Page 240 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

238  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

friendly hotels and activities,
visit the websites listed in the
directory on the opposite page.

Travelling on a Budget
Provence is not the cheapest
region in France, but prices are
much more reasonable out of
season. Staying inland rather
than in a seaside resort will also
save money. Ask the local tourist
office for advice on affordable
accommodation, such as hostels
and campsites. Travelling by
public transport is cheaper than
hiring a car, and along the coast
The striking Hôtel de Ville of Aix-en-Provence this is a perfectly adequate
option (see pp246–8 and p252).
Admission Prices
travellers with limited mobility. Buying carnets of tickets for
Museum admission prices range On the plus side, disabled parking travel on public transport in
from around €3 to €12. National spaces are plentiful (remember major towns will also save money.
museums are free the first Sunday to bring your international Visiting attractions doesn’t have
of the month, and nearly all orange disc with you), and wheel- to be costly either, as most
municipal museums offer free chairs and other useful equipment museums have free days. Check
or discounted entry on Sundays. can be hired at pharmacies. to see if there are cheaper
The Carte Musée Côte d’Azur, Wheelchair access is still rather family tickets too. However,
which allows unlimited access to limited, although most of the
more than 50 museums in the newer buildings real pleasure of
region, can be purchased from will have ramps Provence can be
participating museums, FNAC and other facilities. experienced for
stores (see p226) and certain The train free and consists
tourist offices (see p237). There company SNCF of admiring the
is also the French Riviera Pass, has carriages spectacular
which offers free access to many designed to International Student views of the
sights and has various discounts accommodate Identity Card Mediterranean
available; see http://en.french wheelchair users and mountains,
rivierapass.com for more details. (see pp246–7), and taxi drivers swimming in the sea, walking
All permanent collections are also obliged to take disabled on the beach and hiking in the
of national museums and people and guide dogs. hills and national parks.
monuments are free for EU card For more information, visit
holders under 26 years of age. Access-Able Travel Source Student Travellers
Churches normally offer free (www.access-able.com).
admission, but a small charge Students carrying a valid Inter-
may be levied to visit cloisters national Student Identification
and chapels. Travelling with Children Card (ISIC) benefit from discounts
Many hotels have family rooms, of between 25 and 50 per cent at
but if they don’t you can ask museums, theatres, cinemas and
Tipping and Taxes them to add a cot or an extra many of the public monuments.
Most restaurants include a bed. There may be an additional The region’s main university is
service charge of 10–15 per charge for this. If you are hiring split between Aix-en-Provence
cent as part of the bill, so there a car and need child seats, be and Marseille; other large
is no need to tip. In a bar or sure to book them in advance universities are located in
café, leave some small change. and ask for them to be fitted Avignon and Nice. You will
A small amount is usually given for you. Children are eligible find the Bureau Information
to taxi drivers, despite service for discounted train travel. Jeunesse (BIJ) and the Centre
being included. Hotel porters, Régional Information Jeunesse
hairdressers and tour guides Gay and Lesbian (CRIJ) in all university towns.
will expect a tip of around €3. These organizations can provide
Travellers
a great deal of information about
There is a strong network of gay student life and a list of inexpen-
Travellers with Disabilities
and lesbian venues in Provence; sive accommodation options.
Provence’s narrow streets can this includes bars, discos and For information on hostels in
make it a difficult area for beaches. For listings of gay- the main towns see page 196.