Hôtel du Nord

Canal St. Martin - 10eme, Paris –

Built in the 1880s as a boarding house for people working along the Canal St. Martin, this historic structure was taken over in 1938 by French director Marcel Carne, who used it as the location for his film Hotel du Nord. The rest, as they say, is history.

Fans and paparazzi followed, and the building continued as a hotel until 1993, when it was transformed into a trendy bar and restaurant that attracts a young and stylish crowd, many from the world of fashion.

Passing through a velvet curtain, patrons find themselves in a cozy front bar whose black-and-white floor, vintage movie memorabilia, and long zinc counter recall the Paris of the 1930s, an atmosphere extended into the elegant restaurant, which features more red velvet and candlelit tables.

A few steps lead up to a comfortable library well stocked with periodicals and books – an intimate spot for afternoon tea – while back downstairs a small salon offers chess, backgammon, and Wi-Fi access.

In the summer, meanwhile, the café opens the terrace for light meals and cocktails overlooking the peaceful canal.

Attracting a delightful mix of chic bohemians and the well-dressed bourgeoisie, Hotel du Nord creates an open and lively atmosphere that pervades every room.