can anyone tell me what this is? Is it a double?

You may have to provide just a little bit more information to get a useful response.

The French have several different sizes of beds, just as we do. Of course they're measured in meters. At any rate, there's no such thing as a generic "French size bed."

Since you tagged your question with "Germany" I assume that you found the information on French size bed on the website of a German hotel.
The width may vary (usually 180cm), but in German hotel lingo it means that there is just one matress for the whole bed.

When I've come across the term, it has tended to be a standard double bed--not a queen or king size.

Ask the hotel / apartment manager for bed measurements in cm (160 x 90 or whatever).

Then measure you bed at home. If you use inches, just google for the cm to inches calculation.

For me, there are so many different sizes of beds, this is the only way to find out for sure what size you're dealing with.

I think an American double, queen and king are:
140cm, 160cm, 180cm across. I've read a "French double" is a twin and full-size, not really good for 2 people.

It might mean, as stated above, a solid mattress for two people, b/c the setup of two singles is very common in Germany and Switzerland. The large mattress is referred to as a 'matrimonial' in Italy.

thanks everyone!

You may need to watch out for issues like a Queen size bed in US is called a King size in Uk,

A matrimonial merely means a double bed (no size clarity)

German hotels normally have twin beds, even if the beds are placed next to one another. A French bed is a double bed. It's not a particular size, just one bed for two people rather than two beds.

IME a French bed is what I'd call a 3/4 size - too cosy for 2 people.

<i>too cosy for 2 people.</i>

Au contraire.

Travelnut,

In our Paris apt. they referred to the double bed a
"marriage bed" too. I thought this was cute.