Les Bains

Top choice in Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville


Opened in 1885 as thermal baths (frequented by Marcel Proust, among others), in 1978 this iconic address morphed into the Bains-Douches nightclub, made famous by David Bowie, Mick Jagger and a galaxy of celebs. Today it's among Paris' most fabulous lifestyle hotels, with 39 bespoke rooms – some with foliage-draped balconies overlooking an interior courtyard – showcasing vintage treasures, luxury fabrics and eclectic design.

Its history is recalled at its iconic basement club (midnight to 6am Thursday to Saturday), with live bands, DJs and – yes – that same famous swimming pool.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville attractions

1. Atelier Brancusi

0.17 MILES

Northwest of the main building of the Centre Pompidou, this reconstruction of the studio of Romanian-born sculptor Constantin Brancusi (1876–1957),…

2. Tour Jean sans Peur

0.18 MILES

This 29m-high Gothic tower was built during the Hundred Years' War by the Duke of Bourgogne so that he could take refuge from his enemies – such as the…

3. Musée des Arts et Métiers

0.21 MILES

The Arts and Crafts Museum, dating to 1794 and Europe's oldest science and technology museum, is a must for families – or anyone with an interest in how…

4. Centre Pompidou

0.22 MILES

Home to Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art, Centre Pompidou has amazed and delighted visitors ever since it opened in 1977, not…

6. Forum des Halles

0.28 MILES

Paris' main wholesale food market stood here for nearly 800 years before being replaced by this underground shopping mall in 1971. Long considered an…

7. Fontaine des Innocents

0.29 MILES

The name of this multi-tiered Renaissance fountain (1550) comes off as a bit ironic – nothing in central Paris feels even remotely innocent – but is in…

8. Église St-Eustache

0.31 MILES

Just north of the gardens adjoining the city’s old marketplace, now the Forum des Halles, is one of the most beautiful churches in Paris. Majestic,…