25 Rue du Bouloi, 75001 Paris

Hôtel Crayon

Name: Hôtel Crayon
Address: 25 Rue du Bouloi, Paris, 75001, FR
Price range: 132 EUR
Rating: 4.25

Hotel 3-star in Paris

Romantic stay
Design

Presentation

The Hôtel Crayon occupies an address in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, on rue du Bouloi, just a few minutes’ walk from the Louvre, the Palais Royal, and the Comédie-Française. Châtelet-Les Halles station is five minutes away. The whole of central Paris becomes a matter of footwork.

From the moment you enter, the atmosphere comes as a surprise. Julie Gauthron, a Parisian artist, and Christophe Sauvage have shaped 26 rooms, all different, using found furniture that they have repurposed, repainted, and reassembled. The result is all about color blocking: an almond-green armchair beside a deep-blue wall, a vintage side table revamped as a bedside table.

As you move through the floors, you come across objects that really should not be there. A mannequin around the corner of a corridor. A painted silhouette at the edge of a mirror. The headboards feature views of the capital, in the style of a reimagined postcard. This colorful, abundant approach will not suit those looking for a neutral, minimalist room. Here, every nook tells a story, and you have to enjoy this kind of visual generosity to feel at home.

The rooms are divided into four categories, from the singular room to the junior suite with bathtub. All feature air conditioning, a safe, a vintage-style telephone, a flat-screen TV, and a bathroom with a rain shower. One detail to know before booking: the rooms on the fifth floor, numbered 601 to 604, are accessible only by stairs, with no elevator. For travelers with reduced mobility or simply carrying heavy luggage, it is better to request a lower-floor room when booking.

In the morning, breakfast is served in the room or in the ground-floor dining area, between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. Those who like to take their time under the stone vaults will find a buffet served in the hotel’s renovated cellar. Those leaving early will make do with an express option in the lobby.

Also on the ground floor, an honesty bar awaits guests at the end of the day. You help yourself, note what you took, and reception adds it to the bill the next day. Reception remains open 24 hours a day, with luggage storage, laundry service, free newspapers, and real help arranging a visit or finding tickets.

When you step outside, the Tuileries Garden is a ten-minute walk away, and the Opéra Garnier and Galeries Lafayette are about twenty minutes away. Enough to chain together a museum morning and an afternoon of shopping without ever taking the metro again.

One last point before going out in the evening: if you plan to enjoy the honesty bar late, let reception know during the day. On some summer evenings, the stock disappears quickly with the neighborhood regulars.

Summary of some positive reviews read on the Web

Nice reception, the person spoke good English and took two minutes to point out the best places nearby.
Easy location, you can walk to the Louvre in five minutes, and Châtelet metro is just down the street.
Room small as often in Paris, but spacious shower and comfortable bedding, no street noise at night.
Surprising decor on every floor, repurposed antique furniture, a change from standard rooms.
Breakfast with real vegan and vegetarian options, the staff offered alternatives without us even asking.
Convenient elevator with luggage, and luggage storage available on departure day to make the most of the city until the end.