The Best Cheap Hotels in Provence, France

The shaded outdoor terrace is the first thing you’ll notice at this 15-room hotel in the heart of the picturesque Provençal village of Collobrières. Straddled over the river, it makes an idyllic setting for tasting the locally sourced three-course meals, including frog legs and local wild boar, as well as vegetarian-friendly omelettes and salads. Once the sun has set, visit the hotel bar, pull up a stool and order a pastis on ice or a kir made with local chestnuts, which the village is famous for.

Accor’s popular spin-off brand Mama Shelter offers colourful stays full of character and spark, and this hotel on Rue de la Loubière in Marseille is no exception. With 125 rooms, you’ll have no trouble finding an option to suit your budget, from the Small Mama room that manages to squeeze in a queen-size bed to the XXL Mama that can sleep up to four people. All rooms include free movies, a desk and organic toiletries. Stick around in the evening for DJ sets in the buzzing bar.

As the name suggests, this three-star option is found in Marseille’s famous Old Port – a prime location for exploring the restaurants and nightlife of the historic harbour area. It’s also a short walk from the city centre and a gentle 20-minute stroll to the imposing, Byzantine-style Marseille Cathedral. All of this makes the hotel popular among backpackers, particularly as the owners – the Dosson family – offer warm hospitality that includes a 24-hour reception and bar.

In the commune of Digne-les-Bains, this uncomplicated hotel makes an ideal stopover for those exploring the region by car – particularly as on-site parking is free. Each of its 52 rooms comes with a private bathroom, memory foam pillows and tea- and coffee-making facilities. If you’re looking to work up a mid-holiday sweat, access to the nearby Orange Bleue gym is free to all guests.

On the doorstep of the rail and bus hub in Marseille, this quirky boutique hotel reflects the charisma of its manager, Stephane. Each room comes with a unique colourful vibe and style. The more budget-conscious will find little to grumble about in the cosy club rooms, while those with a bit more financial freedom will be drawn to the rooftop studio, with incredible views towards the Frioul archipelago. Make sure to try the tapas sharing platters in the 1713 Lounge Bar.

If you love a stained-glass window, then brace yourself before checking into this former convent in the centre of Aix-en-Provence – it’s filled with them, the sunlight streaming down in colourful dapples. Other history-laden charms here include exposed wooden beams and stone archways, an elegant winding staircase and a roof terrace overlooking the bell tower. There’s a dash of modernity in the Velux windows found in the classic rooms, which are in the attic and drenched in natural light.

The Pont du Gard aqueduct is the most spectacular example of the Romans’ influence on the historic city of Avignon. And nearby, at this hotel east of the city, 2,000-year-old traditions are maintained with a spa that takes inspiration from Roman thermal baths (there’s a sauna and a hammam, too). To indulge in more living history, the hotel is well placed for a short cab ride to the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes).

Leap into the belle époque at this 19th-century hotel brimming with old-glamour style and swagger. Just a two-minute saunter from the beach, in the lavishly named Carre d’Or (golden square) in Nice, this hotel has no shortage of restaurants and bars on the doorstep. The building has 24 rooms dominated by period wallpaper that wouldn’t look out of place in a rural French gîte. Superior rooms come with a balcony, where you can map out your route to the beach and beyond.

A five-minute walk from the clock tower in the pretty village of Draguignan, Hôtel du Parc and its pastel-blue shutters and leafy, sun-cloaked terrace leave no doubt that it’s in the heart of Provence. Room options include family rooms for up to four, while doubles, twins and triples also provide great value. Make sure to book at least one meal at the fabulously furnished Restaurant O Petit Parc; if you order one thing, make it the pesto camembert – a sumptuously indulgent sharing dish that you’ll want all to yourself.