Holiday Accommodation Options

The Côte d'Azur is one of the most visited parts of France, and France is one of the most visited countries in the world so, with that in mind, you can be sure to find a well-developed network of services to tourists. 

There are many different types of accommodation, appropriate to different sorts of holidays and budgets.

• See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera Holiday Accommodation

Hotels

See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera listings of:

• Hotels: Alpes-Maritimes Villages
• Hotels: Antibes Juan-les-Pins
• Hotels: Cannes & Mandelieu
• Hotels: Frejus & St-Raphael
• Hotels: Monaco/Monte Carlo
• Hotels: Nice
• Hotels: Saint Tropez
• Hotels: Valbonne & Sophia
• Hotels: Var Villages & Towns
• Hotels: Ski Resorts & Stations

The hotels in France are classified for tourism by the local state authority, the Préfecture. The classification guidelines are as follows:

• 4 star L: Outstanding, luxury hotel
• 4 star: Highly superior hotel
• 3 star: Highly comfortable, tourist hotel
• 2 star: Good standard, tourist hotel
• 1 star SE: Average standard, tourist hotel

Chambres d'Hôtes (B&Bs)

• See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera Chambres d'Hotes/B&Bs

These vary from a room in a private house to well organised, professionally run guesthouses. 

Tourist Residences or Holiday Apartments

• See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera Apartments, Villas & Gites and Vacation Rentals: Agencies

These are self-catering accommodation in apartments or villas in and around the city centres. 

The "star guidelines" are like those for hotels. However, they are not governed by the same legal classification criteria.

Lists of accommodation are available from many Tourist Offices and Real Estate Agents.

Gîtes de France

• See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera Apartments, Villas & Gites

Originally rustic farmhouse accommodation, the Fédération Nationale des Gîtes de France has evolved over the years to include Bed and Breakfast type accommodation and self-catering facilities, outside of the big cities. 

To date, the organisation represents 38,000 owners, 55,000 addresses and 30 million days of holidaymaking. High standards are maintained and one can generally be guaranteed quality facilities from a Gîtes de France member.

To select the type of holiday accommodation closest to your specific needs, Gîtes de France provides "formulae" under the following headings:

• Gîtes Rural: Holiday rentals in country areas
• Gîtes Chambre d'Hôte: Bed and Breakfast in a private home, often with Table d'Hôte (modest meals provided by the owner)
• Gîtes d'Etape or Gîtes de Séjour: Rural accommodation for hikers, and nature sports enthusiasts

Contact:

• Gîtes de France Alpes-Maritimes:
  At: 55-57 Promenade des Anglais, BP 1602, 06011 Nice CEDEX 1
  Tel: 04 92 15 21 30
  Fax: 04 93 37 48 00
  e-mail
  Website
• Gîtes de France Var:
  Conseil Général du Var
  At: Rond Point du 4/12/74, BP 215, 83006 Draguignan CEDEX
  Tel: 04 94 50 93 93
  Fax: 04 94 50 93 90
  e-mail
• Riviera Tourist Board

Camping & Caravanning

• See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera Campsites & Caravan Parks

The Alpes-Maritime has over 113 camping and caravanning sites in all areas, seaside, mountains and back-country. Some have chalets or mobile homes to rent, on-site. They range in classification from 1 star to 4 star, depending on facilities provided. 

Youth Hostels

• See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera Youth Hostels & Backpackers

There are two main Youth Hostel organisations in France:

The FUAJ, Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (the French youth hostel federation) is the French link in the International Youth Hostel Federation. There are many member hostels on the French Riviera. 

Despite some published claims to the contrary, it is not essential to have an IYHF membership card to stay at the affiliated hostels, although if you do have one, discounts in rate usually apply.

• The Ligue Francaise pour les Auberge de la Jeunesse also has listed hostels. The head office is based in Paris.
  Tel: 01 45 48 69 84
  Fax: 01 45 44 57 47

There are many other privately managed hostels, particularly in the city centres of the Côte d'Azur. 

The Tourist Offices (where you will almost always find an English speaker) will be able to give you a list of addresses and a map, or make calls for a reservation when you arrive in a town. 

Where possible, it is advisable to find out if you can reserve a bed in advance, especially during the summer season from May to September (however, many hostels don't take reservations).

General Accommodation Information

• See The AngloFILE, for French Riviera Holiday Accommodation

Local Tourism Organisations

• CRT Comité Régional du Tourisme Riviera Côte d'Azur
  At: 55 Promenade des Anglais, 06000 Nice
  Tel: 04 93 37 78 78
  Fax: 04 93 86 01 06
  e-mail
  Website
• CDT Comité Départemental du Tourisme du Var
  Conseil Général du Var
  At: 1 Boulevard Foch, 83003 Draguignan CEDEX
  Tel: 04 94 50 55 50
  Fax: 04 94 50 55 51
  Website
• UDOTSI Union Départmentale des Offices de Tourisme et Syndicats d'Initiative
  At: 2 rue Gustave Deloye, 06000 Nice
  Tel: 04 92 47 75 15
  Fax: 04 92 47 75 10