Recommendations please

[Evianers]

We are tentatively thinking of driving to the Auvergne, Dordogne, to look at the Millau bridge and then to Albi. Or perhaps even in the other direction - we are free.

Does anyone have recommendations for REASONABLY priced B+B as obviously it is not possible to take a gite? We have found that some B+Bs are now cashing in on what has happened in the UK and charging as much as a small hotel. Nothing fancy, but must be clean and quiet. Thanks everyone in advance.

[EuroTrash]

Er - what's happened in the UK??

[Evianers]

Errrrrrrrrrr

some B+Bs are now cashing in on what has happened in the UK and charging as much as a small hotel.

[EuroTrash]

err, err, err, yes so you said - but being dim, I don't understand what this thing is that's happened in the UK, that some B+Bs are now cashing in on?

[Catalpa]

I too am most intrigued and look forward to hearing "what has happened in the UK" and why this enables French b&bs to "cash in". [8-)]

But to the broader point, the reason some b&bs - or, let's go native, chambres d'hôtes - are charging as much as a small hotel is because frequently, their standards are higher and they are more comfortable with better facilities than... a small hotel.

In any event, it seems simple to me, if you think that small hotels are better value than owner-run chambres d'hôtes, stay in a small hotel.

[HoneySuckleDreams]

when are you thinking of going ? If it's the weekend after next I suggest staying clear of Millau itself as there is a big athletics competition going on and accommodation will be scarce

[Evianers]

[quote user="HoneySuckleDreams"]when are you thinking of going ? If it's the weekend after next I suggest staying clear of Millau itself as there is a big athletics competition going on and accommodation will be scarce[/quote]

Thank you for your answer

We are thinking of travelling during the 2/3 week of June

[HoneySuckleDreams]

If I remember I will have a look at the schedule coming up as Albi. Castres, Rodez and Millau all feature heavily in the athletics competitions over the next month or so

[HoneySuckleDreams]

The French National Championships are happening 28-29 June at Albi. There is other stuff at Castres and Rodez throughout June but nothing over two days. If it's over 2 days and national/inter-regional you get athletes arriving the Friday night as well as they have to travel a long way.

You should be OK in finding something easily enough.

[Loiseau]

Some gites might do short breaks of two or three nights. I stayed in one in Picardie a couple of years ago on a completely self-catering basis, though bedlinen and towels were provided.

Try the Gites de France and the C lévacances websites for the areas you are going to. You can input your criteria for B&B (chambres d'hôtes') such as how many épis/clés you want (suggest 3 épis/clés would assure enough comfort).

The expensive ones you describe often call themselves a "maison d'hôtes", and to be fair are often luxuriously equipped.

Angela

[rowland]

Have you looked at airbnb.com?

We recently had visitors from Australia and they toured Britain and had a studio apartment in London for a week with them. They were very happy with every place they stayed. There was an article about the site in the Sunday Times a few weeks ago - it was set up by a student who started offering his spare room and now it is worldwide. We have found an apartment in Brittany for September this year so will keep fingers crossed.

[Evianers]

thank you very much for the last three answers which are very much appreciated and give food for thought.