The Hotel de France
Discussion
A friend and I went there for lunch yesterday following the sale to Martin Overington (sp?) in December and boy, has it changed. All the autographed photos have been taken down but they have had special wallpaper made that includes some of those removed plus they have added more. The bar area has been renewed and the same staff retained. At first I was taken aback that the photos had all gone (remember the Green Man at Silverstone?) but the new décor grew on me as the wine went down. Anyway, only photos taken with the phone so not brilliant, but what do you think?
We stayed there for Test Day many moons ago, back when it took place in April time. Only got a room in the annex at the back rather than the main building but it was still a special couple of days.
Had a drink on the front terrace on quite a few occasions to watch the great metal floating by - an idiot-free zone in my experience too, which always helps...
Well worth a visit.
Had a drink on the front terrace on quite a few occasions to watch the great metal floating by - an idiot-free zone in my experience too, which always helps...
Well worth a visit.
Visited last year when AM were having their big do (on the Friday I think) there, and had the CC100 (had only been unveiled in May) as well as the Hydrogen Vantage and a lot of beautiful historics. Lovely venue for such a bash, but equally worthwhile visiting at any time for a good nostalgic trip.
lowdrag said:
South East at a town called La Chartre sur le Loir about a 40 minute drive. Derek Bell and Jackie Ickx usually stay there each year and it was the Aston Martin base during the fifties. "The right crowd and no crowding" as they say.
Also home to Jaguar and Triumph in the 60's.
A (not great) pic of the Triumph Spitfire's being worked on in the Hotel de France garages in 1964.
Used to be a favourite hotel, stayed there or eaten there many times both during Le Mans week and on other trips, including on honeymoon. Stopped going 2-3 years ago as we thought service had gone too far downhill under Pasteau junior's management. Any idea if him and his missus have been retained along with the other staff?
No, the whole caboodle sold to Martin Overington, he who raced his Bentley at the last Classic with Derek Bell. Same team and chef, all bedrooms refurbished and very nice and no increase in prices. Had an omelette there last Tuesday. Restaurant is no longer pink by the way! Saw M. Pasteau senior at the bar but Francis and his wife are gone completely.
lowdrag said:
Came across this one by chance today. July 2007 the photo says. Time flies!
ETA If the hotel was closed, it was a Monday, their day off. The hotel closes for the month of January for their annual holiday.
It was a Monday! I brought 10 or so cars with me.... should have checked first I guess but sat outside a café opposite just looking at the place with the cars in front was good enough.ETA If the hotel was closed, it was a Monday, their day off. The hotel closes for the month of January for their annual holiday.
Edited by lowdrag on Saturday 22 February 17:12
I recall back in the 80's while eating in the restaurant, the cork lid of one of the sauce or salad dressing pots had a family of little flies living inside it, I complained but it was just shrugged of as being normal and rustic or authentic French cuisine eating experience or something.
lowdrag said:
No, the whole caboodle sold to Martin Overington, he who raced his Bentley at the last Classic with Derek Bell. Same team and chef, all bedrooms refurbished and very nice and no increase in prices. Had an omelette there last Tuesday. Restaurant is no longer pink by the way! Saw M. Pasteau senior at the bar but Francis and his wife are gone completely.
Is that the Bentley blower?We visit the Hotel du France on friday evening every year, there are normally a selection of interesting cars parked up, the local come down to look at the cars and sometimes we take the local kids for a spin around the block.
Great sense of history, we always have a chat with Derek Bell (one of our party is his god son), meet up with the same Corvette loving yank every year, and have a very average steak frites served by a waiter who is at least 105 years old
Great sense of history, we always have a chat with Derek Bell (one of our party is his god son), meet up with the same Corvette loving yank every year, and have a very average steak frites served by a waiter who is at least 105 years old
Got there at Easter for a meal, and left very happy
Liked the changes to the bar, and the lack of pink in the restaurant is a bonus. The back end of the bar's been opened up and there's a comfy seating area with sofas. Very friendly English lady in charge. The new owner seems to have successfully cherry-picked what was good about the old place and updated where necessary. Christophe's still there
Menu was familiar and food was excellent
Didn't sleep there but saw examples of the new rooms and will be back for a stay.
Bedrooms are now named after racing drivers, and yes, there's a Derek Bell room.
HoteldeFrance
Liked the changes to the bar, and the lack of pink in the restaurant is a bonus. The back end of the bar's been opened up and there's a comfy seating area with sofas. Very friendly English lady in charge. The new owner seems to have successfully cherry-picked what was good about the old place and updated where necessary. Christophe's still there
Menu was familiar and food was excellent
Didn't sleep there but saw examples of the new rooms and will be back for a stay.
Bedrooms are now named after racing drivers, and yes, there's a Derek Bell room.
HoteldeFrance
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