Question Re B&B's in France
 

I'm considering staying in a couple of B&B's this May when I go to Provence. I usually stay in 3-stars, occasionally a 4-star or 2-star. With the plight of the dollar against the euro, I thought I might try to save a little money, and the B&B's I've researched look lovely.

This question might sound stupid to some (or self-indulgent!), but I had to put up with that French-style long "roll pillow" at a 2-star hotel in Burgundy last trip, and couldn't stand it! I really had trouble sleeping. Has anyone had any experience with this at B&B's in Provence?

There HAVE been threads here on this forum about taking your own pillow with you!

Best wishes,

Rex

I've stayed at about a million B&Bs and small hotels in France in the past few years and have yet to find one that has only the cucumber pillow. I actually love them, myself, with a couple of regular pillows on top of them - I'm a big pillow person - but I really doubt you'll find accommodations that offer only the cucumber. You can always ask....

These bolsters are called "traversins" in French. I don't think I've had one in a French hotel in years, actually, but I cannot sleep with them, either, it is too thick and gives me a crick in the neck. I only like a very flat pillow, and will sleep without a pillow rather than a too-thick one. Whenever I have had a one, the hotel also has had regular pillows(called "oreillers"). I've never been in a place that wouldn't provide a regular pillow if you didn't like the traversin. Sometimes you just have to look in the armoire or closet, and they should be on the shelf in there. I think some places that decorate in older French style might still have traversins on the bed, but often that is just for looks or style, and I'll bet they'll provide a regular pillow if there isn't one in the room, if you ask.

Sue -

Your post gave me a good laugh. As an innkeeper in France, I can tell you from first-hand experience that when it comes to pillows, it really is a matter of taste. Some guests hate the traversin - others seem to have a mortal fear of falling through the crack between the wall and the bed if it's not there. Then you can start another thread entirely on the subject "Give me Goose Down or Give me Death." We try to stay out of the arguments and give people the option. I'd say most mid-upper end B&Bs in France do the same.

Bon voyage,
Kevin Widrow

Thanks everybody - I feel better! I guess my one experience (where a regular pillow wasn't in the closet) just made me paranoid). And Rex, I would love to take my own pillow, but since I'm determined to squeeze my 2-weeks wardrobe into my 22-in. rolling suitcase, I'm sure that won't be an option!