Cycling in France - where to stay?

[Yellow Fang]

I am thinking of cycling in France in April. I won't say what my planned journey is, because I am not very confident I will achieve it, and then I'll look a fool.

However, I am wondering where to stay. If I cycle around the UK, I would probably stay at youth hostels, but where would you stay in France?

 

[RobinS]

We normally camp, because there are loads of campsites in France (though in April not all are open). Otherwise they do have youth hostels, other bunkhouse type accommodation, and lots of B&Bs.

http://fuaj.org/en/ YHA Hostels
http://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/France Other hostels
https://en.gites-de-france.com/list.html?critinit=o&distcomm=10&chambre=o Gites de France B&Bs

 

[rualexander]

AirBnB?

Warmshowers? Thousands of hosts in France.

 

[mmmmartin]

the F1 hotel chain is a fave of UK cyclists: cheap and basic but OK. you will need to book ahead as they are all full, every night, but you can book ahead by a day or so.
i'd advise planning where you want to go and checking where the F1 hotels are and if campsites are open.
if you're prepared to carry camping kit - and there are some very lightweight options now - you can camp and there are thousands of campsites ranging from simple municipal sites that are cheap or free (if the collector doesn't arrive) all the way to ones woth three swimming pools, restaurants and horse-riding lessons.

 

[Ian H]

I've generally turned up unannounced at chambres d'hotes (B&B) or small bar/hotels and always got a bed. More friendly than F1s.

 

[mmmmartin]

I've generally turned up unannounced at chambres d'hotes (B&B) or small bar/hotels and always got a bed. More friendly than F1s.

Agreed. But: F1 is about €25 but a B&B can be more than three times that.

 

[srw]

The Campanile chain is very bike friendly but soulless. Logis de France is a nationwide marketing chain for individual small hotels.