We have just discovered the Logis chain of hotels here in France - perhaps they are common knowledge among Europeans, but I thought the information may be appreciated by visitors from far flung places. I notice that they haven't been mentioned here on Fodors for some years, so here's an update.

The hotels we have stayed in on this trip have been in the range of 60-70 euros per night two people. For this we had ensuite bathroom, very comfortable bed, free WiFi, free parking - and all in hotels with character rather than those offered by the major chains. Ours were in the middle of the price ranges, and were just perfect for our needs. The occasions where we also used the dining room left us very pleased with the service, food quality and price. Our French language skills aren' t too great, but we had no difficulty communicating with staff at all.

They are all privately owned hotels linked by the Logis group; there are apparently over 3 000 covering all of France, and some in Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy. Each has it's own style and personality. Those we chose ranged from relatively new buildings to those that originated in the 1800s. Each was very modern once you entered your room, and all bathrooms looked to have been recently renovated. We also successfully requested a shower in the bathroom rather than a bath - can't quite get used to that tradition over here!

Bookings can be made on www.logishotels.com - at each hotel you can pick up a Logis guide that has all the details for every hotel. We plan to take a copy home so we can browse to our heart's content in preparation for the next trip.

I hope this doesn't sound too much like a free advert for this chain - we are just so delighted to have happened upon this secret, that I wanted to let others in on it too!

Our month in the Loire Valley is coming to a close - will report fully once we get back to home base - happy travels, Di

Good one di2315. I've used the Logis Hotels on and off for several years now and have never been disapointed. I don't always use them, but if there is one in the town I'm heading for on any given night, I'll usually try it before I try any others.

The English version is at http://www.uk.logis-de-france-eure.fr/

Thanks for that hint, ira.

They also have an English tab you can click on on the original website, then the whole booking process is handled in English.

di - glad that you've found the logis. we came across them several years ago and as you say, they are very reliable. I think that their inspection process must be quite good!

sorry you didn't know about them before, but it's not always obvious to us europeans what others don't know...I'm sure it must happen the other way round too. didn't D. Rumsfeld say something about "unknown unknowns"? or did i mis-speak?

If you like the Logis de France hotels, you will also like these networks:

http://www.moulinetape.com/

http://www.silencehotel.com/

http://www.tables-auberges.com/

Or Citotel, a chain of small privately owned city hotels in the same price range as Logis de France. http://www.citotel.fr/en/

Stayed in a Logis hotel in the Dordogne area (May-'10)-Hotel Le Perigord---great location/food/restaurant/BIG parking lot/large-wide open grounds....friendly staff...actually a Rick Steves recommendation.....near Sarlat & La Rocque-Gageac

Logis can be unique, we have stayed in some lovely ones and some weird Basil Fawltey types. What you do know is that you are not getting international pap or Euro pap.

So I tned to try the Logis web site, then check tripadvisor.com

We love the Logis de France for their quality, yet very individual style, and use them probably 50% of the time for hotel and more frequently for meals.

One of our favorites not far from CDG, near Pierrefonds and Compiegne is the tiny village of Chelles (Oise NOT Seine-Maritime)is http://reservation-hotel.logishotels...R&hotelid=2329

We have stayed at the Logis hotels(until very recently called Logis de France)for more than 20 years. We love the hotels when we are bike riding in France as they are always comfortable, authentic and affordable, and have great restaurants. You can read more about our experiences with the Logis Hotels at my latest Slow Travel Adventures post at

http://slowtraveladventures.wordpres...or-bicyclists/