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The Hôtel de Londres stands in Place du Général de Gaulle, stack opposite the Château. From the rooms on the square side, you have the Cour d'Honneur and the Horseshoe Staircase in front of you, literally within sight. It's the kind of view you won't find anywhere else in town.
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 been at the helm, giving the place a continuity that is rare in the hotel industry. The four-storey building has retained its 19th-century character, with wood panelling, parquet flooring and a period staircase. It's a far cry from the standardised renovations carried out by hotel chains.
And then there's the anecdote 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 here. This is inscribed on the façade, and the hotel sometimes organises cultural events based on this literary memory.
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). Deluxe rooms are around 25 m², while Superior rooms are 20 m², all with king-size beds. The atmosphere is cosy, with sober curtains, elegant light fittings and a tea/coffee courtesy tray in each room. The bathrooms have been modernised. Good to know: there are no no lift, The rooms on the courtyard are accessible for those who prefer to avoid the upper floors.
Breakfast facing the Château
It's probably the best part of the 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 invaluable in a city centre, with a charging point for electric vehicles. Wi-Fi is free of charge. Check-in from 2pm, check-out before 11.30am. Cancellation free of charge up to 72 hours before arrival. The hotel closes every year from the end of December to the beginning of January.
From the hotel, you are within walking distance of everything The Château is opposite, Rue de France and its restaurants are 30 seconds away, and the forest is just a few minutes away. It is also the historic address of INSEAD participants, who appreciate the calm and central location.
