Hôtel du Cygne
3 rue du Cygne, 1er, Paris, 75001, FranceWhy We Like It
Family owned usually means extra TLC, and that ethos seems to be borne out here, just ask the loyal repeat guests. Do take note that, though petite, this is not a boutique hotel by any stretch of the imagination.
Fodor's Expert Review
Passed down from mother to daughter, "the Swan" is decorated with homey touches like hand-sewn curtains, country quilts, and flea-market finds. Ancient wood beams run the length of the two stairwells, which makes for uneven stepping that challenges even the agilest guests, and there is no elevator. But guests don't seem to mind as repeat customers are the norm at this small, well-located budget hotel.
You Should Know A 24-hour security system means you must be buzzed in. Some guests will appreciate the extra security measures.
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Room
Snug rooms have their own vintage charm and cleanliness and comfort are assured.
You Should Know Hand-hewn beams in the suite give it a more romantic appeal, but tall people may find it perilous.
Bathroom
Most bathrooms are marble, though older ones have mosaic tiles. All are small but equipped with all the basics.
Lobby
A small but tasteful lobby off the reception area offers a cozy seating area.
Dining
A basic continental breakfast is served in the cozy breakfast room.
Tip For the same price, head to Stohrer bakery, pastry shop and traiteur, just a few blocks away at 51 Rue Montorgueil. Open since the 18th century, it's Paris's oldest bakery, and one of it's finest.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Two minutes from the Etienne Marcel metro station (line no. 4) and about five minutes from Châtelet-Les Halles, serving several metro and RER lines, including direct lines to both airports.
Set on a fairly quiet street at the border of Les Halles and the Marais, in the lively 2e arrondissement, this old Paris neighborhood is convenient to some of Paris’s top museums (including the Centre Pompidou, the Musée Picasso, and the fabulous but little-known Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature), great dining, lots of cafés, Marais shopping, Les Halles, République, Canal St-Martin and the second arrondissement’s burgeoning cocktail scene. In other words, it's where the action is. This is an absurdly rich neighborhood for shopping, with boutiques popping up all around Etienne Marcel and the old market street Rue Montorgeuil. And, of course, you're five minutes from the ultrachic Haut Marais.
Restaurants
Rue Montorgeuil is lined with cafés and restaurants for a good, quick bite. If you prefer something more gourmet, the prix fixe menus at foodie favorite Pirouette (10-minute walk, 5 Rue Mondétour) are a good deal for what you get, especially at lunch. Or the wonderful Les Ambassades d'Auverge, at 22 Rue du Grenier-Saint-Lazare, a neighborhood favorite for 50 years, serving up all those rich Auvergnian delights, like Aligot (potatoes and cheese), duck, and a chocolat mousse to die for (and you might, since it's pretty much all you can eat from a huge serve-yourself bowl). For a quick, cheap noodle meal on the fly, Trois Fois Plus du Piment is a big hit in the hood.