Rooms

There are six loft-style studios and apartments in two separate but nearby buildings: one on Rue de l'Echiqiuer and one on Rue de Trévise. Both are in the hip microquartier of Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, tucked between the Opéra, Bourse and Marais, and bordering the 2nd, 9th and 10th arrondissements.

There's a New York vibe with exposed brick walls, wood panelling, industrial-style light fittings and either polished wooden floors or bright patterned tiles. Created in spaces which were once bakeries or artists' ateliers, the five smaller studios – all identical in price – are perfect for couples. Beds are queensize – except in ex-fashion workshop The Echiquier Studio, which is a smaller continental size – and have jaunty red checked throws and cushions.

Three of the Echiquier properties share a small internal courtyard decorated with planters and pots with bistro tables and chairs. The pretty courtyard shared by the two Trevise studios is larger and lighter.

The Echiquier Bakery has direct street access and no outside space, and is the only one with internal stairs to the bedroom on a mezzanine floor above the kitchen-living space.

For more space, former leather workshop Echiquier Atelier – where we had a most enjoyable stay – comes with a glass-roofed sitting area with sofa. Don't forget to draw the blackout curtains at night to block light from the glass ceiling.

All studios and apartments have shower bathrooms; soap and shampoo is supplied.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Minibar
• WiFi

Eating

All studios and apartments have cute well-equipped kitchenettes, each with a fridge, microwave, Nespresso machine and induction hob, as well as pots and pans and other essentials including salt, pepper, tea, sugar, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Note that there's no oven and that all cooking and dining spaces are within the same room – except the Echiquier Atelier which has a semi-separate kitchen. Cleaning materials such as bin liners and washing up stuff are also provided. To be honest, we barely used our kitchenette: we weren't in Paris to home-cook, it was more ‘morning espresso and croissant before devouring some delicious French fare elsewhere’.

Talking of which, the choices are local and endless. You get a QR code which brings up a local map plus recommendations for food shops and eateries. About 30 seconds from our apartment we had the best meal of our trip in L'Echiquier, a quintessential small neighbourhood Parisian restaurant with an oft-changing creative menu. We also enjoyed a simple but tasty pasta meal in pizzeria Zazza just down the street. Nearby Rue des Petites-Écuries buzzes with restaurants and bars, including small-plates specialist Vivant and natural wine bar Déviant (co-owned, incidentally), as well as excellent Turkish fare at Ozlem. Nearby are Afro-Caribbean (and vegan) Jah Jah, and Bonhomie for polished Med dishes.

Features include:

• Coffee maker
• Hob or stove
• Kitchenette
• Microwave
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• Explore the hip neighbourhood of Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, with its colourful cabarets, myriad theatres and diverse food scene
  
• Head west for the impressive Palais Garnier opera house (catch a ballet if you can), chic department stores (including Galeries Lafayette – don't forget to go to the rooftop for great Paris views – and Printemps) and the Grands Boulevards
  
• Potter the cobbled streets of trendy Le Marais for quirky boutiques, mouth-watering pastries and live jazz in one of the many excellent bars
  
• Culture vultures are, of course, spoilt for choice: the world famous Louvre and the iconic Centre Pompidou are within walking distance; the stunning Musée Picasso too (enjoy a coffee on the rooftop terrace while you’re there); and it's not much further to the Musée d'Orsay, the Sainte Chapelle and the exciting re-build of Notre Dame
  
• Take a stroll along the "bobo" (bourgeois-bohemian) Canal Saint Martin, with its leafy promenades, nine locks and street art
  
• You're also well placed for the Place de la République, the Bastille and even Montmartre
  
• Stroll across the bridges of the Seine to the Latin Quarter and explore century-old book shops

Kids

The 5 smaller studio apartments sleep 2 adults each, and aren't big enough for extra guests; there is space for a baby in the larger Echiquier Atelier.

Family friendly accommodation:

There is space in the Echiquier Atelier for a travel cot to be placed on request.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 45 minutes - 1 hour
• Shops: 1 minute

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Paris Boutique Apartments are found in two separate locations, about an 8-minute walk apart, both in the Strasbourg-Saint-Denis quarter, near Opéra, Bourse and République, and within walking distance of the Marais and the Rive Droite.

> See the locations on a Google map

By Air
Nearest airports are Charles de Gaulle (27km) or Orly (20km). Both airports are connected to the Gare du Nord on the fast RER railway (line B); or you can take a taxi or Uber (45mins - 1 hour).

By Train
The Eurostar whisks you from London or Brussels straight into the Gare du Nord. Trains from eastern France and Germany arrive into Gare de l'Est. Both stations are nearby (about 1km) and easily walkable from.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.