Hotel Le Fontenoy

The owner was friendly and speaks reasonable English, which helps if you know little or no French. The room was as described, with a bed, refrigerator and bathroom. It’s outdated but clean and tidy, and felt a bit like staying with grandparents. The bar guests in the evening were somewhat intimidating, though. The hotel is above a bar with the same name, run by the same owner, but there’s no obvious sign that there’s a hotel there, so it can be harder to find. The local male guests were a bit too sociable, and as a young woman travelling alone I felt uncomfortable, even a little unsafe. I locked myself in my room and skipped the drink I’d wanted to have.

The room was dirty, with old, dilapidated carpet, and the hotel felt terrifying and seedy. Reception is at the PMU (betting shop) on the ground floor, which sets the tone. We were asked for ID for everyone in the room, and they photographed it. I seriously question whether that’s legal. They also gave specific instructions not to have guests or alcohol, and I question the legality of that too. The stairwell was frightening, and a simple shower curtain separated the bedroom from the bathroom. This hotel deserves an inspection by the DGCCRF (French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control).

The staff were helpful, and the single room is very well located in the city centre, which is useful when everywhere else is full. But the hotel is old and run-down, with poor soundproofing and dirty carpet. The door slams horribly when you close it, and the water makes just as much noise. In short, not great.

The coffee wasn’t good at all, and the bill didn’t add up: one coffee was priced at €1.40, but two came to €3. Something’s off there.