Hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur, our room with a view

Excited about our return to Paris, we were even more excited that we had a hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur and the support from AccorHotels. In all but two locations where Accor did not have a presence we would have the opportunity to experience the difference between some of their brands like Ibis, Mercure, Novotel and MGallery.

It was just as exciting to be returning to Paris as it was to be returning to Mercure Paris Montmartre Sacre Coeur where we had stayed on our first trip to Paris. Mercure are a four star hotel, aligned between Accor’s Ibis and Novotel brands.

Two weeks before our departure we received a private message on Facebook advising they were happy to be welcoming us back and enquire if we had any preference regarding the room. This is indicative of the personal service we received on our previous stay and the reason we were excited to be returning.

Then Friday 13th November we were shocked, saddened and thinking of the people of Paris. The terrible news about the terrorist attacks shook us, particularly as we were due to fly there the following weekend. Initially numbed by the news, we thought about how travel uplifts and inspires us and how we didn’t want to travel with trepidation. We didn’t want this horrific situation to dictate to us by making us live in fear, or impact on our travel plans. Without being complacent we made the decision to stand by Paris and continue with our travel plans.

Our first check in on our #EuropeanChristmasDiscovery was Paris and it was like returning home. A warm welcome, familiar surroundings in a hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur and a comfortable room waiting ready for us, with a view of the hotel’s namesake, Sacre Coeur. Soon after our arrival a knock at the door and a visit by the lovely Marie who earlier had messaged us on Facebook, a personal welcome to check we were satisfied with our room and if there was anything we needed. We had been taking a few photos of the room and the rooftop views and Steve joked with Marie that there was a crane in our view of the Sacre Coeur and enquired if she could arrange to have it moved.

The view from our hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur

Happy to be back in Paris and although tired from our 21 hour flight, our bodies were still on Perth time, we were too excited at this stage to sleep. We took a stroll in the neighbourhood we were so comfortable in and loved so much, to find somewhere for a light breakfast. We found a quaint place where we had petit déjeuner (small breakfast). Were they kidding, freshly squeezed orange juice, café au lait (coffee), a crepe, a flaky croissant and tartine (baguette sliced lengthways and jam). I keep with tradition and like the French I don’t have butter with my already buttery croissant, I but can’t succumb to keep with the tradition of dunking it. How French, a sidewalk café in Montmartre, sitting at a table, with no agenda, just being. Yes, we knew we were back in Paris ✔

After our stroll, our tummies now satisfied and our bodies feeling weary, we returned to our comfy room with a view for a rest. Rest we did, we slept for a good few hours. When we awoke we noticed we’d missed seeing a lovely note from Marie. She wrote that she hoped our stroll and croissants recalled the nice memories from our previous trip. The note was to advise she had arranged another room for us on the 9th floor with a nice view and “without a crane straight ahead”. How sweet, Marie has upgraded us to a Privilege room for the duration of our stay.


Booking.com

The 305 room hotel is located across from the Montmartre Cemetery, which is tucked under an overpass across the road and near Moulin Rouge and two Metro stations, Blanche and Place de Clichy.  It was being renovated when we were there in 2013, so once we relocated to the new room, we were keen to familiarise ourselves with the hotel facilities and see the finishing touches.

Although not disappointed with our original room, we were pleased with the move to a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower and of the beautiful city in front of us. We made sure to say merci to Marie for moving the crane 😉

The room was large, quiet and nicely decorated. It had a flat screen TV, stocked mini fridge, Nespresso machine, iPhone dock and cosiest king size bed with top quality linen. It also had a bath and shower and a separate toilet rather than in the bathroom. We were also provided toiletries, bathrobe, slippers and complimentary mini bar including bottled water.

The lobby has a paper-mâché can can dancer hanging from the ceiling and the décor is very bright and modern. There is a large round table for hotel guests to relax and read the paper and apples on the table to enjoy. Off the lobby is a lounge, meeting point and computer nook.


Upstairs is the trendy 18.75 Bar/Lounge, a tree lined terrace, fitness room, easy work area and meeting/meal room. Reflecting the history of area, the meeting room is named Mistinguett, after the most popular French entertainer and highest paid female entertainer in the world. We found the Lounge Bar very eclectic and contemporary in its style. The breakfast buffet was fresh and plentiful and the area large enough to accommodate without having wait for a table or food to be replenished. There was a good variety, of course with a vast range of breads, pastries and an express breakfast area for those only wanting coffee and croissants.

The bar offers happy hour. I loved the quirky lighting, little library nook and the textured walls. The landing area between the elevator, stairs and Bar Lounge has a cute lighting display.

All staff from the front desk to housekeeping were all very friendly, polite and spoke English which made interaction easy and comfortable. We exchanged a few messages with Marie during our stay. The first morning after we awoke she messaged that she hoped we had a good nights’ sleep and wish us a good day, even gave us a weather update. We found these private messages on Facebook a lovely touch and made us feel very welcome. We also enjoyed the tour of the hotel that Marie took us on, explaining all the hotel features.

 

The hotel truly reflects the Mercure slogan, In Harmony with People and Places. I think with the location, the can can dancer hanging in the lobby, the Mistinguett room along and the red colour throughout the hotel, that it could just easy be named Mercure Montmartre Moulin Rouge rather than Sacre Coeur. More info here if you are looking for a guide to the best arrondissements in Paris.

As I mentioned earlier we came to Paris the weekend after the terrorist attacks that occurred and never for a moment did we want to cancel. We are glad to say we felt very safe walking around the area, even at night and ventured beyond the tourist areas to find some real Parisian life. Combined with the welcome we received, we truly felt our expectations had been met and were happy to be back in one of our very favourite cities. Already we miss the hospitality and can’t wait to return again to our favourite hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur.

Now your turn, tell us has this post inspired you for your next holiday?  Have you had a hotel that has upgraded you for the duration of your stay?

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*All opinions and photos are our own and we were not financially compensated for this post.

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20 Responses

  1. Judy Neame says:

    I am from Perth as well. (Doubleview) .. I have just retired (Yesssss!) and have been fortunate enough to have travelled to France in 2014 and the love of it has never left me . Now is my time to fall in love with her all over again.. I am going to venture again next year as a solo traveller but I’m sure that will be perfectly fine.
    You have inspired me to venture out of my comfort zone. You write beautifully and my excitement has been lit up yo the max .
    Thankyou and hoping for a hole in MY shoe 🤪

    • Lyn says:

      Judy I’m so glad to hear you are going back to fall in love again and hoping for a hole in your shoe while you’re there

  2. Alex C says:

    The view is so beautiful. I remembered when those terrorist attacks happened in 2015 and concerned me that it would hurt tourism. But this post reassures me that people are strong and don’t let a terrible situation ruin their plans to Paris which would affect many local businesses. I can’t wait to travel there.

  3. Liz says:

    Beautiful pictures and such a gorgeous hotel! I’m glad you decided to still push through with your travel plans. The attacks haven’t changed Paris, only made it more beautiful and exciting. Thanks for sharing this!

  4. That view! The rooms look lovely and it sounds like the service was exceptional. I haven’t stayed in the Montmartre area just yet, but your review makes me want to try! We’ve already booked rooms in the Marais for our next visit, but maybe Montmartre is next!
    Beth | Adventuring the Great Wide Somewhere recently posted…5 Places to See in 2016My Profile

  5. Now you are making me want to return to Paris. Marie sounds like a gem. That is fantastic customer service she delivered.
    Michele {Malaysian Meanders} recently posted…Cattle Drive at the Fort Worth StockyardsMy Profile

  6. Corinne says:

    Sounds like you really enjoyed your stay! Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration!
    Corinne recently posted…Scrambling to See Taipei in 48 Hours; Fascinating and Tasty!My Profile

  7. Yummy!!! Typical french breakfast: fresh squeezed juice and croissants! I like it!
    Place4Papers.com recently posted…50 Classification Essay Topics to Spark Your InterestMy Profile

  8. Linda Bibb says:

    I really enjoyed your review of the hotel, especially as we have yet to experience Mercure’s hospitality. Judging from your story I think we will be quite impressed.

    Good on you! I am so glad that you did not let the attacks change your decision to visit. I think it terrible that one event can affect an economy for years afterward; it’s at times like those that they need the tourism the most.
    Linda Bibb recently posted…Clifden, County Galway – I Found My Family RootsMy Profile

  9. It sounds like the Mecure hotels really know how to look after their guests. So pleased you did not cancel your Paris trip, to me if you allow these terrorists to start making you live in fear then they have won.
    Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…Essential Toiletries to PackMy Profile

  10. Anda says:

    It seems you had a wonderful stay at this hotel and I definitely feel encouraged to give them a try. You must have been very excited about seeing Paris again. I miss it too.
    Anda recently posted…The Weekly Postcard: The Food Scene at Mercato Centrale in FlorenceMy Profile

  11. Good review of the hotel and glad you enjoyed your time in the city. Yes, we were in Paris about 2 weeks after the terrorist attack and someone we met up with had just lost a friend. For us, it was both nice that there were so few travelers in the city and almost no lines, but also it was a bit frustrating with the super high security in some places we visited. I think it was my 4th or 5th visit and still so many things I want to do and see in this city:)
    Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats recently posted…Casanova’s Venice: Discovering 18th Century Venice with Context TravelMy Profile

  12. Jackie says:

    We stayed in a Mercure in September when in Berlin and quite liked it. We have stayed in quite a few Ibis throughout England as well.

  13. Sarah Ebner says:

    A great review – and lovely that you went back and stayed and had a great time. It sounds like you experienced marvellous hospitality too. So glad. #theweeklypostcard
    Sarah Ebner recently posted…A day in beautiful Broadstairs, KentMy Profile

  14. What a lovely review and one that is getting me excited about visiting Paris again next month. I was actually in the city a week after the attacks too. It was certainly tense at times as you could see police sometimes running around or when there was a bomb scare on the train on the Sunday I was leaving. Not once though, did I feel unsafe. Even when I was waking around alone at Trocadero for the sunrise meet with friends later.
    bianca@ItsAllBee recently posted…Exploring Athens Pt 1 | Ancient City Of AgoraMy Profile

    • Lyn says:

      Aw thanks Bianca. I had no idea you were there same time as us. I am glad you agree about feeling safe. Such a terrible thing to happen and yet only a week later I felt nothing but safe. The Police presence at times did make it a little tense at times, but that was after dark when we knew it was time to head back closer the hotel. Thank you so much for your comment, enjoy Paris again.

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