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Sleepover: A bed in France

Formule 1

Rachel Spence
Sunday 14 July 2002 00:00 BST
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Just outside Montagny-les-Beaune, a village just over a mile south of Beaune, in Burgundy. Take the Beaune-Chagny exit off the A6 and follow the sign to Montagny-Les-Beaune. Formule 1 is just down on the left-hand side. Considering it's part of a no-frills chain, the atmosphere is surprisingly cosy thanks to the easy-going personalities of managers Marc Predieri and Christelle Salsano.

What's it like?

This is the hospitality industry at its most utilitarian. The grey, pre-fab Lego cube is rescued from dreariness by a fire-engine red porch over a pretty terrace, where guests can breakfast amid trailing honeysuckle and pots of pansies and lobelias.

USP?

Super-clean, super-easy and super-cheap. Part of a chain which sells itself on a "price-cleanliness" guarantee, the Beaune Formule 1 charges rooms at £14 per night (winter) and £16 (summer). Reception is staffed 6.30-10am and 5-9pm but the automated check-in system means guests can arrive in the middle of the night. You swipe your credit card in return for a code number which lets you into the hotel and your room. The other plus is the location, almost equidistant between Calais and Marseilles, making this an ideal stopover.

Service?

Helpful and down to earth.

Rooms?

There are 72 rooms, all with double bed and single bunk, colour TV, basin, clothes rail, desk and chair. The view on to the golden hills of the Côte d'Or – Burgundy's premier wine-growing region – was spectacular. Everything was spotless, including the self-cleaning showers and loos, which are shared between four rooms. Take your own towel unless you're very small.

Food and drink?

For £2.20, you can eat your fill of the buffet breakfast: fresh baguettes, brioche, orange juice and copious supplies of proper coffee. Vending machines sell hot and cold drinks, sweets and crisps. As for dinner, what you save on the room you can spend on a slap-up meal and a decent bottle of Burgundy. Try Restaurant Le Gourmandin (00 33 3 80 24 07 88), an Art Nouveau-style bistro on the Place Carnot in Beaune.

Clientele

Salesmen, workers and holidaymakers, including many Britons, in transit. Also couples and families who want a cheap base from which to explore Burgundy.

Things to do?

Wine, wine and more wine – from wine-making estates to dégustations (tasting). The Marché aux Vins (00 33 3 80 25 08 20) in Beaune has a good reputation.

Address?

Hôtel Formule 1, Lotissement du Pré Neuf, 21200 Montagny-les-Beaune (00 33 8 91 70 51 77; www.hotelformule1.com).

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