Hôtel des Grands Hommes, Paris

Pros

• You'll be in a prime location opposite the Panthéon, making it a perfect base for exploring Paris' historic 5th arrondissement on foot. 
• The plush rooms are furnished in grand Napoleonic style, with ornate wallpapers and 19th-century furniture.
• Some rooms feature private balconies with views of the Panthéon or the interior garden.
• A breakfast of fresh, local products is served in the hotel's atmospheric stone-vaulted cellar.

Cons

• There's no restaurant or bar on-site, but you'll find plentiful options on your doorstep. 
• The hotel is small by Parisian standards, though this means the service is personalized and the property has a private, exclusive feel.
• Parking isn't available on-site, but train and metro links are within an easy 10-minute walk.

Authenticity

Housed in an elegant 18th-century building, the Hôtel des Grands Hommes is located directly opposite the Panthéon, the final resting place of some of France's most important historical figures. There's also plenty of literary history within the hotel itself; it was here in 1919 that poets André Breton and Philippe Soupault marked the beginning of the Surrealist movement. Today, you'll find a family-owned boutique hotel with opulent decor that pays homage to the Napoleonic style of the early 19th century, complete with Empire-style furniture and toile fabrics.

Location

The hotel is perfectly positioned overlooking the Place du Panthéon, amid the 5th arrondissement and the city's vibrant Latin Quarter. A 5-minute stroll west takes you to the peaceful Jardin du Luxembourg, and it's a 15-minute walk north to the left bank of the Seine overlooking the iconic Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. You'll also have easy transport links on your doorstep, with the Cluny-La Sorbonne metro and the RER Luxembourg train station within 10 minutes. The latter connects with the Charles de Gaulle airport in under 40 minutes. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

The hotel's 30 rooms and suites evoke the Napoleonic era with Empire-style furniture, richly patterned carpets, intricate wallpapers, and gilt Greco-Roman accents. Marble-clad bathrooms are sleek and spacious, with walk-in rain-style showers with marble benches or deep tubs, and touches like corniced molding and porcelain sinks that continue the neoclassical theme. Large windows overlook either the quiet interior garden or the Place du Panthéon, and some rooms and suites include romantic balconies with Panthéon views. 

Amenities

This is a small, boutique property, so you won't find amenities like a pool or spa, but the hotel common areas include an inviting lounge with an honesty bar, perfect for unwinding with a drink while browsing the library of art books. An optional breakfast buffet is served each morning in the historic cellar, where you can start the day with pastries, coffee, and fresh-squeezed juices under vaulted stone ceilings. Breakfast can also be served in-room or on your private balcony at no additional charge. 

Family-Friendliness

While the hotel welcomes families, there are no child-specific amenities, and the clientele tends more toward couples. Families will find extra space in the Junior Suites and Deluxe Rooms, some of which include sofa beds.