BLC Design Hotel
4 rue Richard Lenoir, 11e, Paris, 75011, France
Why We Like It
It's small, cheap, and immaculately clean, of that you can be sure, being as white as the driven snow, with a chic vibe and a style that's totally unique in the city.
Fodor's Expert Review
In the young and trendy area between Bastille and Nation, the BLC pays homage to everything blanc (say it, BLC), and is a favorite among the younger fashion set who have much better things than luxury hotels to spend their euros on.
You Should Know Although we applaud the hotel for their courage, a little white goes a long way. Some will find the absence of color serene and soothing, others might find it a tad unnerving (padded cell, anyone?).
Recommended Fodor’s Video
Room
Small, minimalist rooms—a bit like futuristic pods—are done up in stark white tones with splashes of muted color from oversize photographic murals and iridescent lamps. Flat-screen TVs, modern fixtures, and metallic mosaic tiles make up the simple designer look that oozes urban chic.
Tip A few rooms offer small balconies that look over the Paris rooftops of this residential neighborhood.
Bathroom
Spotless white, glass, and mirror-clad bathrooms are divided from the room by a white curtain that can be closed or opened depending on your privacy needs.
You Should Know If you're not in an intimate relationship with your roommate, this may not be an ideal situation as privacy is limited.
Lobby
The small, futuristic lobby isn't really a place to hang out.
Dining
A quality breakfast consists of all the choices you'd expect, including fresh fruit, plenty of fresh pastries, cereals, some cheeses, and hard boiled eggs, served in the shimmering white bar-style breakfast room.
Tip Though breakfast is perfectly adequate, for the same amount you can find good viennoiserie, pastries, and coffee in the vicinity, like Cyril Lignac, on nearby Rue Paul Bert, and, our personal favorite, Blé Sucré, facing an adorable park on the Rue Antoine Vollon, a five- to ten-minute walk from the hotel.
Drinking
The bar area also serves a small variety of wines, champagne, and spirits for a fair price. The hotel is also happy to bring ice and glasses to your room if you have your own libations.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
The Charonne metro station is a few minutes from the hotel, serving line no. 9. On a quiet street (with a central park), this quintessential residential area near the lively Rue de Charonne is a great place to explore for all ages. Charonne and the streets around it, including the Rue Keller, which is packed with independent designer boutiques (it was also a Paris epicenter for gay nightlife), has been a focal point for a younger, hipper crowd for many years. The area is known for its vibrant shopping and café scene and there are lots of gastronomic neo-bistros in this area, on the Rue de Charonne itself and neighboring Rue Paul Bert. Within an easy walk of the nightlife and cafés at Bastille and the Marais, as well an easy walk, or quick metro ride, to the Canal St-Martin and République, you're also close to some of Paris's best chic shopping and sightseeing.
Restaurants
Septime is a favorite among Paris foodies, though it'll require persistence to get in (call at least two weeks in advance for reservations). If you can't swing it, Clamato, next door, is run by the same chef, though this restaurant specializes in seafood and the delicious meticulously sourced wines to go with (its small outdoor terrace is nice in warm weather). Rue Paul Bert is also home to some foodie favs, especially the Bistro Paul Bert, where you'll find all the French classics in generous portions and one of the city's best cheese carts. Chez Aline, an easy walk away, on Rue de la Roquette, is a great place for inexpensive gourmet sandwiches and takeout. Nearby Pause Café is a neighborhood favorite and serves very good food to boot.
Bars
If you're not picky about where you imbibe, the Bastille is teeming with bars and cafés. On the Rue de Charonne, you'll be in good neighborhood company at the Pause Café as well as La Belle Equipe, both open until fairly late. For cocktails, Pasdeloup, a 10-minute walk away on Rue Amelot, you'll find stylish, well-priced craft cocktails and a lively back room scene. A little farther afield, Candelaria and Le Mary Celeste, a 15-minute walk away in the Marais, are two of Paris's best cocktail bars.
Photos
Quick Facts
People Also Liked
25 Place Dauphine
Hotel Bachaumont
