Located in Paris’ historical and fashionable Le Marais district is the equally historical and fashionable Hotel du Petit Moulin.
Now a Christian Lacroix designed boutique hotel, Hotel du Petit Moulin was once Paris’ first bakery, counting Victor Hugo among its customers, who used to pop in from his nearby home to buy his baguettes.
Wanting to draw on this history and go back their roots, last year the hotel launched ‘Baguettes and Boulangeries’ baking weekends, where guests can enjoy a two night stay in the hotel and a baking masterclass at the nearby La Cuisine Paris.
Easily tempted by Lacroix design and macaroons, StyleNest headed over to Paris in an attempt to learn the secrets of French baking.
Set in the heart of the city’s oldest district, Le Marais, the hotel can be found in the bakery’s original location, a 17th century building now listed by French heritage. Still with its original golden ‘boulangerie’ shop front, which dates back to 1900, the hotel still misleads passersby to stopping in to ask if they can buy a baguette or two, and even we had to check twice if we were in the right place. A glimpse inside into the Lacroix designed lobby however soon confirmed we were at the right place, and we headed in to our home for the night.
The reception area was small but homely, and the friendly staff made us feel at ease straight away. Our bags were taken up to our rooms ahead of us whilst we checked in, before we were shown to our room, which was decadent, ornate, and stunningly beautiful. Burgundy flock wallpaper lined the walls, an intricately patterned carpet covered the floor, and a trompe-l’œil style wall sat behind the bed in place of a headboard. The bathroom was tiled in black, and yet didn’t feel dark or heavy, just modern and yet cosy. The minimalist white plastic furniture was an unusual addition to the ornate room, and yet strangely worked. Mr Lacroix clearly knew what he was doing. As did the hotel when they choose him. He was a beautiful match for this cosy, intimate boutique hotel.
After admiring our room a little longer, we headed out to explore Le Marais and its many boutiques, cafes, and of course bakeries, so we could sample some of our competition before the next day’s cooking class. Any excuse to eat more macaroons!
The next morning, we set our alarms for our baking session at La Cuisine. Under normal circumstances it would’ve struggled to leave the comfort of our huge bed and the decadence of our room, but the thought of homemade macaroons definitely gave us some motivation. And conveniently located near the hotel, La Cuisine is just a short 15-minute walk in a pretty location just by the river Seine.
The friendly staff welcomed us warmly and we were greeted by our cheerful French chef, who would take us through the morning’s 3-hour macaroon class. Having only ever made them once before, and unsuccessfully we might add, we were a little nervous, but everyone in the class was a beginner like us and just there for some fun. And with our chef Romain making friendly jokes and putting us at ease, plus giving his experts tips every step of the way, we managed to produce some pretty impressive looking macaroons by the end of the class, even if we do say so ourselves.
After we boxed up our macaroon treats for a more professional finish, Romain helpfully gave us all a sheet with some of his favourite Parisian bakeries, including some of Paris’ more hidden gems and secret addresses. Taking our sheet with us after we left, as we had the day free before heading home some last minute pastry and macaroon eating was definitely in order. Well, it was a baking weekend after all….
Need to know
Rates: Baguettes & Boulangerie stays are from from €280 per person based on a two night stay on a B&B basis with a three-hour class at La Cuisine. The stay must be booked at least three weeks in advance and is subject to availability.
Check-in Time: 2pm
Check-out Time: 12 noon
Facilities: The hotel offers 16 rooms and one Junior Suite, all individually designed by Christian Lacroix. Downstairs guests can enjoy a well-stocked honesty bar, and a Christian Lacroix designed lobby and breakfast room.
All guests can take advantage of free wifi, flat screen TVs, mini bars in their hotel room, concierge service, room service, laundry service, air con, and a 24-hour reception.
Guests can also enjoy free access to the Spa de la Reine at nearby the sister hotel Pavillon de la Reine, which boosts a jacuzzi, steam bath, 2 treatments rooms, and a fitness room. Or if you prefer to stay cosied up in the comfort of the hotel du Petit Moulin, make a request at reception for a massage in the privacy of your hotel room.
The Pavillon de la Reine also offers guests access to their complimentary bike rentals for a fun and easy way to get around the city.
How to get there: Conveniently located in centre of Paris, the hotel is easily reached by taxi or metro from the airports or Paris’s many train stations.
A taxi from Paris Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports costs around €70. If arriving by Eurostar, a taxi from the Gare du Nord train station costs around €30.
The closest metro stations are Saint-Sébastien-Froissard (line 8) or Filles du Calvaire (line 8).
If driving, directions are available on the hotels website, with the hotel car park available to guests for 20 per night.
Hotel du Petit Moulin, 29/31 rue de Poitou, 75003, Paris