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Availability of Chambre d'Hotes

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.

Posted by
6113 posts

You should be OK in most areas in June, unless there is a local festival happening. Weekends in June could be much busier in popular spots.

Any decent place will be full from c 7 July onwards, when there is a noticeable increase in the number of people on holidays.

Posted by
1954 posts

Many chambre d’hôtes in France are member of “Gîtes de France”, meaning they have to meet certain quality standards. I have made use of it for many years and never had a bad experience, most of the time good value for the money and always friendly hosts. If you don’t want to use their website / app to find a location, every chambre d’hôte has a panel of this organization outside. I visit France most of the time in (early) June and usually it’s no problem to find a place especially if budget is not a issue.

https://en.gites-de-france.com/

If you can understand the language use the French version as I have the idea it has a wider offer.

Posted by
2537 posts

I think that it would be a mistake to think that during peak tourist season that you can easily find a chambre d'hôte on the fly. In, fact I would strongly caution you against such an idea. France is not like eastern Europe.

You can be very flexible in March and maybe in April but traveling during June and July without reservations can mean spending a night or two in your car or at least an enormous amount of valuable vacation time looking for a place to stay for the night.

Posted by
1954 posts

Most of the time in June I book just a few days prior to arrival and most of the time can easily find places in my price range around €50/night. But popular places like once near Chartres was a bit problematic, but further away in the countryside was not a problem. Found a really good chambre d’hôte at a farm. The hosts were happy to welcome a guest as they saw around that time of the year hardly anyone.

With July I would be more careful as for most Europeans holiday season starts, however most go to the coast or popular regions like Alsace, other places can still feel abandoned, so it depends where you want to go in France if you still can find a place on the fly or not. Personally I like the idea of winging, the challenge finding a place can be part of the fun as I always did being younger. If you are creative and flexible enough you will always find a solution, it's just how you look to it.

Posted by
508 posts

Touché, Will! Thanks for the link. The same can be said for Irish Tourist Board-approved B&Bs. Quantity and quality across the country.

Posted by
1443 posts

Cambres-d'hote should be readily available - unless there are eggs-tenuating circumstances.

Posted by
508 posts

In that case, Fast Eddie we go looking for a basic, boiled egg accommodation in lieu of le grand omelet B&B!

Posted by
1954 posts

David – Seems that whatever happens eggs make you oeuf-oric.

Posted by
508 posts

Wil,

You'll need to translate "oric." It's a word/suffix Mr. Webster didn't share with us!

Posted by
1443 posts

I believe euphoric is the intended subject of the pun, oeuf being French for egg. It's a next-level pun. I am in awe.

Posted by
1954 posts

Thanks, you understand it well FastEddie. I could have indeed used oeuf-orique think David wants to say, but combining the two languages in one word give it more a twist to my opinion or oeuf-egg-t if you like :) .

Posted by
508 posts

Fast Eddie and Wil,

I have met the masters of punnetry! Or, perhaps, les rois des jeux de mots!

Posted by
508 posts

I'll take 'em cooked any way, even if I twist my tongue while dining - or reading!

Posted by
1954 posts

Thanks David, it’s a pleasure to join this thread.