I have come across these looking fior smaller more charming places. What are they?

Just another name for inn.

Oui, as LJ said, it's a French inn. A similar establishment in Italy is called a locanda. <BR><BR>Three years ago, based on the recommendation of a guy on the rec.travel.europe usenet newsgroup, we stayed in the Auberge du Point Sublime, on the north side of the beautiful Gorges du Verdon in Provence, for two nights and absolutely loved it. It was a fun challenge making reservations since I'm not fluent at all in French and all email communication was only in French. <BR><BR>Photo of the auberge below:<BR><BR>http://www.chez.com/rougon/sublimpoint.htm <BR><BR>Auberge is also the name of a fine song, and album, by Chris Rea.<BR><BR>http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...=Ajmdsyl5jxpvb

Hi<BR><BR>Auberge is a small family run Inn.<BR>They are often in charming old buildings.<BR>They are all different ........ part of the charm.<BR><BR>But it's worth remembering ...... they survive via local knowledge, not global branding.<BR><BR>Often they have a good restaurant too.<BR><BR>Go for it !<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR>

That is true what the name means and what they originally were, but it is just a name that can be given an establishment for image (ie, it sounds good, has more cachet than &quot;hotel&quot; something) and branding purposes. There are establishments with auberge in the name that are not small, family-run inns. <BR><BR>Auberge de Cassagne near Avignon, for example, is a 4* hotel with sauna, fitness room, etc and a 1-star Michelin restaurant.

andie,I like to stay at an auberge/ferme. This is usually a home with a working farm and they take in guests and you dine with the family.