This marked our second visit to Verdun and du Coq Hardi. Last year, I wrote a rather extraordinary review that now needs to be "tempered". Although du Coq Hardi is like stepping back into the 19th century and is situated right in the center of the ville, our second visit wasn't as appealing as our first. Parking is off-site, and really wasn't a cause for concern. Our room, this year, was only moderately clean. The trash can had not been emptied -- it came complete with empty liquor bottles -- and the room reeked of cigarette smoke. The staff tried to help by using an aerosol spray. The hotel, filled with charming antiques, could use some renovation. Having said all of this, we would still stay here again. du Coq Hardi is within walking distance of everything in Verdun. The World War I battlefields and fortifications are all a mere fifteen minutes away by car. And, their bistro -- located next door -- The Chantaco, was excellent! It featured great food and a very helpful and friendly wait staff.

Thank goodness we stayed for one night only. When we got to our floor level, we knew it wouldn't be good as we were greeted w/ mold and old food stench. We're usually not very particular, but a place to stay must be clean, esp. the bathrooms. It was so hideously dirty that we had to line up the bathroom floor with towels so that we didn't have to walk on the tiles. Let's just say it was a lot like being in a public restroom. I had to post pictures. Just beware.

We stayed at the hotel for only one night (thank goodness!). The beds are short and about 40 years old so they completely sag in the middle. The furnishings and bedding are old and they feel "grubby". The hotel has an odor and is dark. The toilet in one of our rooms broke on the first evening we were there and someone had to come try to fix it. It worked the rest of the time but we were quite wary because it seemed very close to breaking again. The restaurant is incredibly overpriced and didn't look like it was anywhere near worth the prices being charged. We ate at a quaint little restaurant down the street on the river. The staff in the evening tried to be helpful but when our internet wouldn't work they had no idea how to help us. We had intended to do some extra research and map out the battlefields prior to departure the next day. When I talked with the staff member the following morning about the lack of internet they didn't apologize nor have any offer for compensating for the hassle. The only positive was the location. We had a nice view of the river and it was convenient access to the historical sights. I like "quaint" hotels but this was NOT one, it was just old and run down.

This hotel is right in the heart of Verdun - 20 minute walk from the train station, many of the historic sites and the shipping are in easy walking distance. It is clean but the decor has not been changed for maybe 20 years.