wife and i want to drive from Paris to Bordeaux through wine country. we want to take our time and stop at several winery's and scenic locations without having to be on a schedule. taking about 3 days to do this. my question is how difficult will it be to find places to stay at night. either quaint hotels or maybe bed and breakfast. we want to experience the French countryside and beauty. but i want to make sure we can find somewhere safe to stay without any trouble. any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
Posted by
OP
sneads ferry, nc, usa
10 posts
we're going in April.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Scott: Check out logisdefrance.com. Many, many small hotels/inns all over France, family-run, and usually with on-site parking at no extra charge. We have never been disappointed in a Logis de France hotel.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You will not have trouble finding a room in April unless you hearts are set on a particular place that might be closed. Given that you are flexible and will have a car you should have zero worries on that score.
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga, USA
2023 posts
We stayed in St Emillion at a wonderful B&B that we found in RS guide book--Chateau Meylet. It sits in a small vineyard and is walking distance to the town. Madame even did a load of laundry for us. Breakfast was very nice and this little B&B was quite a bargain at around 60 euros. The wine caves in St Emillion are not to be missed--just amazing. We saw no need to go into Bordeaux. We were there in May and did book a room ahead.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
There isn't much "wine country" (with the excepton of the lower Loire valley (Tours) until you're down about to the Cognac region. The whole drive is only about six or seven hours anyway and that includes the mess of getting out of Paris and across the Gironde estuary into Bordeaux proper.
This whole region is pretty much neglected by tourists, but I don't know why. You'll have no trouble getting rooms any time of year.
Logisdefrance will work fine, but since you want to poke and dwadle, why not just swing into the TI in Tours or Poitiers and tell them what you want. You'd be surprised what these folks come up with. Sure, they might charge you a couple bucks, or the place you pay might pay them a small fee which is indirectly added to your tariff, but it makes it really simple. Or try a compination of the two: make a note of some Logis places and if they don't pan out, try the TI. I wouldn't be bothered with reservations and I wouldn't worry about it.
St Emillion is a really good idea, maybe the best of the wine towns and probably only rivaled by Cahors or Beaune.