After much research particularly here on Fodor's, I have decided on our first two hotels for our May trip to Southern France. We had planned on flying into Paris and staying either at the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, which I know can't be booked until Jan. 15, or the Familia Hotel. I've sent them two emails to the Familia Hotel in the past several weeks and have yet to get a response. This has also been the case with the Du Palais des Papes hotel in Avignon.
Is it too early to book these hotels? Do they have a similar policy as the des Grandes Ecoles? This is our first trip to France, but on previous trips to Spain & Italy all of the hotels I contacted were very quick in responding even if they were full. Should I attempt to fax them or should I wait a few months?

Last year about this time I made Paris hotel reservations and got a confirmation email. Three weeks before the trip I emailed to re-confirm and was told they no longer had my reservation and were full. I was panic stricken, but found about 5 potential replacements within 12 hours. Then the original hotel responded that they had a room for me. It is probably too early to reserve if you aren't hearing back from them. With all the fare sales, they may be quite busy now, and have little time to worry about May. They may not even know what they will be charging then. Try again Dec 1, and see what happens, but don't worry.

A lot of French hotels do not take reservations for the coming spring and summer season until Dec. 1. I have a one month trip planned for July 8-Aug. 8 and have not yet been able to book hotels in Collioure and Mont St. Michel. Hotels at both locations have asked me to apply after Dec. 1.

Larry J

Hi Angela, I had no difficulty gaining email contact with the Hotel du Palais des Papes in Avignon so I thought I would post the email address I used for our last stay there in early October, just in case you had a different email address. I used [email protected]. Haven't stayed at either of the other hotels in Paris.

I generally have had better luck making reservations by fax as opposed to e mail.

Angela - some small hotels close for a few weeks beginning November to around December 15. This might be the case with the hotel in Avignon, and accordingly, they might not be checking their email daily. Give it a few more days or try faxing - Im sure you'll get a response shortly with either.

We stayed at Hotel Familia. It was nice and clean but tiny. We didn't mind that given how little we were in our room. They are a family operation so they may take a little longer to get back to you.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I've tried the email suggested by LynnP and hopefully I will get a response soon.

Angela, I just re-read your post. DON'T stay at Hotel des Grandes Ecoles--we stayed there our trip before we stayed at Familia and it's one step above a dump. It's a little better location than Familia but Familia is much nicer. The bathroom was so small at G.E. that I had to sit sideways on the toilet and I'm only 5'7"!