Holiday Accommodation Options in the French Alps

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Holiday Accommodation Options in the French Alps

France is one of the most visited countries 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.

• See the AngloFILE for listings for Hotels & Holiday Accommodation in the region

Hotels

The hotels in France are classified for tourism by the local state authority, the Préfecture. The classification guidelines are as follows:

• 4 star L: Outstanding, luxury hotel
• 4 star: Highly superior hotel
• 3 star: Highly comfortable, tourist hotel
• 2 star: Good standard, tourist hotel
• 1 star SE: Average standard, tourist hotel

Chambres d'Hôtes/B&Bs

• See Chambres d'Hôtes, Bed & Breakfast in the AngloFILE

Self-Catering Chalets, Gîtes & Apartments

• See Self-Catering Chalets, Gîtes & Apartments in the AngloFILE

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. See the Gîtes de France website.

• 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.
• Lists of accommodation are available from many Tourist Offices

Camping and Caravanning

• See Campsites and Caravan Parks in the AngloFILE

Youth Hostels

• See Youth Hostels & Backpackers in the AngloFILE 

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 a town.

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