THE FACTS ABOUT HOTEL DU PETIT MOULIN

France Paris

In its previous incarnation as Paris's most ancient boulangerie, the whimsical Hôtel du Petit Moulin was patronised by Victor Hugo, who lived on nearby place des Vosges. The confection offered today is of an entirely different nature: the shop now serves as hotel reception, and beyond are 17 comfortable en-suite bedrooms created by French designer Christian Lacroix. Nadia Murano, the owner, met Lacroix by chance: he lives locally, and was intrigued to see the refurbishment of the 17th-century building and its neighbour, a hotel and bar of shabby repute. Lacroix's collaboration has produced the equivalent of an haute-couture dressing-up box. Just as his designs are an extravagant patchwork of textures, colours and influences, both geographical and historical, so is each bedroom: walls are papered in dusty-gold or raspberry florals, punchy stripes, toile de Joüy or polka dots; leather is juxtaposed with taffeta, linen and velvet. There are bold panels above some beds: a spacescape, a parade of fashion sketches, or gemstones. Woodwork is lacquered, floors are bare or shag-carpeted, and the eclectic furnishings, including Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs and Venetian mirrors, were sourced or commissioned by Lacroix. The bedrooms are well lit, with flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, crisp, white bedding and air conditioning; bathrooms are well appointed, with large baths and Anne Semonin products. Only breakfast is served (the kitchen is tiny), but food can be ordered in from several nearby restaurants for those too loved-up to explore the local cafés, galleries and vintage shops. WHEN TO GO There's never an unfashionable time to visit the City of Light ROOM TO BOOK Room 204, with its panel of Lacroix sketches, for total fashion immersion CONTACT Hôtel du Petit Moulin, 2931 rue du Poitou, Paris, France (00 33 1 42 74 10 10; fax: 42 74 10 97; www.hoteldupetitmoulin.com). Doubles from euro180; room 204 from euro 250