Paris is known as many things – a city of romance, fine restaurants, epic landmarks and grand architecture.

But it all comes at a price, boasting some of the most expensive accommodation in the world.

However, one hotel is hoping to change all that, by allowing holidaymakers to pay what they believe is a reasonable rate for their stay this summer.

Hotelier Aldric Duval has launched the enterprising ‘Payez ce que vous voulez’ (‘Pay what you want’) promotion in a bid to draw extra guests to Tour d-Auvergne, his three-star hotel in the central Opera district of the city.

The idea is simple. A visitor can pay exactly what they want to stay the night.

Normally, double rooms at the hotel would cost at least €190 (£150) – but should they decide that it is an appropriate amount, visitors can pay as little as €1 (80p).

The promotion runs until August 10.

The point of the scheme, he says, is to give customers a little financial freedom in a city of notoriously high costs.

He hopes that visitors to the city will treat the scheme as a good deal, but not abuse it.
The scheme has proved sufficiently inspiring that Mr Duval has had enquiries from other hoteliers in Paris – and further afield in Nice and Cannes – as to how it works.