New Athens

"The city's creative dynamic shifts and turns as the years go by, but it's safe to say South Pigalle, or SoPi, has reached peak bobo, with its Williamsburg-style attitude and fresh-faced cocktail bars, hotels, and restaurants wafting away much of the neighborhood's 20th-century seediness. Enduring Pigalle hangouts include Le Pantruche restaurant, Mamiche bakery, and the Bloc de l'Est concept store. Of course, it's not the first time this northern part of the 9th arrondissement has been in favor—the Moulin Rouge has its home here, and it was a stomping ground for cultural gadabouts from the radical, free-loving writer George Sand to the artist Toulouse-Lautrec. The owners of this particular three-bedroom flat choose to remain anonymous, but they're clearly avid travelers with an eye for collectible objects: A Barcelona stool, a 1970s Reggiani floor lamp, and Eames Eiffel chairs are placed alongside piles of art books, bronze Buddhas, and a Día de los Muertos doll from Mexico. The vintage taxidermy pieces are startling: Visitors are met by an impala in the dining room, while a brace of flamingos and peacocks flutters feathers in the living room. These pieces help soften the grandiosity of the original ornamental fireplace, summer-sky ceiling frescoes, and gilded mirrors. It's a beautiful, artfully cozy space to spend a couple of nights, a magical-realist bubble that's well suited to families. This apartment can be booked through the Plum Guide (there are other, similar places to stay in its portfolio), which cherry-picks interesting addresses in 18 cities from outfits such as Airbnb, tests them, and adds a personalized concierge service. From $700 per night."