The Rhine, broad and solemn, flows by directly in front of the terrace. It is the perfect setting in the heart of Basel for one of the oldest hotels in Europe. When it was first opened at the end of the 17th century, it was patronized mainly by merchants. Later, it hosted royal guests as well as literary figures and artists, including Picasso and Rauschenberg. The restoration lasted two years and returned the building to its 1840 glory. The fine elegance now shown by the hotel is also reflected in the new French name.
