Page 198 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

196  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

much English. Do not expect
luxury from your gîte (holiday
cottage) as facilities are basic,
but it is a great way to get a
better insight into real Provençal
life. The websites of Clévacances,
AirBNB, Homelidays and
Owners Direct list affordable
gîte and apartment rentals.

Hostels
For the independent traveller,
this is the cheapest, and often
the most convivial accommo-
dation option. There are nine
youth hostels in Provence, all
of which are under the umbrella
of Hostelling International.
A membership card from
your national Youth Hostel
Association (www.yha.org.uk)
is required, or an Ajiste card,
which you can obtain from
Antique-furnished guest room at the romantic Jardins Secrets, Nîmes (see p200) French hostels. In each
university town, the Centre
Facilities and Meals arrive. Check-out time is usually Régional Information Jeunesse
Facilities will vary greatly late morning; if you stay any (CRIJ) can provide a great deal
depending on the location longer you will have to pay of information about student
and rating of each hotel. In more for an extra day. life and a list of inexpensive
remote areas, most hotels have accommodation options.
adjoining restaurants and nearly Booking
all feature a breakfast room or
terrace. Many three-star hotels In high season, it is imperative Camping
have swimming pools, which to book well in advance, A popular pastime in Provence,
can be a godsend in the summer. especially for any popular camping remains an inexpensive
Parking is readily available at coastal hotel. During peak and atmospheric way of
country hotels. Some city hotels season (Jun–Sep), proprietors seeing the area. Facilities range
have underground or guarded may ask for a deposit. Outside from a basic one-star farm or
parking – in larger cities like peak season you may be able vineyard site to the camping
Marseille and Nice this is to turn up on the day, but it is metropolises of the Riviera,
becoming a necessity as car always wise to phone ahead complete with water fun parks
crime is a serious problem. to make sure the establishment and satellite TV. Eurocamp
Many Provençal hotels are is open. Check hotel websites, specializes in family holidays.
converted buildings and, while many of which allow you to Luxury tents are pre-assembled
this adds a definite charm, it book online and offer some at the campsite of your choice,
can mean eccentric plumbing good deals for Internet bookings.
and disturbing creaks and
bumps in the night. Some
hotels are near a main road Self-Catering
or a town square – choosing Provence is a popular self-
a room at the back is usually all catering destination, and
that is required for a peaceful many companies specialize in
night. Most hotels and chambres renting anything from rural farm
d’hôtes now offer free Wi-Fi, at cottages to beach apartments.
least in the public areas, if not One of the best organizations
in the rooms. is Gîtes de France, with its
Traditional French breakfasts headquarters in Paris, which
are common in Provence and in provides detailed lists of
summer are often enjoyed out- accommodation to rent by
side. Evening meals are served the week in each départmentépartmenté .
daily until about 9pm. Dining The gîte owners are obliged
rooms are often closed on to live nearby and are always Camping in Provence, a popular
Sunday – check before you welcoming, but rarely speak accommodation alternative