The Best Hotels in the Latin Quarter, Paris

Hôtel des Grands Hommes is marvellously well positioned – practically next door to the 230-year-old Panthéon, where some of France’s literary titans and major figures have been laid to rest. The hotel’s vintage exterior enables it to blend in adeptly with its surroundings. While the hotel’s relatively small size – 30 rooms – means that guests can expect to be very well attended to, with an honesty bar and a library of art books to peruse in the lounge. Pierre Frey fabrics and fig-scented bath products characterise the rooms, and the best ones overlook the Panthéon.

The 64-room Excelsior combines Art Nouveau and modern styles, and the results are on point. The bones of the 18th-century building have been carefully preserved, most noticeably the exposed stone walls in the common areas and the wood beams in the rooms. Despite the period features, the facilities cater to the 21st-century traveller with flat-screen TVs and even small kitchens in the largest rooms. Shuttle service to Parisian sights is available, but the Sorbonne is a short walk away, as is Luxembourg Garden.

Hôtel Monge is a jewel box of a place, with an explosion of exquisite interiors adorning a 19th-century mansion. The hotel is full of little quirks that pay tribute to the history of the area, like indoor plants that evoke the nearby Jardin des Plantes, or the globes and antiquated history books in the rooms. It’s small, with just 30 rooms, but the designers have managed to pack a lot into the space, including the spa and salon, with its wicker chairs and selection of madeleines and an honesty bar.

Named after the late French king, this lavish hotel will give you that royal feeling. Four-poster beds, open fireplaces, armoires and moulded ceilings set a regal tone. There are just 13 spacious rooms, including five apartments, and all are named after famous figures who lived during Henri IV’s reign. Get a royal glow after a session in the hotel’s hammam, and you can get a massage in the comfort of your own room. Another top spot for some relaxation is the outdoor terrace, which faces the Square Paul Langevin garden.

The most authentic way to discover the historic legacy of the district would be to stay in one of its oldest venues, Hôtel d’Aubusson. This hotel was built in the 17th century and has preserved its olden-day quirks with passion and flair, including features such as Versailles parquet, traditional wood beams and monumental fireplaces in Burgundy stone. There are also the gorgeous Aubusson tapestries – a particular style of tapestry that originated in Limousin – that inspired the hotel’s name. Make sure to take advantage of the hotel’s interior patio, a hidden winter garden that functions as a welcome haven of peace, sheltered away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There’s no better place to enjoy a taste of Parisian life than by tucking into a croissant and coffee on this terrasse.

Hôtel d’Aubusson is not the only hotel in the area to boast a long history – in fact, Relais Christine is even older. Tucked away in a secluded leafy courtyard in an upmarket corner of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this boutique venue is often billed as one of the Left Bank’s best-kept secrets. After strolling through its quiet cobbled courtyard, each lucky guest is greeted by a complimentary glass of champagne or cocktail upon arrival. Drinks aside, the hotel is a short walk from the peaceful Luxembourg Garden and prestigious Luxembourg Palace. But the ultimate highlight of staying at the Relais Christine is the spa, where guests can sit back and relax beneath 13th-century stone vaults.

If you’re a lover of fine art – and even finer hotels – then Hôtel Bel Ami is a perfect choice for a unique place to stay in the City of Light. Hidden on a tiny side street in Saint-Germain, this luxury five-star hotel is located just a 10-minute walk from the Louvre, the world’s largest art museum. After a long day marvelling at the 35,000 works of art on display across its 300+ rooms, there’s no better way to unwind than at Hôtel Bel Ami’s spa and sauna. But there’s far more to this place than just relaxation. This part of Paris has attracted intellectuals for centuries, and this hotel is no exception. Hôtel Bel Ami is actually housed in a former 19th-century printing works, the very place in which the first copy of Guy de Maupassant’s famous novel Bel-Ami (1885) was printed and from which the hotel takes its name.

Hôtel de Buci is an elegant four-star hotel that takes real pleasure in the picturesque, with sumptuous draping fabrics and ornate antique furniture at every turn. There are 24 guest rooms and suites with decor inspired by 18th-century design. Between the silks, embellished woodwork and Louis XV-style dressers, there is a majestic, almost regal sophistication to this setting. Whether you have a taste for modern art or more classical masterpieces, the hotel is also ideally positioned for exploring the galleries that line the Rue de Seine. Hôtel de Buci is a convenient base for designer shopping, too, with the likes of Armani, Hugo Boss and Yves Saint Laurent close by, and some of the most interesting bookshops in Paris right on its doorstep.