The Hôtel de Londres stands on Place du Général de Gaulle, stack opposite the Château. From the rooms on the square side, you have a view of the Cour d’Honneur and the horseshoe staircase, literally right before your eyes. It’s the sort of view you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
A place steeped in history
The hotel has been in existence since 1850, and its façades are listed Historic monuments since 1928. Four generations of the Colombier family have succeeded one another at the helm, giving the establishment a continuity that is rare in the hotel industry. The four-storey building has retained its 19th-century charm: wood panelling, parquet flooring and a period staircase. It is a far cry from the standardised refurbishments typical of hotel chains.
And then there’s the story that everyone in Fontainebleau knows: Marcel Proust stayed here and is said to have written pages of’In search of lost time. Local tradition also has it that he made his first telephone call there. This is inscribed on the façade, and the hotel occasionally organises cultural events centred on this literary legacy.
The rooms
The hotel has 16 bedrooms, between the view of the Château (on the square side) and the flower-filled inner courtyard (quiet side). The Deluxe rooms measure approximately 25 m², the Superior rooms 20 m²; all feature a king-size bed. The atmosphere is cosy, with understated curtains, elegant light fittings and a complimentary tea and coffee tray in every room. The bathrooms have been modernised. Good to know: there is no lift, The rooms on the courtyard are accessible for those who prefer to avoid the upper floors.
Breakfast facing the Château
This is probably the best time of day here. The buffet is served in a room with a direct view of the Château, from 7am to 10.30am. The Colombier family favours local, seasonal produce. The price is €18 per adult and €14 per child.
What you need to know before booking
The hotel has a small car park On-site, which is a real bonus in the city centre, there is a charging point for electric vehicles. Wi-Fi is free. Check-in from 2.00 pm, check-out by 11.30 am. Cancellation is free of charge up to 72 hours before arrival. The hotel closes every year from late December to early January.
From the hotel, you are within walking distance of everything : the Château opposite, Rue de France and its restaurants just 30 seconds away, and the forest just a few minutes’ walk away. It is also a long-standing favourite with INSEAD students, who appreciate the peace and quiet and the central location.
