Paris’s best bars and restaurants with open fires

The ivy-covered façade hides the small wooden entrance door of Le Coupe Chou, just next to the Collège de France, which serves up classic dishes under atmospheric wooden beams (parts of the building date from the 18th century). There's a series of rooms inside, adding to the charm of the stone-clad walls in a restaurant where you feel a bit like you're visiting your grandparents. They don't skimp on comfort here – there are stuffed chairs, squishy sofas warm colours and even a fireplace – the kind of place where you forget what time it is, and if it's cold outside.

You could easily miss the dignified entrance to the Hôtel d’Aubusson just off the Pont Neuf, but once inside the grand old building you’ll find that it unfolds like an elegant Rubik’s cube of timbered ceilings, chandeliers and heavy drapes. The cream, gold and red of the Grand Salon manages to be both luxurious and understated – there’s nothing ‘contemporary’ or ‘design’ here – right down to the huge stone fireplace, which is lit from 5pm in winter. Non-guests are welcome to pull up a chair and enjoy the hushed atmosphere, fresh flowers, extensive bar menu and free Wi-Fi.

The hot chocolate at La Cheminée might cost €15, but it’s well worth splashing out on a cup of liquid molten luxury while cosying up to the elegant open (gas) hearth for which the bar is named. All expensive thick pile carpets, muted hues, contemporary lines and fresh flowers, this hushed and expensive space is a sumptuous place to retreat from Christmas shopping at neighbouring boutiques like Louis Vuitton or Van Cleef and Arpels – or a slightly cheaper sojourn in the Tuileries, but what the hell, you deserve it anyway.