Four-star literary hotels turn a new leaf

Hôtel Le Swann in Paris

Behind the gare Saint-Lazare train station, the original establishment of Jacques Letertre, founder of the Société des Hôtels Littéraires, pays homage to the work of Marcel Proust. The 81-room hotel features a collection of the famous writer's original works through books, paintings and photos. Engraved on the glass partition of the bathrooms, the manuscript of one of his letters encourages the curiosity of readers, who can pursue their reading in pocket editions and in many languages. 15, rue de Constantinople, 75008 Paris. Tel : 01 45 22 80 80 and www.hotel-leswann.com

In the breakfast room, the writer is respresented through portraits as well as on mirrors. © DR

You will need to enter the bathroom to read a quote from a book by Marcel Proust. © DR

Hôtel Gustave Flaubert in Rouen

At the heart of the Normandy capital, this romantic refuge glorifies Gustave Flaubert. Upon entrering, you fall under the charm of this 4-star decoration conceived by architect Aude Bruguière, where the cosy alcoves prolong a warm bar, ideal to come sip a cocktail at the end of the day, and whose library comprises 500 books, published in 20 languages. And let's not forget a vast correspondance with Ivan Tourguéniev, George Sand, Guy de Maupassant and the Goncourt brothers… 33, rue du Vieux Palais, 76000 Rouen. Tel : 02 35 71 00 88 et www.hotelgustaveflaubert.com

In the Salon Bovary, enjoy a cocktail and a pleasant moment of shared reading. © DR

On the tall headboards of the 51 rooms, citations are chosen around the works or one of the writer's characters. © DR

Hôtel Alexandre Vialatte à Clermont-Ferrand

The terrace of this small hotel jgem offers one of the most beautiful panoramas overlooking the Auvergne. In each one of the 62 rooms, the traveller will discover watercolors by Jean Aubertin, featuring a person or a place recalling the poetic universe of Alexandre Vialatte. The hotel also shelters his early works such as Les Fruits du Congo and Le Bestiaire, rare books and his personal relationships with La Manufacture Française des Pneumatiques Michelin, and their Bibendum. 6, place Delille, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand. Tel : 04 73 91 92 06 et www.hotelvialatte.com

The welcome desk displays the portrait of the great Auvergnat writer, Alexandre Vialatte. © DR

In all the rooms, sentences excerpted from his books recall his poetry mixed with humor. © DR

Hôtel Marcel Aymé in Paris

In this scenic Montmartre district, frequented in the past by the playwright, scriptwriter and French novelist, a new eponymous hotel has just opened. Its 39 rooms recall the life of the author, who wrote Chat Perché, La Traversée de Paris and Passe-Muraille, offering to passing guests a unique decor that takes them into his special universe, based on original edition, posters of films, theater billboards, and a multilingual library of more than 500 books. 16, rue Tholozé, 75018 Paris. Tel : 01 42 55 05 06 and www.montmartre-addict.com/hotel-marcel-ayme

The chairs, just like the bedspreads, are sewn with topstitched tags featuring the name of the writer. © DR

In the bedroom, small discrete details refer to the stories of his 17 novels. © DR