A 2-star hotel and restaurant (Logis de France rated 1 fireplace), La Sirene is located 15 km from Verdun on the RN3 road to Longwy/Luxembourg and is near to the Verdun battlefields. Interestingly, it claims on its web site to have been chosen by Napoleon as a stopping place in 1970 after the battle of Gravelotte. Mmmm.
An attractively lit Logis establishment is always tempting to the weary traveler in France, but in the case of the Sirene appearances were deceptive. My room proved to be cheerless and sparse, the only creature comfort being a tiny television set mounted near the ceiling of the room (which was about 5 metres high) in such a position that only a giraffe could have seen the programmes. The restaurant attractive enough in itself provided very ordinary food and low quality ingredients. The main attraction seemed to be the Hors d'Oeuvre buffet, about 20 dishes laid out on a self-service, all-you-can-eat basis. But really, who wants to load up with gherkins, limp lettuce leaves, grated carrots, industrial pate, cubes of anonymous cheese, slivers of cold, wet processed ham, and suchlike? There was, however, a decent little wine list and a good choice of half bottles, so I was able to mull my palate with a half Gigondas and a half Buzet at 13 and 9 euros respectively.
La Sirene might make a handy centre for touring the battlefields, but I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a long stay or for any good level of comfort. read more
