Mr & Mrs Smith

Residence Royale

Paris, France

Set on the fountain-adorned, seductively symmetrical Place des Vosges, this elegant historic apartment once housed a royal courtesan; today its stately rooms provide a refined city-centre base. Everything about Residence Royale is grand, from its heritage building to the valuable antiques tucked away inside. With three bedrooms, two living rooms and a cosy kitchen to its name, this stylish self-catering property has space and grace in equal measures.

Need to know

• Rates information Week from €7,350 (one-bedroom occupancy); €7,994 (two-bedroom occupancy); €9,030 (three-bedroom occupancy). Daily rate, €1,050–€1,290.
• Ideal for Families; companionable couples; style-conscious friends; seclusion-seeking honeymooners.
• Sleeps 6 maximum; 4 with lashings of space.
• Property style Residence Royale is one of 39 historic houses in the Place des Vosges, all dating back to the 17th century, with red brick exteriors and stone facings.
• Grounds The apartment’s heavy wooden doors open onto a peaceful courtyard with vine-clad walls and an old well planted with colourful flowers.
• Minimum hire A five-night minimum in peak season; seven nights in high season.
• Children Well-behaved little Smiths are more than welcome.
• Booking process Each guest is required to sign a contract upon booking. Full payment is required in advance. A Smith deposit will also be taken.
• Also Because this is a historic building, only registered guests can experience the apartment – no house parties here, and no more than 10 people in the apartment at any one time. Parties are off the menu entirely, due to the building’s strict policy.

Floor plan

• Bedrooms

  The master bedroom boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and is light, bright and airy. The four-poster is draped in taffeta, with bed sheets from the White Company. The marble ensuite bathroom has a toilet, shower and bath.

  Bedroom two: The Guest Queen has more of a homely feel, with rustic throws and a warm palette. The ensuite marble bathroom has a shower with its own light.

  Bedroom three: This is most simple of the rooms, and most suited to little Smiths, with twin beds and a bath and basin in the room. (Bedrooms two and three share an upstairs toilet.)

• Kitchen More country kitchen than slick Parisian pad (in a good way) the cooking area has stone floors, an Aga and mirrored walls. In terms of tools, there’s a microwave, dishwasher, stove and oven, extractor fan and French coffee press.
• Living room There are two living rooms, or salons, to choose from: the first is to the right of the entrance, with a moody, masculine feel, Chesterfields, dark furnishings, a grand fireplace, equally grand TV, a colourful rug and even a fossil collection. The second living room has a much lighter design theme, decorated in white and blue, with a glass table. This room leads on to the master bedroom.
• Dining room There’s no separate dining room – just a dining area in the kitchen.