Here’s some great budget accommodation in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins on the Mediterranean coast. Both these places, located on either side of the Cap d’Antibes but a short distance apart, are particularly popular holiday destinations, so hotels tend to be relatively expensive. But there’s some good budget accommodation that I’ve discovered on my trips there.

Rates

Book as far in advance as you can to get the best rates. They will vary according to which season you choose. Generally the high season runs July and August and mostly into September. Some places give specific dates; others are vague. Remember that all prices these days are fluid, except for bed and breakfasts which have fixed prices throughout the year.

The prices shown here are for double rooms for 2 people per night; breakfast is per person. Most of the hotels, and some of the bed and breakfasts, will have triple and family rooms as well. So pick the accommodation you like the most and go from there.

I have included two hotels which are more expensive (Hôtel Juan Beach and Hôtel Mademoiselle, both in Juan-les-Pins). But they are excellent value out of season, and very enjoyable hotels at any time of the year so I’ve got these in this list as well.

Bed and Breakfast in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins

If you prefer something a little less hotel like, try a bed and breakfast. They provide good budget accommodation in Antibes/Juan-les-Pins

L’Air du Temps

There are 3 bedrooms and one small apartment in this pretty Provençal house with its sand coloured exterior and tiled floors. It was built by the present owners, the Scassus, and its delightful rooms have individual character. Mitsouko has a chandelier and a pink/red colour scheme; Vent vert’s green walls are echoed in the garden you step into from French doors. There’s a terrace to laze on, a garden to look at and a pool to swim in or take breakfast beside. Rates include breakfast.

Villa Plein Sol

This bed and breakfast has just three spacious, ground-floor rooms, elegantly decorated with antiques. Just five minutes on foot to the beaches of Juan-les-Pins, the stone-built house is restful and welcoming and has a terraced garden. Take a lazy breakfast outside, and if it rains there’s a communal room with books and games. Rates include breakfast.

Hotels in Antibes

La Jabotte

Tucked down a lane leading to the Salis beach, La Jabotte is a rare and unexpected one-off. It has just 9 rooms, 7 of them on a private terrace looking onto a shared patio, and 2 of them on the first floor of the main hotel. No TVs in the rooms around the terrace for peace and quiet, an attraction that is fiercely protected by the owner. Rooms are prettily decorated in rustic style; bathrooms are very good. There’s a delightful breakfast room which doubles as the reception area, full of odd objects on the walls. The musical can try the keyboard or take down one of the guitars hanging on the walls and don their inner folk star. They have a 24h/24h bar and snacks on site.

There’s a sauna (and also wellness massages), and private parking, plus free bicycle and kayak rental (subject to availability). They provide everything you need for the beach from parasols to towels. There’s a very cheap laundry service which is great if you’re staying some time.

Take their delightful little tuk tuk ride through Antibes. And for a late check-out, like the Hotel Cecil, there is a shower guests can use before setting off.

Hôtel La Place

Centrally located near the old town, but just enough off the main streets to be peaceful, this hotel is delightful. It’s owned by Bernadette Walberer who will probably be there to greet you. 14 rooms on three floors, each with its own fresh and muted colour scheme, are well sized and recently refurbished. Bathrooms are equally good. Book the corner bedroom with its balcony overlooking the street. Take breakfast in the downstairs restaurant or outside on the terrace. The restaurant also acts as a bar and has good plates of cheeses and charcuterie during the day. There is no lift in the hotel.

Modern Hôtel

Right in the heart of Antibes this is the place for a budget stay if you like being in the centre of the action. A few minutes from the outdoor market, the old town and the beaches, it’s near most of the small restaurants. 19 bedrooms are small, plain and functional, but pleasant; atmosphere is friendly and casual. There’s also a small bedroom with kitchenette and small bathroom on the top floor with its own entrance. It’s now run by the grandchildren of the original owners, so you’ll be greeted by Laurence, Jean-Marie or Vincent Fecheno.

Hotels in Juan-les-Pins

Beau Site

Near the small Garoupe beach on the Cap, the 29 rooms are simply but prettily decorated with old wooden furniture in a style dating back to the 18^th century. Views from the windows and balconies look to the sea or the mountains or onto the tree-filled garden. There’s a bar, a decent sized swimming pool and a shady terrace and bicycles to rent. There’s also a suite, plus a studio let by the week.

Eden Hôtel – La Baigneuse

A hop, skip and a jump from the beaches of Juan-les-Pins, the three-star Eden Hotel offers good value for money. The 1930s building looks just like a proper seaside hotel and has 17 refurbished, simply decorated bedrooms, with the ones at the front offering views down the street to the sea. You can take breakfast on the terrace. A major plus of the hotel is the warm welcome from the family who own it.

Hôtel Alexandra

Built at the end of the 19^th century, this 3-star family run hotel has high ceilings and a definite belle epoque feel. 20 good sized rooms are simply furnished in pretty colours. Some have garden views; others overlook the street. You can take breakfast in the pretty garden.

Hôtel Cecil

This is a real find and is my favourite of the small 3-star hotels in Juan-les-Pins. Bought by a Parisian couple five years ago, the hotel has been completely refurbished, re-opening as a boutique hotel a year ago. You’re welcomed by the owner, Delphine Boffy, whose expertise in décor is obvious as soon as you walk into the spacious breakfast room with its modern and quirky items. This is where you take a very good breakfast sourced from bio ingredients. Corridors are bright and airy with each room distinguished by specially commissioned wallpaper, which is echoed inside the room. Beds are a good size, there’s enough cupboard space and bathrooms are well done. One has a free-standing bath (all the rest have showers). There’s a little garden and a small terrace, and unusually for a small hotel here, an elevator.

Finally, there’s a small touch that other hotels should copy. A former single room is now a shower/WC with an iron and ironing board. Guests can use this if they arrive early when rooms are not ready or leave late after check-out. It’s free for guests and means you can have a last-minute swim, take a shower and leave for the airport on your final day. Genius!

Hôtel Des Mimosas

This pretty, three-storey hotel built in the early 1900s is surrounded by a delightful garden full of palm trees and flowering plants. The 34 bedrooms have been refurbished and are a good size and some have balconies overlooking the greenery. There’s an outdoor pool, bar and TV room. Free parking. Book for a minimum of 2 nights only.

Hôtel La Marjolaine

This modest two-star hotel has small rooms in a rather quirky building. It’s in a moderately quiet street and has a terrace-cum-garden in the front. The 16 rooms are old fashioned but delightful. There’s a small lounge and it has private parking.

Hôtel Mademoiselle

This small 3-star boutique hotel of 14 rooms is distinctive and quirky. It’s more expensive than the other hotels in this list, but worth it. Each room is different; some with bold colours; others with eccentric decorations like plaster rhino heads on the walls, or lamps that look like small clouds. It’s all done with style. There’s a small pool, an honesty bar and better than average in-room items like a Nespresso machine in each room. They can also provide meals as part of their room service, and special gluten free breakfasts.

Hôtel Juan Beach

White and blue, just like a seaside hotel should be, and close to the Juan-les-Pins beaches, this 3-star Art Deco 24-room hotel is bright, welcoming and just out of the main frenzy of the resort. Set back slightly from a quiet road, choose a room with a balcony overlooking the small heated swimming pool at the front. There’s no elevator but ground floor rooms. Take breakfast on the terrace in front of the pool or in the charming bar opposite where there’s an open log fire for chilly days. Again, it’s more expensive than most of the hotels here, and particularly during the big events like the Cannes Film Festival when it’s very popular and fully booked way in advance.

La Bastide du Bosquet

La Bastide du Bosquet is an 18^th-century, pink-washed house beautifully restored and now an elegant house to rent out for 4 to 7 nights. Pretty rooms overlook the garden of palm trees and laurels where you can take breakfast, and there’s a good library of books and family games making this a home from home, Provençale style. Guy de Maupassant wrote short stories and his novel Mont Orio while staying here in 1886.

And for a bit of sightseeing…

…You can’t come to this part of France without visiting the Queen of the Mediterranean. Here’s a short guide to what to do and see in Nice.

Check out the local Provence markets in Antibes and nearby

Guide to Provence

The French Riviera has always attracted the famous, literary, the outlandish and writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald. Read Lisa Gerard Sharp’s take on the Riviera – Great Gatsby Style and walk in their footsteps.

More on Hotels in France

Here is information on the best cheap and good value hotel chains in France.

And if you are in Normandy visiting the D-Day Landing beaches, these are the hotels to book.

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Follow this Épernay in Champagne guide for a glorious visit at any time of the year. The small town is considered the capital of champagne rather than its big sister Reims.

Épernay is a charming small town, 28 kms (17 miles) south of Reims. It’s in the Marne department of Champagne-Ardenne and is the heart of a wine-growing region covering 35,000 hectares of wines. It’s easy to get to and makes a perfect short break. I went in December for Les Habits de Lumière weekend. It was cold, sparkling and beautiful.

Major Attractions in Épernay Guide

You’ll find the websites of each attraction at the end of the article.

Avenue de Champagne

Épernay life revolves around the Avenue de Champagne that runs through the middle of the town.

This wide long boulevard is lined with the names of the great and the good: Moët et Chandon (founded in 1743), Perrier-Jouët, Pol Roger, Mercier, de Castellane and other champagne houses less well known to foreign visitors like de Venoge and Boizel. You’re walking over 110 kilometres of underground cellars, where the champagne is kept at a constant 9-12°C degrees.

The elegant châteaux were once both home and cellar to the original owners. Grand and gracious, their façades look out onto courtyards protected by cast-iron railings and gates while the lucky inhabitants kept their gardens at the back.

It’s used for every big occasion in Epernay. In December it’s at the heart of the Habits de Lumière festival; in January it saw the cars driving from Reims at the 2023 Monte Carlo Rally to Monaco.

Moët et Chandon Guided Tour

Moët et Chandon is arguably the best known name. A guided visit to Moët et Chandon starts in the former drawing rooms. Then with an English-speaking guide you descend into the brick-lined cellars underneath. Dimly lit, the cellars engender a feeling of reverence, bordering on awe. Not surprising really; you’re looking at millions of euros worth of bubbly made according to age-old methods. The dusty bottles are stacked in racks with deliberately bewildering numbers and letters at the top of each stack. Only the cellar master and his assistants know what they mean. And this is just the showcase. Most of the houses, particularly Moët et Chandon, have far larger production sites outside Épernay.

It makes you appreciate the glasses you savour upstairs even more.

Château Perrier Houses a Top Museum

I hadn’t expected the Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum to be so surprising. No bubbly served here for a start. But such considerations aside, it gives you a wonderful snapshot of the region’s prehistory and more recent history in a delightfully easy way.

The museum is full of the kinds of models I love. Strange skeletons for those who are into osteology; pots and shards for the archaeologists. I spent time with the Romans. Did you know that Roman roads often had three tracks? One elevated for those Roman armies to march from city to city, and one each side for the horses and carts of the plebs.

The champagne production section is just as interesting with oddities, and quirky information on the process itself. Again the section is full of models and pictures to keep your interest and there’s a sniffing table where you can try to identify different scents.

The only one I got right was walnuts (see below!)

You can also go down to the cellars but we were off to try another glass of bubbly.

Birds’ Eye View from a Helium Balloon

The Épernay helium balloon is tethered just outside the Avenue de Champagne. Ascend slowly up to 150 metres high for a view of the surrounding vineyards and villages. And, naturally, it’s done with a glass of champagne. It only takes off in good weather, so check before you go.

Markets in Épernay

If you like markets (and who doesn’t?), visit the covered Saint-Thibault market which has a good selection of stalls; open Wednesday and Saturday 8am-noon. On Tuesday and Saturday there’s a fabric and textile market in rue de la Poste. On Wednesday there’s a general market on la place Fada N’Gourma; Sunday morning try the food market on Auban-Moët Square.

There’s a flea market on the third Sunday of each month in Saint-Thibault.

Return to the ’70s

Vintage cars and vans are something of a universal passion in France. In fact, so popular are they that companies have sprung up all over giving tours in the sedate old ladies. My vintage tour company took us in a 70’s minibus out of Épernay and up and down small gravel tracks to a vineyard with a panoramic view. The back of the van was set up like a bar and a bottle of champagne produced. ‘Who wants to try this?’ asked the driver-guide, waving a sharp small sword. Up stepped one of our party to do the honours of beheading the bottle.

It’s actually quite easy (or at least looks quite easy). The bottle and the top with the cork have to be cold. You line up the bottle so the join of the two parts of the bottle is facing upwards. Take the sabre in your hand; hold out the bottle and hit the end of the cork firmly. Et voilà! The cork flies off and into the vines to be retrieved as a souvenir.

I’m not sure if this is a ‘Don’t try this at home trick’. I haven’t summoned up the courage or bought a bottle of cheap champagne yet to try the trick. But I will.

Pressoria – A Sensory Visit

Pressoria, just outside Épernay in Aÿ-Champagne, bills itself as ‘A Sensory Journey to the Heart of Champagne’. Which is a pretty bold claim. But Pressoria delivers and in such a way that you can take the family as well.

There are rooms showing you the growth of the vines and the changing seasons in the vineyards; there’s a room for sniffing scents to try to identify them (I managed walnuts but not much else); there are rocks to touch to give you an idea of the subsoil.

You can blend your own champagne and you end in a room surrounded by a screen with images of bubbles and music – all very artistic which everyone loved (except for me).

And of course there’s a tasting at the end.

What to See outside Épernay

It’s all about Champagne

Champagne is associated with the venerable Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon. This jovial figure (well his statue looks jovial) was the cellar master at the monastery in Hautvillers. He didn’t invent champagne, but in the 1670s was a key figure in the development of the wine.

Today Moët et Chandon produces Dom Pérignon, a sought after vintage champagne. This stipulates that all the grapes used are harvested in the same year; it’s only produced in good years and it is usually released after 8 to 10 years.

Hautvillers

The pretty village of Hautvillers is 6 kms north of Épernay. Small enough to wander around, it’s a good idea to book an English-speaking guide at the tourist office. It may be known today for one thing – champagne production – but once Hautvillers was a thriving little centre full of different shops. Wrought-iron signs hanging from the walls depicting the profession of the owner, vital to a population that couldn’t read or write.  

There’s a good view over the UNESCO World Heritage site vineyards that surround the village from the lower road. Keep walking to a cobbled, steep alley leading up to the Monastery and Abbey. You can only see the monastery from the outside, but you can go into the church where Dom Pierre Pérignon  is buried.  

And a visit to Don Pierre Pérignon’s statue is a must. People come from all over the world to look at this and pay their own particular respects. There’s always a bottle of champagne by his feet and the glass he’s holding is usually full.

More Villages around Épernay

Épernay is located in the vineyards of the three surrounding areas: Montagne de Reims, Côte de Blancs and Vallée de la Marne and there are plenty of villages and vineyards to visit. Check out the Route du champagne at the local tourist office or go online here. The different routes are easy to follow and you can stop and taste at anywhere which has the Acceuil (Welcome) sign outside. Try the smaller vineyards for some real revelations (and less expensive bottles).

Where to Stay

Jean Moët 4-star hotel is right beside the Avenue de Champagne. Rooms are different sized, ranging from the smaller attic rooms to larger rooms; bathrooms are spacious and there’s a view from most rooms of the splendid Épernay Town Hall. From €145 in the low season and €175 in the high season.

We ate at the restaurant but didn’t stay at the top 5-star Royal Champagne Hotel. 47 beautiful huge rooms look out over the vineyards below. Needless to stay this is expensive, from around €560 per night in low season for the cheapest suite to around €900 in the high season. But this is Champagne and this is a superb hotel so if you have the means, go for it! It’s owned by an American couple from Boston who fell in love with France years ago on cycling trips. So it’s something of a labour of love for them.

The Best Western Le Relais du Vigneron is in Vertus, 16 km south of Épernay. Bollinger, Duval-Leroy, Moët & Chandon, Piper-Heidsieck, Roederer, and Taittinger all have vineyards near the village which is one of the highest rated Premier Cru villages of Champagne. It’s a delightful hotel which has been totally renovated. It now has large modern rooms in different buildings in the middle of the village. Good-sized bathrooms, bar and restaurant and friendly and welcoming English-speaking staff. Some rooms have small kitchenettes if you want to cater for yourself.

Where to Eat

Épernay has a lot of good restaurants. Locals drink champagne throughout the meal, so ask for advice if you’re not sure what to order.

La Table Kobus. Centrally located, this was one of the best restaurants I have been to for some time. It’s a pleasant room with a brasserie vibe and excellent waiters with style. The menu is kept to 3 or 4 choices, ranging from truffled foie gras terrine with Reims ham and artichoke chutney on the starters to fish including scallops and cod. Meat dishes include black angus beef, Iberique pork and roast veal. Menus from €27 to €53.

Le P’tit Champenois is part of the Hotel Jean Moët. There’s an entrance from the hotel into the charming restaurant which is heavy on beef or try the chicken supreme. 2-course menu is €27; 3 courses €32.

Le Domaine de Vincine. In central Épernay this small family-run restaurant is bright and cheerful. The small menu changes every 3 weeks and offers simple dishes using local and regional  ingredients. It’s best for lunch.

Le Bellevue Restaurant in the Royal Champagne Hotel. The restaurant is lavish with crystal chandeliers and luxury furniture and a view over the surrounding vineyards. Dishes are sophisticated; wine list is superb. There’s a lunch time menu at €45; otherwise starters hover around €25 and main dishes from €33 to €75 (for lobster).

La Cave à Champagne is a pretty restaurant. In the centre of Épernay, it has an impressive Champagne list (as you’d expect). Expect good, rustic regional dishes which are not for the faint-hearted and are good value. There’s a menu at €25.

Le Théatre Restaurant is one of the town’s oldest brasseries, housed in a classical building with a delightful décor. Again the chef concentrates on traditional local dishes. Menus €27 to €50.

Château d’Étoges. This impressive château is just outside Épernay. It’s a hotel and spa and offers good value breaks. There are 2 restaurants, a casual bistro and the more serious Orangerie. Menus from €58 to €78.

When to visit

Épernay is an all-year round destination. Undoubtedly it is at its best from Spring to late Autumn, but it has a very special event in December which I urge you to try to attend. Les Habits de Lumière takes place over the second weekend. I went last year; it was enormous fun.

This year Les Habits de Lumière in Épernay runs from Dec 8-10, 2023.

Practical Information

Épernay Tourist Information
Moët et Chandon Tour
Champagne Wine and Regional Archaeology Museum
Épernay Helium Balloon Ride
Pressoria

More to see and do in Champagne

Champagne Houses to visit in Reims
Voltaire, his lover and the Château de Cirey in Champagne

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By Fiona Quinn

Check out where to stay on Ile de Ré. Accommodation on Ile de Ré is a mix of campsites, self-catering homes and apartments, and a smattering of small boutique hotels.

Here I highlight a few of the inexpensive options. See at the end for a few suggestions of more expensive accommodation.

Why choose Ile de Ré?

Ile de Ré, the delightful island just off the French Atlantic coast town of La Rochelle and in Poitou-Charente, is a wonderful place for a holiday. Hire a bicycle, pedal around the little villages and chill out.

Ile de Ré Hotels

Hotel de Ré

For a family with little ones, the Hotel de Ré in Sainte Marie is a good bet. It has a pool and a small restaurant where breakfast is served. The bright, colourful rooms surround the pool area or the garden with kids playground; most have terraces. All include air-conditioning, and you can book certain rooms with pull-out sofas or suites with a dining/cooking area. This is one of the best places for accommodation on Ile de Ré.

Hotel Le Galion

Tucked away at the end of St-Martin overlooking Parc de la Barbette and lighthouse, this traditional ivy-covered French hotel with pastel shutters has 29 airy rooms. Most are decorated with fresh coastal decor and have an ocean view or face Fort Vauban. Translated as a galleon, the ship theme continues in the public spaces. When the weather’s fine, you can have breakfast on the terrace.

Ile de Ré Camping

For families, a French campsite stay makes entertaining the kids so easy. A five-star resort often has everything from several pools, sporting areas and restaurants to activities such as poolside exercise classes and evening entertainment.

Sites with fewer stars will generally have a pool, onsite shop and restaurant but may lack the range of activities. However, most sites have a variety of accommodation types to suit all budgets from basic spots to set up your tent to glamping-style cabins.

Camping Le Cormoran

Considered one of the best campsites on the island, this five-star plot near the village of Ars-en-Ré is nestled in the forest alongside the beach. Spread over 7 hectares, the upscale facilities include a spa and 2 heated pools overlooking vineyards. Accommodation is in wooden cabin-tents for 2 or 4, and static caravans from basic to luxury for up to 8 people.

Camping Le Suroit

A less expensive option is Camping Le Suroit, just a short walk from Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré beach and the popular market in the centre of town. Guests use one of two pools, with an indoor pool that’s popular with small kids if you want to stay out of the sun. There’s also a cafe-restaurant where you can enjoy an aperitif on the sofa, order a pizza, or join in the occasional evening entertainment.

There are no budget hotels in the big chain groups on Ile de Ré but there are some in La Rochelle which is the departure point for the island. Check out the budget chain hotels here.

If you’re going for more upmarket accommodation, we recommend the Relais et Châteaux Hotel de Toiras in St-Martin, and its sister hotel, Villa Clarisse. South of St-Martin and on the sea, Le Bois-Plage has the delightful Les Bois Flottant.

More about Ile de Ré

Here’s more about fabulous Ile de Ré from Fiona Quinn. Read what she recommends: What to do, what to see, how to get there and what to shop for.

Ile de Ré Tourist Information

About guest writer, Fiona Quinn

Fiona Quinn is a francophile travel writer and editor. She’s lived in France on and off during the past 30 years, including as a student in Paris, ski saisonnaire in Savoie and Haute Savoie, and a home-owner in sunflower-filled Charente. 
Check out her website

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How to budget for an inexpensive holiday

It’s a no-brainer. Book overnight stays in budget hotel chains in France and you’ll have more money for the other great things. Like lunches in small bistros and dinners in posh restaurants; world-class museums to see and sights to visit. Here’s a guide to the chains worth looking at and tips on what to expect.

Categories of budget hotels

In the budget hotel chains in France there are two main choices, depending on the level of comfort you want. Either go for the 1-star category chains or go a little more upmarket with 2-star category hotels.

Rates

As with airline tickets, rates change almost daily. If you know in advance where you will be when, book as early as possible to get the best rates. There are other things to look out for. For instance, you’ll find that the closer to the center of any city, the more expensive the hotel.

French Regulations

France has a strict, government-run star system and equally strict inspection laws. But you can still find some fairly bad 1-star, individually owned and run hotels. If you stick to the chains you’ll be guaranteed a good deal, though many of them lack any great character.

PLEASE excuse the images. I have included some pictures of the budget hotel chains in France, but they are not generally inspiring. So I went off piste to include a few city shots.

You might be staying on the outskirts, but you should visit the old parts of the city you’re staying in. Justification enough!

Of course if you’re just passing through on your speedy way north, south, east or west to wherever your final destination is, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend time sightseeing. But you could always consider finding a central restaurant for dinner. That way you get the best of both worlds.

1-star hotel chains

All the hotel chains in this category offer good value for money. They have a variety of rooms, plus family rooms for up to 4 people. They offer key access if you arrive late and the reception desk is closed. They start from about 30€ per room per night for 2 people.

They are located near railway stations, airports and on the outskirts of cities. The architecture is pretty basic, but they are clean and well managed. If you’ve booked and are on an autoroute, look out for the right signs to get off!

hotel f1

hotelf1 started life as Formula 1 then took the trendy path and changed its name and upped its product. But it’s still great value for money. Owned by the giant French Accor group, it’s over 30 years old and has over 170 hotels throughout France.

This chain is one of the cheapest in France. The accommodation is pretty simple but every room has a bed with bedding (beds are not made up, and microfiber towels can be bought for 3€ each), a washbasin, table and chairs. The shower/WC area is nearby.

If you’re after something a little more upmarket, book a premium room. You get your own bathroom and made-up beds. Rooms for 2 have a double or twin bed; if you book for 3 you’ll be in bunk beds. There are hostel style rooms taking up to 6 people.  I’ve stayed on an industrial zone just outside Chartres with a fast food Courte Paille restaurant a few steps away.

They provide a basic breakfast buffet of hot drinks, cereals and orange juice, bread, butter, jam and chocolate for 3.50€ per person.
Cost of the room is from 30€ to 50€ per night for 2 people, less off season.

Check out the hotelf1 website here

Premiere Classe

Premiere Classe is part of the international Louvre group and part of Starwood Capital. They also own Campanile Hotels and Kyriad in the budget range.

Premiere Classe have 195 hotels in France. They are upgrading some of their hotels, offering rooms with private showers, flat screen tvs and made-up beds. Again rooms are small but basic, with double or twin rooms, and a table and chair in each.

Buffet breakfast of hot drinks, cereals and orange juice, bread, butter, jam and chocolate is available for 5.90€ per person in the eating areas.
Cost of the rooms are from 30€ to 55€ per night for 2 people, less off season.

Check the Premiere Classe website here

2-star hotel chains

You’re going a bit more upmarket (and paying a bit more) for 2-star hotels.

Ace Hotels

Ace Hotels has 80 hotels. Like many of the cheaper chains, they are purpose-built and many are located outside the centre. Sound proofed and air-conditioned rooms are available. All have large beds, colour TVs, desks and a chair, ensuite bathrooms with shower, washbasin and WC and free Wi-Fi. There’s 24-hour reception and free parking.
Cost of the rooms start at 56€.

Check out all the Ace Hotels here.

P.S. They have one in Arras which is the reason for the above photo. Check the Arras Ace hotel out here.

B&B Hotels

B&B Hotels have 279 hotels in France, with most of them around Paris and in the south along the Mediterranean coastline. The décor is simple but pretty and all rooms have an en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet, a writing area and chair, colour TV, free WiFi and parking. 
Buffet breakfast is 6.85€.
Cost of the rooms start at 40€ but most of their hotels are more than this .

There’s a B&B Hotel in Biot, a charming small fortified village near Antibes. Check out the Antibes/Biot B&B hotel here.

Ibis Budget Hotels

Again, part of the giant Accor groups, all the 438 Ibis Budget hotels are now upgraded with contemporary smart décor. Rooms have a double bed and bunk bed, en-suite bathrooms with shower, washbasin and WC. Rooms have a writing shelf and chair; colour TVs and free WiFi.
Buffet breakfast is 9€.
Cost of the rooms is more than other in this 2-star category beginning from 65€ per room.

Check out the Ibis Budget Hotel site here.

Like the other chains, pick your city and you’ll find an Ibis Budget Hotel. Book at Reims and save money for all that bubbly. Check out the Champagne houses in Reims here.

FastHotels

Not part of Accor, the small chain FastHotel has 80 hotels in France. Differing in size they have rooms for 1 to 3 people with overhead bunk beds in the larger rooms. En-suite bathroom have a washbasin, shower and WC and there’s a desk and chair, colour TVs, and free WiFi.
Buffet breakfast is from 6€.
Cost of rooms starts at 45€.

Check out the FastHotel site here.

P.S. There’s one in Caen just near the Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches. Check the Fasthotel Caen hotel here.

(If you’re after a more luxurious hotel on this stretch of coast, read my article on best places to stay near the beaches.)

More suggestions

University Rooms

This is a fun idea though choices are limited and I have not had a lot of success booking in France. But give it a try.

Universities throughout France offer rooms during the vacation which is mainly June to September. So if you want to get that student vibe, try the site.

They are available in Paris and also in Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Caen, Clermont Ferrand, La Rochelle, Lyon, Mâcon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nancy, Nice, Nîmes, Perpignan, Reims, Tours, Troyes and Valbonne. If you’re coming for a long stay it’s ideal, though you can also book one night at some of them.

Check out the University Rooms site here.

And think about…

Logis Hotels

Check out the famous French Logis Hotels chain. Logis Hotels are not included in the budget hotel chains in France but they offer some of the best value for money.

With over 2,200 hotels in France the marketing organisation is very well organised. All its hotels are individually owned and reliably good. Many of them have excellent restaurants serving local produce. They have different categories of hotels, from Logis Bacchus (vineyard logis) to family friendly Logis Famille.

They vary in price considerably, as well as in star ratings, etc. But they will be more expensive than the budget hotel chains above.

They produce an annual guide which you can pick up in any of the Logis hotels for free. It’s become my bible for looking for smaller hotels in France and I never leave home without it.

Check out the Logis Hotel site here.

And finally…

Late booking sites for those last minute decisions for hotel rooms in France:
Check out lastminute.com

Check out Budget Hotels in Antibes here

Two more cheap hotel ranges:
Campanile
Kyriad

For more tips on saving money while travelling in Europe, check out The View from Chelsea: 12 Top Ways to Save Money on City Stays in Europe

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