Take a step back in time and discover the history of the Hostellerie des Lauriers
From its creation to the present day
The hotel's laurels will bloom again
Extract: La dépêche du Midi - Thursday 7th February 1991
The local authority has bought and renovated its only hotel-restaurant-bar, which closed in 1989. It has found a manager. Reopening possible in May-June 1991. To attract the tourist clientele who come up the Tarn valley.
Coming from Albi in the fog, it takes me more than half an hour to cover the thirty or so kilometres to Villeneuve sur Tarn. In summer, it's very busy. Second homes fill up. The Vallée du Tarn is a tourist destination.
The Mayor is convinced that there is a waiting clientele for the Les Lauriers hotel, which closed in the autumn of 1989.
In the past, its renowned restaurant was the destination for Sunday strolls by the people of Albigensia. Maurice PEZOUS, the builder of racing cars, was a regular. Two years ago, when owner Jacques CRUSEL passed away, Les Lauriers was put at half-mast for lack of a buyer. The town council did not want to let it wither forever. The DONADILLE hotel closed in the early 80s. With the Hotel Les Lauriers, it was the last restaurant and café to disappear from the village. It was a void," says Aline ROBERT. The purchase by the commune, signed on 31 May 1990, was therefore unanimously approved (minus one abstention) by the fifteen town councillors. (1)
120 calls for applications
Thanks to subsidies, the town only spent 570,000 francs on the eighteenth-century dry-stone building, with its slate roof and terrace on the Tarn side, out of a total budget of 1.07 million. This summer, in order to maintain the IV licence, the bar was opened by two young people on a temporary CES contract. In the autumn, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tourism Committee, the call for candidates was a huge success. 120 calls, 150 visits, 7 applications," says the town's chief magistrate. The successful candidates were Pascal SUDRE, a 24-year-old from Toulouse, and his partner," announced Mrs Robert.
Villeneuve sur Tarn is not out of the woods yet. It has asked André THERON, from the EPURE architectural firm in Albi, to start putting a figure on the cost of the work. The town councillor expects the cost to be between 1 and 2 million francs. In other words, between the 100 kilometres of municipal roads spread over 3,863 hectares, the water supply system and the town hall, which was rebuilt in previous years, the Lauriers will be the mainstay of the municipal budget (2 million francs per year).
We will proceed in stages. We're waiting until 1992 to build the 8 rooms we want in the 2-star category," says the local councillor, a mother committed to reviving her village.
Pascal Sudre will eventually be offered a lease to sell. But both parties are cautious, preferring to start with a year's rental on a trial basis. The bar-restaurant section could open in May (at best). But more likely next June. In time for the 1991 tourist season, which, we promise, will see Les Lauriers blossom once again.
Alain-Marc DELBOUYS
(1) At the 1990 census, Curvalle's population had fallen from 707 to 526. This shows just how important it is to maintain this activity in a village that now has only one grocery store, one garage, one roofer and one carpenter. But it has kept its double-shift school with forty-four pupils.
The local authority has bought and renovated its only hotel-restaurant-bar, which closed in 1989. It has found a manager. Reopening possible in May-June 1991. To attract the tourist clientele who come up the Tarn valley.
Coming from Albi in the fog, it takes me more than half an hour to cover the thirty or so kilometres to Villeneuve sur Tarn. In summer, it's very busy. Second homes fill up. The Vallée du Tarn is a tourist destination.
The Mayor is convinced that there is a waiting clientele for the Les Lauriers hotel, which closed in the autumn of 1989.
In the past, its renowned restaurant was the destination for Sunday strolls by the people of Albigensia. Maurice PEZOUS, the builder of racing cars, was a regular. Two years ago, when owner Jacques CRUSEL passed away, Les Lauriers was put at half-mast for lack of a buyer. The town council did not want to let it wither forever. The DONADILLE hotel closed in the early 80s. With the Hotel Les Lauriers, it was the last restaurant and café to disappear from the village. It was a void," says Aline ROBERT. The purchase by the commune, signed on 31 May 1990, was therefore unanimously approved (minus one abstention) by the fifteen town councillors. (1)
120 calls for applications
Thanks to subsidies, the town only spent 570,000 francs on the eighteenth-century dry-stone building, with its slate roof and terrace on the Tarn side, out of a total budget of 1.07 million. This summer, in order to maintain the IV licence, the bar was opened by two young people on a temporary CES contract. In the autumn, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tourism Committee, the call for candidates was a huge success. 120 calls, 150 visits, 7 applications," says the town's chief magistrate. The successful candidates were Pascal SUDRE, a 24-year-old from Toulouse, and his partner," announced Mrs Robert.
Villeneuve sur Tarn is not out of the woods yet. It has asked André THERON, from the EPURE architectural firm in Albi, to start putting a figure on the cost of the work. The town councillor expects the cost to be between 1 and 2 million francs. In other words, between the 100 kilometres of municipal roads spread over 3,863 hectares, the water supply system and the town hall, which was rebuilt in previous years, the Lauriers will be the mainstay of the municipal budget (2 million francs per year).
We will proceed in stages. We're waiting until 1992 to build the 8 rooms we want in the 2-star category," says the local councillor, a mother committed to reviving her village.
Pascal Sudre will eventually be offered a lease to sell. But both parties are cautious, preferring to start with a year's rental on a trial basis. The bar-restaurant section could open in May (at best). But more likely next June. In time for the 1991 tourist season, which, we promise, will see Les Lauriers blossom once again.
Alain-Marc DELBOUYS
(1) At the 1990 census, Curvalle's population had fallen from 707 to 526. This shows just how important it is to maintain this activity in a village that now has only one grocery store, one garage, one roofer and one carpenter. But it has kept its double-shift school with forty-four pupils.
The hotel has regained its laurels
Extrait: La Dépêche du Midi - Thursday, June 7, 2001
Villeneuve sur Tarn - Owned by the municipality, the establishment celebrates its 10th anniversary on June 8.
"It's thanks to them that we're here," says Pascal Sudre. On Friday, June 8 at 8 p.m., he invites the municipal councilors and former councilors of Curvalle to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hostellerie des Lauriers in Villeneuve sur Tarn. The walls belong to the municipality of Curvalle. It acquired this 18th-century stone and slate building in 1989. The municipal council, led by Mayor Aline Robert, wanted to revive the village's only café and restaurant (1). It was quite a challenge that stressed out Mayor Robert a lot in the early days. Ten years later, it's a real success. "All the objectives have been achieved. I didn't expect it to be this successful," says Aline Robert.
The nine hotel rooms have been awarded two stars. In 2000, an indoor pool with a jacuzzi was added. In 2001, the establishment joined the Logis de France. The Hostellerie des Lauriers receives particularly warm mention in the Guide du Routard, which contributes greatly to its success. This is largely thanks to the dynamism of the hotelier-restaurateur couple, Pascal and Chantal Sudre, aged 34 and 32 respectively. They have given the Hostellerie des Lauriers an original specialty: hiking stays in the Tarn Valley. He had hotel management training, and she had a degree in accounting. As an anecdote, in 1991, Aline Robert found them too young, and they were ranked second among the candidates at the time. But these originally from Toulouse were the most enthusiastic. Pascal Sudre participated in the construction work, knocking down partitions to give space to building companies. Then "whenever we needed it, the municipality supported us in investment. On our part, we were able to pay higher rents," he says.
EXEMPLARY OPERATION
In 1995, Aline Robert married the couple, who have two children, Corentin, 6, and Matteo, 2. This operation became exemplary. "Many mayors came to visit. Many municipalities didn't succeed on their own. It must be said that there aren't as many subsidies today as there were back then," notes Mrs. Robert, who regrets nothing. "Already for the look of it. Without that, the building would be in ruins. That would be sad. In January and February, during the two months of closure, the people of Villeneuve feel the difference. There's nothing left! Because the bar is a natural meeting place for the villagers. "It's the life of the village."
Alain-Marc DELBOUYS
(1) La Dépêche du Midi du Jeudi 7 Février 1991
Villeneuve sur Tarn - Owned by the municipality, the establishment celebrates its 10th anniversary on June 8.
"It's thanks to them that we're here," says Pascal Sudre. On Friday, June 8 at 8 p.m., he invites the municipal councilors and former councilors of Curvalle to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hostellerie des Lauriers in Villeneuve sur Tarn. The walls belong to the municipality of Curvalle. It acquired this 18th-century stone and slate building in 1989. The municipal council, led by Mayor Aline Robert, wanted to revive the village's only café and restaurant (1). It was quite a challenge that stressed out Mayor Robert a lot in the early days. Ten years later, it's a real success. "All the objectives have been achieved. I didn't expect it to be this successful," says Aline Robert.
The nine hotel rooms have been awarded two stars. In 2000, an indoor pool with a jacuzzi was added. In 2001, the establishment joined the Logis de France. The Hostellerie des Lauriers receives particularly warm mention in the Guide du Routard, which contributes greatly to its success. This is largely thanks to the dynamism of the hotelier-restaurateur couple, Pascal and Chantal Sudre, aged 34 and 32 respectively. They have given the Hostellerie des Lauriers an original specialty: hiking stays in the Tarn Valley. He had hotel management training, and she had a degree in accounting. As an anecdote, in 1991, Aline Robert found them too young, and they were ranked second among the candidates at the time. But these originally from Toulouse were the most enthusiastic. Pascal Sudre participated in the construction work, knocking down partitions to give space to building companies. Then "whenever we needed it, the municipality supported us in investment. On our part, we were able to pay higher rents," he says.
EXEMPLARY OPERATION
In 1995, Aline Robert married the couple, who have two children, Corentin, 6, and Matteo, 2. This operation became exemplary. "Many mayors came to visit. Many municipalities didn't succeed on their own. It must be said that there aren't as many subsidies today as there were back then," notes Mrs. Robert, who regrets nothing. "Already for the look of it. Without that, the building would be in ruins. That would be sad. In January and February, during the two months of closure, the people of Villeneuve feel the difference. There's nothing left! Because the bar is a natural meeting place for the villagers. "It's the life of the village."
Alain-Marc DELBOUYS
(1) La Dépêche du Midi du Jeudi 7 Février 1991
Key Dates
On January 10, 2002, we sent a letter to Madame Le Maire of CURVALLE asking about the possibility of purchasing the property.
On March 10, 2004, the treasurer of the town of CURVALLE drafted a "Sale Proposal."
On March 12, 2004, the municipal council met and set a selling price for the property at 457,347.05 euros.
On April 15, 2004, we received a letter from Madame Le Maire, informing us that the Municipal Assembly had decided to sell the hotel and proposed the same price to us.
On June 23, 2004, we received a letter from the Administrative Court of Toulouse. It notified us that a request filed by Madame Martine SALUSTE had been submitted.
New Municipality: Mr. Marquès Joël is appointed mayor of the town of Curvalle.
On March 10, 2004, the treasurer of the town of CURVALLE drafted a "Sale Proposal."
On March 12, 2004, the municipal council met and set a selling price for the property at 457,347.05 euros.
On April 15, 2004, we received a letter from Madame Le Maire, informing us that the Municipal Assembly had decided to sell the hotel and proposed the same price to us.
On June 23, 2004, we received a letter from the Administrative Court of Toulouse. It notified us that a request filed by Madame Martine SALUSTE had been submitted.
New Municipality: Mr. Marquès Joël is appointed mayor of the town of Curvalle.
The archetype of the quaint village hotel, just as we love them.
Press Article / Regional Tourism Committee / MULTIPLIER 22. JUNE 2006. TALENTS TARN Section
Owned by the municipality of Curvalle, home to nearly 500 inhabitants, Hostellerie des Lauriers has been an exemplary success for 15 years. It exemplifies a municipality that aimed to preserve the village's unique café, hotel, and restaurant. The 18th-century stone building with a slate roof and a terrace overlooking the Tarn River, formerly a postal relay, holds the sole liquor license in the municipality. This precious asset helps maintain a bar and attract tourist clientele (hikers or cyclists) traversing the Tarn Valley.
Chantal and Pascal Sudre, the youthful couple of managers selected in 1991 following a call for applications, brought their enthusiasm to the role. Pascal's background in hospitality and Chantal's accounting diploma impressed the selection committee. The inn's specialty was hiking stays, with "excellent cuisine prepared by Madame and served by Monsieur in a pleasant dining room" (Le Routard 2006).
The establishment continuously evolved. It achieved a 2-star rating after some adjustments in 1996, followed by the installation of a heated indoor pool (solar-powered) and a Jacuzzi. Classified as a Logis de France establishment with a 2 fireplace rating for hiking, fishing, and cycling, it continued to progress.
A hiking enthusiast, Pascal Sudre is well acquainted with the region and its 100 kilometers of marked and maintained trails. A picnic basket is offered at 8 euros, delighting foreign clientele attracted by agencies like Inntravel, as well as weekenders or short-stay visitors who come to enjoy the Tarn River (supervised whitewater swimming), valleys, menhirs, or visits to farms in this land of Roquefort cheese and sheep. We are at the gateway to Aveyron, right in the heart of sheep milk collection. Donkey rides for hikers (accounting for 1/4 of the revenue, not specifically for donkey hikes) are also available.
With so many assets, it's no surprise the establishment earned the "charming and characterful" qualification, proposed and acquired in 2002. Long-stay loyal customers abound, reserving year after year and forming friendships with the locals (especially in the charming village bar).
Everything would be serene if a proposal to sell the property hadn't disrupted the village's peace and destabilized the dynamism - and plans for improvements - of the young couple.
Voted for 3 million francs by the municipal council in 2004, the sale never went through. Indeed, two opposition councilors sued Madame le Maire and the young couple in the administrative court and collected a petition with around sixty signatures, demanding a sum of 5.3 million francs... Since then, it's been a bit of a "clochemerle"!
Nevertheless, the inn has not lost its laurels. A flattering mention in the Routard guide, well-positioned, ensures precious reservations.
Here, nestled in the valley, far from any hustle and bustle, close to verdant riverbanks, one could envision a peaceful adventurer or succumb to a distinctly Mediterranean tranquility, in the shade of the laurels!
Owned by the municipality of Curvalle, home to nearly 500 inhabitants, Hostellerie des Lauriers has been an exemplary success for 15 years. It exemplifies a municipality that aimed to preserve the village's unique café, hotel, and restaurant. The 18th-century stone building with a slate roof and a terrace overlooking the Tarn River, formerly a postal relay, holds the sole liquor license in the municipality. This precious asset helps maintain a bar and attract tourist clientele (hikers or cyclists) traversing the Tarn Valley.
Chantal and Pascal Sudre, the youthful couple of managers selected in 1991 following a call for applications, brought their enthusiasm to the role. Pascal's background in hospitality and Chantal's accounting diploma impressed the selection committee. The inn's specialty was hiking stays, with "excellent cuisine prepared by Madame and served by Monsieur in a pleasant dining room" (Le Routard 2006).
The establishment continuously evolved. It achieved a 2-star rating after some adjustments in 1996, followed by the installation of a heated indoor pool (solar-powered) and a Jacuzzi. Classified as a Logis de France establishment with a 2 fireplace rating for hiking, fishing, and cycling, it continued to progress.
A hiking enthusiast, Pascal Sudre is well acquainted with the region and its 100 kilometers of marked and maintained trails. A picnic basket is offered at 8 euros, delighting foreign clientele attracted by agencies like Inntravel, as well as weekenders or short-stay visitors who come to enjoy the Tarn River (supervised whitewater swimming), valleys, menhirs, or visits to farms in this land of Roquefort cheese and sheep. We are at the gateway to Aveyron, right in the heart of sheep milk collection. Donkey rides for hikers (accounting for 1/4 of the revenue, not specifically for donkey hikes) are also available.
With so many assets, it's no surprise the establishment earned the "charming and characterful" qualification, proposed and acquired in 2002. Long-stay loyal customers abound, reserving year after year and forming friendships with the locals (especially in the charming village bar).
Everything would be serene if a proposal to sell the property hadn't disrupted the village's peace and destabilized the dynamism - and plans for improvements - of the young couple.
Voted for 3 million francs by the municipal council in 2004, the sale never went through. Indeed, two opposition councilors sued Madame le Maire and the young couple in the administrative court and collected a petition with around sixty signatures, demanding a sum of 5.3 million francs... Since then, it's been a bit of a "clochemerle"!
Nevertheless, the inn has not lost its laurels. A flattering mention in the Routard guide, well-positioned, ensures precious reservations.
Here, nestled in the valley, far from any hustle and bustle, close to verdant riverbanks, one could envision a peaceful adventurer or succumb to a distinctly Mediterranean tranquility, in the shade of the laurels!
Adventures
On December 24, 2009, we received a letter from Mr. Mayor, informing us that a meeting of the municipal council would be scheduled during the month of April 2010, with our presence required.
On April 27, 2010, we received a letter requesting us to state our intentions before May 15, 2010.
Letter to the Town Hall
- Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council,
We have received your request regarding our intentions with great interest. As you are aware, numerous renovations are required, including bringing the establishment up to code, as well as significant repairs to the roof, rooms, restaurant area (walls, ceilings, emergency lighting), and terrace wall waterproofing. We note that the safety commission's required work has yet to be completed. The park and parking lot also require improvements. The iron balconies on the terrace no longer meet standards, and the fire alarm system is showing signs of wear (abnormal activation of smoke detectors). It would be preferable for you to undertake these renovations so that our establishment can meet the standards and needs of our clientele. It could then be agreed to renew the lease under current conditions, including a lease-to-own option and a schedule of works to be carried out by the municipality as the building owner. We have also considered the best offer for purchasing the property that we could reasonably finance, considering the necessary renovations that would be our responsibility. After consulting with our accountant and obtaining input from our bank, our proposal could not exceed two hundred thousand euros, as beyond that, we would not be able to handle the debt burden resulting from these expenses. Our concern is to thrive and maintain our business within the community, and we are open to any other proposals. However, we wanted to make you aware of our constraints, which do not diminish our keen interest in keeping our establishment in your municipality. Please accept, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council, our sincere regards.
Meeting at the Curvalle Town Hall with the Municipal Building Commission
The roof will be completely redone, and an expert is coming to assess the rising damp issue at the pool. Maintenance work will be carried out by the municipality.
Several works are being carried out.
Terrace, park, and parking fully renovated
