Hotels and the Star System
French hotels are classified from one to five stars under a national system managed by Atout France, the national tourism agency. The rating reflects facilities and services rather than charm, so a simple two-star hotel in a historic building can be more pleasant than a large modern three-star. A small number of five-star hotels hold the additional Palace distinction.
A few practical points:
- Breakfast is often not included in the room rate, and hotel breakfasts can be expensive. A café nearby is frequently a cheaper option.
- Rooms: a "lit double" is one double bed, while "deux lits" or "twin" means two single beds. Many older hotels have small rooms and lifts.
- Check-in is usually from mid-afternoon, and small family hotels may have limited reception hours.
- Logis hotels: the Logis association groups independent, often family-run hotels, many with a restaurant, especially in small towns and the countryside.
Chambres d'Hôtes
A chambre d'hôtes is the French equivalent of a bed and breakfast: rooms in the owner's home, with breakfast included. French law limits chambres d'hôtes to five rooms and 15 guests, and the host must provide breakfast and clean linen. Some hosts also offer an evening meal, the table d'hôtes, shared with other guests, which needs to be booked in advance.
Chambres d'hôtes are common in rural areas and wine regions, and are often in old farmhouses, manor houses or village houses. They suit travellers who want local advice and do not mind a less private setting than a hotel.
Gîtes and Holiday Rentals
A gîte is a self-catering house or apartment, usually in the countryside. The Gîtes de France network classifies its properties with a rating in "épis" (ears of wheat), and other labels and star ratings for furnished tourist rentals also exist. In summer, many gîtes rent by the week, often from Saturday to Saturday, while shorter stays are more common out of season.
Holiday rentals on online platforms are widespread in cities as well. In Paris and several other large cities, the rental of homes to tourists is regulated: hosts must register their property and display a registration number, and there are limits on how many nights a year a main residence can be rented. Booking a listing that shows a valid registration number reduces the risk of a last-minute cancellation.
Campsites
France has thousands of campsites, rated from one to five stars. They range from simple municipal sites with basic facilities to large holiday parks with pools, restaurants and entertainment. Many campsites rent mobile homes, chalets or ready-pitched tents, which make camping possible without your own equipment. In July and August, coastal campsites fill up and often require minimum stays, so book early. Many close from autumn to spring.
Mountain Refuges, Gîtes d'Étape and Hostels
In the Alps, Pyrenees and other mountain areas, refuges provide dormitory accommodation and meals for walkers and climbers, often in places reachable only on foot. Many are run by the Club Alpin Français or the national parks. Booking is strongly recommended in summer, and some refuges are only staffed during the main season. Gîtes d'étape, found along long-distance walking and cycling routes, offer simple dormitory or private rooms at modest prices.
Youth hostels (auberges de jeunesse) are found in major cities and some tourist areas. The Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (FUAJ) is the French member of Hostelling International, and independent hostels are common in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux. Many offer private rooms as well as dormitories, and there is usually no upper age limit.
Tourist Tax and Other Costs
Almost all accommodation in France charges a tourist tax (taxe de séjour) per person per night, set by the local authority and varying with the type and category of accommodation. It is often added at checkout or collected by the rental platform. Children are usually exempt. Other extras to check include cleaning fees for rentals, bed linen and towels in some gîtes, and parking in city hotels.
Choosing the Right Option
For cities, hotels and well-located apartments are the easiest choices. In wine regions and the countryside, chambres d'hôtes give you local knowledge and a good breakfast. Families staying a week in one area often save money with a gîte or a campsite rental. In August, many French families are on holiday, so book coastal and mountain accommodation well in advance.
