Going to Paris but don’t know where to stay? Check out Hotel de l’Abbaye, a small boutique hotel in the charming neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the heart of Paris.
Beautiful property with an interesting past
We stayed at this hotel when we were in Paris right before Covid and it felt like being in a stylish Parisienne home. I later learned that it felt like a home because it used to be one. In the mid-17th century, Benedictine sisters fleeing the Lorraine wars were housed there under the protection of King Louis XIV’s mother, Anne of Austria. In the 1990s, this historical site was turned into the hotel it is today.
What caught my eye when I first saw the pictures of the hotel on its website was the beautiful lounge/breakfast room overlooking a peaceful garden. I also loved the classically French décor throughout the hotel all the way to the guestrooms. When we got to the hotel, it was just as pictured, cute et al.
As we got there early in the morning, we were able to sit in the gorgeous lounge having a delicious breakfast to quell our hunger and rest our tired feet.
Early check in
I was told this hotel is popular among Americans, and I can understand why when they let us check in early. Anyone who flies to Paris from the East Coast knows that jetlag is real the first morning you get to the French capital. Check-in time at most hotels is around 2-3 p.m., and it’s the same at this hotel. But our room was ready at noon so they let us check in early, which we were really grateful for.
The room
Compared with hotel rooms in America, hotel rooms in Europe are on the smaller side, and this hotel is no exception. Our room was not big but still comfortable with a well-equipped bathroom.
Location
The hotel is in the 6th arrondissement on the Left Bank, not far from the gorgeous Luxembourg Garden, which to me is the most romantic garden in Paris. Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a great area to base yourself while exploring Paris. It’s a cultural hub with historical places, shops, and restaurants, including the famous Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and Ralph’s, which I wrote about here.
Getting there
You can take an RER train from Charles de Gaulle airport to Gare du Nord train station and then take a Metro line #4 to St. Sulprice, the closest metro station to the hotel.
The price
Prices can vary depending on when and which room you stay in. We were there in the fall and paid about 300 euros a night, which was not bad for a hotel in Paris. You can check the prices on the hotel website’s calendar. To us this is a hidden gem considering the location and everything else.
Have fun in Paris!