Are chambre d'hotes and small family-run hotels so ubiquitous across France - specifically in the Loire River Valley and Normandy - that in June or July you can just roll into a town or village and knock on a few doors at most to find a room for two?
Such is the case in Ireland and in several Eastern European countries where we've traveled on numerous occasions throughout the summer months with no problems at all. Well OK, once in Westport, Co. Mayo on a weekend, but still we found a room in town.
We're bicycle tourists who do not own cell phones and relish the adventure and freedom of such unencumbered travel. We'll duck into a local tourist office if needed, but otherwise like to wing it.