France - end of Sept/start of Oct

[samwise]

I'm heading off to France for the last week of September, first week of October - probably Massif Central first, then maybe across to Pyrenees.

I'd imagine that some of the higher Pyrenees passes might be starting to close about then -true?

Also, do smaller hotels close down as the main French holiday season is over by then? Just trying to work out whether to pre-book, or just start looking mid-afternoon whilst in the small towns? In 2006, we pre-booked F1s, Premiere Classes, etc, but althought decent enough they're a bit far out of town (had a heck of a hike from the F1 in Dole into town and back out again for beers ), so was thinking more about in-town hotels (not too expensive though - my mate is a Yorkshireman! )

Is there a particuarly good hotel guide book for the lower end (Michelin would be more expensive, I assume - maybe Lonely Planet or Rough Guide)?

 

[Wapping]

Should be OK on all the major / medium passes; near enough anything with a metalled road.

Most, if not all, of the hotels will be open.

It's not difficult to pre-book hotels.

It's easy to check a hotel's location vis-a-vis the rest of the town. Just pump the address into Google Earth.

Michelin is FREE if you use the ViaMichelin website. It lists many many hotels, from very small (and very cheap) to five star(very expensive).

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138092&highlight=hotel

 

[wessie]

http://www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/ is an association of privately owned hotels. They range from the cheap & cheerful to posh spa hotels. Food is generally good with a regional bias. Beware, that in rural areas they operate very traditional French opening hours i.e reception will be manned on a haphazard basis, restaurants closed on Sundays and bars closed shortly after the restaurant.

Use the website for free or get a copy of thier book sent for £3.75 from http://uk.franceguide.com/brochures/home.html?NodeID=1451

Of the corporates, I am happy to use the Ibis brand. Many of these are in city centres and have an underground garage. Part of Accor, who also own F1. Ibis have a 24 hour reception and a restaurant/bar that opens on a Sunday
http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/home/index.shtml

 

[BikerBob]

Also worth a look for accommodation:

http://www.campanile.com/en/default.aspx

We're giving them a try this year. You can book a whole intinery very easily on-line, the booking is confirmed with a credit-card but no money is taken and reservations can be cancelled right up to the last minute in-case plans change.

And:

http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/bed_breakfasts

Regards Bob

 

[Gaulois]

If you can cope with French try using the Guide du Routard, the French equivalent to the Rough Guide. They do one called Hôtels de charme en France (or very similar). You can get it in any decent Bureau de Presse -look for the square yellow sign with a red quill.
In that part of the world at that time of year you'll be fine looking for a room at 4-5pm on the day.
It's led me to some brilliant places as well as some surreal ones.