Hotels in La Bourboule

There are many hotels and self-catering appartments in La Bourboule and the tourist information website is a good source of information. Currently, most students stay at Les Sources, Cleotel, or Le Charlet There is also a campsite on the outskirts of the town and about 15 minutes walk from the Casino - there are usually some students who camp. The hotels are well signposted.

Some hotels have their own car park and some do not. There is plenty of free parking in the town although you may not always find a space outside your hotel.

Instruments can be safely left locked up at the casino at lunchtime and overnight so that there is no need to carry them each day.

Les Sources Tucked away in a quiet corner in the centre of town just 2 minutes walk from the Casino. Simple and cheap but highly recommended. You need to speak a little French but the owners and staff are so pleasant and helpful - they found time to come to one of our concerts even though the hotel was fully booked every night. Addendum 2007: Very popular!
Cleotel Opposite the post office, in the centre of town just 2 minutes walk from the Casino. Simple and cheap but highly recommended. They provide breakfast, but no other meals.
Le Charlet About 2 minutes walk from Casino and very nice. Also has apartments which are good. Has wide range of facilities including swimming pool, gym, hammam (Steam room), jacuzzi.

Les Fleurs A hotel on the northern outskirts of the town and 5-10 minutes walk from the Casino. They do fish and vegetarian meals.

It is quite feasible to book just bed; bed and breakfast; b&b plus evening meal (demi-pension); or b&b plus lunch and evening meal (pension). There are plenty of good restaurants in the town. Students perform in one or two evening concerts and there are other free concerts every night, to go to. It is possible that some of these may conflict with your evening meal but if you are on demi-pension it should be possible to have your meal that day at lunchtime instead of the evening.

A typical day consists of chamber groups from 9.00 to 10.30; a tutti ensemble at 11.00; picnic in the park; sightseeing or optional playing from 2.00 to 4.00; recorder groups from 4.00 to 5.30; informal concert till about 6.15; evening meal and then go to a concert or stroll around town where there is usually plenty to see (free entertainment by bands, choirs, dance groups etc.)

Most hotels had some vacancies each night, if you arrived early enough. Probably best to book in advance (internet, e-mail or post) and pay deposit by credit card, if acceptable, or else by bankers draft in euros (most banks charge around £10 for this). There are plenty of cash machines in the town, including one in the casino.

This is a lovely area of France, especially if you like walking, and it is well worthwhile staying a bit longer to do some sightseeing. There are lots of waymarked paths and guidebooks. Being a mountainous area, the weather varies from cool and wet to hot and sunny - come prepared for anything!