Survival Guide - Discover France: Experience the Best of France - page 759

Alistair Sawday's ( www.sawdays.co.uk ) Boutique retreats and chambres d'hôtes
, placing the accent on originality and authentic hospitality.
Hôtels de Charme ( www.hotelsdecharme.com , in French) Abbeys, manors,
châteaux - this is a mixed bag of (as the name says) charming hotels.
Logis de France ( www.logis-de-france.fr ) Small, often family-run hotels with
charm and a warm welcome.
Relais & Châteaux ( www.relaischateaux.com ) Seductive selection of villas,
châteaux and historic hotels.
Relais du Silence ( www.relaisdusilence.com ) Fall asleep to complete silence in a
gorgeous château, spa-clad auberge, vineyard hotel...
Small Luxury Hotels of the World ( www.slh.com ) Super-luxurious boutique ho-
tels, chalets and resorts.
Business Hours
French business hours are regulated by a maze of government regulations, includ-
ing the 35-hour working week.
• » The midday break is uncommon in Paris but, in general, gets longer the further
south you go.
• » French law requires that most businesses close on Sunday; exceptions include
grocers, boulangeries , florists and businesses associated with tourism.
• » In some places shops close on Monday.
• » Restaurants generally close one or two days of the week, chosen according to
the owner's whim.
• » Most (but not all) national museums are closed on Tuesday, while most local
museums are closed on Monday, though in summer some open daily. Many mu-
seums close at lunchtime.