Signage is not the strong point of the Paris-Montparnasse stationto find the first time the new Bonport waiting room. Located in the shopping alley opposite lane 21, this 60 m² space has twenty or so seats, in a variety of configurations to suit all tastes. take time out on your own, work with others or relax while waiting for the train in the lounge area. Set around a central bar whose hostess offers drinks, pastries and snacks to travellers, the lounge boasts a warm décor inspired by the heyday of Montparnasse, the rail cruises of yesteryear and the codes of today's design hotel industry. It's a far cry from the cold, standardised world of the new Grand Voyageur lounge at the other end of Hall 1... Above all, Bonport has two private bubblesThese are soundproofed, and can accommodate 2 or 4 people for a break. meeting or a videoconferencing.
a café-office equipped with secure high-speed WiFi, a hybrid space that attracts business customers to 90% who come with or without a reservation
" Our lounge is a café-office equipped with secure high-speed wifi, a hybrid space that attracts a business clientele to 90% who come with or without a reservation via our website." explains Raphaëlle Borneuf, founder and managing director of Bonport. Users can even eat snacks bought in the station's takeaway shops. " This solves the question of catering at lunchtime, as some users settle in for several hours - without boarding a TGV -, using our lounge as a place to rest and relax. coworking. Employees with offices close to the station also book our bubbles to hold meetings or video conferences in peace and quiet." she adds. To ensure a successful launch, the start-up is relying on word-of-mouth and dynamic communication with companies (via buyers, travel managers, executive assistants, etc.) and on social networks.
A target of five trade fairs by 2023
Co-financed by the Ile-de-France Region, this show marks the restarting the start-up which currently has business angels in its capital and businessman Laurent Dassault as a "wise investor", confides Raphaëlle Borneuf. The first exhibition to open in 2019 at Lille Flandres station did not survive the health crisis and the two-year dizzying fall in business travel. " However, Covid validated our concept with this more nomadic ways of working and business travellers who need time alone to communicate and video-conference" she assures us. With a target of 5 sites by 2023Bonport aims to set up in other stations in the capital but also airports and urban centres. " The expectations of our Paris-Montparnasse customers help us to define our priorities in terms of locations in Paris stations" says the young executive. With Paris-Lyon at the top of the list? The fund-raising planned for the middle of the year should enable us to meet this opening target.
Bonport plays on accessibility without subscription
In Paris stations, Bonport does not see itself as a competitor to the Grand Voyageur lounges, but rather as a complementary player.. " The SNCF, through its subsidiary Gares & Connexions, has supported our establishment as part of a drive to improve station services, begins Raphaëlle Borneuf. The main difference is that access to SNCF lounges is by statuteaccessible with certain tickets or Pro subscriptions, while Bonport is open to all for an entrance fee" . As an example, he points out that not all groups of employees have access to a carrier's lounges in stations and airports, which is not the case here. To stand out from the crowd and spread its wings, Bonport is banking on the functionality and confidentiality provided by its lounge, without forgetting the pleasure aspect through lifestyle decoration. Bonport also intends to take advantage of this last point to develop an events business by letting the space to companies for evening cocktail parties.
- Price: €12.90/person for 1 hour
- 42€ per hour for each private bubble
- Opening times: 7.30am to 8pm on weekdays, 7pm on Saturdays, closed on Sundays.
