Places to stay in France

In France, there are various types of accommodation to meet individual needs. In general, the level and quality of accommodation is excellent and the facilities are of a good standard and tastefully furnished.

Most establishments provide an en-suite bathroom but breakfast, le petit dejeuner, is excluded from the room price.

Hotels

Hotels are classified according to stars, from 1 to 4. The level is generally very high and almost all of them charge a supplement for breakfast, per guest.

The large hotel chains are more common on the coast and in the cities, while in the villages and rural areas you will find small family-run hotels(auberges), overlooking beautiful landscapes and surrounded by nature. In many cases they also offer an excellent restaurant service, which in some cases is also the only one in the village!

• 4-star hotels are often built in traditional local buildings, such as old palaces, manor houses(manoir), farms(ferme), castles(chateaux),monasteries (monastère), oil mills(moulin à huile), priories (prieurés) or renovated former abbeys(abbayes). If you have the chance to treat yourself to a special night, don’t miss a stay in these establishments: full of charm and history, they are hotels surrounded by beautiful estates, with rose gardens, olive groves and overlooking breathtaking landscapes.
• Many hotels have no single rooms and adapt double rooms for single use.
• Don’t be alarmed by the pillows: in France they use long, cylindrical pillows, which are very uncomfortable compared to our habits. Usually, however, there are always oreillers, i.e. flat, rectangular ones, in the wardrobes.

Chambres d’hôtes

Chambres d’hôtes are the French equivalent of B&Bs. They are absolutely the best way to discover rural France: private houses furnished with impeccable taste, usually surrounded by nature, equipped with a swimming pool, where local produce, often grown by the owners themselves, is served for breakfast and meals (on request).

The beauty of these structures comes from the friendliness of the owners and the location. Each room is designed to provide guests with serenity and comfort, and in the most exclusive cases(maison d’hôtes), they are housed in castles and old mills.

In particular, we would like to point out a particular type you will find in Camargue, the mas, or Provençal farmhouses, made of stone, with coloured wooden shutters, surrounded by beautiful gardens, in short, a true corner of paradise. Especially in the Camargue they are the best way to stay and often have manor houses with the possibility of horse riding in the middle of nature.

Self-catering houses

Another great type of accommodation for exploring certain parts of France are rented houses. This type of solution allows you to experience a more relaxing holiday, discovering the beauty of the area at first hand, without hurrying and getting in touch with the local culture, in total autonomy.

It is especially suitable for families with young people and children, due to the greater freedom in preparing meals and schedules. Bicycles are also often rented, which is a fun way to visit places.

Various types of accommodation are available, from studios to villas with swimming pools. We recommend the gîtes ruraux, or country houses, which are generally full of the unique charm that only this type of accommodation preserves stone houses, surrounded by beautiful gardens, immersed in nature and where in the evening you can admire beautiful starry nights to the sound of cicadas. You can find both very spartan structures and real villas or annexes with all the comforts. The panda gîtes are those located within the regional parks.

Castles

If you want to treat yourself to a really special, albeit very expensive night, you can try the châteaux and manor houses, which are very often located in marvellous domaines viticoles, the wine estates, with wonderful landscapes. In this case, we also recommend the lavish dinners based on the products of the estate, wine tastings and guided tours of the plots, where you will also be explained the ancient cultivation techniques.

These are truly unique experiences to experience a night ‘like a king’ and be pampered by the attentive care of the owners. We recommend this type of luxury accommodation especially if you are planning a unique and unforgettable honeymoon.

Hostels

To save money, you may decide to stay at hostels, which you will find all over France. However, you will find them most easily on the coast and in larger cities.

Rates do not usually include breakfast and bed linen and the hostel does not always provide a kitchen.

Telephone bookings are not usually accepted.

Campsites

A popular and very inexpensive solution in France are campsites, which are open from March until September/October.

For those who love nature and want a more spartan holiday, those travelling with a caravan in tow or in a camper van, camping is a convenient form of accommodation, offering the possibility of a temporary stop along your itinerary or a fixed base for the duration of your stay.

Features

• Like hotels, campsites are also classified by stars according to the number and quality of services offered.
• Rates vary according to people, tents and vehicles and often facilities offer reduced rates for couples with a tent and car.
• Please note: in many cases the reception is only open in the mornings and evenings.
• Camping à la ferme: this is camping on a farm, an original and fun solution especially for families travelling with children.
• Please note that in France, camping sauvage, or free camping, is prohibited by law, although it is tolerated in some areas.

Book online

We strongly recommend booking during the busiest tourist months, i.e. during the summer, when the coastal area in particular is popular for its beautiful beaches.

The local authorities impose a tourist tax, taxe de séjour, which is only levied by managers in the high season.

• Low season: from October/November to February/March. During this period, many establishments are closed for at least two weeks. If you wish to visit the less touristy areas, we recommend that you check the availability of hotels and B&Bs beforehand.
• Mid-season: March/May and September/October
• High season: June to September

Please note that during major cultural events that attract large numbers of visitors, such as the Avignon Festival or the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, cities sell out. In these cases, we advise you to book well in advance to find the best solutions.