France: La Vie en Rose Online
Whatever you deem necessary to an unforgettable French holiday, you can find on the Web. Book your flight and a place to stay, research a world-class restaurant or charming French city, and let the Web make your vacation dreams a reality. France has something to suit nearly any interest, so you can wine and dine, laze on a beach, hike and cycle across the quaint countryside, or shop your way through Paris. The choice is yours.
Expand All Guide SectionsFrance Travel Basics
What they maintain is simple yet coveted: the French insist that life's finer things, whether ... read more »
Travel Requirements for France
France has implemented a homeland security system called "Vigipirate Renforce." Travelers ... read more »
Getting to France
France is the most visited country in the world, so the only thing that might stop you from getting ... read more »
France Hotels
As long as you have a good idea of where you'd like to go in France, finding accommodation should be a breeze. If you'll be near the water, try camping. Want wine? A chateau may be your best bet. If you're planning to hit a cluster of cities, consider hostels. Many Web sites offer traveler-written reviews, and visual features such as videos and photos to give you more confidence when you book your stay.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The findingDulcinea Travel Guide offers plenty of general advice and helpful Web sites for booking your accommodations.
- You can take your pick of accommodation options in France: classic chateau, modern hotel, budget hostel ... the endless choices demand that you have a good idea of what you want (and what you want to spend) before you begin your search.
- French hotel rooms are typically much smaller than their American counterparts. Keep this in mind when you are booking-and packing!
- The French government ranks its hotels and campsites with a star system. Camping is very popular in France, and may be a good way to meet other European travelers. Some four-star campsites are quite luxurious, with pools and furnished tents.
- As you peruse the sites we've mentioned in other sections, be on the lookout for accommodation tips and deals. For example, Paris Notes maintains this list of one of the contributor's favorite Paris hotels.
Dulcinea's Picks
For general accommodation information ...
BootsnAll Travel Network provides extensive hotel listings for numerous French cities. You can view photos, read a description and list of facilities, check availability, and book online.
ASE , the Accommodation Search Engine, is a quick way to find a place to stay. Enter a city or town and a list of varied accommodation options, from B&Bs to luxury hotels, pops up for your perusal.
De Particulier a Particulier is a Paris-based agency that lets you browse listings of seasonal apartment and home rentals all over France. Prices and contact information are provided. The agency also distributes real estate magazines in Paris.
TVtrip is led by former Expedia Europe executives, and takes you inside hotels in major European cities via professionally filmed videos. Paris is the only French city included on TVtrip, but there are several dozen Paris hotel videos from which to choose. With just a click, you can also check rates and availability for hotels featured on the site.
For budget-friendly options ...
CampingFrance lists 10,000 campsites along with accompanying Web sites when available. Campsites are organized by region, via interactive map, and by number of stars.
Hostelz.com will make you grateful for its hostel reviews, and for the photos accompanying each hostel listing, as you sift through numerous options. Search by region or city to find a list of nearby hostels as well as comments and tips from other travelers.
BUG stands for Backpackers' Ultimate Guide, and the site's France section offers tips and advice on how to see the country on the cheap. BUG staffers willingly share some under-the-radar attractions they've stumbled upon, and provide very up-to-date hostel reviews.
For luxury accommodation...
Wimco is the site of the West Indies Management Company, which has been helping travelers find and book private luxury villas and boutique hotels for 20 years. To find villas in France, use the search tool, located in the top left sidebar. Every villa on the site has been visited by an experienced Wimco staffer, and is described in detail. Create a vacation profile to keep track of your vacation dates and villas you are considering. You can also request the availability of any property, and a Wimco agent will contact you.
ForbesTraveler.com leans toward luxe, so it’s no surprise that the site has compiled a list of villa renting tips, along with a photo slide show of “Ten Amazing Villas” around the world. This feature includes essential considerations to make regarding villa location and seasonal travel, and details amenities you can expect to find at a typical villa. Forbes also helps travelers find luxury hotels in France, providing listings with thorough reviews and property descriptions.
For reviews ...
RealTravel has a collection of reviews written by travelers, accompanied by photos and booking information. Each review includes a narrative description and overall ratings.
Getting Around in France
If the thought of traveling in a foreign country seems daunting, settle your nerves by planning in ... read more »
France Travel Blogs and Forums
You won't find the first-person sights, smells, sounds, and emotions of a place in most guidebooks. ... read more »
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