The Thoumieux is a 15-room boutique hotel, owned by the BeauMarly group of Thierry Costes (son of one of those Costes brothers) and operators of over a dozen hip and happening restaurants and hotels in Paris. It was a novelty for us since we always stay at Le Saint-Gregoire in the neighboring 6th, our favorite left bank arrondissement and we were pleasantly surprised with the vie du quartier of the 7th arrondissement fun as well. We arrived at dawn on a cold November morning and were lucky enough to have the room ready for a our very early check-in. Our room was on the top floor overlooking the street which we preferred, despite the noise, as it gave us a nice place to sit and watch the bustling rue Saint-Dominique. Interiors are a riot of pattern on pattern created by India Mahdavi (which can be overwhelming for some), although we thought it was a fun take on the usual flower prints or toile de jouy traditionally used in these type of hotels. It also helped convince us to choose Thoumieux for their Aesop products (love them!), the in-room illy FrancisFrancis (same one we have at home), complimentary mini bar, iPad loaded with information and music and the full-service brasserie on the ground floor - a definite plus, especially in the winter, where we could nip down to have a quick drink or dinner without having to brave the cold.
We enjoyed breakfast at the hotel a few times, it was pricey at €30 in the dining room or €40 for breakfast in bed, but worth it - coffee, tea or hot chocolate, fresh fruit salad, vanilla yoghurt, a basket of vienoisseries and toast with honey and homemade jams, a soft-boiled egg, ham and in-house smoked salmon served on pretty plates with starched linen napkins in a cozy dining room just off the tiny reception area.
We also had lunch (weekday prix-fixe €22/two-course or €29/three course), dinner and even dessert and coffee at the busy Brasserie Thoumieux which was always packed with locals especially on Sunday when so many Paris restaurants are closed. The food was well-executed, from the tartare de boeuf (steak tartar) to the entrecôte sauce poivre (rib-eye with pepper sauce) - cuisses de grenouilles (frog's legs) to the supreme de volatile (roast chicken breast) - all quite good but not a gourmet meal, which is what brasserie fare is all about.
Luckily, we also had the chance to sample one of the Gateaux Thoumieux creations, a sugar-frosted lemon raspberry butter cake - our in-room welcome amenity - and one that we picked at constantly when we had our afternoon espresso. The jewel-box sized all-white marble cake shop is just across the street from the hotel with a beautiful window display of cakes and pastries.
All in all a wonderful stay and one we're keen to repeat on our next Paris trip - hopefully, sooner rather than later.
Nota Bene: Like other small hotels in Paris, keep in mind that there are certain quirks: No lift and sometimes no one to help you carry your luggage upstairs, No breakfast a la carte menu but you can always request changes and they try to accommodate you, a very simple room service menu. Keep in mind that this is a boutique hotel and not at all like a full-service big hotel chain with round-the-clock everything. Remember, ask (nicely) and you shall receive.
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79 rue Saint Dominique, 75007 Paris
79 rue Saint Dominique, 75007 Paris
*Open daily non-stop from midday to midnight. Valet parking in the evening
58 rue Saint Dominique,75007 Paris
*Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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