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What’s the vibe at Le Charmant?
Behind the 1885 building, protected by a wrought-iron gate, stretches a 400 m² garden – an unexpected breath of fresh air in the heart of Saint-Ouen. This is the main asset of Le Charmant, a boutique hotel opened in 2024 just steps from the flea market, in what was once a family country house. Legend has it that it used to overlook asparagus fields and vineyards. Today, guests make the most of this patch of land to have lunch in the sun or enjoy a drink in the shade of the trees, with a residential tower as its immediate neighbour and, in the background, the ring road barely perceptible.
What are the rooms like at Le Charmant?
Rescued from property developers by Anne Oury and Selim Mouhoubi, the house has retained its bourgeois character and period details. The rooms come in several styles: ‘Évasion’, with mouldings and marble fireplaces; ‘Tradition’, with more classic lines; ‘Grange’, with large volumes opening onto the garden; and finally ‘Duo’ and ‘Solo’, housed in the former stables and brightened with bold colours. It’s a peaceful place to sleep: comfortable beds, preserved tranquillity, and that old-world charm which endures despite the contemporary updates.
The furniture was crafted by a local carpenter or sourced and restored with the help of Sapide Design and antique dealer Fauvette. A school desk, a vintage radio and mismatched crockery create the impression that a collector uncle has just stepped out of the room. Among the antique pieces are a few family relics – portraits, keepsakes, trinkets – scattered here and there (the former owners left everything behind when they moved out). On the walls, frescoes by Paris-based artist Olivia De Bona add contemporary touches, while the visual identity, designed by the local studio La Main Gauche, anchors the project firmly in Saint-Ouen. Even the bathroom products follow the same philosophy: natural cosmetics by BYCA, a small family-run Norman company committed to eco-responsibility.
What is the restaurant like at Le Charmant?
On the food side, chef Jeffrey Quetin draws on old recipe notebooks discovered in the house. Roast veal chuck with lemon and taggiasca olives, mashed potatoes; rib steak with baby potatoes and thyme jus… classic French bourgeois cooking, served as it once was, sometimes as sharing dishes for the table. Meals are enjoyed in rooms with painted ceilings where the mouldings still stand proudly. As for the bar, set in the former family office, you can raise a glass of beer brewed in Saint-Ouen, wine sourced from local merchant D’or et de Vins, or a sharp cocktail. Because yes, Le Charmant places a strong emphasis on short supply chains and local artisans in everything it does. A definite plus: the beauty of a place isn’t measured only by its mouldings or its garden, but also by its commitments.
DETAILS
Address: 53 Rue du Landy, 93400 Saint-Ouen
Closest transport: Mairie de Saint-Ouen (Line 13 & 14) – 5-minute walk
Starting price: From around €130 per night