Page 423 - Lonely Planet France’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

Seasons Camping
¨ In ski resorts, high season is Christmas, New Be it a Mongolian yurt, boutique treehouse
Year and the February–March school holidays. or simple canvas beneath stars, camping
in France is in vogue. Thousands of well-
¨ On the coast, high season is summer, par- equipped campgrounds dot the country,
ticularly August. many considerately placed by rivers, lakes
¨ Hotels in inland cities often charge low- and the sea.
season rates in summer. ¨ Most campgrounds open March or April to
¨ Rates often drop outside the high season – in late September or October; popular spots fill up
some cases by as much as 50%. fast in summer so it is wise to call ahead.
¨ In business-oriented hotels in cities, rooms ¨ ‘Sites’ refer to fixed-price deals for two
are most expensive from Monday to Thursday people including a tent and a car. Otherwise the
and cheaper over the weekend. price is broken down per adult/tent/car. Factor
¨ In the Alps, hotels usually close between sea- in a few extra euro per night for taxe de séjour
sons, from around May to mid-June and from (holiday tax) and electricity.
mid-September to early December; many ad- ¨ Euro-economisers should look out for local,
dresses in Corsica only open Easter to October. good-value but no-frills campings municipaux
(municipal campgrounds). France Travel Guide ACCOMMODATION
B&Bs ¨ Many campgrounds rent mobile homes with
For charm, a heartfelt bienvenue (wel- mod cons like heating, fitted kitchen and TV.
come) and solid home cooking, it’s hard ¨ Pitching up ‘wild’ in nondesignated spots
to beat France’s privately run chambres (camping sauvage) is illegal in France.
d’hôte (B&Bs) – urban rarities but as
common as muck in rural areas. By law ¨ Campground offices often close during
a chambre d’hôte must have no more the day.
than five rooms and breakfast must be ¨ Accessing many campgrounds without your
included in the price; some hosts prepare own transport can be slow and costly, or simply
a meal (table d’hôte) for an extra charge of impossible.
around €30 including wine. Pick up lists of
chambres d’hôte at tourist offices, or find
one to suit online. Hostels
Hostels in France range from funky to
Bienvenue à la Ferme (www.bienvenue-a threadbare, although with a wave of
-la-ferme.com) design-driven, up-to-the-minute hostels
Chambres d’Hôtes France (www.cham
bresdhotesfrance.com)
Fleurs de Soleil (www.fleursdesoleil.fr)
Selective collection of 550 stylish maisons Sleeping Price Ranges
d’hôte, mainly in rural France The following price ranges refer to
Gîtes de France (www.gites-de-france. a double room in high season, with
com) France’s primary umbrella organisation private bathroom (any combina-
for B&Bs and self-catering properties (gîtes); tion of toilet, bathtub, shower and
search by region, theme (charm, with kids, by washbasin), excluding breakfast
the sea, gourmet, great garden etc), activity unless otherwise noted. Breakfast
(fishing, wine tasting etc) or facilities (pool, is assumed to be included at a B&B.
dishwasher, fireplace, baby equipment, etc) Where half board (breakfast and
iGuide (www.iguide-hotels.com) Gorgeous dinner) and full board (breakfast,
presentation of France’s most charming and lunch and dinner) is included, this is
often-times most upmarket B&Bs, organised mentioned with the price.
by region and/or theme (romantic, gastro-
nomic, green, oenological and so forth) € less than €90 (€130 in Paris)
Samedi Midi Éditions (www.samedimidi. €€ €90–190 (€130–250 in Paris)
com) Country, mountain, seaside…choose €€€ more than €190 (€250 in
your chambre d’hôte by location or theme Paris)
(romance, golf, design, cooking courses)

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