La Petite Folie is recognized in Honfleur for having been a prestigious guest house. Since the 2000s, its guest rooms have welcomed many travelers from all over the world. International journalists also paid tribute to him, publishing richly illustrated articles.
Today, the Petite Folie has adapted to the evolution of its clientele: if the spirit of the chambre d’hôtes is maintained for hospitality and conviviality, each client can now enjoy greater autonomy during their stay.
La Petite Folie was built around 1830-1840 by a family of local industrialists: the Ranguen. The house features a directoire style, recognizable by its simple and sober geometric shapes. In 1871, the property was enriched with a small kiosk in the garden, in Moorish style. We are at the heart of the orientalist period: exotic arts are very fashionable, they influence architecture by bringing a new artistic vocabulary: horseshoe arches, stone lace, bas-relief patterns….
In addition to an aesthetic role, the kiosk also served as a shelter, with a breathtaking view of Honfleur beach. And yes! In the late 19th century, this Petite Folie was located on the seafront. Today, it offers a relaxation area accessible to all visitors.
For the record, the Ranguen were important local figures. Their mattress factory was flourishing, first in the Sainte Catherine district and later on the other side of the port. They have often taken part in the politics of the city of Honfleur as elected members of the municipal council, sometimes even deputy mayors.
The house remained the property of the Ranguen family until the early 1960s. Then, a physiotherapist bought it with the idea of setting up her practice in Honfleur. The physiotherapy activity continued until 2003
In 2003, a Franco-American couple bought the house and set about restoring it to its original state.
After more than 2 years of work, the guest rooms opened in 2006. Many travelers will then succeed, coming from the other side of the world to visit Honfleur. La Petite Folie is a great success, particularly among American clienteles. The B&B activity is in full swing until 2018.
Héloïse and Olivier Moncelet acquire the property in 2018. The clientele’s demand is changing rapidly: travelers want more autonomy and freedom during their stay in Honfleur. The idea is then to transform the guest house into spacious apartments, all equipped with dining areas. After a few months of work under the direction of an interior designer, la petite Folie now offers a high-end hotel apartment formula.
