Marais Interlude

Tucked into Le Marais with Place des Vosges just minutes from the door, this calm courtyard-facing apartment puts you at the centre of one of Paris's most characterful neighbourhoods. The Centre Pompidou and Île Saint-Louis are both less than fifteen minutes away on foot – but the cobblestoned streets in between are reason enough to slow down. Large windows, typical of this historic Haussmann building, make this home feel more roomy than its compact footprint suggests, and the addition of a kitchenette and desk make it a restful base for two.

Home truths:
* At 25 sqm, this is a compact studio where the sleeping and living areas share the same space. It works beautifully for two, but there's no separate bedroom to retreat to.
* While the large bed makes for a great night's sleep, it does feel a little big for the room. Space is limited, so we'd recommend travelling light.
* There's no lift here. You'll need to be able to climb stairs to reach the entrance of the home.
* 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.