Parisian's Reverie

Classic Haussmann detailing frames the living room in this second-floor apartment on Avenue des Gobelins, where the 5th arrondissement's calm, residential character is right outside the door. The bedroom carries the same unhurried elegance, and the well-considered layout – with a dedicated dining space and a separate toilet – works equally well for families and longer stays. Jardin des Plantes, Paris's oldest botanical garden, is a sixteen-minute walk, Île Saint-Louis a twenty-minute stroll, and Notre-Dame Cathedral just twenty-three minutes on foot – making this a well-placed base for one of the city's most storied neighbourhoods.

Home truths:
* Parking here can be tricky, so we recommend sticking to easily accessible public transport where possible.
* At full occupancy, two guests will sleep on the sofa bed in the living area.
* 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.
* The lift is small, so you may need to make two trips if you're arriving with bulky luggage.
* This is a lived-in residential building with families, so you may hear neighbours – light sleepers may want to pack ear plugs.
* As is common in France, the toilet is separate from the bathroom.