Aix-en-Provence
Attached to Aix’s thermal spa, this four-star hotel knows how to pamper: rates include access to the Sensory spa, with a Finnish sauna, two hammams …
Must-see hotels in Provence & the Côte d'Azur
Côte d'Azur
This hilltop hotel's charm is largely due to the cafe-clad square with panoramic view on which it resides. The hotel itself is dead simple: local bar on…
Centre International de Séjour Îles de Lérins
Îles de Lérins
It's not the Ritz, but with a little planning you can actually stay overnight in Île Ste-Marguerite's historic fort. This 200-bunk hostel, which caters to…
Parc National du Mercantour
In the minuscule village of Rimplas, off the road connecting the Vésubie and Tinée valleys, this basic hotel is a favourite for hikers exploring the…
Aix-en-Provence
On the southern side of the Mazarin luarter, this friendly family-run hotel represents super value in Aix – the rates hardly vary, making it a real…
Cassis
If you’re keen to save some centimes, this old-fashioned hotel just five minutes' stroll from the waterfront is a decent bet. It’s set around a lovely…
Nice
This hybrid hotel-hostel, in a 19th-century mansion by the train station, understands it’s the little things in life that count: free beach mats to borrow…
Var
Bandol’s hotels can be short on charm, but this small place on the point between the port and Renécros beach is one of the better options. Rooms are…
Arles
Modern, shiny and neat, this efficient if uninspiring hostel's drawcard is its location, 10 minutes' walk from the city centre. The usual Fédération Unie…
Camargue
This simple 10-room hotel is a real bargain, offering some of the cheapest rooms anywhere in the Camargue – and while it might not be luxurious, the…
Côte d'Azur
Handy for both the train station and the town centre, this small hotel is one of the better-value options in St-Raphaël. Rooms are plain and proper, with…
Parc National du Mercantour
Named after the annual tradition of herding livestock up and down from the mountain pastures, this quiet 18th-century farm is equally pleasant if you're…
Marseille
Cheap, cheerful and a touch tatty, this hostel-hotel is a well-located option for the budget-conscious. You get what you pay for: the dorms and doubles…
Parc National du Mercantour
A small, traditional alpine hotel in the little village of Auron, about 8km south of St-Etienne-de-Tinée. Above a busy restaurant serving hearty mountain…
Vaucluse
There's no hostel in central Avignon, but budgeteers can catch TCRA bus 4 (Monteau stop) over to this place just outside Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. It's…
Marseille
This simple indie hotel is far from Marseille's most glamorous, but it does have a lot to offer: a great location just off the Vieux Port; a fine rooftop…
Camargue
True birders must not miss a night in Salin de Badon's gîte, a cottage with 20 beds over seven rooms. There's a kitchen, toilet, solar electricity and…
Côte d'Azur
There's nothing particularly special about the rooms at this roadside inn, but the reception is friendly, the attached restaurant is excellent, and the…
Var
Occupying an ochre-painted 18th-century townhouse, Collobrières’ most high-end option has 10 rooms individually decorated around jewel themes (coral,…
St-Tropez
What a great spot this simple hotel has, in an old villa on the edge of place des Lices. It's so perfectly situated that you don't mind the plainness of…
Parc National du Mercantour
Situated right opposite the main gate of Colmars-les-Alpes, this simple, good-value hotel makes a decent base in the valley. It's far from luxurious, but…
The Luberon
Four cute cottages, tinted orange like the rest of Roussillon, and surrounded by grassy lawns. They’re rustic in style, and all have self-contained…
Parc National du Mercantour
Magical mountain views unfurl from this large Swiss-chalet-style hotel 8km north of St-Martin-Vésubie. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but you…
Arles
On the road to Marseille, 1.5km southeast of town, Camping City is the closest campground to Arles. Bike hire and laundry facilities are available, and…
Côte d'Azur
This modern hotel offers 15 well-kept rooms and suites with stripy fabrics, wood floors and wrought-iron balconies overlooking a splendid pool with…
Var
A prime address for beachside sleeping; some of the rooms have terraces facing the sea, and are accordingly more pricey. Half-board is available (adult…
Vaucluse
Despite the heritage 18th-century façade, inside this former mansion (now owned by Best Western) the rooms are fairly generic: comfy enough, but short on…
Gorges du Verdon
Large, activity-oriented campsite on the shores of Lac Ste-Croix; also has wooden chalets and mobile homes. There's usually a two-night or four-night…
Aix-en-Provence
On the edge of Vieil Aix, this faded hotel is hardly luxurious, but it’s a bit of a bargain as long as you can put up with the no-frills decor. There’s a…
St-Tropez
An immaculately clean converted house, five minutes' walk from place des Lices, the Colombier’s fresh, summery decor is inherently relaxing. Rooms are in…
Camargue
Directly across from the town's stout northern bastion, this pocket-sized chambre d’hôte has four artfully appointed rooms, one with a small private…
Toulon
The over-the-top, Italian-inspired decor is slightly risible and the lighting could be nicer, but Little Palace is well run, friendly and has 23 great…
Vaucluse
Plus points for this no-frills hotel: it's cheap as chips and dead central. Minus points: rooms are basic bordering on spartan, and can be very prone to…
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…
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.
Vaucluse
A large, well-run campsite opposite the Théâtre Antique. It gets lots of sun, and there's a pool.
