Fun, sexy design hotel in the buzzing Pigalle area of Paris
Le Pigalle / Paris / France
This used to be the seedy underbelly of Paris. The Pigalle area where the city’s bourgeoisie used to come to enjoy the more sinful kind of activities. This is where you find the world famous Moulin Rouge.
In recent years this area has changed when the creative class started to move in and gentrification happened. Don’t worry, the “real” Pigalle is still there although in a milder version. The Pigalle of today is a combo of residential, commercial, cultural and touristy area where most in the latter group are either heading to one of the cabarets or to look at the view from nearby Sacre Coeur. The locals come here to eat.
When Valéry Grégo created Le Pigalle Hotel he wanted it to reflect what Pigalle was and is instead of what it is becoming. The architects de Tonnac and Sauzay did a great job with opening up the building to the streets to make sure there is a strong local connection. And that local connection continues in the rooms. It feels more like you have borrowed an apartment from some trendy Parisian friend rather than staying at a hotel. All the art work is different in every room and I always appreciate all hotels that have an in room turntable.
Hotel Le Pigalle is situated in a typical Parisian house. I love the neon signs on the facade.
Everything is just so Paris.
I mean, just look at this lobby area! I am such a big fan of when a designer manages to create something that feels as effortless as this.
How gorgeous is this old rickety staircase leading up to my room?
Before…
…and after! My room looked more like someone’s private bedroom than a hotel room. And that someone has really good taste when it comes to interior design.
All hotel rooms should have a turntable. And a View-Master. Period.
Art work is a great way to make a hotel room feel homey.
Maybe good to have another shot of my bed before I messed it up.
I love this you can hang out in this old leather sofa in the lobby and listen to some music, head phones provided.
A corner of the lobby is a reminder of the somewhat seedy past of this part of Paris.
A quick breakfast (which is actually included in the price when staying here) and then it is time…
…to hit the streets of Paris. One of the things I like best when going on city breaks is to wake up really early and walk around while the city slowly wakes up. And then you can have views like this one.
I knew it!!!
The modern glass pyramid at the Louvre.
My (and many others’) favorite shop in France. Be warned before you enter. You will leave poor.
And if you are out walking and feel like a coffee, don’t miss this place on Rue du Post aux Choux in the Marais. Great coffee! And Merci Merci is around the corner. And so is A.P.C. And Maison Kitsuné. And…
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…want to stay in a hotel in a less touristy part of this popular city where you get a taste of some of the ”real” Paris. Although it is a cool hotel it isn’t too cool for us common folk.
My favorite thing about this place…
…this may sound strange, but it is that staying here almost made me feel like a was a Parisian. The hotel made me feel included in this crazy metropolis so I left the doors behind me with a fierce Parisian confidence that comes in handy when exploring the streets of Paris.
What not to miss when staying here…
…if you like me take your coffee seriously, I found a great café called Cordonnerie in the Marais area. Might be the one of my best cups ever. And right around the corner you’ll find my favorite shop in Paris, Merci Merci.
If you like this place you might also like…
V Hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Max Brown, Düsseldorf, Germany
Pigalle, Göteborg, Sweden
