Jeffjoyce

Hello,
My wife and I are traveling to southern France next September for a few weeks. We will start the trip with a couple of days in Toulouse. After checking Fodor's postings we tried to get lodging at Albert 1e. Unfortunately, according to their website, it will be closed most of next year.

We are looking for a budget ( hopefully no more than $100/night) lodging that is quiet , comfortable and easily accessible from the airport shuttle. Any suggestions would be welcome. Has anyone had experience with Le Capitole Hotel, a few doors down from Albert 1e?

We have not planned our itinerary yet , but will likely be cycling in Rousillion, Languedoc and possibly the Massif Central. Any recommendations for towns to visit, scenic roads, and sites of interest?

Thanks for your help.

Jeff

Pvoyageuse

There is a very decent Ibis hotel near Matabiau train station (the airport shuttle stops at the bus station which is 30 yards from the train station)

http://www.ibishotel.com/fr/hotel-27...au/index.shtml

RedStater

My bride and I were quite pleased with the Hotel Heliot on the Rue Jean Jaures - we stayed there this spring for a few days when were were cycling the Canal du Midi. Right around 70 euros a night, IIRC. The owner was helpful and quite a character. We found the place to be clean and comfortable, if a bit quaint, with an adequate continental breakfast. I know nothing of the Capitole. Centrally located. I seem to recall that the airport shuttle picked up (dunno about drops) a hundred meters from the door.

RedStater

Incidentally, some of our best and most interesting stays while cycling about France (which we've done several times) have been in chambres d'hotes (guest rooms), which tend to be in the smaller, out-of-the-way towns. We found them to be much better values also, usually priced considerably below most hotels. If a place has an offer of a table d'hote, you're ordinarily well advised to take advantage of it. The quality of food is often superb, and normally very reasonably priced. Helps to have a bit of French - often your companions at table will have little or no English.

BedandBreakfast dot com is a good place to start if you are looking for chambres d'hotes in a particular area. Google is your friend too.

You are going to have a marvelous time!

Carlux

I am not sure that the Albert 1er will really be closed next September - it may be that they just dont take reservations so early. Hard to tell from their site. I would write to ask if you really want to stay there.

We have stayed in the IBIS Centre - the one near the bus station, which is very central. Not very atmospheric, but for us it is useful because it has parking - not theirs, but the garage by the bus station.

Jeffjoyce

Hello All,
Thanks for the quick responses. We checked out the Albert 1er but it was too expensive - 119 euro/night plus a hefty fee to store out luggage while cycling for a few weeks.

RedStater, we checked out the Hotel Heliot and it looks like the place for us. I am awaiting a response from them to our email. Thanks for mentioning. If Heliot doesn't work out is anyone familiar with Hotel Le Capitole? It is a two star a few doors down from Albert er.

My wife and I also prefer chambres d'hote. We cycle in rural areas (this is our fifth trip in France)and do our own planning and are self-guided. So far we have had the joy of exploring the Basque country, the Dordogne, Loire Valley/Morvan/Burgundy, Provence and eastern Roussillon.

Have you ridden in the Massif Central? Do you have any route recommendations for Languedoc or Roussillon?

Thanks.

Jeff

kja

I found Le Victor Hugo affordable and well located in (wonderful) Toulouse. Nothing special, but it met my needs.

Jeffjoyce

I will follow-up on the Le Victor Hugo. Thanks. I heard from Hotel Heliot. They are undergoing renovations and booking can't be made before May.

Jeff

sheila

Late rooms has got the Albert 1e three random nights in September at €82/ night. It's got the Crown Plaza- again about 20 yards from the Alber t1e- at €96; Les Capitouls- a bit less central or posh, but on the shuttle route- at €75