Ha Tel La Prison

Getting to the hotel by car is pretty scary, with those tiny old-town streets. Take their advice and park across the river, then walk over Pont Vieux. Once inside, it’s a fun and comfortable stay in a former prison, without any bad vibes. Maybe they burned a lot of sage! Rooms are small but have high ceilings, a comfortable bed and a little side area with a modern bathroom.

This has to be my favourite hotel so far. It’s a really cool and unusual place, and the room turned out to be spacious and surprisingly comfortable. Even the bathroom was bigger than I expected.

The setting really makes you think about things you may never have considered. They’ve done an impressive job turning ordinary cells, where prisoners spent years, into comfortable rooms while keeping the feel of an old prison. Don’t come expecting luxury or all the comforts of a regular hotel, but it has what a traveler needs: fast internet, clean bedding, heating in every room, a lovely bathroom with a shower, and an incredible view of the oldest surviving city in France. I skipped breakfast because there are several nearby cafes serving great typical French breakfasts. Unless, of course, you don’t want to leave prison. A very interesting place, and I highly recommend it.

Parking turned out to be easy, with halles 1 or street parking, though I guess that may depend on the season. The rooms are prison cells, but very nice, and certainly better than any prison I know. It’s probably the best place to stay in town. Take a bit of time to walk around and have a look, it’s quite interesting.