Hôtel Les Chansonniers

The two-star Les Chansonniers is a unique, cheap and somewhat far-flung pick situated on the shared border of the 11th and 20th arrondissements.

Quick read

Pros: Low rates. Friendly, neighborhood atmosphere. Quirky, nostalgic decor.
Cons: Simple rooms without soundproofing. Fairly far-flung location.

The hotel

The hotel’s owner, Madjid Sellam, is a musician and a devotee of the great singers ("chansonniers") who came from the area—Maurice Chevalier, Edith Piaf Jean Gabin and others—and his hotel shows it. The bar and café downstairs are filled with musical memorabilia and portraits of the singers. It struck us as a welcoming place, with neighbors dropping in for a coffee with the gregarious owner.

One of the reasons he’s popular with the neighbors is that he helped clean up the neighborhood. Prior to his purchase of the hotel in 1999, the building had been a house of “ill repute.” He cleaned it up in a big way, and the only reminders of this era are the small size of most guestrooms. Since then, the entire neighborhood has become much cleaner and safer.

Rooms

All but two of the hotel’s rooms are small and simple, lining a central hallway on the second and third floors of the building. These rooms, however, are really cheap, starting at €45 for singles or doubles with shared facilities. Rooms with a (rather tight) bathtub or shower start at a still-cheap €55. All rooms, even the simplest, are decorated in a nostalgic style, with “toile de jouy” wallpaper and furniture gleaned from flea markets and antique dealers. Given the compact layout of the floor, guests will be able to hear noise in the hallway and perhaps in other rooms and should bring earplugs.

Those looking for an upgrade should definitely book one of the hotel’s two “Jacuzzi” rooms that face the boulevard. Named "Mistinguett" and "Maurice Chevalier" respectively, these rooms are much larger and are equipped with a flat-screen television, bright bed linens, great views, private bath and, of course, a Jacuzzi (with mood lighting!).

The hotel’s location is convenient for those visiting the Père Lachaise cemetery and those wishing to explore the vibrant Ménilmontant neighborhood. First-time visitors to Paris, however, will probably find the location inconvenient and should choose something more central.

Note: Les Chansonniers offers free Wi-Fi in the reception area and café. A continental breakfast is served for €6. The hotel is on three floors without an elevator and is entirely non-smoking.