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Accommodation
HOTELS: Room and all meals, ie full-board or pension terms, are usually offered for a stay of three days or longer. Half-board or demi-pension (room, breakfast and one meal) terms are usually available outside the peak holiday period. They are not expensive but adhere to strict standards of comfort. Hotels charge around 30 per cent extra for a third bed in a double room. For children under 12, many chains will provide another bed in the room of the parents free. Logis de France are small- or medium-sized, inexpensive and often family-run hotels which provide good, clean, basic and comfortable accommodation with a restaurant attached. Further information can be obtained from the Fédération Nationale des Logis de France, 83 avenue d’Italie, 75013 Paris (tel: (1) 4584 8384; fax: (1) 4583 5966; e-mail: info@logis-de-france.fr; website: www.logis-de-france.fr). Relais-Châteaux are châteaux hotels. More details on all types of hotel accomodation can be obtained from the Union des Métiers et des Industries Hôtelières, 22 rue d’Anjou, 75008 Paris (tel: (1) 4494 1994; fax: (1) 4265 1621; e-mail: umih@umih.asso.fr). Hotels in Paris: Hotel bookings can be made in person through tourist offices at stations or at the Paris Tourist Office, 127 avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris (tel: (8) 9268 3112; fax: (1) 4952 5300; e-mail: info@paris-touristoffice.com; website: www.paris-touristoffice.com) or free of charge at www.paris-on-line.com.
Guides: Regional lists or hotels are available, as well as the Logis de France guide and various chain/association guides from the French Government Tourist Office and bookshops. The Tourist Office publishes guides to hotels in Paris and the Ile-de-France, available free of charge. Grading: Hôtels de Tourisme are officially graded into five categories according to the quality of the accommodation, which are fixed by government regulation and checked by the Préfecture of the Départements: 5-star: Luxury. 4-star: Deluxe. 3-star: First class. 2-star: Standard. 1-star: Budget. Logis de France are subject to a specific code usually above basic requirements for their grade and are inspected regularly to ensure that they conform to the standards laid down.
SELF CATERING: Gîtes de France are holiday homes (often old farmhouses) in the country, all of which conform to standards regulated by the non-profitmaking National Federation. Contact the Fédération Nationale des Gîtes de France, 59 rue de St Lazare, 75009 Paris (tel: (1) 4970 7575; fax: (1) 4281 2853; website: www.gites-de-france.fr).
Villas, Houses and Apartments Rental: Villas and houses can be rented on the spot. Local Syndicats d’Initiative can supply a complete list of addresses of local rental agencies. Tourists staying in France for over a month may prefer to live in an apartment, rather than in a hotel. For information about apartments to rent, apply to: Fédération Nationale de l’Immobilier, 129 rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, 75439 Paris (tel: (1) 4420 7700; fax: (1) 4225 8084; website: www.fnaim.fr).
CHATEAUX HOLIDAYS: An association, Château-Accueil, publishes a list of châteaux offering accommodation suitable for families. Contact the French Government Tourist Office for further information.
CAMPING/CARAVANNING: There are 7000 campsites throughout France. A few have tents and caravans for hire. Prices vary according to location, season and facilities. All graded campsites will provide water, toilet and washing facilities. Touring caravans may be imported for stays of up to six consecutive months. There are 100 British companies offering camping holidays in France. The French Government Tourist Office has a full list of tour operators who run all types of tours, including camping and special interest holidays.
YOUTH HOSTELS: There are hundreds of these in France, offering very simple accommodation at very low prices. There are hostels in all major towns. Stays are usually limited to three or four nights or a week in Paris. Hostels are open to all members of the National Youth Hostel Association upon presentation of a membership card. Lists are available from national youth hostel organisations. For further information, contact the French Youth Hostels Federation (FUAS) (website: www.fuaj.org) or the French Government Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section).
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