Johnny Hallyday’s Sanctuary: Inside the Saint-Étienne Suite That Felt Like Home
A custom-designed suite at the Hôtel du Golf in Saint-Étienne, France, offered the late rock icon Johnny Hallyday a rare respite from the spotlight, becoming a cherished “home away from home” during a pivotal period in his career.
In 2009, as he prepared for his Tour 66, Johnny Hallyday sought refuge not in extravagance, but in tranquility. For 21 days, the singer found solace in a 140 m² suite meticulously crafted to provide calm, discretion, and a sense of belonging, far removed from the relentless glare of the media. This wasn’t merely a temporary lodging; it quickly evolved into a personal living space, a haven to which he would repeatedly return.
A Suite Designed for Intimacy and Comfort
According to reports from France Blue, every detail of the suite was considered to ensure Hallyday felt immediately at ease. The space, originally intended for visiting artists, boasts a sober and contemporary aesthetic. Dark brown parquet flooring, walls adorned with textured imitation crocodile skin paper, expansive white surfaces, and sleek kitchen and bathroom fixtures create a cozy, almost enveloping atmosphere. The design deliberately eschews ostentation, prioritizing a functional and soothing environment.
The suite’s layout catered to both Hallyday’s need for privacy and his family life. It features a total of five bedrooms: one for the singer himself, another for his children during visits, a third for potential collaborators, and two additional rooms positioned near the entrance for security personnel. This arrangement skillfully balanced privacy, family connections, and logistical necessities without compromising the overall sense of peace.
Simplicity and Spontaneity Defined His Stay
Despite his iconic status, Hallyday reportedly impressed hotel staff with his down-to-earth demeanor. “Very simple, he wanted a space where he could be alone, quiet, away from the media environment,” a former hotel director confided to France Blue. He was known to greet staff warmly, engage in casual conversation, and relax comfortably in common areas. He actively sought a place where he could simply be, concentrate, and live a normal life.
This sense of ease extended to unexpected moments of artistic expression. One evening, while relaxing in the hotel lounge, Hallyday spontaneously began to sing for a small group of staff members, without a stage or audience, purely for the joy of the moment. “I remember one evening in the downstairs living room, we were all sitting and he started singing something live, only for us. Things like that, you don’t see them twice!” recalled Mirzza, the hotel’s security and maintenance manager. This intimate memory encapsulates the relaxed and genuine atmosphere that characterized his time in Saint-Étienne.
Saint-Étienne: More Than Just a Hotel
Hallyday’s connection to the Hôtel du Golf extended beyond the confines of the suite itself; he genuinely appreciated the city of Saint-Étienne. Its slower pace and distance from the Parisian media frenzy offered him a much-needed anchor during a period of personal reflection. The hotel staff observed that his repeated returns – for private stays and during his 2015 concert at the Zénith – were a testament to the comfort he found there. He had discovered a place that felt like a true home, a familiar and reassuring space where he could return without having to readjust.
Today, fans can experience a piece of Hallyday’s history by staying in the Johnny Hallyday suite at the Hôtel du Golf in Saint-Étienne, a lasting tribute to the singer’s cherished sanctuary.
