Hotels

Colmar: Great AirBnb center of town. Andre and Patricia AirBnB

Wengen, Switzerland, great AirBnB: Florian AirBnB

Lucerne Switzerland, this was a nice family hotel, simple reasonable: Hotel Royal

Lyon: http://www.leboulevardier.fr

Nice place, but no AC and lots of street noise. Probably would stay elsewhere next time.

Annecy: Allobroges Park Hotel

Excellent, reasonably priced, well located, good breakfast buffet.

Chamonix: Air BNB 192 Dr. Paccard

Nice 2 bed/ 2 bath in center of Chamonix, would rent again.

Avignon Airbnb 5 Rue Piot

Arles: Hotel du Musée Very basic 2 star family run, inexpensive.

Nice: Airbnb 5 Rue Barberis

Marseille: Superbe Climatise Vieux Port Panier 44 Rue Vacon

Paris:

A quick note on Paris hotels: If you are new to Paris, try to stay in the 6th(St. Germain), the 4th(St. Paul/ Marais) the 5th(Latin Quarter) or the 1st (Louvre) areas. DO NOT stay near the Champs Elysees(8th arr.)!! Also avoid staying near the Eiffel Tower(7th arr), these are touristy, expensive and inconvenient areas. For first time visitors, the St. Germain area is an excellent combination of a central location and a reasonable place to stay. Below are some places that I have stayed and been happy with. I’ll also list a resource page from a podcast on which I have guested. The city is cracking down on AirBnBs so be careful that anything you rent has a registration number or you are liable to being cancelled. Word to the wise: If you are renting an apartment in Paris be sure you ask or know the answers to the following questions: What floor is it on and is there an elevator? Does it have a washing machine? Internet/wifi? Windows/view? Noise? How far and what is the nearest Metro station? Does it have a normal Shower? Be sure to read reviews, and or ask to speak with someone who has stayed in this apartment before if there are things you find suspect. Here’s a really cool website: https://hotelsnearthemetro.com/hotels-near-the-metro-in-paris

Paris 6th (Sorry this one has been taken off the list, but there are others by this agency): Vacation In Paris Chic Odeon Studio 367

Paris 6th 3* good location: Grand Hotel Univers St. Germain

This is a good 2* in a perfect location in the 6th. Hotel Welcome

Just down the street from Hotel Welcome is another 3*, a little fancier. Hotel de Seine

Recently stayed at 2* Hotel des Grand Balcons, also 6th, not quite as well located as these other 3. https://www.balcons.com

Here is a hotel list from a podcast that I trust: https://joinusinfrance.com/resource/paris-hotels/

I have not stayed here, but this seems to be a reasonable compromise between renting and apartment and staying in a hotel, do your own research: https://www.citadines.com/en/france/paris/citadines-saint-germain-des-prs-paris.html

Here are some apartment rental possiblities, as always, up to you to do your own due diligence!

https://www.parisperfect.com/

https://www.perfectlyparis.com/index.html

http://www.vacationinparis.com/index.php

https://www.parisforrent.com

https://www.nyhabitat.com

https://www.parisattitude.com. (Heard mixed things about these guys)

Donostia San Sebastián 2 bedroom AirBnb: Maider AirBnb

Bordeaux 2 bedroom AirBnb: Diane AirBnb

Bordeaux Studio AirBnb: Samantha AirBnb

Carcassonne AirBnb: Brigitte AirBnb

Toulouse AirBnB: Beatrice AirBnB