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Post by PariS on Dec 16, 2010 9:17:20 GMT -5
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Post by Sandy M on Dec 16, 2010 11:09:40 GMT -5
My first thought is "I don't like it" but maybe it's a good idea?  |
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Post by framboiseetrose on Dec 16, 2010 17:43:56 GMT -5
What an idea!!!
The Chateau at Bagnols in Beaujolais was turned over to an UK corporation and is now a really fancy hotel with a fine restaurant. Had dinner there with the Maire of Bagnols and his wife and siblings (one of the brothers was my permanent host in Paris who is married to my best friend there) which has the largest fireplace I have ever seen).
But I don't know anybody in Versailles so probably will not even stay there - maybe a lunch?
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Post by Jody on Dec 16, 2010 17:52:15 GMT -5
I can't quite figure out if it is part of the actual palace or a separate building on the grounds. At least it's better than the advertising signs being erected all over Venice monuments!
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Post by Anne on Dec 17, 2010 10:00:23 GMT -5
My first reaction was one of indignation, but then I've checked the location of the Hotel du Grand Controle (hotel being used here in its old sense, meaning an aristocratic private lodging) and it appears that this hotel is not located on the palace ground but on a street adjacent to the property. Still, this is an open door to more unpleasant developments where the hotels (modern meaning) could be part of the actual monuments, and they mention 20 other potential places including the Château de Fontainebleau  . And the comparison with spanish paradors is not fair: we already have plenty of castles turned into hôtels, the most famous ones being the Relais et Châteaux chain and of course Shoesy's castle in Normandy ;D. THESE ones compare to paradors indeed. But there is a big difference between an "average" castle and a national monument, which should be preserved as a public property entirely, with adequate maintenance funding out of public money. This is my personal opinion of course, but people in France tend to be quite touchy when it comes to the jewels of the public heritage. |
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Post by sunshine817 on Dec 17, 2010 10:18:09 GMT -5
What Anne said.
And I'm not even French.
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Post by mossie on Dec 17, 2010 10:20:44 GMT -5
And I have to agree with Anne
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Post by PariS on Dec 17, 2010 11:46:43 GMT -5
I have a hard time believing that Versailles doesn't rake in enough money to cover maintenance. It's good to know that this hotel site isn't a major part of the chateau, and is more of an off-site annex.
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Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha