Beams over Palais Royal

Tucked into the sixth floor of a building steps from the Palais Royal Gardens and the Louvre, this loft apartment packs a lot of Paris into 24 square metres. Exposed beams and oak wood give the compact space warmth, while a mezzanine bed accessed by ladder makes clever use of the roofline – charming rather than merely practical. The Louvre is five minutes on foot, the Comédie-Française a five-minute stroll, and Pont Neuf a ten-minute walk. With the metro a three-minute walk away, the whole city is within easy reach.

Home truths:
* The apartment is on the sixth floor of a building with no lift – you'll be carrying luggage up six flights of stairs to reach it. It's also worth knowing that staircase renovation work is currently underway in the building, so access may be more disruptive than usual.
* This is a compact studio designed to sleep three. The living area doubles as a bedroom with the double bed, and the mezzanine single is reached by a ladder rather than stairs.
* If you're travelling with little ones, a cot is available at the apartment. Bear in mind the mezzanine bed is accessed by a ladder, so it is not suitable for young children.
* You won't find an oven here – though there is a hob. We think the kitchen is better suited to prepping lighter bites than large meals.