400 YEARS OF HISTORY

The Best Western Hôtel d’Angleterre stands on the site previously occupied in the 16 th century by the royal inn bearing the name of “Les Quatre Piliers” (the Four Pillars) and a royal tennis court used as a ballroom and theatre. An adjoining building supported by four pillars over the causeway housed the finance secretary and the master of the royal tennis court. This particular house was pulled down in 1625.

In 1625 the royal tennis court manager moved to the site of the hotel, in which he opened a drinking place and installed a billiard-room, a royal (and therefore legal) game.

In 1804 the building erected on Quatre-Piliers square underwent alterations and became “Café de la Comédie”. In 1808 a grand ball was held in honour of the generals and officers of Napoleon’s “Grande Armée” on their way from Germany to Spain. On June 9 th 1814 an official reception was held for the final celebration of the “Fête de la Paix”. On May 2 nd 1821 a magnificent ball was given on the occasion of the baptism of the “Duc de Bordeaux”.

In 1838, the Royal tennis court was replaced by the Berry Museum, which occupied three rooms on the first floor until 1877.

In 1892 the building was restored to its original purpose when it housed the Hôtel Central. In 1912, the hotel was renamed Hôtel Central et d’Angleterre in honour of the Prince of Wales, who stayed there and was later to become King Edward VIII.

During the 20 th century, the hotel, which is then simply called Hôtel d’Angleterre, is the centre of social life in Bourges and welcomes all the personnalities who visit the city.