Les Plumes ★★★★

Juliette and Hugo, George and Alfred, Paul and Arthur – no, not Paul Simon and Arthur Garfunkel, but Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud, one of the most iconic couples in French literature, like Juliette Drouot and Victor Hugo, or George Sand and Alfred de Musset. The interior design and ethos of Les Plumes Hotel draws on nineteenth-century literary couples as inspiration, to create an intimate boutique hotel which still evokes the magic of the Romantic Movement.

Thanks to the talent of Pascale de la Cochetière and Caroline Lotz, not a single decorative detail has been overlooked. A contemporary twist on the romantic décor of the 19th Century, the comfortable armchairs, sophisticated pedestal tables, intimate lighting and fireplace make us feel right at home. But the hotel has one foot firmly in the present-day, as old books and vintage telephones jostle for attention with touch screens and advanced technology.

Inspired by the forbidden love of Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud, the “Paul and Arthur” rooms are contemporary, decidedly masculine and effortlessly chic room. “Juliette and Hugo” represents fifty years of the intense love between the two writers, and the decoration is intimate, elegant and discreet. “George and Alfred” offers guests conflicting design styles, masculine and feminine, a symbol of their tempestuous love affair – think a top hat lampshade on one side of the bed, and a lady’s bonnet on the other; a man’s boots and lady’s heels for the feet of the bed. The bathrooms throughout are all fitted to an extraordinarily high standard, with vast rain showers and chromatherapy lights.

We dithered over the novelty of the round bed in the “Lofts and Secrets” suite, but in the end settled on the cosy comfort of the “Cabane” room, which, on the ground floor, takes inspiration from the small private patio outside. A country escape in the city, the room is decorated in soft, earthy tones with light wood panelling, nest boxes ingeniously turned into bedside, and a skylight in the ceiling that gave the impression of sleeping under the stars. While the rooms are traditionally luxurious and comfortable, they are also equipped with every modern convenience, including air conditioning, free unlimited WiFi and a flat-screen TV; but that said, the hotel is so excellently placed to explore the neighbourhood it is unlikely to be turned on at all during your stay at Les Plumes. It was difficult to tear ourselves away from our cosy love-nest, but the romantic appeal of La Nouvelle Athènes was too irresistible, and after a substantial breakfast in the bright, airy dining area, we ventured out into the charming City of Love.

Sadly, as our weekend getaway came to an end, we were obliged to come back to the present. But, this romantic setting is more than just a historic memory: keep in mind this VeryChic address when you need a truly original Parisian escape. I fully intend to return to Les Plumes to discover the unique secrets of every individual room, an unforgettable experience that could be yours at just a push of the door at 10, rue Lamartine.