Bed and breakfast establishments, known in France as "Chambres d'Hôtes", are a popular means of finding good value accommodation while getting to know your local French host and their family. Many of the Chambres d'Hôtes are part of the "Gîtes de France" (link in French) organisation and are classified by "épis" (ears of corn) to indicate their level of comfort. Some of the properties also offer "Tables d'Hôtes", so you can enjoy a home-cooked evening meal from locally grown produce.

Self-catering options are also available from the "Gîtes de France" network and staying in a local holiday cottage is an ideal way of experiencing the French way of life. There are specific gîtes which cater for children, gîtes d'enfant, babies, gîtes de bébé and for nature lovers, gîtes panda.

Organisations with a wide selection of properties are :

- Clévacances: Calvados (in French) ; Manche (in French) ; Orne (in French) ; Eure (in French) ; Seine Maritime

- Chambres d'hôtes Fleurs de Soleil: Calvados ; Manche ; Orne ; Eure ; Seine Maritime

- Gîtes de France in Normandy (in French): Calvados ; Manche (in French) and Manche (booking in English)  ; Orne ; Eure ; Seine-Maritime

Bienvenue à la Ferme:

Set out to discover a different experience of country living where you meet the farmers in the Bienvenue à la Ferme network (link in French). Savour their produce, dine in a farmhouse inn, have your afternoon snack on the farm or stay overnight at a bed and breakfast or holiday cottage, or even go camping on the farm.