Mama Shelter Paris East lies on rue de Bagnolet in the 20th Arrondisement- nearest metro Alexander Dumas- in Felix Terrier, which is a truly rocking neighbourhood. Just down Bagnolet there is rather wonderful bistro-Quartier Rouge that proffers classic French grub and rather accomplished jazz combos every Sunday. Further down the street you’ll find one Europe’s finest vintage clothing stores Pou Paule that many a UK vintage devotee speak of in hushed tones and beat a path to. Not on the internet, not on EBay the store sells mainly 1950’3 brand new dead stock in the form of a profusion of pristine ladies wear - knitwear, shoes, scarves and blouses from the 1920s to the sixties and for men mint leather coats, USAF A2 leather bombers, fifties peg trousers (with original labels still attached) brand new fifties shoes and a great collection of neckwear.
Further down the boulevard there are a few cracking antique shops and a few independent boulangerie and cafes that offer a fine lunch for those who are, like yours truly, on a budget. To add, morbid as It might sound I couldn’t help but take a stroll around the wondrous Pere Lachaise cemetery that, just behind the hotel was the first ever garden cemetery is over 200 years old, is entirely intact and is where lies the remains of an illustrious list of visionaries and malcontents such as Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Maris Callas, Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan Chopin, Delacroix, Bizet, Chopin, Balzac, Proust, Seurat, Modigliani and Colette. I felt at home.
All in all, Mama Shelter East, is a perfect hotel. At first I was a little put of by the gaily coloured web site, that is pure cheese, has a picture of Bug Bunny in it and as such suited more to a children’s play restaurant than a classy establishment such as this but, on entering all my every misgiving was washed away on a sea of sophistication so please overlook that as its not at all indicative.
I’m off to Paris again soon and will try the chains new Mama Shelter Paris West as this ones on the other side of Paris way past Montparnasse and near Pte De Versailles so, I am hoping this will open up yet another new Paris district for me and another new entirely faultless hotel.
Watch this space for an update in time for Paris Fashion week bookings
Mama Shelter Paris East is located at 109 Rue De Bagnolet in Père-Lachaise, 2.5 miles from the centre of Paris.