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HISTORY OF THE HÔTEL
Situated on the original Paris to London coaching route, the
Hôtel de France was frequented by the former Kings of France
and England. Dating back to 1578 the Hôtel de France is the
oldest and only Coaching Inn in Montreuil-sur-Mer having
operated continuously from the time of its original construction.
FAMOUS VISITORS
Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo visited in 1812 during the writing of "Les Miserables." Not surprisingly he based
the Coaching Inn featured in the play "Les Miserables" on the the Hôtel de France, and
stayed in room 12b, overlooking the courtyard. History has it that not only did Hugo get the
idea of the start of "Les Miserables" while here, but also some of characters – The
InnKeeper and Cosette. The fully costumed enactment of "Les Pas de Victor Hugo" is staged
each year in the courtyard of the Hôtel.
Field Marshall General Sir Douglas Haig
In 1918, Haig used the Hôtel de France as his operational headquarters, basing himself in
Montreuil-sur-Mer for a large part of the war and choosing the body for the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in the Hôtel de France courtyard. The arrival of the casket of the Unknown
Soldier at Victoria Station from Montreuil-sur-Mer is commemorated to this day in the form of
a plaque on Platform 6.
Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne spent time at the hôtel in 1765, during the writing of his famous book "A
Sentimental Journey". A mural commemorating his visit takes pride of place in the Hôtel de
France courtyard. Originally depicting Sterne beside his coach dispensing arms to the poor
and homeless, it was overpainted in the early 1800’s with the more 'interesting' scene of
Sterne's valet "La Fleur" fondly parting from his many mistresses in Montreuil. Sterne
famously quoted the Hôtel de France as having "a convivial atmosphere/ambience that
cures the soul of spleen"
Napoleon Boneparte
Napoloeon is believed to have eaten and slept at the Hôtel de France en route to one of his
many battles. Born on August 15, 1769, Napoleon Boneparte rose from obscurity to become
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French. Widely regarded as one of the greatest military geniuses
of all time, his armies conquered most of Europe until his final defeat at the hands of the
Duke of Wellington during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
Gerard Depardieu
France’s favourite actor, well known for his lead role in "Green Card" which firmly
established his International film star status. Gerard Depardieu became a resident of the
Hôtel de France for two years while filming nearby. He returns from time to time to regale us
with hilarious anecdotes of his experiences at the Hôtel de France.
Mel Smith
Together with Griff Rhys Jones, Mel created some of the most memorable British comedy of
the 80s and 90s, with "Not the Nine o'clock News" and "Smith & Jones". Our thanks to Mel for
providing the Hôtel's motto, "a place of sleep and dreams"
.
Midge Ure OBE
Midge Ure is best known for his time in 80's electronic band Ultravox, where he had a huge
UK hit with "Vienna". In 1984, he co-wrote the Band Aid hit, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
and recently organized the Live 8 concerts with Bob Geldof with the aim of pressuring G8
leaders into following his recipe for ending world poverty. In 2005 he was made an Officer of
the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music and charity. Midge arrived
originally on his Harley, but came and stayed subsequently with his family.
Lester Piggot OBE
Considered to be the best of his generation and one of the greatest flat jockeys of all time,
Piggott won his first race in 1948, aged 12 years, on a horse called The Chase at Haydock
Park. A teenage sensation, he rode his first winner of the Epsom Derby on Never Say Die in
1954 aged 18 years and went on to win eight more. Known as the "housewives' favourite",
Piggott had legions of followers and did much to expand the popularity of horse racing
beyond its narrow, class-based origins.
Other guests
Jimmy Yuill – a well known Scottish actor.
Well known BBC producers and directors who were scouting for French film locations.
A host of eminent motor-biking barristers and a high court judge who arrive incognito and
often unrecognisable!
Copyright © 2006-2009 Hôtel de France
Situated on the original Paris to London coaching route, the
Hôtel de France was frequented by the former Kings of France
and England. Dating back to 1578 the Hôtel de France is the
oldest and only Coaching Inn in Montreuil-sur-Mer having
operated continuously from the time of its original construction.
FAMOUS VISITORS
Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo visited in 1812 during the writing of "Les Miserables." Not surprisingly he based
the Coaching Inn featured in the play "Les Miserables" on the the Hôtel de France, and
stayed in room 12b, overlooking the courtyard. History has it that not only did Hugo get the
idea of the start of "Les Miserables" while here, but also some of characters – The
InnKeeper and Cosette. The fully costumed enactment of "Les Pas de Victor Hugo" is staged
each year in the courtyard of the Hôtel.
Field Marshall General Sir Douglas Haig
In 1918, Haig used the Hôtel de France as his operational headquarters, basing himself in
Montreuil-sur-Mer for a large part of the war and choosing the body for the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier in the Hôtel de France courtyard. The arrival of the casket of the Unknown
Soldier at Victoria Station from Montreuil-sur-Mer is commemorated to this day in the form of
a plaque on Platform 6.
Laurence Sterne
Laurence Sterne spent time at the hôtel in 1765, during the writing of his famous book "A
Sentimental Journey". A mural commemorating his visit takes pride of place in the Hôtel de
France courtyard. Originally depicting Sterne beside his coach dispensing arms to the poor
and homeless, it was overpainted in the early 1800’s with the more 'interesting' scene of
Sterne's valet "La Fleur" fondly parting from his many mistresses in Montreuil. Sterne
famously quoted the Hôtel de France as having "a convivial atmosphere/ambience that
cures the soul of spleen"
Napoleon Boneparte
Napoloeon is believed to have eaten and slept at the Hôtel de France en route to one of his
many battles. Born on August 15, 1769, Napoleon Boneparte rose from obscurity to become
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French. Widely regarded as one of the greatest military geniuses
of all time, his armies conquered most of Europe until his final defeat at the hands of the
Duke of Wellington during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
Gerard Depardieu
France’s favourite actor, well known for his lead role in "Green Card" which firmly
established his International film star status. Gerard Depardieu became a resident of the
Hôtel de France for two years while filming nearby. He returns from time to time to regale us
with hilarious anecdotes of his experiences at the Hôtel de France.
Mel Smith
Together with Griff Rhys Jones, Mel created some of the most memorable British comedy of
the 80s and 90s, with "Not the Nine o'clock News" and "Smith & Jones". Our thanks to Mel for
providing the Hôtel's motto, "a place of sleep and dreams"
.
Midge Ure OBE
Midge Ure is best known for his time in 80's electronic band Ultravox, where he had a huge
UK hit with "Vienna". In 1984, he co-wrote the Band Aid hit, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
and recently organized the Live 8 concerts with Bob Geldof with the aim of pressuring G8
leaders into following his recipe for ending world poverty. In 2005 he was made an Officer of
the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to music and charity. Midge arrived
originally on his Harley, but came and stayed subsequently with his family.
Lester Piggot OBE
Considered to be the best of his generation and one of the greatest flat jockeys of all time,
Piggott won his first race in 1948, aged 12 years, on a horse called The Chase at Haydock
Park. A teenage sensation, he rode his first winner of the Epsom Derby on Never Say Die in
1954 aged 18 years and went on to win eight more. Known as the "housewives' favourite",
Piggott had legions of followers and did much to expand the popularity of horse racing
beyond its narrow, class-based origins.
Other guests
Jimmy Yuill – a well known Scottish actor.
Well known BBC producers and directors who were scouting for French film locations.
A host of eminent motor-biking barristers and a high court judge who arrive incognito and
often unrecognisable!
Copyright © 2006-2009 Hôtel de France
