Hotel d'Europe

For a special occasion, the Hotel d'Europe has to be one of the very best places to stay in Avignon. Favoured by heads of state from Napoleon to de Gaulle and by cultural celebs like Picasso and Dali, it oozes sophisticated luxury. Entering the hotel through an aged archway, you cross a courtyard beneath the shade of centuries-old plane tree to be greeted by smart, friendly reception staff in a three-storey atrium off which are the elegant bar, lounge and restaurant. A grand staircase leads to upper floors where colour schemes blend pale grey and cream and thick pale-blue carpets muffle your footsteps. Antique tapestries, landscapes and modern prints and photos add interest to corridors. High-ceilinged rooms continue the pastel colour scheme and have huge beds and bathrooms with over-tub showers, soft bathrobes and Hermes toiletries. You'll find frills including coffee machines in prestige and superior rooms. When money is no object, choose one of five gigantic suites where terraces and balconies have magnificent views of the old city. In the hotel's restaurant, La Vieille Fontaine, acclaimed chef Mathieu Demarest (a local boy) creates a stunning, ever-changing tasting menu and a carte featuring treats such as poached duck foie gras, John Dory in green crab jus, or crispy Mont Ventoux pig trotter with chickpea cream and harissa, with matching wines.

 

Written by Robin Gauldie

• Child friendly
• Babysitting/child care services
• Airport transfer
• Surcharge
• Bar
• Hairdresser/Beauty Salon
• Internet
• Outdoor dining
• Walking distance restaurants
• Private dining room
• Shops
• Parking
• Safe
• Meeting Room
• Massage
• Library

• Business Centre
• Sit-out Terrace
• Suites
• Spa
• Restaurant
• Pet friendly
• Sitting Room
• Room service
• Disabled access
• Concierge
• Satellite / Cable TV
• Wifi
• Air conditioning
• Conference facilities

• Wine tasting
• A few km takes you out to Chateauneuf-du-Pape and its famous red wine cellars
• Sights nearby
• Metres from the Palais des Papes, the Avignon Bridge and other major attractions

• Local markets
• Great walks

Why do people love staying in your hotel? A magnificent 16th century private mansion, completely re-modeled in the 18th, and continually modernized since then, the Hotel d’Europe is one of the oldest hotels in France. It occupies an ideal location at the centre of Avignon. In this unique place, our hospitality is offered discretly and with warmth by a loyal and dedicated team. What is there to do in the area? Just two steps from the Popes' Palace, the Hotel d'Europe is also located only 50 yards from the entrance through the ancient city walls. This central location is also the ideal starting point for your visit to Provence. From Avignon, it is easy to explore and discover this magical region. We can help you organise unique tours, from Orange through the Gard to Marseille, the Luberon, Aix-en-Provence, or Châteauneuf-du-Pape. What kind of breakfast do you offer? Continental buffet breakfast, open from 7am until 10:30am. Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? Our restaurant, La Vieille Fontaine is one of the best restaurants in Avignon. As one seasonal market follows another, traditional and rare ingredients enable our Chef Mathieu Desmarest to create and serve original and subtle Provencal specialties. Today, these delicate combinations have propelled the restaurant to the very top ranks, one of the best in this region. From a cellar with a distinguished and outstanding selection, our Sommelier recommends wines suitable for the dishes you will have. In fine weather, the courtyard is shaded by its centuries-old plane tree. Beautiful scents pervade the air. In winter, our guests are welcomed by a superb dining room, decorated with wood paneling dating from the 18th century, accompanied by paintings from the early 20th century. Which are your most popular room types, and why? Our Prestige rooms are the most popular and also the room type we have the most. The fact that they are really large makes the experience very impressive and enhance the comfort of the guests. What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? Our prestige rooms and above categories can accommodate extra beds. We have toys available for children at the reception. What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? The Hotel d’Europe, has been a home for travellers for over two centuries and we are proud of being a warm and welcoming home for people travelling for both business and leisure. The alliance between tradition and innovation provide the perfect atmosphere for a very enjoyable stay in the heart of Provence.