousseau and Frédéric Comtet commissioned 5 renowned artists to design each room. The result is a stunningly diverse display of contemporary art, centred on creativity and comfort. Downstairs, the Salon Privé is a furniture collector’s dream, with a first-edition of Arne Jacobsen’s Egg and the Barcelona by Mies Van der Rohe – and if you’re feeling particularly flush, the furniture is for sale. Meanwhile the snug Salon de Lecture offers a vast array of volumes to peruse by the flickering fire. This is fine living à la française.

Highs

• Lusciously luxurious rooms; of a size you don’t often see in Paris, and each one an individual concept by a contemporary artist
• Fabulous furnishings throughout, cleverly combining contemporary design pieces with aristocratic antiques
• Exceptional location; slap-bang in one of the most popular parts of Paris, yet the secret setting offers peace and seclusion
• Serene garden, with tinkling fountain and clusters of iron-wrought tables and chairs scattered in shady nooks; perfect for a summer breakfast or a spring aperitif

Lows

• Some of the suites have open bathrooms, so you can’t be shy about showering in front of your room-mate!
• If you’re adverse to exercise, be aware that Montmartre is the hilly part of Paris, with inescapable sets of stairs and steep streets; but your recompense is a sumptuous vista at every step
• There's no restaurant, although there are plenty of good eateries within walking distance