Meet the Boss

Q. Jean-Marc Pommier, tell our readers briefly about you, where you come from, your background, and when you started your career in the hotel business.

A. I am from the wine region of Burgundy, where my mother’s family originates. I was raised there, a country boy. I never cut those roots. I completed my formal education as a pharmacist, but started my career working with my father in the hotel business. He had bought a hotel in the vicinity of the Eastern Train Station, in the 10th district of Paris. We sold it in 2000, and took over Hotel de Varenne in March 2002.

Q. Was Hotel de Varenne as beautiful as it is today when you took over?

A. Not at all. It was a mess. We renovated it from the ground up. We picked this hotel after we had spent a year and a half looking for something exciting. Though this place was in a terrible shape, my father and I foresaw its potential. We liked its location and the floor space was perfect. Hotel de Varenne is a small 24 room hotel, and I knew it could be made into a jewel. Followed 2 years of remodelling works which I personally supervised.

Q. How is Hotel de Varenne different from competing 3-star hotels?

A. Well, I can’t tell about the other hotels. But I can repeat what my guests say: they come back again and again because of the individual service they receive, and the attention they get at all times. We know our guests’ names, we know their habits. We like to guide them during their stay, so that they avoid undesirable experiences. Beside this, we take great pride in the cleanliness of our rooms and bathrooms, and in the refinement of our decoration. We are also noted for this.

Q. Tell us about a true story which shows how you care for your guests.

A. Some time back, an American couple stayed at Hotel de Varenne for a few days. Then they continued their vacations with a cruise along the Mediterranean coast. After they left, we found out the lady had forgotten her jewelry in their room. They were already on their way to Southern France, it was too late to catch them. So we called the cruise lines one after the other to find out whether they had this couple on their passenger lists. We finally found the right ship, and asked the Port Captain to let our guests know we had recovered their jewelry. We couriered the goods to the United States, where our guests found them upon their return.

Q. The 7th district is noted to be quiet. Tell our readers about Hotel de Varenne’s area.

A. Hotel de Varenne is located on Rue de Bourgogne which is a side street linking the back of the French Parliament with Varenne Street, where the Prime Minister’s mansion lies. There is almost no traffic noise in the area, though there are plenty of shops around. The district is crime-free, very secure. It is close to the St Germain des Prés area, and even closer to the Eiffel Tower. The Rodin Museum stands about 300 feet from here, and the Invalides museum is but 5 minutes away on foot. The district is both central and quiet. Our guests like that.

Q. When do you offer your best rates?

A. In the winter, from December to February. Then during summer, from July 15 till end-August. During the balance of the year, our rates are positioned mid-range for upscale 3-star hotels.

Q. Could you recommend our readers 3 restaurants serving excellent food at affordable prices?

A. There is no shortage of excellent restaurants in the neighborhood, but I would specially recommend:

• La Petite Chaise , 38 rue de Varenne. It is the oldest restaurant in Paris.
• Tante Marguerite , 5 rue de Bourgogne. It used to be the Parisian laird of the late Bernard Loiseau, once France’s most famous chef.
• L’Orangerie , 28 rue Saint Louis en l’Isle, on the St Louis Island. This A-list restaurant is owned by French actor Jean-Claude Brialy.

Q. Could your recommend our readers 3 shops which you specially like? And tell them why.

A. Yes, most definitely:

• Maître Parfumeur & Gantier: 84 bis rue de Grenelle. It’s a genuine Perfume salon which keeps the pure French perfume tradition alive.
• Boulangerie Patisserie Besnier: 40 rue de Bourgogne. It’s the baker for gourmet people.
• Loulou de la Falaise: 7 rue de Bourgogne. Loulou de la Falaise was Yves St Laurent’s muse. Her shop is a magnificent fashion boutique.

Hotel de Varenne
44, rue de Bourgogne
75007 Paris
Email: info@hoteldevarenne.com
Tel. : 331 45.51.45.55
Fax : 331 45.51.86.63

Metro stations close by:
Varenne station (Line 13 : Chatillon-Montrouge/Saint-Denis Université) (This station is located just 200 meters from the hotel.)

Website:
www.varenne-hotel-paris.com / www.hoteldevarenne.com
Book directly with them.