Holiday Accommodation Options

Taking a holiday in Alsace-Lorraine? Going on vacation to north-eastern France? Information on finding a place to stay: self-catering accommodation, bed and breakfast, rural gite or cottage or budget hotel or backpacker accommodation, find out more...

France is one of the most visited countries in the world so, you can be sure to find a well-developed network of services to tourists. There are many different types of accommodation, appropriate to different sorts of holidays and budgets.

Hotels

» See The AngloFILE, for listings for Hotels in the region.

The hotels in France are classified for tourism by the local state authority, the Préfecture. The classification guidelines are as follows:

4 star L: Outstanding, luxury hotel
4 star: Highly superior hotel
3 star: Highly comfortable, tourist hotel
2 star: Good standard, tourist hotel
1 star SE: Average standard, tourist hotel

Chambres d'Hôtes (B&Bs)

» See Chambres d'Hôtes/B&Bs in The AngloFILE, for listings

These vary from a room in a private house to well organised, professionally run guesthouses.

Holiday Apartments and Gîtes de France

» See Self Catering Holiday Rentals & Gîtes to Rent in the AngloFILE for listings

Originally rustic farmhouse accommodation, the Fédération Nationale des Gîtes de France has evolved over the years to include Bed and Breakfast type accommodation and self-catering facilities, outside of the big cities.

To date, the organisation represents 38,000 owners, 55,000 addresses and 30 million days of holidaymaking. High standards are maintained and one can generally be guaranteed quality facilities from a Gîtes de France member.

To select the type of holiday accommodation closest to a person's specific needs, Gîtes de France provides "formulae" under the following headings. See the Gîtes de France website:

Gîte Rural: Holiday rentals in country areas
Gîte Chambre d'Hôte: Bed and Breakfast in a private home, often with Table d'Hôte (modest meals provided by the owner)
Gîte d'Etape or Gîte de Séjour: Rural accommodation for hikers, and nature sports enthusiasts

Lists of accommodation are available from many Tourist Offices and Real Estate Agents.

Camping & Caravanning

» See Camp Sites & Caravan Parks in The AngloFILE for listings.

Youth Hostels

» See Youth Hostels & Backpackers in The AngloFILE, for listings

There are two main Youth Hostel organisations in France:

The FUAJ, Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (the French youth hostel federation)
The international organisation is Hostelling International
The Ligue Francaise for the Auberge de la Jeunesse also has listed hostels. In order to benefit from the resources and budget travel prices, you must be a registered member. You will receive your L.F.A.J. card. Contact the head office in Paris
Tel: 01 45 48 69 84
Fax: 01 45 44 57 47

There are many other privately managed hostels, particularly in the city centres.

The Tourist Offices (where there are almost always English speakers) will be able to give lists of addresses and a map, or make calls for a reservations.

Where possible, it is advisable to find out if it a bed can be reserved in advance, especially during the summer season from May to September (however, be aware that many hostels don't take reservations).