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Hotel Bachaumont – Belle Époque Beauty

Entre nous: here, is your next Parisian bolthole. Words by Megan Arkinstall.

Hotel Bachaumont was a Parisian institution at the beginning of the 20th century, located just minutes from Les Halles, then France’s largest market.

 

However, when the markets were demolished in the 1970s, the hotel also closed its doors and this beautiful building lived out its next few decades as a hospital, and radiology and x-ray centre. Pah!

 

Thankfully, 40 years on, a collaboration between La Clé Group and designer Dorothée Meilichzon has seen the building reborn as a splendid Art Deco boutique hotel.

Hotel Bachaumont’s striking Art Deco entrance.
First impressions last. Hotel Bachaumont’s striking Art Deco entrance.

It’s named after Louis Petit de Bachaumont, a writer who was attributed to Mémoires Secrets, an 18th-century chronicle disclosing sordid secrets about France at the time; but there’s nothing scandalous about the Hotel Bachaumont, its latest reincarnation a nod to the Belle Époque, the City of Light’s golden age.

 

Meilichzon describes the hotel’s style as a fresh twist on classic Paris chic. From the moment of arrival this is apparent, with its ornate, wrought-iron entrance, high ceilings, large mirrors and a monochrome marble floor casting a striking first impression, a hint of the hotel’s pared back elegance.

Hotel Bachaumont's restaurant.
Hotel Bachaumont’s restaurant.

Each of the unique guest rooms is resplendent in serene blue hues and neutral soft furnishings, complemented by Meilichzon’s trademark headboards covered in fabric by Pierre Frey, brass Stilnovo lamps, and bathrooms that are patterned with geometric and penny-round tiles. Some rooms boast petite terraces that look over the city’s rooftops (try to nab one of these, if you can).

Guest rooms at Hotel Bachaumont, Paris.
Guest rooms are kept simple with a neutral colour scheme.

Meanwhile, the Restaurant Bauchaumont is an eclectic take on a traditional French brasserie, with a wonderful glass ceiling, wood-panelled walls, brass fittings, a brilliant clash of brightly printed fabric chairs, and backgammon-inspired dining tables. The open-plan kitchen allows you to watch as the menu of contemporary French gastronomy is prepared.

 

But perhaps the clincher for Hotel Bauchaumont is its superb location: nestled between the Louvre and the enchanting Le Marais in the second arrondissement, this pedestrian-only zone is a haven of boutiques stores and bustling cafes, perfect for exploring by foot (so no need to use the hotel’s gym to work off those pastries, non?).

 

The epitome of old-world Parisian charm and romance, Hotel Bauchaumont will delight nostalgics, but also possesses the right amount of contemporary cool for hip young things, too. De rien, dear reader.

 

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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.