A modern, 86-room building, it’s more acclaimed for its accessible location just off the A6 Autoroute du Soleil than for its ambience. Tourists heading down through the centre of France might break up their journey there before heading on towards more fashionable holiday spots such as Provence or the French Riviera. Otherwise it’s mostly used by businessmen taking advantage of its convenient location and conference room facilities or by golfers attracted to the nearby courses. Occasionally guests may stay a few days, perhaps sampling a bit of wine-tasting in the surrounding Burgundy vineyards, exploring Macon or even venturing into nearby Lyons. But mostly it’s used as a mid-route stopover where weary drivers can recharge by the outdoor swimming pool, or just take in a meal in the restaurant before they flop into bed for the night, continuing their journey the next day. When Derek Symmons pulled up into the car park at the Mercure on 6 September 2005, there was nothing to suggest he was anything but a normal tourist on his way down to the South.
