St Paul Rive Gauche by Jamie Dunford Wood

Charming and excellent value family-run (for three generations) three-star of 31 rooms in a quiet street between St Germain and the Luxembourg Gardens. A cat lolls about, mostly asleep, while a visitors' book on reception overflows with gratitude. Lovely central staircase sets the tone, alongside the warm and familiarly furnished reception area. Upstairs the rooms are simple but prettily done, generally light and with high ceilings. Most rooms have traditional wooden-beamed ceilings. A few rooms do not have air conditioning, worth asking for in July and August.