Mama Shelter Paris
Urban chic
Adam from Paris
With the tourist experience becoming more and more sanitised, the gamble of the Mama Shelter creators has been to predict a desire in visitors to base themselves in a more working class, post-industrial landscape. Opened principally as a hotel, the Mama Shelter also operates as a bar, café and restaurant.
Designed in part by Philippe Starck, the curiosity of this discrete, black and white establishment is that it has been built in the footprint of a car-park, overlooking the disused Petite Ceinture railway line. It is in a fact a twin-establishment to an older East Paris icon, the Fleche d'Or café, which is situated opposite the hotel.
With 172 rooms, this is far from being a boutique hotel, but it does mean that very attractive prices are possible. As each room also features an iMac, a fridge and basic cooking facilities, it can be used as the base for a very reasonable stay in Paris. For more casual visitors, it will be the long terrace overlooking the railway line, or the sleek café/restaurant that will be the principal attractions.
Seeing itself as a beacon for a new bohemia, the establishment is a success despite this rather artificial concept. In reality, the east of Paris has shifted upmarket in the last 20 years, so what exactly the hotel is providing shelter from is not clear. It does however offer reasonable prices and a pinch of something different, and that's already not a bad thing in any city.
Paris Spotter Adam
Our Paris City Guide
Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Paris
Les Copains du Faubourg
Egg & bacon roll bliss
"Les Copains du Faubourg" with its English bulldog mascot makes a perfect egg & bacon roll that never fails to draw me in...
by
Paul
Wright
Maison POS
A pleasure pantry
"Maison POS" in Paris is a fruit & veg seller is focused on organic fresh produce. It's a pleasure pantry where you can discover local tastes!
by
Paul
Wright
Chez Antoine
An on-the-go eating experience
"Chez Antoine" in Paris is great any time of day! It's the kind of place they always remember my order - a Pizza Sicilienne usually...
by
Paul
Wright
La Kabane
Doggies and cookies
"La Kabane" in Paris is a go-to place of mine for citron, coconut, triple chocolate and granola cookies! I love their dog...
by
Paul
Wright
Refuge BD
Click & collect
"Refuge BD" in Paris is a local comic book or BD shop where I've been doing 'click & collect' during the lockdown...
by
Paul
Wright
Espace Niemeyer
Headquarters of the PCF
"Espace Niemeyer" in Paris is home to the French Communist Party, but also a space dedicated to artistic expression and creative architecture...
by
Alix
Mengin
Clos Montmartre
A hidden vineyard in Paris
"Clos Montmartre" is one of five remaining vineyards in central Paris! Their presence dates back to the 10th century...
by
Alix
Mengin
Cimetière du Montparnasse
A green cemetery
"Cimetière du Montparnasse" is not only a cemetery but also one of Paris' biggest green spaces. Many world-famous people are buried here, too...
by
Alix
Mengin
Le Réservoir de Montsouris
Water in Paris
"Le Réservoir de Montsouris" is the biggest water reservoir in Paris. It's a truly impressive structure that's more than 150 years old...
by
Alix
Mengin
Beaupassage
An open-air food court
The "Beaupassage" in Paris is just as much a space dedicated to food as it is to nature and art. It's a 10,000 m² courtyard completed in 2018...
by
Alix
Mengin
Librairie Galignani
A bookstore with a history
"Librairie Galignani" in Paris is a bookshop with a long history and is without a doubt one of the city's most beautiful!
by
Alix
Mengin
La Ferme d’Alexandre
Cheese lovers’ paradise
"La Ferme d’Alexandre" is a cheeseshop like no other in Paris. With their over 350 types of cheeses, they've made it all the way to the Elysée Palace...
by
Alix
Mengin
Heading to Paris?
168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 168 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Bars
Our team loves Paris
Get to know our other Spotters from Paris
As featured on:
