French Accommodation Information

Information Regarding Accommodation In France

• If possible, book your accommodation before you set off. During holiday periods, popular destinations can get very full indeed!

• It is worthwhile having a few useful household items in your luggage (e.g. toilet roll, soap, can/bottle opener, torch, corkscrew).

• If you have booked, but are going to arrive late, phone en route.

• If you will arrive at a gîte, apartment or villa late in the evening, stop en route and buy essential food stuffs.

• Remember bed linen, if not supplied.

• If you are touring with a tent, do not assume that you'll be able to find a pitch as you go. Many sites, especially in coastal resorts, will be full in high season.

• A local visitors' tax, the taxe de séjour, is payable in some areas. Check with the hotel reception, owner or agent whether you are liable to pay this.

Overnight stays in France

Overnight stays in France are very well served by B&Bs (chambres d'hôtes), motels and hotels, ranging from 1- to 5-star. Alternatively book online through our holiday search.

B&Bs in France

Chambres d'hôtes (B&Bs) are plentiful in France and are easily found via roadside signs. They vary from rooms in working farmhouses to professional guest houses. No real advice to be offered here - just knock on the door and ask questions! Alternatively book online through our holiday search.

Hotels and motels in France

Usually hotels and motels in France conveniently positioned on the outskirts of towns, in sight of main roads, these are ideal for an overnight stop. They can be booked in advance by telephone through central reservations (from UK or France). Obtain numbers and locations from tourist offices. Alternatively, just book in at reception.

Rooms are usually doubles, though a third bed is often available at little or no extra cost.

• Rates quoted are usually for doubles, but do check.

• Don't expect breakfast to be included in your room rate - it usually isn't, so check before you eat!

• If the hotel is one of a group or chain, you can ask the receptionist to telephone a reservation ahead to your next destination.

• If you can't find the third bed, try pulling out the drawer under the double!

• Some, like the Campanile chain, have restaurants (or grills) on site, in separate buildings.

• Star-rating and price vary; as these hotels are often placed very close to one another, walk in and compare!

• Chains include Akéna, Balladins, Campanile, Fasthotel, Formule 1, Logis de France, Novotel, Première Classe and Villages Hotels. (This is a representative sample and by no means a comprehensive list.)

Hotels in France

As a rule, you will be asked for a deposit of 25% when you book (non-returnable if you cancel, though you should be paid double your deposit if the hotel cancels). If a payment on account (acompte) is made and you cancel, you must pay the total value of your booking.

Hotels in France may offer terms for bed only (breakfast is usually extra), half-board (demi-pension), bed, breakfast and one meal or full board (pension complète).

• If you have a complaint, notify the hotelier straight away. A problem cannot be rectified in retrospect.

Holiday lets in France

If you have booked your let through agents, they (or their representative) will be your first point of contact. If you are dealing directly with owners, it is they you should call in the event of a problem.

• Make sure you have an emergency contact number for owners or agents. If they are not local (or they're going away themselves), draw up a list of basic services (plumber, electrician etc.) and ask whoever greets you for local contact numbers.

As a last resort look in the Yellow Pages (les Pages Jaunes) under:

BBQs in France

Usually OK to have a BBQ, but may be banned if there is a fire risk - check with the owner or agent for local rules.

Electricity charges

Electricity is almost always charged as an extra, based on the meter reading. Agree a meter reading with the owner on arrival.

• Electricity is expensive - keep tabs on the reading (so there are no nasty shocks!).

Shutters

Many properties have shutters fitted. Use them - they provide excellent protection from intruders (insect and human!) and the owner's insurance may be compromised if you don't.

Trip switch and stopcock

Power cuts (common during storms) can mean having to reset the trip switch (disjoncteur). Make a point of asking where it is. Likewise, locate the stopcock (robinet d'arrêt) in case of a leak.