Paris is loud. If you’ve ever stood on the corner of Rue de Rivoli at 5:00 PM, you know exactly what I mean—the screech of the buses, the relentless tide of tourists flowing toward the Tuileries, and that specific, frantic energy of the 1st Arrondissement. It’s the heart of the city. But it’s also exhausting. That is precisely why the concept behind My Maison in Paris - Louvre feels like such a cheat code for anyone who actually wants to enjoy the city without feeling like they’re trapped in a gift shop.
Finding a place to stay near the Louvre usually means choosing between a cramped, overpriced hotel room where you can hear your neighbor brushing their teeth or a sketchy vacation rental three flights up a spiral staircase with no elevator. This property—specifically the one tucked away on Rue du Bouloi—flips the script. It’s a collection of serviced apartments that honestly feels more like having a very wealthy, very stylish friend who just happens to let you use their pied-à-terre while they’re off in Biarritz.
The reality of living in the 1st Arrondissement
Most people visit the Louvre. They take the photo with the pyramid. They leave. But staying at My Maison in Paris - Louvre means you’re living in a neighborhood that has been the epicenter of French power for centuries. You aren’t just near the museum; you are steps away from the Palais-Royal, which, in my humble opinion, is a much better place to drink your morning espresso than any crowded café on the main drag.
The building itself on Rue du Bouloi reflects that classic Parisian limestone aesthetic—the pierre de taille that glows orange when the sun hits it just right. Inside, it’s a different story. They’ve gone for a mix of "Haussmann meets mid-century modern." You get the high ceilings and the massive windows, but the furniture doesn't look like it belongs in a dusty museum. It's functional. It works.
Why the apartment model beats a 5-star hotel every time
Hotels are great for some things. Room service is nice. But there’s something deeply depressing about eating a club sandwich on the edge of a bed because there’s nowhere else to sit.
At My Maison in Paris - Louvre, you have a kitchen. A real one.
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I’m not saying you’re going to cook a five-course meal—you’re in Paris, go out and eat—but having a Nespresso machine and a fridge for your leftovers from Chez Denise (which is just a five-minute walk away, by the way) is a game-changer. It’s about the autonomy. You can wake up at 10:00 AM, wander down to the Boulangerie Jean-Noël Julien, grab a baguette that’s still warm, and eat it in your pajamas while looking out at the Parisian rooftops. That is the dream. That’s what you’re paying for.
The apartments range in size. Some are cozy studios perfect for a solo traveler or a couple who actually likes each other, while others are sprawling two-bedroom setups. The floor plans aren't uniform because these are historic buildings. One room might have a quirky corner; another might have a balcony that's just wide enough for a chair and a glass of wine. It’s that lack of corporate symmetry that makes it feel authentic.
Navigating the neighborhood like a local (not a tourist)
If you stay here, please do not spend all your time in the Louvre. Yes, go see the Winged Victory of Samothrace. It’s stunning. But then, walk five minutes to the Bourse de Commerce — Pinault Collection. The architecture there, redesigned by Tadao Ando, is a masterclass in how to blend the old with the ultra-modern.
- Coffee: Go to Telescope on Rue Villedo. It’s tiny, the baristas are serious about their beans, and it’s miles better than the burnt coffee you’ll find at the tourist traps.
- Dinner: La Poule au Pot. It’s a legendary spot that Jean-François Piège took over a few years back. It’s old-school French in the best way possible.
- Shopping: Skip the malls. Walk through the Galerie Véro-Dodat. It’s a covered passage from 1826 with black-and-white tiled floors and some of the most beautiful storefronts in the city.
One thing people get wrong about this area is thinking it’s all "fake" for tourists. It isn't. The 1st is home to the Conseil Constitutionnel and the Ministry of Culture. People actually work here. They live here. When you stay at My Maison in Paris - Louvre, you start to see those rhythms—the way the street cleaners move in the morning, the quiet of the side streets after the museum closes, the local bars where people grab a drink before heading home to the suburbs.
Let’s talk about the "Serviced" part of the apartment
The term "serviced apartment" often sounds like a cold, sterile corporate housing situation. This isn't that. You get the privacy of an apartment, but there is a concierge team available. If your Wi-Fi acts up or you can't figure out the induction stovetop, someone actually helps you.
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They also handle the cleaning. Honestly, the biggest downside of a standard Airbnb is the "chore list" at the end. Nobody wants to spend their last morning in Paris taking out the trash and stripping bed linens. Here, you get the hotel-level cleanliness without the hotel-level intrusion. It’s the middle ground that most modern travelers are actually looking for.
The logistics: Getting there and getting around
The location is practically unbeatable for transit. You’re near the Châtelet-Les Halles hub.
If you’re coming from Charles de Gaulle airport, the RER B drops you right there. From there, it’s a short walk or a quick Uber. You have access to Line 1 (which hits all the major spots like the Marais and the Champs-Élysées), Line 4, Line 7, and Line 14. You basically don't need a car. In fact, don't even think about a car. The 1st Arrondissement is increasingly pedestrian-friendly, and driving there is a nightmare of one-way streets and angry moped riders.
What to expect from the interiors
They didn't skimp on the materials. You'll find oak parquet floors, marble in the bathrooms, and heavy curtains that actually block out the streetlights. Paris is the "City of Light," which is beautiful until you're trying to sleep off jet lag at 2:00 PM.
The kitchens are tucked away but fully equipped. Think Siemens appliances and actual glassware, not plastic cups. It’s these small touches—the weight of the silverware, the quality of the linens—that justify the price point. It feels like a home, just a much cleaner and better-decorated version of yours.
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Addressing the common misconceptions
A lot of people think staying this close to the Louvre means you’ll be surrounded by "I Love Paris" t-shirt shops. While those definitely exist on Rue de Rivoli, the area around Rue du Bouloi and Rue Croix des Petits Champs is actually quite sophisticated. It’s where you’ll find high-end boutiques like Christian Louboutin and tucked-away art galleries.
Another misconception? That it’s too expensive. When you calculate the cost of two hotel rooms for a family versus one large apartment at My Maison in Paris - Louvre, the apartment often wins. Plus, being able to eat breakfast and the occasional dinner "at home" saves a fortune. Paris restaurants are incredible, but nobody wants to do a three-course sit-down meal three times a day for a week.
Actionable steps for your stay
If you're planning to book, here is how to actually make the most of it:
- Request a higher floor: While there are elevators, the light is significantly better on the 4th and 5th floors. You get that classic Parisian sky view.
- Book your Louvre tickets for the evening: On certain days, the museum is open late. It’s much quieter, and since your apartment is right there, you can just stroll back when you're done rather than fighting for a taxi.
- Use the "My Maison" concierge for reservations: Some of the best spots in the 1st, like Frenchie on Rue du Nil, are notoriously hard to get into. Ask for help early.
- Visit the Rue Montorgueil market: It’s a short walk away. It’s one of the best permanent market streets in Paris. Pick up some aged Comté cheese, some olives, and a bottle of wine. Head back to the apartment, open the windows, and enjoy.
Staying at My Maison in Paris - Louvre isn't just about a bed; it's about a specific kind of access. It's the ability to be in the middle of everything while having a silent, stylish retreat to duck into when the city gets to be too much. It turns a standard sightseeing trip into something that feels much more like a temporary relocation. And honestly, isn't that why we travel in the first place? To see what it feels like to live somewhere else, even if just for a few days.