Maison Chomel

March 31, 2025. 60 degrees. Sunny. (4 to 5:30 pm)
 
“You’re the last to arrive, J.P.”

Shocked that my celebrity had been recognized, I retrieved by suitcase from the back of the taxi and rolled up the grinning bald man who stood outside the entrance of my hotel. Maison Chomel is 6 floors (only 5 accessible by the elevator) and 23 extremely comfortable and charming rooms. Matt the manager, as I later learned was his name, knew that I was the last to arrive to the fully booked hotel. How many hotels do you know, where you haven’t even arrived and they already know you  by name. I knew I was going to like this place. If ever I there was a home for me in Paris, this was the place. After some fun chatter with Matt, I rolled my suitcase to the old school elevator (fits two barely) and went up to my room on the fourth floor to unpack.

And what I found was as delightful as I expected. London had gotten me used to small rooms, but Paris seemed to know how to use every inch of space for the comfort of the visitor. The bed, taking up most of the room, was soft and comfortable, the bathroom was a couple of steps away but included a nice shower. There was a small desk for journaling. Shelves of books, both English and French, and drumroll please, a balcony! I immediately threw open the double doors and gladly welcomed the sounds of Paris into my room. I may never leave.
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The hotel itself is in the Babylone District on Rue Chomel and located in the very heart of Paris. It is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, near the famous Bon Marche and, of course the nearby Metro. It is a seventeen-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower and less to Notre Dame and the Jewish Quarter. Oh, yeah. I think I am going to like it here.
It was now after 4pm and I need to get unpacked and get outside to wander around while it was still light. There was so much to see, and I only had a week. Besides, I thought I spotted an outdoor table and seat with my name on it. I took one more look out my balcony and set about unpacking. I was in Paris, and I had things to do.