A forerunner in the luxury business, Meurice Hotel in Calais, the first of its name, exists since 1771. First, the Royal Post House, "LE CHARIOT ROYAL", the owner, Charles-Augustin Meurice, had the brilliant idea to add an inn to provide luxury accomodation for English travellers. His son, Louis-Augustin Meurice, founded in 1818, the Hotel Meurice, rue de Rivoli, today, the most famous palace in Paris.The first hotel Meurice in Calais, destroyed during the last war, was rebuilt in 1954-55. Its imposing and massive structure, its outstanding inside volumes, its elegant main stair with wrought iron and brass bannister, its large and stylish main lounge, give it the image of a Castle, "mini-palace" as writen in some guides. The period furniture gives it even more this image of a Castle.