Last Updated on August 13, 2026
Four-star elegance near the Eiffel Tower
Located in the upmarket 7th arrondissement, the four-star Inwood Hotel La Bourdonnais is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower and a host of museums and boutiques that make a great weekend getaway to Paris. Its name derives from the street on which it is situated, which honours the explorer Bertrand-François Mahé de la Bourdonnais, an eighteenth-century mariner and explorer. The hotel that bears his name is a homage to the spirit of adventure of his time, when ships set off on voyages of discovery. This is reflected in plush interiors, with warm colours and rich fabrics, plus an eclectic mix of objects from globes, old books and ceramics.
The hotel boasts a central location and is very close to a metro station. Once installed at La Bourdonnais, we went everywhere on foot. There are many top tourist sights in the neighbourhood. The Eiffel Tower was a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, so close in fact that the north-east side of the tower closest to the hotel is called La Bourdonnais. Within a few minutes’ walk, we reached the Seine, where we walked for miles along the quais through the neighbourhoods of Paris.
We had come to Paris to see the blockbuster Matisse exhibition at the Grand Palais, which was an enjoyable 30-minute walk from the hotel. This Belle Epoque building served as an exhibition venue during the 1900 Universal Exposition. It was closed for several years for restoration and finally reopened in 2025. It now hosts a top-drawer selection of temporary exhibitions in its vast galleries, and in winter, there is a beautiful ice rink where skaters can experience the magnificent glass ceiling.
Not to be missed in the 7th arrondissement is the Rodin Museum, where visitors can enjoy Rodin’s studio as well as the sculpture garden where The Thinker sits. Musée du Quai Branly is also nearby, with an extensive collection of indigenous art from Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. It also has a beautiful garden and restaurant. Military enthusiasts will enjoy Les Invalides, which houses the military museum of France, and where visitors will find the tomb of Napoleon.
Once you have had your fill of museums, the 7th arrondissement is a haven for food lovers. Don’t miss a visit to Le Bon Marché, which is a food hall of dreams. Imagine the best of Harrods and Selfridges food halls and then transpose that to Paris. The neighbourhood around La Bourdonnais is jam-packed with eateries, but I would advise strolling down rue Saint-Dominique, which is particularly well-endowed with restaurants, from the Michelin-starred Le Violon d’Ingres, where we ate a celebratory dinner, to less expensive eateries and a particularly impressive array of top-quality patisseries, including Pierre Hermé. Browse, eat, and enjoy the gorgeous clothing boutiques on this street.
Returning to La Bourdonnais in the evening, we found a convivial atmosphere in the area, which was lively at night with bars and restaurants aplenty. Being so close to the Eiffel Tower, we strolled up to the Champs de Mars park, which was packed at 11 pm on a hot summer night, families and groups all out to enjoy the hot weather and the spectacle of the illuminated tower that scintillates on the hour.
The hotel has its own cocktail and spirits bar, Minuit Express, which was closed for a private party on the night we stayed, but a glimpse the next morning revealed an inviting set of rooms with plush furnishings, the perfect place for a rendez-vous.
Our Executive room on the 6th floor had street-facing windows from where we could see the Eiffel Tower. Parisian hotel rooms are often bijoux, but this one was spacious. The décor was luxurious with thick piled carpet and shades of straw, beige and gold, with abstract animal motifs on the headboard and leather tiles up the accent wall. It was elegant without being flashy. The air conditioning was excellent, which has become an essential feature during the repeated heatwaves that the city is experiencing during the summers. The gold theme continued in the bathroom, where marble panels were trimmed with gold.
The lounge alongside the lobby was a welcoming and elegant space to return to after a day out in the city. Comfortable seating areas with plush chairs and sofas. Bolsters were covered in peacock fabric; ceiling mirrors reflected side tables that held attractive lamps and paraphernalia of adventure – a globe, ostrich egg, old books, and a nostalgia-inducing old-fashioned telephone – you have to be a certain vintage to remember these. Iced water and iced tea were particularly welcome as we arrived back rather overheated.
Breakfast set us up well for another day of sightseeing. It was served in the front area of the bar, and we took a seat by the window, which afforded us a great spot for people watching while we tucked into the buffet fare with its selection of fruit, yoghurts, cereals, charcuterie and cheese, boiled eggs, breads and viennoiserie.
La Bourdonnais is a boutique, 4-star hotel with an enviable location in the heart of Paris. The neighbourhood has a number of the capital’s star tourist sights along with lovely quiet streets filled with boutiques, bars, cafes and restaurants. The hotel’s central position makes it easy to get around on foot, which is the best way to explore the city. Gazing up at the illuminated Eiffel Tower in the evenings, you will feel the pulse and magic of the city, no matter whether you are visiting for the first time or are a frequent visitor.
Hôtel La Bourdonnais, 111-113 Avenue de La Bourdonnais, Paris 75007
Like this? Check out Copenhagen for Art Lovers
