Worker accommodation near the Cattenom nuclear plant: how to get it right

The outage schedule has just landed. You need worker accommodation near Cattenom for three weeks, two months, maybe an entire ten-yearly inspection. And when the whole Thionville area fills up at the same time, you're the one who gets blamed for the missing beds, the long commutes and the exhausted crew on shift.

Site supervisor, project manager, office assistant: the job is scheduled, the equipment is ready. That leaves the question everyone underestimates: where is your crew going to sleep? Here's what you need to know before you book.

Why worker accommodation near Cattenom has to be booked early

The Cattenom nuclear power plant (a "CNPE" in French) has four 1,300 MWe reactors. It employs approx. 1,500 EDF staff and 800 permanent contractor staff. Each reactor is shut down for maintenance every 12 to 18 months: these are the well-known planned outages (arrêts de tranche), with thousands of tasks to complete in just a few weeks.

And the schedule ahead is packed. According to EDF, Cattenom's fourth ten-yearly inspections (visites décennales, VD4) are planned for 2027 and 2028. During the ten-yearly inspection of unit 2 in 2018, up to 3,000 people were working on site, for five to six months.

The bottom line: when an outage is on the way, the whole Thionville area fills up. Companies that book 4 to 8 weeks ahead, or even earlier for a ten-yearly inspection, get their crews into the best places. Everyone else takes what's left.

Preparing a planned outage? Send us your dates and headcount through the contact form: we'll suggest how to split your crew across apartments.

Checklist: what good worker accommodation looks like

1. One bed per person, for real

This is trap number one. "Sleeps 6" doesn't mean "6 beds". A sofa bed or a shared bed works for a family, not for colleagues putting in ten-hour days back to back. Always ask for the exact number of beds, and choose accommodation with at least as many beds as you have people.

2. Travel time to the plant

After a night shift, every minute on the road counts. Aim for less than 30 minutes from the plant. From Hettange-Grande, allow approx. 10 minutes. From Hayange, approx. 25 to 30 minutes.

3. Parking

Vans, utility vehicles, everyone's own car: check where the crew will be able to park, every day, without driving around looking for a spot.

4. A washing machine

Work clothes need washing. Without a machine, it's the laundromat every other day. For a stay of several weeks, it's essential.

5. A proper kitchen

Eating out every night gets tiring and expensive: the meal allowance is quickly used up (see our article on the 2026 French long-distance travel allowance). A fully equipped kitchen and a big table are also what turn a group of workers into a team.

6. Self check-in

Crews often arrive late, on a Sunday evening, after hours on the road. Self check-in means nobody has to wait around for someone with the keys.

7. A clear monthly price

Be wary of nightly rates that shoot up once the fees are added. Ask for the total for the actual length of the job, cleaning included.

To make sure nothing slips through on the logistics side, follow our method to organise accommodation for a travelling crew.

Our answer: 10 apartments designed for work crews

At matcha home, everything starts with the question of beds: 10 apartments, 51 separate beds, from a studio to an apartment for 12. Choose the apartment whose number of beds matches your headcount, and everyone sleeps in their own bed. For each apartment, we state the exact number of beds.

• In Hettange-Grande, three large apartments (10, 11 and 12 people) approx. 10 minutes from the plant.
• In Hayange, 7 apartments in the same building: a whole crew can stay at the same address, each person with their own space.
• In every apartment: washing machine, fully equipped kitchen, wifi, smart TV, bed linen and towels provided, professional cleaning, support via WhatsApp.
• Self check-in at any time, and parking a few minutes' walk away.

The price. Book directly on our website and you pay about 5% less than on Airbnb and Booking, whatever the length of stay.

The flexibility. Outage schedule slipping? Cancellation and changes to dates or number of people are free up to 5 days before arrival.

More than 500 guest reviews on Airbnb, and guests welcomed since 2020.

For one apartment: book online. For a whole crew: send us a message through the form, and we'll suggest an allocation that fits.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Hettange-Grande from the Cattenom nuclear plant?

Approx. 10 minutes by car.

Can we book for several months?

Yes. Stays of several weeks or several months are our core business, and the direct price stays about 5% below Airbnb and Booking, whatever the length of stay.

Can a whole crew stay in the same place?

Yes: in Hayange, our 7 apartments are in the same building, and in Hettange-Grande, our three apartments each sleep 10 to 12 people.

Will everyone have their own bed?

Yes, if you choose an apartment whose number of beds matches your headcount. For each apartment, we state the exact number of beds; tell us how many of you there are and we'll recommend the right one.

What if the outage dates change?

Dates and number of people can be changed free of charge, and cancellation is free, up to 5 days before arrival.