Apartments vs hotels in France

There are many types of accommodation in France. There are normal, traditional hotels. There are hostels and smaller hotels. Some of the smaller hotels are sans pension, or without breakfast etc, some are avec pension, or with at least breakfast and some other services. 

Then there is another class of accommodation: residences, or apartments. Apartments are almost like hotels, but with some subtle differences. First of all, apartments provide not just rooms but studios. This means rooms with kitchenettes: fridge, stove, oven, coffee maker etc. This makes travelling a bit cheaper and also easier. One can have proper breakfast by oneself, not depending on hotels timetables, or having to eat the same croissants every day in cafés. One can also avoid the very strict meal times and have dinner e.g. when one comes back from cycling exercises.Very practical. 

Residence Chili, Luz St Sauveur

Apartments also have washing machines for quests to use. This is very important for anyone who does any cycling or hiking. Washing one’s clothes by hand become a chore very fast. 

Based on our experience during this trip, there are apartments in most cities. In Luz, there was a whole city district with apartments, not hotels. In Lourdes, there was a new (built in 2007) apartment (La Closeraie) next to the railway station. In Marseilles, we found an apartment 3 kilometres from the main railway station. 

Prices are very reasonable as well. So far we have paid from 39 to 55 euros per night. Not expensive at all. Actually, not at all more expensive than places one could book via AirBnB. 

Any drawbacks? Yes, there is one. One has to clean one’s room when one leaves, take garbage out. And the management does not get linens and towels changed daily. 

There is even a chair of apartment recidencies: Appart City. Cheap, clean, nice.