For a cozy alternative to impersonal hotel rooms, B&Bs (private homes with rooms available to travelers) range from acceptable to sublime. Rooms in B&Bs generally cost €30-35 for a single and €40-45 for a double in France. Many websites provide listings for B&Bs; check out InnFinder (www.inncrawler.com), InnSite (www.innsite.com), BedandBreakfast.com (www.bedandbreakfast.com), Pamela Lanier’s Bed & Breakfast Guide Online (www.lanierbb.com), or BNBFinder.com (www.bnbfinder.com).
Many colleges and universities open their residence halls to travelers when school is not in session; some do so even during term time. Getting a room may take a couple of phone calls and require advanced planning, but rates tend to be low, and many offer free local calls and Internet access. For information on universities in France, consult the following source:
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) lodgings are usually cheaper than a hotel but more expensive than a hostel. Not all 30 French locations offer lodging; those that do are often located in urban areas. Many YMCAs accept women and families; some will not lodge those under 18 without parental permission.
Home exchange offers the traveler various types of homes (houses, apartments, condominiums, villas, even castles in some cases), plus the opportunity to live like a native and to cut down on accommodation fees. For more info, contact HomeExchange.com Inc., P.O. Box 787, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, USA (☎+1-310-798-3864 or toll-free 800-877-8723; www.homeexchange.com) or Intervac International Home Exchange (☎08 20 88 83 42; www.intervac.com).
Hospitality clubs link their members with individuals or families abroad who are willing to host travelers for free or for a small fee to promote cultural exchange and general good karma. In exchange, members usually must be willing to host travelers in their own homes; a small fee may also be required. The Hospitality Club (www.hospitalityclub.org) is a good place to start. Servas (www.servas.org) is an established, more formal, peace-based organization and requires a fee and an interview to join. An Internet search will find many similar organizations, some of which cater to special interests (e.g., women, GLBT travelers, or members of certain professions). As always, use common sense when planning to stay with or host someone you do not know.
Travelers planning to stay in France for extended periods of time may find it most cost-effective to rent an apartment. A basic one-bedroom (or studio) apartment in Paris will range €500-1500 per month. Besides the rent itself, prospective tenants are usually required to front a security deposit (frequently 1 month’s rent). Apartment hunters should be aware that landlords will often demand proof of income and a cosigner before agreeing to rent a space.
A good place to check for apartments is craigslist (www.craigslist.org), a forum for renters and rentees where you can see others’ listings. You may have more success if you post your own housing needs and allow renters to contact you. For apartments and houses to buy or rent throughout France, try Go-To-France (www.go-to-france.co.uk). The site also offers practical advice for prospective renters.
The French are avid campers but approach the outdoors in a civilized way. After 3000 years of settled history, there is little wilderness in France. Even if you find any, forget those romantic dreams of roughing it, unless your definition of “roughing it” involves a stint in jail—it is illegal to camp in public spaces or to light your own fires. Organized campings (campgrounds) are ranked on a four-star system and often include amenities such as bars, supermarkets, playgrounds, and swimming pools. Campgrounds generally charge separately for the use of their sites (€1.50-7 per site or tent) and for the number of people staying in them (€3-6 per person, less for children). Most campsites have toilets, showers, and electrical outlets, though often at extra expense (€2-5). Where relevant, campgrounds are listed at the end of the Accommodations section of towns in Let’s Go. A comprehensive search by region or criteria of over 10,000 campgrounds in France can be found at www.campingfrance.com. Some campgrounds rent tents or RVs. For more information on outdoor activities in France, consult the following resources or see The Great Outdoors, below.
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
Foursquare
Newsletter
RSS Feed
Overview