Colmar
On the edge of the old town, this Logis de France hotel has classically elegant rooms as well as a pool, sauna, hammam and fitness room. Breakfast will…
Must-see hotels in France
Finistère
Close to a long sandy beach in the grounds of a lovely 19th-century mansion, this popular seafront campground has a heated swimming pool and is…
St-Émilion
In a thoughtfully restored town house, the three-star modern rooms here are comfortable but lack sparkle. Much more exciting is the courtyard garden and…
Sète
This impersonal yet well-run hostel with harbour views houses doubles and four-bed dorms, and a self-catering kitchen. It's a steep 10- to 15-minute walk…
Limousin
Brive’s hostel makes a striking first impression, with reception inside a former townhouse; however, most dorm rooms are actually in a modern annexe. It’s…
The Lot
Riverside campground on the southern bank of the Lot near a small swimming beach, with a slew of amenities including canoe and kayak rental. Also tents…
The Dordogne
This welcoming English-run mansion sits a five-minute walk south of Brantôme's central hubbub, and thus affords a gentle escape with gardens, silence and…
Sarlat-la-Canéda
These serviceable budget rooms in the medieval centre are set around a pretty courtyard in the pedestrianised area. There’s no vehicle access, so you’ll…
Lille
The fashion-forward style here reflects the owner's love for contemporary design, with chocolate-brown, beige and grey colour schemes and modern bathrooms…
Clermont-Ferrand
The backstreet location isn't the most scenic, but this no-frills 28-room hotel is clean and cordially staffed. It's a bargain, considering the proximity…
Limousin
Its basic rooms are nothing to write home about, but the hotel is in the centre of Collonges and the restaurant is one of the town's best.
Lorraine
Set in quiet gardens, this hotel has light, modern rooms (including spacious family ones), a swimming pool, a tennis court and a restaurant. It’s 2km east…
Savoie
The price is right for the plain but perfectly functional rooms, and fully equipped apartments, at Les Baladines. There's a laundry room on site, plus ski…
Lyon & the Rhône Valley
For kayakers and hikers, rough camping is available (by reservation) here within the protected section of the gorge. Bivouac de Gaud is also a campground…
Vaucluse
This good camping ground has been recently overhauled and has a pool, hot tub, tennis, laundry and minimart. Camping sites are available both with and…
St-Malo
Perched on a peninsula, this campground has panoramic 360-degree views and is close to beaches and some lively bars, but facilities are very basic –…
Camping Municipal de l’Île d’Or
Amboise
Lovely 291-site campground on the Île d’Or, the island opposite the château. Facilities include pool, tennis courts, ping-pong, canoe hire and kids'…
Cahors
This is a good-value if basic option right in the heart of the old town. Seventeen simple rooms have flashes of modern style and there’s a cute little…
Rouen
Central, friendly and good value, this hotel, situated in a postwar building, has 21 bright, quiet rooms with big windows and simple, practical…
Amboise
Renovated in 2018, this friendly and very central establishment has 27 modest, practical rooms with desks and sound-proofed windows. Great value. No lift.
Anjou
This straightforward hotel, in an excellent location at the riverside edge of the old town, has 23 rooms with particularly comfortable beds. Good value.
The Dordogne
This smart pale stone hotel set back from the main road is decorated in simple pastoral style. Rear rooms overlook the garden and swimming pool.
Camping Municipal Châteaubriand
Brittany
With 48 pitches, this campground at the foot of the ramparts is the closest to the old town, but is only open during the summer months.
Finistère
About 500m east of Lampaul, this sprawling 100-pitch place looks more like a football field than a campground; facilities are basic.
Alsace
Originally a winegrower’s house in the heart of the old town, this old-school hotel has 20 no-frills rooms with wood furnishings.
Avignon
A family-friendly campsite that's shaded and just 20 minutes' walk from the city centre on an adjacent small island in the Rhône.
Limousin
This stone auberge in the centre of the village has simple rooms, and a restaurant for guests only (breakfast and dinner).
Sarlat-la-Canéda
A small, simple hotel just south of the centre on the way to the train station. Not fancy, but serviceable and convenient.
French Basque Country
Modern rooms are tucked just behind the dune, steps away from the beach in Hossegor. The restaurant is well-regarded, too.
The Dordogne
The best of several chain hotels on place Gambetta. Some of the functional rooms have a view over the tree-lined square.
Limousin
This stone townhouse sits on the ring boulevard around the centre, with a sunny terrace and ageing grandma-style rooms.
Parc National des Pyrénées
A mountain-view camping ground 1.5km north along the D920, with pleasant riverside pitches and comfortable chalets.
Finistère
This is a great port of call, featuring four cosy but simple rooms with sea views. Breakfast is €2.50.
Vaucluse
A large, well-run campsite opposite the Théâtre Antique. It gets lots of sun, and there's a pool.
Burgundy
The solid, reasonably priced Hôtel du Nord enjoys a prime location on Mâcon's riverfront.
The Lot
Fully stocked apartments at the foot of the fortress; rates vary by time of year.
