Victor Hugo's bakery

I'm working with a client who needed my help to buy an investment apartment to eventually rent out. I recommended the 3rd, the area of the Marais near the Musee Picasso and closer to Bastille. As it's been getting gentrified but still value for money (just) and will attract the right type of tenant we've  targeted - a young business person. I am always looking closely at the new businesses in every area and the signs here have been good for some time; young clothes designers, galleries, design agencies - and prices have been rising according to this gentrification process (around 14% over the last couple of years). There's a very cool bookshop Comme un roman... (only French titles) right below the property we saw at rue Saintonge, close to the lively gourmet shopping street of rue de Bretagne.  Nearby is the once trendy chez Omar restaurant. I think it's over priced and a bit dull. But it's in all the guide books, yawn........And no, Alexander McQueen hasn't been there for about 4 years.

Nearby is the very cute boutique hotel Hotel du Petit Moulin.  A coverted fin de siècle bakery, the oldest in Paris dating from Henry IV. And that's not all - this is where Victor Hugo used to purchase his baguettes........I drag my clients inside and we take a look. It's gorgeous and the interior is designed by my fave French colourist Lacroix - who else could mix "zen" and Toile de Jouy? It has seventeen rooms, all different and starts at 180 euros a night. Not bad and probably a lot more interesting than a more expensive "Palace" hotel in the 8th.