Marriott Convert Avignon's Sainte-Anne Prison into a Luxury Hotel in the South of France

The Sainte-Anne prison, in the City of the Popes, had been closed since 2003. American hotel chain Marriott International, with 3000 hotels worldwide (twelve in France) joined with property developer Generim, based in Aix-en-Provence, to propose a 4 star luxury hotel. They beat English rivals Space Group and Ramada Plaza to win the contract during the tender's final stage.

Conversion work is due to start at the end of 2010 with the hotel opening in 2013.

At a cost of 36 million euros there will be 100 rooms, outdoor swimming pool, and underground parking. A conference room will hold 700 delegates. The style will aim to blend historical architectural features of the jail with modern luxury, keeping part of the roof and the prison wall.

The hotel will be Avignon's fifth luxury hotel, along with the Hôtel d'Europe, La Mirande, Le Cloître Saint-Louis and the Grand hôtel. Marriott, however, aim to attract an even more 'select' clientele to the hew hotel.

French architect Michel Macary joins other architects on the project. The French are already indebted to him for the Stade de France and the Pyramide of the Louvre.

Local residents are concerned that their interests are not overlooked in favour of the new construction project. There have been calls to reinvest a proportion of the money paid to the town for the site in local amenities, specifically renovation of the nearby residential area La Banasterie and a new car park inside the city walls.

It is anticipated that the area around the new hotel will get a serious facelift to appeal to the rich hotel guests expected.

Local reactions to the news were mixed at the end of 2009. Some residents make the point that Avignon is an important university town with a large population of students who need more and better accommodation. Others say the hotel will bring added wealth and prestige to the city. Others again have made the point that Avignon has good and varied shopping but few of the designer shops found in cities like Paris or Milan. If these very wealthy guests are going to spend time in Avignon they'll have to enjoy the town's very rich heritage and its beautiful or imposing buildings dripping in atmosphere. Like the old Sainte-Anne prison for example...

French language source:

http://www.laprovence.com/article/region/avignon-un-hotel-marriott-dans-la-prison