Overnight stopover recommendations on the way to South of France

[debster]

We will be travelling to the South of France by car next month and would like to make an overnight stop over about halfway there. Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent, cheap hotel for a 2 adult, 2 children (4,8m) family? Where have people stopped before?

[triplets]

Snap! We are going down to Toulouse area in Aug, crossing from Dover to Calais and will need a nice stop over for two adults and triplets, we thought somewhere south of Alencon area?

[miggy]

The chain type hotels are v. reasonable and cheap. We last stayed in an Accor suitehotel, one double bed, small kitchen area and sofa convertible to double bed. It was about £30 for the room and breakfast (for all). Triplets- you will have the problem of being 5 in a room, we found this really hard, something to do with fire regs in france(?). I dont think any chains will allow 5. Might be better looking for b and b with family rooms. Sawdays B and B book is v.good (also has internet site but not all properties there)

[bayleaf]

VEy much depends on your route!
I always use a Gites de France bed and breakfast place ( obviously not hte same one each time!) as they are very cheap and we tend to go for the better end of the market and stay in a chateau for £40 a night or similar!
NOt sure of the web address - try www.gites-de-france.fr ???

[StuartC]

The chains, such as "B&B", Mister Bed or Formule1 are cheap and clean. Typically they have a double bed and a single bunkbed (over the double).Formule1 have a website here . A room costs about £20 per night. Last time I stayed at a Mister Bed, it was about £3 dearer but it was en suite.
There's a website which I've just found and which gives lots of info about all the budget hotels.
Very few have a restaurant, so you may have to search for food in the evening.
If you are only wanting an overnight stop these places are ideal.
These hotels tend to be outside the town centres, in commercial areas or near motorway exits.
If you are just after a bed for the night they're ideal. If you want to sample the local atmosphere these are not for you.

[debster]

Thanks for the tips. I will check them out. We would like to stay somewhere where we can get ourselves a decent dinner, have a wander round and have a drink in the evening, not just somewhere to sleep. So somewhere in town would be good.

[Tinker]

debster - what is your route?

triplets - try Tours, my favourite French city. Lively at night in the old town, really beautiful place and baout halfway, I think? Or try Chartres - smaller than Tours but busy enough for overnight stay. And fab cathedral of course.