Fische Estranger

[normandsue]

We have just returned from an all too short summer break in Western France and during the last 2 weeks spent 4 night in various hotels, 2 of which were IBIS.  The first was at Futuroscope (well worth the visit) and the second at the IBIS at Cocquelles.  This is the subject of the discussion.

We were told that we needed to complete a 'Fische Estranger' and that it was a requirement of the police that we do this for each person staying at the hotel.  Having travelled in France for the last 20 years, this was a new one on us.  According to the manager, all hotels are required to do this.  However, he couldn't explain how this applied to the increasing number of hotels that have automatic check in/out and why, in a double room, just one of us filling in the form was sufficient.

Earlier in the year we spent 2 nights in the IBIS in Lille and one night in the ETAP in Cocquelle but weren't required to complete this form.

Has anyone else come across this either recently on in the past?

 

[Clair]

The fiche étranger (also called fiche de police) is required to enable identification of all foreign clients.

In the case of a hotel with automatic check-in, the client has to produce a credit card, which would enable identification should it be necessary.

Technically, this applies to all types of accommodation (gites, B&B/CdH, campsites, hotels...)

Some details in French HERE and HERE (in google English here and here).