Holiday Accommodation Options

Share | Print

Holiday Accommodation Options

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 Normandy listings:

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'Hotes/B&Bs in The AngloFILE, for Normandy  listings

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

Holiday Apartments and Gîtes de France

» See Cottages & Gîtes to Rent (from private individuals) and Cottages & Gîtes to Rent (through agencies) in The AngloFILE of Normandy 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 your specific needs, Gîtes de France provides "formulae" under the following headings:

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

Gîtes de France contact:

• Calvados: 6, promenade de Madame de Sévigné, 14050 Caen CEDEX 4 
  Tel: 02 31 82 71 65 
  Fax: 02 31 83 57 64 
  e-mail
• Manche: Maison du Département, 50008 Saint Lô CEDEX 
  Tel: 02 33 56 28 80 
  Fax: 02 33 56 07 03 
  e-mail  manchetourisme@cg50.fr 
• Orne: Loisirs Accueil Orne, 88 rue Saint-Blaise, BP 50, 61002 Alençon CEDEX 
  Tel: 02 33 28 07 00 
  Fax: 02 33 29 01 01 
  e-mail
• Seine Maritime: Seine-Maritime Tourisme Réservation (SMTR), Chambre d'Agriculture, Chemin de la Bretèque, BP 59, 76232 Bois-Guillaume CEDEX 
  Tel: 02 35 60 73 34 
  Fax: 02 35 61 69 20 
  e-mail 
• Eure: 9 rue de la Petite Cité, 27008 Evereux CEDEX 
  Tel: 02 32 39 53 38 
  Fax: 02 32 33 78 13 
  e-mail 
• Lists of accommodation are available from many Tourist Offices and Real Estate Agents.

Camping & Caravanning

» See Camping & Caravans in The AngloFILE for Normandy listings.

Youth Hostels

» See Youth Hostels & Backpackers in The AngloFILE, for Normandy 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 you will almost always find an English speaker) will be able to give you a list of addresses and a map, or make calls for a reservation when you arrive in a town. 

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

General Accommodation Information

Holiday Accommodation in The AngloFILE