La Maison Favart: A romantic nest in the heart of Paris.

If you are looking for magic in the City of Light, La Maison Favart is a sweet choice. I was visiting Paris just before Christmas and was enchanted by this lovely hotel in the heart of the action.

My taxi pulled up to a small street between two busy boulevards in the 2nd arrondissement, and I was delighted with the location. La Maison Favart overlooks Place Boieldieu, home to the gorgeous Opéra Comique.

A Sweet, Warm Welcome at La Maison Favart

Of course, there are many luxury brand hotels to choose from in Paris. But when I am in that city, I am attracted to small, boutique operations overflowing with character. It’s always a delight to discover a hidden gem.

Entering through a doorway festooned with pink roses and twinkling lights, I knew I was going to like this hotel. As I made my way to the check-in desk, I felt like I had arrived at a wealthy, eccentric aunt’s domicile. The walls were hung with mirrors and captivating art. Velvet-upholstered settees and armchairs beckoned.

I was joining a Sweet Christmas in Paris tour arranged by Tour With Absolutely. Canadian New York Times best-selling author Steena Holmes was part of the group, and I was excited to meet her and the other participants. Plus, I was thrilled that the charming La Maison Favart would be our home base for the next week.

A Variety of Rooms with Distinct Style

My room was on the 4th floor. A plate hung on the door with the names Charles & Justine. I needed to do a bit of digging to find out who this couple was.

The six-floor, four-star hotel had 39 rooms and suites. Mine was a Classic Room. Opening the door,  I was met with a small hallway that curved to the left, past the bathroom and a separate doored space for the toilet.

Drawn to the room’s large window, I gazed out at the square and the frothy architecture of Opéra Comique. Then I hung my clothes in a small wardrobe and looked around. Overhead was a tray ceiling, and above the bed hung a framed picture dotted with silhouettes of 18th-century Parisian men and women. Looking closer, I noticed a repeated pattern of one particular male and one female. Charles and Justine?

I needed to find out more about them. But in the meantime I was happy to see I had a desk, a stocked mini-fridge, and a coffee and tea maker. The bathroom was compact, tiled in black-and-white, with a walk-in shower.

A Little Background on the Hoteliers’ Vision

I spied a little pink book stamped with the hotel’s name in gold on the bedside table.

Leaving through it, I learned a lot. A hotel since 1824, La Maison Favart is now owned by Pascale and Roger-Francois Beguinot. Working with architects, interior designers, and creative directors, they transformed the establishment into a romantic nest filled with eclectic 18th-century-meets-modern style.

Reading on I learned all the rooms and suites are individually decorated, with themes ranging from opera to the Orient. Some have bathtubs and other walk-in showers. There is a choice of double or twin beds. From some Deluxe rooms, you can open your windows to courtyard Juliette balconies. Suites have two rooms with a double bed, and Family Suites can accommodate four with a double bed and a pull-out couch in the living area.

The grandest accommodation is La Petite Maison, two apartments joined with a staircase. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living rooms, a fireplace, a whirlpool bath, a dining room, a sofa bed, a double bed, and twin beds.

Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, and an Evening Honesty Bar

Breakfast was served on the ground floor. I served myself from a humming coffee machine that whipped up cappuccinos and café au laits.

Then I helped myself to scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage from covered dishes sitting on a warming plate. In addition, cold cereal, pastries, fruit, cheese, yogurt, smoked salmon, and cold cuts were laid out.

In the afternoon, complimentary tea, coffee, and cake appeared by a small fireplace. Plus, in the evening guests could help themselves to the honesty bar that was set with wine and spirits.

Wellness Options on the Lower Floor at La Maison Favart

Taking the elevator to the basement, I discovered stone vaults and a passageway to a small wellness center. There was a fitness room with a treadmill, cross-trainer, and stationary bike.

Pushing open a glass door, I was delighted to find a tiny pool, or what the concierge told me was the “relaxation bath.” Plus there was a sauna and hydro massage bed that you could activate yourself. I tried it after a busy shopping day and felt the knots in my back slip away.

One afternoon, I curled up in the little library on the ground floor and pulled out the hotel’s pink book. Charles and Justine Favart were renowned for their works and performances at the Opéra Comique. He was a dramatist and the theatre’s director, while she was a singer and actress. Her stage name was Mademoiselle Chantilly (that’s whipped cream in France). According to the book, they married in 1745.

Their story of romance and theatrical creativity was woven throughout La Maison Favart. The couple never lived there, as the building was constructed in 1824, but the hotel conjured their spirits.

A gentle lovingness pervaded La Maison Favart. The staff were quietly attentive and helpful. This was especially appreciated when I needed directions.

A quick 10-minute walk will get you from the hotel to Garnier Opera House, Paris Stock Exchange, Place Vendome, Tuileries, and Galeries Lafayette. Also nearby were the Louvre, outstanding restaurants, and the city’s oldest chocolate and confectionary maker, À la Mère de Famille, founded in 1761.

Rates at the Maison Favart

Rooms range between $250 and $700  per night. Suites range from $800 to $1,000 per night. La Petite Maison starts at around $2,000  per night. Prices fluctuate according to the day of the week and the season.

Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.

Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Tour With Absolutely arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece for Journeywoman.com.  As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.