Mr & Mrs Smith

Arrival at Louvre Loft is the antithesis of smart hotel check-in. You enter through an anonymous door on an anonymous street, neither of which give any clue to what's waiting for you. Here's a clue: it's amazing. You're greeted with a cathedral-scale contemporary living space that you just have to explore immediately, dumping your bags on the poured-concrete floor. The main double-space living area is cool enough for a fashion shoot (not unknown) and comfortable enough for honeymooning VIPs (enough said). The open-plan kitchen and dining area are crying out for a show-off dinner party, even if you're staying à deux. And the sunken bath in the master bedroom ensuite deserves an entire afternoon to itself, at least. In fact, it might take at least a week to work your way around the space (never mind the actual Louvre, etc…) There's a sauna and wellbeing area downstairs; a fully equipped office on the ground floor; two lounges, with an entertainment/cocktail area on the mezzanine level, as well as the main lounge, which has home cinema with surround sound.

The decor really distinguishes the apartment; like many of our favourites, it has been put together by the owner, who has worked on film costume design in the past, and knows her stuff. There are oriental rugs, lots of plants, white leather settees, red and orange accents, and furniture by French designers. There's no doubt that Louvre Loft delivers, as a fabulous furnished rental: it is stylish and streamlined, and impresses with high-spec A/V, fully tooled-up kitchen, sexy bathrooms and architectural wow factor. There's an unexpected bonus, too: becoming a Montorgeuil local. This area, near Les Halles, is one of the coolest parts of town, with a neighbourhood feel, in spite of its central location in the 2nd arrondissiment. It's off the tourist tick-box trail, with few major attractions; instead, it's an ever-evolving (and ever-gentrifying) map of cosy/trendy bistros, independent fashion boutiques and, perhaps best, a fantastic range of food shops and markets, even by Paris' world-beating standards.

Reviewed by Sophie Dening