Accor has today (December 9) announced a deal to take over management of the Le Méridien Montparnasse, Paris’ second largest hotel.

From January 7, the 953-room hotel will operate under Accor’s upmarket Pullman brand, to be known as the Pullman Paris Montparnasse.

The hotel has had tenuous links with Starwood and its subsidiaries for more than 30 years. It was built by Sheraton in the 1970s, before being taken over by the Meridien Group which was eventually itself taken over by Starwood, also the parent company of Sheraton.

But the property's owner Unibail-Rodamco has now signed a new management contract with Accor.

The hotel is also one of Europe’s largest conference hotels, according to Accor, with space for 2,000 delegates.

Gilles Pélisson, Accor's chairman, said the takeover was an “important phase in the development of the Pullman brand, launched three years ago.”

“It demonstrates the strength of Pullman, which – now with a hotel in the heart of Paris – has established itself as an international player and a leader in the upscale business travel segment.”

There are currently six Pullman-branded properties in the greater Paris area, totalling 2,360 rooms.