Enjoy the outdoors in the shelter of a Camargue patio canopy

Makeover of the roof terrace at a 4-star hotel

The view over Lille’s Grand Place from the roof of the Grand Hôtel Bellevue is one of the finest in the city. Thanks to a well-designed rooftop layout, guests and locals alike can now enjoy this unique panorama all year round, comfortably sheltered from the elements. In its first year alone, the rooftop terrace attracted more than 1,000 visitors.

The hotel, which has been situated on the historic Grand Place since 1913, wanted to make even greater use of its exceptional location. “We’d been toying with the idea of transforming the roof into an inviting meeting place for years,” explains hotel manager Pierre Ceaux. As the building is situated within a listed conservation area, the project was developed in close collaboration with the local council and the Architectes des Bâtiments de France. The result is an atmospheric rooftop with spectacular views over the city.

Designed for comfort, whatever the season

The chosen solution had to not only provide shelter from changing weather conditions, but also be cost-effective all year round. Following a tender process, the architect was put in touch with Renson distributor Premium Fermetures. “We explored various configurations to arrive at the ideal setup,” explains manager Pierre-François Moulin. “The wind load on the roof posed a challenge, as did the high expectations in terms of comfort and the customer experience.”

Ultimately, the choice fell on a combination of five Camargue patio canopies from Renson, fitted with tilting slats, sliding glass panels, screens, integrated LED lighting and heating. A rain sensor automatically closes the slats when the weather changes. A practical storage area behind the bar was also incorporated into the design.

The investment has proved to be a commercial success. According to Pierre Ceaux, the hotel now not only attracts more guests but also a wider audience. Business events are readily held on the rooftop, and this added attraction has even led to a higher average room rate. A magical place, then, which proves its versatility and appeal on a daily basis.