Need help finding Chambres d'hotes (B&B) in Provence
 

We are a 50's couple who love to stay in other peoples' homes while vacationing. Looking for a reasonable (< 60 Euro for 2) farmstay in Provence late Sept/early Oct. Bienvenue-a-la-ferme website lists a bunch of gites/chambres well north of Avignon, or way east. Can anyone recommend a place west of the A51 (or not TOO far east of it)? We want to be able to drive no more than one hour each way for day trips to Avignon, Arles, Aix, etc. Thanks!

Hi ww,

If you are willing to go as high as 72E/nite with bkfst, I can highly recommend the Cadran Solaire. http://www.hotel-en-provence.com/uk/index.php

Details at http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-europe.cfm

((I))

Ira,
Since I'm a relative newcomer to this site, may I begin by saying that you are bringing out the worst in me.....as I find myself coveting your itinerary!! Oh, jealousy, abandon my heart!
So....our trip will be a one-month+ soujourn through France, Southern Germany, and Northern Italy. We rent through Renault USA, as I have done on previous trips, and they have proven to be cheaper than other rental options and very efficient. As my Significant has never been to France, this part of the trip will be the highlight of our vacation, particularly Provence. (If I play this right, perhaps my "Significant" will be willing to alter her status to "spouse".........hmmmmm).
Looked at the website for the recommended hotel. Yes, tres bien. It is more than we will be paying elsewhere, but since I do want to highlight this area, I might just go with it. We'll be in that area on the cusp of Sept/Oct. Good time for Provence, n'est-ce pas? Because I am a strict vegetarian, I have found that it's easier for me to find chambres d'hotes with a small kitchen so that we can prepare a lot of our own meals, rather than having expensive "vegetable platters" at restaurants. This is my only hesitation with Cadran Solaire, but it is only a slight hesitation; I AM, after all, wooing my beloved on this trip. Thank you so much. I am now amont the ranks of Ira fans, and I can only aspire to aid fellow travellers as you have done.

I've had success in finding accommodation in France on AirBnB.
https://www.airbnb.com/

Just google chambres d'hôte for the region/town/village you want.

G'mere,
Thanks, but I found the "gites" site to be WAY too cumbersome, i.e., when I input my search criteria, the results would still include properties that were either WAY far away from my destination, places with a 1-week minimum stay (we'll be there for only 5 nights) or some other factor that would disqualify them from appearing in the search results in the first place. Then, when I would use the "back" button, I would have to re-enter all the search criteria again! And, they specialize in (in the vernacular) DUH....gites. I want chambres d'hotes, and the website wouldn't let me differentiate.
Mme. Perdue....merci. If I can't find anything on sites recommended by others I will go back to my old standby. I have found AirB&B to be more successful for metropolitan areas, but I realize it is well worth a try!

Underhill.....never thought of that. "The most complex problems often have the simplest answer"....Annonymous

My search continues Thanks for the input. I will be revisiting Ira's log for recommendations about lodging in Lindau, as our travels will take us through that area on our way to Nueschwanstein. Looking forward to sharing our experiences.

Update: Underhill, did as suggested last night and was directed to www.provence.guideweb.com/chambres_hotes. Fantastic site, easy to use, and a plethora of information. Thanks!!

I'm glad you found what you need. Happy choosing!

Hey ww,

>I am now among the ranks of Ira fans...<

"Aw, shucks", he said with downcast eyes rubbing the toe of his boot in the dust.

Glad to help.

I suggest that you write and tell them your needs as a vegetarian. Jean-Claude seemed to know everything an everyone. He might be able to arrange what you require.

>perhaps my "Significant" will be willing to alter her status to "spouse".<

Provence is the most likely place to entice her. :)

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Yeah, the "gites" site can be unwieldy; last time I rented a gite was several years (before internet, imaginez!) ago when you had to order a catalogue first and then write or call the owner from the info given. But it worked!

What's the name of the woman who used to write books about charming B&B's, etc.? Somebody Brown, I think; can't remember her first name.

Is it Karen Brown?
http://www.karenbrown.com/

Hey, Ira! Was trying to make a booking at the CS and their website states that breakfast is NOT INCLUDED!! Huh? (I said to myself).....any clue as to what's up? Was going to call, but it's 1:00AM there.

G'mere....YES!! I had that book/brochure/catalogue on one of my trips about 20 years (ouch!) ago.

P.S. regarding my being vegetarian; one of my trips through Bourgogne, I was at a restaurant in Beaune, and I explained (in French) that I don't eat meat. The owner/waiter asked if I was not, then, going to have his "boeuf bourguignon". I said I could not. He puffed his cheeks (as any self-respecting Frenchman would do), and said,(in English) "Too bad for you"!!

ttt

Try Provencewest.com. They are out of Colorado and they represent gites owners. They have inspected many of the accommodations. They have many apts and guesthouses of all sizes all over provence that would be perfect. We stayed at one of their proprerties in a refurbed farmhouse in Beaumes de Venise. It was well appointed with a gourmet kitchen, swimming pool, and three bedrooms with ensuite modern bathrooms. It was situated an easy 10 minute walk to town amidst the vineyards and olive groves, farm animals etc. Nothing like walking in the early morning to get your breakfast croissant with the locals at the bakery.

Update.....rec'd message from Cadran. Breakfast is not included in the room rate, and there is no info on the cost of breakfast on the website. Only upon inquiry did they mention that it costs an add'l 10Euro per person. I'd love to try it, but I just don't think that will be within our budget :(
Lynn.....thanks for the offer, but again, when I looked at the website, the places listed for Provence were all well beyond my previously stated 60Euro/night budget, and they are all weekly rentals. We will be in Provence for 4 (maybe 5) nights. Alas, I return to the search.

Why would breakfast be included in a hotel. It is actually illegal for a hotel to force you to buy breakfast in the room rate in France. There's no free breakfast, as they say, although some hotels try to make you buy it by quoting a room rate with bf included (which is illegal to make you pay for it, as I said) and either not mentioning or in the fine print saying what they are charging you for it and that it isn't mandatory.

Hi ww,

Sorry to hear that bkfst is an addt'l 10E pp.

I was afraid that that would be a deal breaker.

c'est fromage.

((I))

http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/541528 ($82)
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/152600 ($57)
http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/27739 ($60)

From just the first page of the offerings that came up on an AirBnB search for "Arles".

So maybe you should stay there and get your coffee and croissant at a tabac in town?