Holiday Accommodation Options

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Holiday Accommodation Options

France - and Paris - is one of the most visited countries - and cities - in the world so, you can be sure to find a well-developed network of services to tourists. There are many different types of accommodation, appropriate to different sorts of holidays and budgets.

Hotels

» See The AngloFILE, for Paris listings:

France star ratings

The hotels in France are classified for tourism by the local state authority, the Préfecture. The classification rates hotels according to services, amenities and standard room features, charm and atmosphere are not taken into account. The classification guidelines are as follows: 

• Hotel services and amenities: trilingual reception desk staff (includes English), concierge, bellhop, valet parking, baby-sitting, room service (breakfast also), meeting rooms and private parking. A fitness club and pool are sometimes available. 
• Room features: suite or apartment with minimum surface area of 14 square metres, private bath, direct telephone line, television, cable, Canal+, data port, radio, alarm clock, hair dryer, air conditioning, mini-bar and room safe. Non-smoking rooms, cribs and children's beds available on request.

• Hotel services and amenities: trilingual reception desk staff (includes English), concierge, bellhop, valet parking, baby-sitting, room service (breakfast also), meeting rooms and private parking. A fitness club and pool are sometimes available. 
• Room features: minimum surface area of 12 square metres, private bath, direct telephone line, television, cable, Canal+, data port, radio, alarm clock, hair dryer, air conditioning, mini-bar and room safe. Non-smoking rooms, cribs and children's beds available on request

• Hotel services and amenities: trilingual reception desk staff (includes English), room service (breakfast also) and meeting rooms. 
• Room features: minimum surface area of 10 square metres, private bath in at least 80% of rooms, direct telephone line, television, cable and sometimes Canal+, radio, alarm clock, hair dryer, air conditioning, mini-bar and room safe. Non-smoking rooms, cribs and children's beds available on request.

• Hotel services and amenities: bilingual reception desk staff, meeting rooms and safety deposit boxes.
• Room features: minimum surface area of 9 square metres, private bath in at least 40% of rooms, direct telephone line, television and sometimes cable, radio, alarm clock, hair dryer, air conditioning. Children's beds available on request.

• Room features: minimum surface area of 9 square metres, private bath in at least 20% of rooms, telephone, radio, alarm clock. Television and children's beds sometimes available.

No stars:

• Room features: minimum surface area of 8 square metres with bed and sometimes television. Shared toilets and bathing facilities.

Paris high & low seasons

• High season: March to July, September and October
• Low season: August, and November to February

These dates are only a general guideline and in no way guarantee inexpensive rates during the supposed "low season." Conventions, trade fairs and fashion showings can also affect prices.

• Fashion weeks: January and July (couture), March and October (ready-to-wear)
• Trade fairs: spring and autumn (fall)

Reservations & fees

Reservations between May and October should be booked six weeks in advance. Reservation by telephone generally requires a major credit card. Confirmation by mail or fax is strongly advised during the high season.

In many cases, full payment can be made in advance. The hotel's cancellation of your prepaid reservation constitutes violation of a contractual agreement. Should this happen, seek redress through the city's official tourist office.

Notify the hotel if you anticipate checking in after 18:00 - you could risk losing your room otherwise. Same-day reservations can be made in person at branches of the Office de Tourisme de Paris. A nominal fee is charged depending on the hotel category.

A room tax (taxe de séjour) of €0.20 to €1.50 is charged per person, per night.

Double-occupancy rooms with twin beds are generally more expensive than those with a double bed. Single occupancy is in many cases as expensive as double.

Rooms without a bathroom are typically 20% less expensive.

Standard bed sizes: single 90 x 190cm; double 140 x 190cm or 160 x 200cm.

Breakfast is generally included in the room rate.

Chambres d'Hôtes (B&Bs)

» See Chambres d'Hotes/B&Bs in The AngloFILE, for Paris listings

These vary from a room in a private house to well organised, professionally run guesthouses. 

Holiday Apartments and Gîtes de France

» See Self Catering & Holiday Rentals in The AngloFILE of Paris listings

Originally rustic farmhouse accommodation, the Fédération Nationale des Gîtes de France has evolved over the years to include Bed and Breakfast type accommodation and self-catering facilities, outside of the big cities. 

To date, the organisation represents 38,000 owners, 55,000 addresses and 30 million days of holidaymaking. High standards are maintained and one can generally be guaranteed quality facilities from a Gîtes de France member.

To select the type of holiday accommodation closest to your specific needs, Gîtes de France provides "formulae" under the following headings:

• Gîtes Rural: Holiday rentals in country areas
• Gîtes Chambre d'Hôte: Bed and Breakfast in a private home, often with Table d'Hôte (modest meals provided by the owner).
• Gîtes d'Etape or Gîtes de Séjour: Rural accommodation for hikers, and nature sports enthusiasts.
• Gîtes de France website: Ile de France

Youth Hostels

» See Youth Hostels & Backpackers in The AngloFILE, for Paris listings

There are two main Youth Hostel organisations in France:

• The FUAJ, Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (the French youth hostel federation).
• The international organisation is Hostelling International.
• The Ligue Francaise for the Auberge de la Jeunesse also has listed hostels. In order to benefit from the resources and budget travel prices, you must be a registered member. You will receive your L.F.A.J. card. Contact the head office in Paris.
  Tel: 01 45 48 69 84
  Fax: 01 45 44 57 47

There are many other privately managed hostels, particularly in the city centres.

The Tourist Offices (where you will almost always find an English speaker) will be able to give you a list of addresses and a map, or make calls for a reservation when you arrive in town. 

Where possible, it is advisable to find out if you can reserve a bed in advance, especially during the summer season from May to September (however, be aware that many hostels don't take reservations).

General Accommodation Information

Holiday Accommodation in The AngloFILE