For those staying in boutique hotels, Paris is a wonderful city to explore. While, naturally, Paris is a wonderful town wherever you may be staying, the hospitality and ambience of boutique hotels can play an integral part in maximising your enjoyment of France’s capital.

To explain why, it is necessary to think a little bit about the reality and reputation of Paris.

On the plus side, it is: perhaps the city with the most glamorous reputation in the world; undoubtedly a global centre, if not THE global centre, of gastronomy and romance; a relatively compact city, much of which is easily explored on foot; and home to some of the world’s truly great attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Louvre, Notre Dame and the incomparable Montmartre.

Yet even the most dedicated Francophile may be inclined to admit that Paris has its own issues to deal with such as: it is a capital city and like all capital cities it can be brash, impersonal and at times rude; tourism has had its effect and, in places, the French and Parisian culture is under siege from the perils of internationalism.

There are, of course, two ways you can visit this incredible city. The first is to sit in coaches or taxis and be whisked around from one major tourist spot to another; you can then take in an evening meal in a fairly mundane restaurant in an ordinary hotel as you plan your day ahead.

The second is not to just visit Paris, but instead, to experience it by staying in a more intimate style of accommodation, such as one of the boutique hotels. Paris can be experienced in a different way altogether by virtue of staying in a more out-of-the-way and eclectic hotel. For example, strolling along the Champs-Elysées will provide an experience of the international and haute couture side of Paris, but is this the real Paris or simply an internationalised version of it? By contrast, if you are staying in boutique hotels, Paris to you may consist of the back streets of Montmartre or strolling along the banks of the Seine looking for that bargain antique or work of art.

It might also be just drifting aimlessly around the narrow streets and arcades secreted behind many of the city’s main thoroughfares; or sitting in a tiny family-run restaurant sampling some real Parisian cuisine – often far simpler and more wholesome than the guide books would have you believe. You could wander into one of those expensive haute-cuisine restaurants for which Paris is famous – but is that the real city? Perhaps simply sitting on a park bench with your baguette and a delicious pastry purchased for a very modest price from the local boulangerie is the real Paris…

The choice is yours as to how to experience Paris, but if you’d like a more authentic interaction with the ancient stones of this city book your say in one of the many boutique hotels. Paris awaits – go out and find her.