We recommend France Hotel Online for its selection of hotels, chateaux and apartments and for its quality of service .
Wherever
or whatever your accommodation in France may be, you will more likely than not
find yourself liable to pay a kind of tourist tax (taxe de séjour), which is imposed
upon all visitors by the local authorities. This tax, which is generally only
a few francs, is added to the cost of your accommodation and is charged per person/per
night.
a) Hotels
Hotels
in France are as numerous as they are different, coming in all shapes, sizes and
prices. So how do you decide where to stay ?
A
fairly good first indication is how many stars the hotel has. The star rating
is awarded by an independent official organization, corresponding to objective
criteria such as the size and amenities of the rooms and entrance hall, rather
than the decor, cleanliness or decor of the hotel. This aside, the latter usually
do improve with the greater number of stars the hotel has, even if they are not
directly marked on this criteria.
1 star hotels are modest, with small rooms, usually have
shared toilet and shower facilities and sometimes expect you to take the stairs
up to that sixth floor room - as they have no lift ! These lower budget places
are often family businesses, and as a result often make up for in character
what they lack in professional service. 2 star hotels offer a good level of basic comfort and service,
with standard amenities such as W.C, shower, telephone, television, etc.. in
each individual room. The two star hotel is ideal for those weekend breaks or
short stays where you want all the basic creature comforts, but don't want to
pay over the odds for them. 3 star hotels offer a high level of comfort, and tend to
pay more attention to service and individual assistance. With its increased
luxury and customer care, the three star is the perfect choice for those envisaging
a prolonged stay or looking to spend a vacation in a hotel in France. 4 star hotels are the real crème de la crème of the French
hotel industry. With lavish entrance halls and porters to assist you to your
palatial suite, these establishments cut absolutely no corners in offering you
a truly exceptional stay. A four star makes any vacation a real pleasure, as
the weary traveler is pampered to a maximum, allowing them to forget about their
troubles and woes entirely. Amongst the four stars there are also the luxury
four star hotels, such as The Ritz, Georges V, Le Crillon, etc.. which give
you the chance to stay in the style that is usually reserved for the rich and
famous, unless of course you are the rich and famous, as then you will already
know !
A
sound piece of advice for those staying in France during the low season, that's
to say November, December (outside Christmas and New Year's Eve), January, February
and sometimes even during July and August, is to go for a four star hotel, as
during the quieter periods of the year these veritable palaces drop their prices
dramatically and many tourists find themselves able to stay in absolute luxury
at bargain prices ! For example a standard room during high season at a four star
costing 1600FF(US$270) per night could be snapped up for as little as 1200FF(US$200).
It
is reassuring to know that almost all French receptionists speak English nowadays
no matter what category of hotel you opt for.
Despite
the large number of hotels in France, due the country's overwhelming popularity
with tourists, many of them are often fully booked, especially during the busy
summer months. Therefore, travelers should think to book well in advance of when
they will be actually staying (up to three months before leaving) to avoid disappointment.
With
the growth of the Internet in France, it is now easier than ever to reserve yourself
a hotel from overseas. By simply filling in a reservation form and sending your
credit card details you can confirm and guarantee yourself somewhere to stay without
even phoning abroad. It is advisable to stick to a secured server for this sort
of reservation as this way you can be assured that your transaction is carried
out in the utmost security. Such secured servers, which offer an English language
reservation services for France are as follows :
Along
with lodging with a family, youth hostels (auberges de jeunesse) are by far the
cheapest way to stay in France. With the exception of very remote areas of the
country, these modest establishments can be found virtually everywhere in France,
from slap bang in the center of Paris to tucked away in a small farming village.
The typical auberge de jeunesse does not offer much luxury, but you will find
all basic creature comforts, such as showers, W.C, and often cooking facilities
are provided for.
The
traveler will commonly find that most auberges de jeunesse are divided up into
large single sex dormitories, with generally very few single or double rooms on
offer. Therefore if you are traveling with a friend be prepared to have to reserve
in advance or arrive early for your privacy ! Prices may vary a little depending
on amenities and location, but expect to pay around 70FF per night including breakfast
for provincial hostels, whilst an average price for Paris would be 120FF.
An
alternative to auberges de jeunesse is to stay in a student dormitory (foyer)
out of term time - only ordinarily available to those traveling in the summer
months - where you will find the rooms are mostly singles or doubles. A third,
and little known, option is to stay in a young worker's dormitory (foyers de jeunes
travailleurs/travailleuses - coed or male/female). Both of these alternatives
are similar in price and amenities to hostels, but rarely accept advanced or telephone
booking, so arriving mid-morning is often essential to obtain a place.
For
details about youth hostels in France it is best to contact the nearest tourist
office (office de tourisme) to where you wish to stay, who will supply whatever
information you may require, including telephone numbers, addresses etc.. Alternatively,
you might contact anyone of the youth hostel associations below, between which
most of the auberges de jeunesses in France are listed :
Average cost in Paris : 200-400FF (US$35-70) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 150-300FF (US$25-50) double room for one night.
Average cost in Paris : 350-600FF (US$60-100) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 250-450FF (US$40-75) double room for one night.
Average cost in Paris : 500-1000FF (US$85-170) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 400-900FF (US$70-150) double room for one night.
Average cost in Paris : 1500-5000FF (US$250-840) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 900-4000FF (US$150-670) double room for one night.
Ligue Française pour les Auberges de la Jeunesse (LFAJ),
38 Boulevard Raspail, 75007 Paris France.
Tel : (33) 1 45 48 69 84.
Union des Centres de Rencontres Internationales de France (UCRIF),
4 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris France.
Tel : (33) 1 42 60 42 40.
Due
to France's vast countryside regions there are a surprisingly high number of these
self-catering rural dwellings available for those holiday makers who prefer to
get closer to nature and experience the more authentic side of the country. If
this is the case, the traveler is faced with two options: a mountain hut or shelter
(refuge) or a cottage (gite).
Refuges
are a very basic hut-like form of accommodation, generally situated in the uninhabited
mountainous regions of France that are frequented by climbers and hikers. For
the most part, the refuges tend to be run by the national park authorities or
the Club Alpin Français, although more private organizations are appearing on
the scene each year. Refuges on the more popular tracks and hiking routes are
often open all year round, whereas those in more remote areas only open for the
summer months.
The
typical refuge offers bunk beds, mattresses and blankets, but rarely sheets. In
some refuges an attendant (gardien) is on site to cook meals - usually
at an additional charge. Average prices per person/per night are 50-60FF. For
details on refuges contact the local tourist office (office de tourisme)
for the area you will be climbing/hiking in. Alternatively, contact the refuge
direct to make the reservation, as most of them are on the phone nowadays. Telephone
numbers for refuges are listed in such books as -Guide des Refuges et Gites des
Alpes published by Glenat for the Alps, and Hebergement en montagne published
by Editons Randonnees for the Pyrenees.
Gites
come in two different types (Gites d'étape and Gites rurals) which are
distinguished by size and amenities. Gites d'etape are the smaller and more basic
of the two, being similar in size and style to refuges. They tend to be better
equipped than refuges, often having such luxuries as showers, but are not found
in such remote areas as refuges are. They cost about the same as a refuge, averagely
50-60FF per night/per person.
When
someone talks about staying in a gite, they are nearly always referring to a Gite
rural. These rural gites, usually situated in small villages or on farms, are
much like cottages, having much better facilities than refuges or gites d'etape.
This aside, those considering staying in a gite really ought to have a vehicle,
as these cottages are often some distance from the shops. With such amenities
as living rooms, kitchenettes and bathrooms, these larger, more comfortable gites
often appeal to families or older couples. Most gites have a minimum length of
stay of one week, but if the traveller is prepared to haggle or shop around, it
is possible to get places for around three/four days. Prices for gites vary greatly
depending on location, amenities and the time of the year, and are often more
than a hotel in the same area would be, but this is understandable given the privacy
and freedom a gite offers.
All
gites rurals are represented by the organization Gites de France, which has a
branch in each départment of the country. The organization's principal role is
to act as a liaison between the gite's owner (proprietaire) and the person
wishing to rent it. Each branch publishes an annual brochure listing all the gites
of their area, which may be applied for telephoning or writing to them in person.
Details on how to contact each region's Gites de France office are available from
the local tourist office - often the gite brochure itself can be obtained there
too. Alternatively, you may contact the Gites de France H.Q. by writing
to
Some
of the Gites de France branches, depending on prior consultation with individual
owners, can offer a English-speaking reservation service. However, if this is
not the case, the traveler is expected to deal directly with the owner. A useful
expression to know here is "Parlez-vous anglais?"[Parl-ay voo eng-lay] (Do you
speak English?). If the answer to this question is "oui"[wee] (yes), your problems
are over!
Reservations
for the summer period should be made well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Do not be surprised if the owner asks for a deposit as this is becoming quite
customary nowadays for rural accommodation.
d) Camping
Camping
in France, whether in a tent, camper van, caravan, or mobile home, is very popular.
The country offers literally thousands of camping grounds, ranging in size, location,
facilities and price. Due to this abundance of grounds, camping is also arguably
the cheapest way to stay in France, with only the top of the range sites being
similar in price to a hostel or cheap hotel in the same area.
Campsites
are categorized the same way as French hotels with stars being awarded for their
quality. Campsites attaining less than two stars are probably best avoided (very
few actually score this low), whilst those looking for real luxury should
opt for the four star grounds where swimming pools and on site shops come as standard.
Very
few camping grounds are open all year round, the majority are closed over the
winter period, others are only open to the public during the summer months (May
- Sept). The peak period consists of July and August, two months which are
especially busy as many of France's city dwellers get away from it all during
this time, flocking to both countryside and coastal campsites. Therefore, despite
the large number of camping grounds in the country, if you are planning to take
your vacation in July or August, you are strongly recommended to reserve well
in advance (at least 3/4 months) to avoid disappointment. If you have not
booked a pitch prior to your arrival in France, your best chance of securing one
is to try the more secluded camping grounds in the late afternoon as most sites
have check out times around noon. Not needing a parking space will also put you
in better stead.
Hikers
and backpackers should be aware that camping outdoors is illegal in nearly all
of France, but is permissible at times if you:
To
be on the safe side stay in a camping ground, especially in Corsica For lists
of campsites in France and often help with reservations, you should contact the
local tourist authority (office de tourisme) of the area you wish to stay
in. Two such secured servers, which offer an English language reservation services
for France are as follows :
e) Châteaux
To
experience the real countryside of France and to get a real taste of her history,
what better way could there be than to combine the two and stay in an old château
during your time there.
This secured server, which offer an English language reservation services for
France is as follows :
Hotels
in France are as numerous as they are different, coming in all shapes, sizes and
prices. So how do you decide where to stay ?
A
fairly good first indication is how many stars the hotel has. The star rating
is awarded by an independent official organization, corresponding to objective
criteria such as the size and amenities of the rooms and entrance hall, rather
than the decor, cleanliness or decor of the hotel. This aside, the latter usually
do improve with the greater number of stars the hotel has, even if they are not
directly marked on this criteria.
1 star hotels are modest, with small rooms, usually have
shared toilet and shower facilities and sometimes expect you to take the stairs
up to that sixth floor room - as they have no lift ! These lower budget places
are often family businesses, and as a result often make up for in character
what they lack in professional service. 2 star hotels offer a good level of basic comfort and service,
with standard amenities such as W.C, shower, telephone, television, etc.. in
each individual room. The two star hotel is ideal for those weekend breaks or
short stays where you want all the basic creature comforts, but don't want to
pay over the odds for them. 3 star hotels offer a high level of comfort, and tend to
pay more attention to service and individual assistance. With its increased
luxury and customer care, the three star is the perfect choice for those envisaging
a prolonged stay or looking to spend a vacation in a hotel in France. 4 star hotels are the real crème de la crème of the French
hotel industry. With lavish entrance halls and porters to assist you to your
palatial suite, these establishments cut absolutely no corners in offering you
a truly exceptional stay. A four star makes any vacation a real pleasure, as
the weary traveler is pampered to a maximum, allowing them to forget about their
troubles and woes entirely. Amongst the four stars there are also the luxury
four star hotels, such as The Ritz, Georges V, Le Crillon, etc.. which give
you the chance to stay in the style that is usually reserved for the rich and
famous, unless of course you are the rich and famous, as then you will already
know !
A
sound piece of advice for those staying in France during the low season, that's
to say November, December (outside Christmas and New Year's Eve), January,
February and sometimes even during July and August, is to go for a four star hotel,
as during the quieter periods of the year these veritable palaces drop their prices
dramatically and many tourists find themselves able to stay in absolute luxury
at bargain prices ! For example a standard room during high season at a four star
costing 1600FF(US$270) per night could be snapped up for as little as 1200FF(US$200).
It
is reassuring to know that almost all French receptionists speak English nowadays
no matter what category of hotel you opt for.
Despite
the large number of hotels in France, due the country's overwhelming popularity
with tourists, many of them are often fully booked, especially during the busy
summer months. Therefore, travelers should think to book well in advance of when
they will be actually staying (up to three months before leaving) to avoid
disappointment.
With
the growth of the Internet in France, it is now easier than ever to reserve yourself
a hotel from overseas. By simply filling in a reservation form and sending your
credit card details you can confirm and guarantee yourself somewhere to stay without
even phoning abroad. It is advisable to stick to a secured server for this sort
of reservation as this way you can be assured that your transaction is carried
out in the utmost security. Two such secured servers, which offer an English language
reservation services for France are as follows :
b) Lodging with a French
family
One
of the cheaper ways to stay in France is to become a paying guest (hote payant)
with a French family. As well as being relatively inexpensive, the other obvious
advantage of this choice is that it is a great way to improve your spoken French,
as you will more than likely be obliged to converse with the family in their native
tongue.
The
majority of what's on offer in this category takes the form of studio style accommodation,
often loft conversions and the like, with most paying guests having their own
bedroom, W.C and bathroom, sharing the kitchen and lounge with the family. Sometimes
the guest will have their own private entrance, so they do not disturb the family
if they keep irregular hours.
The
guest pays for the accommodation by the day, week or month, in accordance with
the family's wishes, at a price that usually equates to between 1800-3000FF per
month, which nearly always includes breakfast - some families also offer an evening
meal at a small additional cost. The minimum length of stay varies greatly, as
do the rules the family expects you to adhere to during your stay. For this reason
it is advisable to clear any special requests with the family before you move
in. Be warned that boyfriends and girlfriends are often not welcome ! However,
if loved ones will only be visiting a few times during your stay, why not be a
bit more romantic and book a room in a hotel with what you save on rent by lodging
with the family in the first place ?
Those
wishing further information about staying with a French family should contact
one of the following agencies which can arrange stays anywhere in France :
Average cost in Paris : 200-400FF (US$35-70) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 150-300FF (US$25-50) double room for one night.
Average cost in Paris : 350-600FF (US$60-100) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 250-450FF (US$40-75) double room for one night.
Average cost in Paris : 500-1000FF (US$85-170) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 400-900FF (US$70-150) double room for one night.
Average cost in Paris : 1500-5000FF (US$250-840) double room for one night.
Average cost in Provinces : 900-4000FF (US$150-670) double room for one night.
Amicale Culturelle Internationale,
27 rue Godot de Mauroy, 75009 Paris, France.
Tel : (33) 1 47 42 94 21, fax : (33) 1 49 24 02 67.
Renting
an apartment for a long term stay in France is extremely difficult, even for a
native, so you can just imagine how much more red tape has to be overcome for
a foreigner to succeed. To start with, if you don't speak French, or have someone
with you who does, you will find it very difficult to advance at all, as very
few English speaking services available in this area. Secondly, most agencies,
(if you choose to do it this way), do not take cash, but want a check drawn
on a French bank account. However, you will find most landlords fold under the
pressure of seeing one month's rent and two month's deposit in cash being waved
around under their noses.
There
are two main options open to the flat-hunter, the first and more frantic is to
search amongst the classified adverts (petites annonces) in newspapers
and magazines. This method really does operate on the first come, first served
principle, so be prepared as you enter the flat/house, (go armed with all the
necessary references and deposits), as you may have to move swiftly to secure
yourself a place to live.
Newspapers
to consider when hunting are De particulier à particulier which comes out on Thursdays,
Tuesday's Figaro, the daily International Tribune, and the English-language fortnightly
FUSAC. Other places to look are in the butcher's, on the till in particular -
this is the French equivalent of placing an ad in the news-agent's window. Students
should ask the university they will be studying at for their housing list which
is available from the CROUS office. Specific to Paris, students will find a housing
list always on display at the American Church (l'eglise Americaine) on
the Rive Gauche.
Electing
to find a place through an agency may be slightly more civilized than scouring
the newspapers, but the luxury will cost you. Most agencies charge a finder's
fee of a month's rent or a fixed rate of around 3000FF - whichever the more expensive
is! The other downside with agencies is that they demand an incredible amount
of paperwork. If you only have a short length of time to find a place in, an agency
is your best bet, as they do have a very fast turnover rate if you can't wait
for the weekly housing lists.
To
quicken the process, you should turn up to the agency with the following:
When
you are being shown the apartment, you should check to see if:
Persistence
is the best policy to adopt when looking for somewhere to live in France. And
remember, if start to feel as if you're never going to find that apartment, don't
panic as thousands of fellow travelers have managed to overcome this bureaucratic
hurdle before you, and you'll be no exception to the rule.
* proof of income - last 3 months'
salary slips (fiches de paie/bulletins de salaire)
* photocopy of your identity card
or passport
* a letter (in French) from someone
willing to act as your guarantor(caution)
* bank account details
* the water pressure in the bathroom
is adequate
* the toilet flushes properly
* the drains are clear
* the windows can be securely fastened
* the front door locks
* the kitchen equipment will remain
* the circuit will take high voltage
appliances without blowing a fuse
* everything mentioned on the iventory
(inventaire) is present
* there is a security code (code
d'acces) on entrance door - safer if there is
* there is a caretaker (gardien
or concierge) for the building - safer if there is