lavaflow

I've made several inquiries about reservations at hotels in Amboise and Domme and the hotels have responded saying they have rooms on the first floor of the hotel. Is that really the "second floor" of the hotel, but they call it the first? I noticed one hotel referred to what the U-S would consider the "first floor" -- the "down floor." So, that has me wondering if the first floor is really the second floor.

Can anyone shed any light on this subject before I have to contact the hotel and ask this silly question? Thanks!

StCirq

The premiére étage of a French hotel is what we would call the second floor. The first floor is called the rez-de-chaussée.

lavaflow

So, my suspicion is correct?

sockboy

Your suspsion is correct. This is the case in all of Europe, not just France. They have the main, or ground floor, then start counting #1 at the floor above that. Definitely something to keep in mind if you are booking a room on the European fourth floor of a hotel without an elevator!

Bob_C

You have the Ground Floor, First Floor, Second Floor etc..

Intrepid1

If it is Le Manoir Les Minimes in Amboise you are considering, the rooms are all above the ground floor. #10 at the top of the first staircase would be my choice.

lavaflow

Thank you everyone for your replies!

nytraveler

In most of europe the floor on which you enter the buidling is the Ground Floor. The first floor above that is the First floor etc. So a hotel room on the thrid floor and no elevator would require climbing 3 flights of stairs to reach it.

Patrick

Yes, and I love the ads for apartments that have no elevator. They often say something like "no lift, but only 5 very short flights to the apartment". What does "very short flight" mean -- the ceilings in the other floors are only 6 feet off the floor?