Cour de Lumière

Hidden away behind a cobblestone courtyard in the 11th arrondissement, this architect-designed loft feels like a secret Paris has been keeping. A custom glass façade floods the interior with light and frames the surrounding trees, blurring the line between inside and out in a way that's rare in the city. Upstairs, a mezzanine sleeping area sits beneath exposed timber beams, giving the whole space a quietly sculptural quality. Ledru-Rollin metro is just a short stroll away, so the rest of Paris – Bastille, the Marais, beyond – is effortlessly within reach.

Home truths:
* This apartment isn't suitable for babies, toddlers, or guests with reduced mobility – the multiple staircases and open split levels make it genuinely unsuitable for little ones or anyone who finds stairs difficult.
* Air conditioning here is a mobile unit in the living area and a portable cooler in the bedroom – effective for most warm days, but not the same as a fixed central system.
* The main bedroom is on the mezzanine level and semi-open to the space below, so privacy is limited. It has a ceiling height of around 2m – worth bearing in mind if you're tall.
* The bathroom in this home is very small. That said, it has everything you need to get ready for the day.
* This is a lived-in home. You should expect some of the host's personal belongings to be present during your stay.