Finding Accommodation in France: Best Areas, Hotels & How to Choose Your Base

Who This France Accommodation Guide Is For

France can be many things at once: a land of grand boulevards and royal palaces, quiet village squares, vineyard landscapes and coastal harbours.

This guide is for travellers who are:

• Past the party‑hostel stage
• Happy to pay a bit more for comfort, calm and great locations
• Travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or with family
• Looking for mid‑range to luxury stays at a fair price

If you imagine yourself in classic Paris hotels, elegant apartments, countryside guesthouses and stylish coastal stays—rather than shared dorms—this page will help you decide:

• Which areas to stay in for the kind of trip you want
• What types of accommodation make sense for France
• How to move around the country by train or car
• Roughly what you can expect to pay for comfort

Some  History About France

Part of the joy of staying in France is that history is all around you. Many hotels and guesthouses sit inside buildings that have watched centuries of change.

• Roman Gaul – Long before “France” existed, this was part of the Roman world. In cities like Lyon and Nîmes you still see amphitheatres and ruins, and many old quarters follow Roman street plans.
• Kings and châteaux – From the Middle Ages to the 18th century, French kings and nobles built castles, palaces and country estates across the country. The Loire Valley is lined with châteaux that once showed off royal power and now anchor some of France’s most scenic places to stay.
• Paris and the boulevards – In the 19th century, Baron Haussmann reshaped Paris into the city of wide boulevards, grand façades and leafy squares that visitors know today. Many classic Paris hotels occupy these stone buildings with wrought‑iron balconies and high ceilings.
• Railways and the Riviera – When trains spread across France in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they opened up seaside resorts such as Nice and Deauville to city‑dwellers and overseas travellers. The habit of spending summers by the sea helped create many elegant hotels that are still popular now.
• Modern France – Today, high‑speed trains and a strong motorway network mean you can wake up in Paris, have lunch in Lyon and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean in Marseille or Nice. Modern aparthotels, boutique hotels and carefully renovated heritage buildings sit side by side.

When you choose where to stay in France, you are also choosing what kind of history you want to sleep beside—royal gardens, medieval streets, Art Deco seaside promenades or sleek modern districts.

Getting to France: By Air or Train

Arriving by air
Most international visitors start their trip by flying:

• Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – Main long‑haul hub with many international connections. From here you can take trains into central Paris or connect to other French cities by high‑speed train.
• Paris Orly (ORY) – Useful for European and some longer‑haul flights, often with easier transfers into the south of Paris.
• Other airports – Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Nantes also receive many European flights and some intercontinental routes.

If you are flying long‑haul, it often makes sense to:

• Spend a few nights in Paris first
• Then travel onwards by train or car hire to explore other parts of the country

Arriving by train
France is very easy to reach and explore by rail:

• Eurostar links London with Paris and Lille in only a few hours.
• High‑speed TGV trains connect Paris with cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg and Lille, usually in 2–3 hours.
• Regional trains and local lines then reach smaller towns, wine regions and coastal areas.

Many travellers:

• Take Eurostar or a flight into Paris, stay a few nights
• Then continue by TGV to places like Lyon, Marseille or Nice
• Or pick up a hire car outside the largest cities for countryside touring

Best Types of Accommodation in France (If You Don’t Want Dorms)

France offers a wide range of comfortable options that suit mature travellers and those who value peace, character and location over the very cheapest bed.

City Hotels

In cities such as Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux and Nice, we usually look for modern mid‑range or upscale hotels with:

• Comfortable beds and proper soundproofing
• Reliable heating/air‑conditioning
• Strong Wi‑Fi and good showers
• Easy access to metro, tram or bus lines

These are ideal if you want a simple, stress‑free base with reception staff on hand to help you navigate the city.

Boutique Hotels and Heritage Buildings

Throughout France you will find small hotels in:

• Townhouses
• Former private mansions
• Carefully restored historic buildings

These often offer:

• More individual design and charm
• Personal service
• A sense of place that reflects the local district

They work well for couples or friends who enjoy a little romance and atmosphere with their trip.

Serviced Apartments and Aparthotels

In Paris and other large cities there are many aparthotels and serviced apartments:

• Studio or 1–2 bedroom layouts
• Kitchenette or full kitchen
• Often laundry facilities

These are great if you:

• Are staying longer than a few nights
• Prefer to cook breakfast or simple meals
• Want more space than a traditional hotel room

Country Guesthouses and “Chambres d’Hôtes”

Outside the big cities, especially in regions like Normandy, Provence, the Loire and the Dordogne, you will find:

• Small guesthouses
• B&B‑style stays
• Farmhouse or village properties

These may include home‑cooked breakfasts and the chance to chat with owners who know the area well. They often suit road trips or journeys by car hire.

Seaside and Lakeside Hotels

On the Atlantic coast, in Brittany and along the Riviera, many resorts and coastal towns offer:

• Classic seafront hotels
• Elegant villas turned into hotels
• Modern spa resorts

These can be lovely if you want slower days, walks along promenades and easy access to the water.

Tip: Accommodation prices can vary hugely depending on travel dates. Before booking, see how we use Booking.com’s calendar tool to find cheaper hotel deals and reduce travel costs:
https://trustytraveltips.com/find-cheaper-hotel-deals-booking-com/

Where to Stay in France: Best Areas for Comfortable Travel

This section is designed to help you choose areas that work well for sightseeing, comfort and getting around—without placing you on top of loud nightlife or party strips.

We focus on:

• Paris, where most first‑time visitors spend at least a few nights
• A few regional bases that work well if you are travelling by train or car after starting in Paris

Paris: Neighbourhoods and Hotels We Recommend

Paris Neighbourhoods That Work Well for Comfort and Convenience

Paris is made up of 20 “arrondissements” (districts). For most non‑backpacker travellers, these areas often work best:

1st, 2nd and 8th arrondissements (Central Paris around the Louvre and Opéra)

• Extremely central, with easy access to many main sights
• Close to the Louvre, Tuileries Garden, the Seine and major shopping streets
• Hotels tend to be mid‑range to luxury with classic Paris façades

Le Marais (3rd and 4th arrondissements)

• Historic, village‑like streets with boutiques and cafés
• Good choice of stylish small hotels and apartments
• Easy walks to the Seine, Notre‑Dame area and museums

Saint‑Germain‑des‑Prés and the Latin Quarter (5th and 6th arrondissements)

• Left Bank districts with a long literary and artistic history
• Narrow streets, bookshops, galleries and traditional cafés
• Comfortable hotels with a relaxed, slightly bohemian feel

7th arrondissement (Eiffel Tower and Invalides area)

• Residential, elegant and usually calmer at night
• Close to the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and several museums
• Many well‑reviewed hotels with a more “classic Paris” atmosphere

If you want quieter evenings and good sleep, we usually avoid staying directly above very busy nightlife streets in areas like parts of the Latin Quarter or around some late‑night bar clusters.

Paris Accommodation We Recommend (Mid‑Range to Luxury)

Below are three options in Paris that reflect the kind of comfortable, well‑located stays many mature visitors enjoy. Please always check current photos, reviews and prices before booking.