French accomodation in January
 

I've already posted a thread about Paris, so we won't worry about that, but I was wondering: I'm going to be visiting Tours, Lyon, Marseilles, Nice, and potentially Aix-En-Provence. I'm a student and was hoping just to turn up in each city and look for a hostel, no reservation.

Is that an unreasonable expectation?? I've never been to France outside of Paris and I'm worried now, are there even youth hostels in the other regions of the country?!

I don't really need recommendations of specific hostels, just either reassurance that they're around and won't present a problem, or else that I'm dreaming and should work out an alternative plan.

Thanks. :-)

Yes there are hostels in each of these cities - both official HI hostels and alternatives, like youth hotels, etc.

Best source of info: Let's Go France, at any bookstore or library - gives complete run down of accommodations you are looking for - get that book and that's all you need.

If you are traveling all that way by train look into the France Youth Railpass, for those under 26 - an absolute bargain - no advance planning needed except for TGV and few other trains that require reservations, which normally at this time of year are a snap to get. For info on the pass check out www.raileurope.com or, as i always recommend call BETS (800-441-2387) as they are experts in European rail - prices same as Raileurope who they work thru but infinitely better service. Youhtpasses are for those under 26. There are also two-country France-Spain and France-Italy and France-Benelux (in case you want to hop to Amsterdam!), France-Switzerland, etc. as well as Youth Eurailpasses. www.ricksteves.com also has good info on passes.

Thanks, very good to hear that there are hostels, as I had hoped.

We've got our France rail passes, I've used a similar pass before (different countries), fantastic idea.

There are some websites that are specific to hostels and can give you names and reviews. I think www.hostels.com is one, but there are others.

For France, www.gaf.tm.fr is a very good comprehensive accommodations site and has a specific section for "youth hostels" and then a map so you can click on particular cities. It gives names, addresses, and even has some booking functions.

http://www.gaf.tm.fr/en/france/youthhostel.php

No reservations required in January. Don't foget that a lot of the small hotels are just as cheap as a hostel.

It's been a long, long time ago, but on one occasion I arrived in Paris without a reservation and the tourist bureau at the train station was able to call up a youth hostel and make the arrangement for me. I just had to get over there a.s.a.p.

When you get to Nice, perhaps head to Waynes Bar (they have a website) on Rue Prefecture. The very friendly staff are just worth speaking to and may well know of local hostels.
Otherwise the tourist board will be able to point you in the right direction, and have a look at the Nice Rough guide which is good on this sort of thing.
I don't think you will have a problem with accomodation in Nice in January.
Hope you have a great time.

One of the things that is relatively cheap in France is hotels.

Formule1, Hotel B&B etc have double rooms for around Euro 30 per night.

Many Logis de France hotels are very cheap.

These hotels tend to cater for tourists using a car - they tend to be in villages or near the highways.

I've got information on French hotels here : http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/to...-in-france.htm

Peter