karlkk

Accommodation in Normandy/Brittany/Loire-Leaving for France 10 days

Hello everyone we are all set for our trip starting in ten days time and have accommodation for Paris part of the trip all arranged. But since we are going to drive through north-west coast we wondered if it will be o.k. to get places to stay as we go along or should we book some places before we leave? We will like to stay in BB or smaller hotel etc. Are we risking by waiting too long i.e. if it is too busy. Any suggestions for places to stay will be appreciated.
Thanks
karlkkm

Kavey

I have been very happy with numerous accommodations booked through two free books:

Bienvenue au chateau
Chateaux et hotels

These are really just marketing consortiums but at the same time the quality of all the places we have selected has been excellent.

There are many chateaux that are really not expensive at all.

I reviewed some we stayed in last summer - typing "kavey loire" into the search box brings the thread up easily.

Wesch

If you are talking about May 6 or later, try this:
http://www.chateau-de-cottun.com/english/chateauuk.htm

We are staying here this summer. It was mentioned by Underhill, another Fodorite on this board. The owner is American and very nice.

Good luck!

PS - I would probably have pre-booked hotels, so you are not wasting time bouncing from hotel to hotel looking for a room. Plus, this way you know what they have to offer and what you're getting in advance.

Michael

We were very happy with our Gites de France accomodations. But it might be a little late to reserve ahead of time. On the other hand, this is not high season. If interested, you can go to my <i>Trip Report: Ghent, Normandy and Brittany</i> and get information on the places where we stayed. If you speak decent French, you might be able to do last minute phone calls to B&amp;B's and get a room for that night. But if you feel uncomfortable about using the telephone, I suggest that you try fax and e-mail to reserve a room, even at this late date.

Dorothy01

You will have no problems booking as you go. Look for hotels with the Logis de France emblem. A two star establishment costs between 45 and 60 euros a night.

We travel to Normandy and the Loire Valley twice a year (spring and fall) and never make advance reservations. Part of the fun is finding a place to stay. We have stayed in charming hotels, B&amp;Bs, and chains (Ibis, Campanille, and Holiday Inn Express). We have never had an unpleasant experience.

MorganB

If you are traveling in May there are many French holidays and people tend to leave Paris for the weekend. You may want to pre-book if your travels are around holidays.

jody

And don't forget this is the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion..lots of places near the beaches are filled already

cigalechanta

Should you not have reservation, watch the road signs directing you to B&amp;Bs. No matter what month we have visited, there were always days we didn't book and found wonderful last minute places.
The back roads will lead you to some not discovered.

eurotravler

I can recomment this B&amp;B just ouside of Bayeux in Normandy - http://www.vrbo.com/vrbo/352.htm
I copy and pasted this old post:
I was in Normandy last week and stayed at a B&amp;B in Bayeux owned by Colonel and Mrs. Chillcott. He is a retired British Army Officer. He also gives Battlefield tours. You can do a search on this forum &quot;Colonel Chillcott&quot;. Double room w/bath 46euros, Battlefield tour really started at breakfast at 9am then on to his map room at 10am then on the road in his van returning at 8pm. There were four of us, he charged 330euros for the first couple then 20euros per head and 20 euros for diesel, plus lunch. Email me direct for more information or questions. Regards - Tom