Historys-Crucible

Well, here we are, in 2011, in front of the hotel where former French Interior Minister Marx Dormoy, the subject of our next book, was assassinated in 1941.  The hotel once had a gourmet restaurant, but when we were there, it was out of business, alas, so we were not able to eat there.  We did sneak into the courtyard and take photos of the whole building, which is a good thing, since the owners were bankrupt, according to the local hearsay, and there was no indication that the stately building or its gourmet restaurant would ever be reopened.  Oh well.  At least we're telling the story of the most famous murder committed there.  Who knows?  Maybe if enough people like the book, someone will step in and reopen the Relais de l'Empereur in Montelimar before the 17th-century hotel is torn down.  Let's hope so!