Review / Why Chouchou Hôtel is a bastion of Parisian chic: located near Palais Garnier and Grands Boulevards, it pays tribute to Edith Piaf and other French creatives – don’t miss the basement spa baths

Aug 1 , 2024

Books and vinyls on wooden shelves in a suite at Chouchou Hôtel in Paris. Photos: Handout

A stone’s throw from Paris’ Palais Garnier and the buzzy Grands Boulevards neighbourhood, Chouchou Hôtel perfectly captures French ‘je ne sais quoi’ with its effortless style and well-curated offerings

Popular with in-the-know visitors and savvy locals, the hotel draws a crowd of elegant individuals ready to savour aesthetic design, great dining and excellent vibes

You know a hotel is doing something right when it’s packed with just as many locals as visitors. This is certainly the case at Chouchou Hôtel that, since its opening in 2020, has become a destination for chic Parisians and in-the-know travellers alike.

Located a stone’s throw away from Palais Garnier, the city’s opulent opera house, on the fringes of what’s often referred to as the Grands Boulevards neighbourhood, the hotel has a very discreet entrance that’s easy to miss.

The discreet facade of Chouchou Hôtel in Paris on Rue du Helder

The slightly dark mirrored hallway leading to the reception, however, quickly reveals the property’s heart: Restaurant Guinguette, the eatery housed in a bright courtyard under a glass roof, where you can indulge in seasonal dishes at communal tables or at counters surrounded by Parisians enjoying their lunch breaks, post-work apéro or lingering dinners. It also acts as a social hub and co-working space. On our arrival on a weekday, we spotted a few tables with young, well-dressed professionals holding meetings or working at their laptops while sipping coffees and savouring tasty snacks.

The restaurant at Chouchou Hôtel in Paris offers seasonal fare that you can enjoy at communal tables

On Thursdays to Saturdays, come nightfall, the space transforms into a club with live music and DJ sets attracting fashionable locals working nearby or enjoying a drink after catching a show at one of the many theatres in the area.

Named for an informal French word for “darling” or “cutie”, Chouchou comprises 60 bedrooms and three suites. The suites are all located on the hotel’s top floors and offer beautiful views of the Palais Garnier’s ornate dome. Each are tributes to icons of French creativity – L’arrache-Coeur for writer Boris Vian, La Vie en Rose for songstress Edith Piaf, and L’anamour for singer Serge Gainsbourg. Reflecting the cultural figures they’re inspired by, the suites are decorated with impressive collections of vintage vinyl records and books, which you can browse from comfortable velvet couches or the sailor-striped duvet-covered beds.

The L’arrache-Coeur suite, an homage to French writer Boris Vian, on the top floor of Chouchou Hôtel in Paris

If you’ve ever been to a local’s apartment, you’ll recognise typically Parisian details such as mouldings, herringbone hardwood floors and checked tiles in the bathrooms that will make you feel like you’re living in your very own private flat in the heart of the French capital.

Another unexpected – and very welcome – perk the hotel offers is found in its basement. Here, three spa cabins, each equipped with a bathtub and a relaxation area, allow you to enjoy some me time and unwind after a long day spent sightseeing or shopping. Make sure to book them in advance as they’re unsurprisingly very popular among guests.