The Paris Match

The Paris Match: Île-de-France

With soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling doors and original wooden floors throughout, this Parisian apartment is the embodiment of charm. It's been divided up in such a way that the size of each room matches its function.

The inspiration behind the decor and furnishings spans most of the twentieth century, and your hosts have picked out pieces individual pieces rather than sticking to a particular design aesthetic. It's relatively common in Paris, and somehow they manage to make it work every time. We need to start tapping up these hosts for design tips for our own homes!

Down at street level, you're right on Rue Cler, one of Paris' most authentic street markets. Dotted with independent speciality shops, cafes and restaurants, it's the place Parisians come when they're on the hunt for good food. Elsewhere, the city's seventh district is home to Louis XIV's Hotel des Invalides, the magnificent Musée d'Orsay, and of course, the Eiffel Tower – all within a ten-to-twenty-minute walk.

Home truths:
*Capacity is capped at 2 guests, so each can have their own bedroom
*The dining table doubles as a laptop-friendly workspace
*This single-storey apartment is served by a lift, so it may be suitable for those with limited mobility
*The main bedroom overlooks the road, so you may experience some street noise, especially with the windows open in the summer
*The kitchen is lacking some basic crockery and cooking utensils, so it might not be the best choice if you're planning family meals in