A long-time Latin Quarter favourite, run welcomingly by three generations of family, this tranquil retreat has an almost pastoral quality, as though a modest château has been transplanted into the thrumming metropolis. Three buildings flank a leafy garden where guests delight in peace, quiet, birdsong and breakfast in summer; the impression is of seclusion, even if it takes no more than minutes for flâneurs to reach lively Place de la Contrescarpe and ancient rue du Mouffetard. The 51 old-fashioned bedrooms have antique beds and pretty patterned wallpaper, but no televisions – consume some Flaubert in the courtyard, instead.