Grand Pigalle Hotel designed by Chzon Design, Paris, France. Photo Credit : Kristen Pelou
Parisian hideaway the Grand Pigalle Hotel can be found located in a classically Parisian building in the city’s cosmopolitan and historic area of South Pigalle. Incorporating just 37 specially designed rooms along with a wine bar and restaurant, the hotel has established itself as a go-to destination in the area for those looking for a boutique hotel with a more personal touch, or just a local spot to enjoy carefully crafted cocktails and an exceptional food menu.
Opening onto the villas of avenue Frochot, the private estate where Toulouse-Lautrec once lived, the area of South Pigalle is very different from the touristy area of Pigalle itself. More grown-up, cooler, and definitely more local, the nearby market street of Rue des Martyrs is full of Parisians running errands and buying baguettes on weekend mornings, and hidden gems such as the the Gustave Moreau museum are just a short walk away. The hotel is also close to the Gare du Nord station, making it perfect for a weekend getaway.
As soon as we arrived for our own Parisian weekend the service at the hotel was exceptional. We found a stylishly designed reception area and bar, with an equally stylish team who were warm, friendly, and seemed to truly love providing a great service. We headed up to our room and found that as well as a cool, almost art deco style, it also boasted a small, private terrace area. With outdoor space truly a luxury in Paris we took the opportunity to enjoy a coffee out in the early evening sun and settle into our room before heading out.
Downstairs we found we were in time to enjoy the hotel’s small apertivo menu for after work drinks, so with it’s big windows opening out on to the street it was the perfect way to relax after travel and enjoy a Friday night whilst watching the locals pass by to start their own weekends.
Once we left to explore we also found the hotel was perfectly placed to enjoy the area, with iconic Montmartre just a short walk away full of bars, restaurants, and of course the Sacre Coeur, giving us time to fit in a little sightseeing session before heading back to the hotel.
The next morning, we actually woke up to the smell of freshly baked croissants and were delighted to find a breakfast feast in the bar area. Fruit, yoghurt, pastries, we were spoilt for choice! The homemade granola was so good, and naughty, it was more like a crumble topping with its sweet, sticky and crunchy oats and fruit, and we had to go back for seconds. The jams, and even chocolate spread, were also homemade, the juice was freshly squeezed, and the pain au chocolats were pleasingly big. We were in Paris breakfast heaven.
After our lazy and indulgent breakfast we headed out for a day of sightseeing. The hotel doesn’t offer a spa, but with its fantastic location and fashionable bar area it did offer the perfect base from which to explore and spend time relaxing over food and drink, so after a tiring day taking in the city we decided to just head downstairs to the restaurant area to eat that evening. Our waiter happily explained everything to us, not only to translate the French but also to tell us more about the menu and the unique food pairings and ingredients. The food was as good as expected and we enjoyed a little timing soaking up the atmosphere of Saturday night before heading upstairs for a long soak in our big bath and a peaceful night’s sleep in our equally big bed.
A second night in the hotel also meant a second big breakfast and more of that amazing granola. It sadly also meant the end of our incredible Paris weekend, but we left feeling like we had discovered a new insider place with the Grand Pigalle, and were already recommending the hotel to friends before we had even left. Oh and even if you don’t stay at the hotel, they do walk-ins for breakfast if you want to try some of that granola.
Need to know:
Rates: Rooms at Le Grand Pigalle start from €138 per room per night but prices vary depending on the room and season. Also be sure to check out the website for special offers.
Check-in Time: 2pm
Check-out Time: 12 noon
Facilities: The hotel has 37 rooms including the Grand Pigalle Rooms, Henry Monnier Rooms, Pigalle Rooms and Sopi Rooms.
Each room is graded according to size and view (choose one of the “under the eaves” rooftop rooms for a view of the famous Sacre Coeur) but whichever you choose all are decorated in their own unique, opulent style and guarantee a luxurious stay.
A reception and concierge service, luggage storage, car service (Citroën DS), laundry and dry cleaning, minibar, 24hour room service, VoIP telephone, flat screen TV, broadband Wi-Fi, coffee maker in some rooms, satin linens, housekeeping twice daily, air conditioning, and a safe are also available.
The hotel also boasts a very cool cocktail bar and a Mediterranean inspired-menu from chef Giovanni Passerini in the dining area, both worth a visit even if you are not staying at the hotel.
How to get there: Le Grand Pigalle is located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Close to the Gare du Nord if travelling by Eurostar, it is easily reached by all forms of transport.
The closest metro station is Pigalle.
Taxis are also available from Paris Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports, or from the Gare du Nord station if arriving by Eurostar.
29 Rue Victor Masse, 75009, Paris.