When I arrived at Claire’s building I already new a gem lived inside. Call it my B&B sixth sense…as well as the interaction I already had with Claire leading up to our meeting that gave me all the confidence I needed to head over fast. And this secret gem did not disappoint…

I was immediately met with a very unassuming doorway into what looked like just another ordinary building, but thats what I loved best… not a flashy hotel facade promising you ‘celebrity status’ but a doorway, to a charming inviting home, a real residential home that can ONLY be found behind doors you normally walk past without a second glance, a hidden home more beautiful and thoughtfully prepared than any hotel, because its full of family history, heirlooms, artworks and stories, generations of secrets ready to be shared with you by Claire (more on the buildings history below - but it used to be a bronze works factory where Claire’s grandfather used to work hence the official name Chez Pepe Merle - his name! I love it!)

And truly the best secret authentic B&Bs gems are always quiet, not necessarily on the main boulevards, and they don’t smack you in the face and say’ hey here is the Paris you are looking for’. Secret gems like this don’t need need to scream its presence, value, or worth. It simply represents the fact that beauty, authenticity and luxury isn’t always obvious, seen or announced in obvious way. It has to be found!

So this is aB&B that will give you the total Petite experience - intimate genuine real human kindness, caring and a feeling that you are arriving home and staying with family - because you are! Claire offers some additional personalised services too that you may love - listed below.

The Layout

Upon entering the home, on the second level of the building (no lift) you find yourself in the kitchen area leading directly to the beautiful dining room where your breakfast is served to you daily by Claire. This area is the guests shared space and it boasts wo many interesting artworks, portraits etc about the history of the building and Claires family! Family history all around you, and it truly feels like a big warm hug where you are free to relax and just be yourself, free from the stiffness of soulless hotel life, instead here personality, relational service is celebrated in an easy going family enviornment where you can just feel like yourself - safe, accepted, celebrated and welcomed. This kitchen and dining area is available for guests to enjoy anytime even beyond the breakfast service. Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee or light snack and relax in the tranquil space, your home for the short time you are there!

Altogether there are 4 guest bedrooms in this home but on this first level where the dining and kitchen are, there are the first 2 guestrooms also. The Grand Palais Guestroom (with ensuite bathroom) and the Oberkampf Guestroom (with private external bathroom on the same floor).

A spiral staire case from the dining room leads to the upper floor which has 2 more guestrooms, the Menilmontant Guestroom and the St Michel Guestroom, together they are also known as the Family Suite - one is a double bedroom and the other a twin bedroom. These 2 rooms are only ever booked to the same family or group as they share one bathroom upstairs. So if you book just one room you can be assured there will NOT be any other guests on the floor with you and the bathroom remains entirely privately yours! Claire has thought of guests comfort here as the priority!