Thursday, January 8, 2015

l'hôtel Joyeuse


This old residence was built around 1500.  For awhile it was used to house the Post Office museum, but that was later transferred to Paris.  The best I can observe now is that it is broken up into individual apartments.

The term "hôtel" is another one of those "false friends" for English speakers.  The English word means of course a big building for nightly stays by tourists, business people, etc.  But in French it can also mean a large public building (such as city hall) or a private mansion like this one.  So, don't go the hôtel de ville  (city hall) and ask for a room !


3 comments:

  1. So is this what we would call a B & B Stuart, a bed and breakfast? With a name like that.. I'm booking in :)

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    1. As far as I know it is not really a B&B. I would guess the apartments are long term rentals to residents of Amboise. Although it is possible that some units are rented out to tourists by the week as so many places here are. But there are many really nice B&Bs in the area. Let me know when you're coming and I'll find one for you !

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  2. It's a structure with an appealing style!

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