MICHELIN GUIDE FRANCE : LUXURY HOTEL D'EUROPE

The historic mansion dates back to 1580, when it was the city home to the Marquess of Gravezon. The Gravezon and the Forbin families lived in this luxury urban residence (called "hôtel particulier" in France and Europe) which looked out on the most beautiful square of Avignon until the French revolution. In 1799 Madame Pierron, ladyfriend of Napoleon Bonaparte, created her luxury hotel, then giving it the name it still bares today : Hotel d'Europe. (Napoleon was no stranger to that idea)

Historic mansion in Avignon city center

The location of the historic mansion in the city center close to the river was of importance: the most comfortable way to travel then was by boat, away from the dust and the dangers of the country roads.

Even today, guests of this leading luxury hotel in Europe benefit from this ideal location with shops, the Palace of the Popes and its famous bridge just around the corner. The entrance through the city wall is only 100 yards away from the front door making driving in and out of town very easy.

Michelin Guide to France : frequent guests

Important personalities like Queen Astrid of Spain in 1832, Victor Hugo in 1839, Charles Dickens, John Stuart Mill and Tennessee Williams stayed in this luxury hotel while travelling through Europe during the 19th century. In the first edition of the famous Michelin Guide France in 1900, Hotel d'Europe was the only hotel mentioned in Avignon. It has ever since been written up in the yearly edition of the Michelin Guide France.

At the beginning of the 20th century the luxury hotel's ownership was in the hands of an Italian noble family: Count Guida. The Chef in those days would be tipped golden coins. Too proud to spend the coins, he would put them in his hollow cane. As he walked through the streets of Avignon, people could hear the chinking of coins from afar. "There goes the Chef of Hotel d'Europe", they would say with respect.

Artists, film actors, heads of state came by and enriched our guestbook. Picasso and Salvador Dali were frequent visitors of this luxury hotel during the fifties. Jacqueline Kennedy chose to stay in this historic mansion when she came to visit her European ancestors region during her last visit in 1993. The presidents of India, Italy and France enjoyed the space and luxury of our rooftop suites on Hotel d'Europe. In 1996, during the French-German Annual Conference, Jacques Chirac, Helmut Kohl and Lionel Jospin stayed at this luxury hotel. Never before had its name "Europe" had such an important significance. Chancellor Kohl frequently talked to the press about the beautiful, over 2 centuries old plane tree standing in the courtyard. Its branches spread out like an umbrella to protect the guests from the hot summer sun.