lit à la française

17:40 Jul 6, 2015 

In short, a lit à la française/French bed typically has a certain shape, but it is not actually defined by having that shape. It is defined by its position in the space.

17:39 Jul 6, 2015 

I've found various references that suggest a French bed in a motorhome is by definition a bed with a cut-away corner, but this is not correct. They usually do, but the defining feature is that they are in the corner: they adjoin the rear and side of the space. The first English reference in my answer is, I believe, correct:

""A 'French' fixed bed is a rear double placed against the sidewall- usually with the washroom to one side or across the rear. This often means that the corner of the bed is cut off to make access to the washroom wider. "

14:11 Jul 6, 2015 

Yes you're right (was just hoping for an easy way out :-) -- I take your point that all references imply a uniquely shaped bed -- so is it simply a French bed? cutaway bed? or French cutaway bed? ...or?

14:04 Jul 6, 2015 

Thanks! Yes, my point was that even though "French bed" may be used in other senses elsewhere, in the context of motorhomes it seems to have quite a specific meaning.

14:04 Jul 6, 2015 

Agree with Charles here. His first link with the definition of Lit à la francaise is fairly precise.

14:01 Jul 6, 2015 

What makes you think that? All the examples I've seen are pretty specific: adjoining the rear and side of the interior and (usually, if not always) with a cutaway section at the foot for access to the wash area.

14:01 Jul 6, 2015 

@ Charles: No the definition didn't apply specifically to motorhomes, but then neither does the term French bed, which was partly what I was getting at. And to be honest, I have now seen a definition that French beds vary between 115 and 140 cm. I just didn't feel that the term French bed was "special" enough to convey what is actually meant here.

13:57 Jul 6, 2015 

Am wondering whether "à la française" simply means "ordinary", ie, not specifically tailored to a motorhome

13:54 Jul 6, 2015 

A bed more than 140 cm wide in a motorhome would be very unusual, I think. I don't think "à la française" or "French" refer to width in this context, except that they do seem to be doubles, not singles.

13:50 Jul 6, 2015 

BTW - no mention of widths anywhere

13:49 Jul 6, 2015 

Would you mind giving a reference to the source that defines "French bed" by width"? And are you sure that definition applies specifically to motorhomes? I see some references to French beds being 140 cm wide, but only with reference to hotel or guest house rooms. I think that's a different use of the term.

13:45 Jul 6, 2015 

If you look at the definition of French bed, it limits itself to a bed that is 140 cm wide. In this case, lit à la francaise refers to the specific design, i.e. that it is against two walls and assumes one of you is a pygmy. Therefore I think French-style/French design bed or something along those lines would be a better option.