Hotels – Holiday Residences – Shared Accommodation

Star ratings and certification for its accommodation

The classification system for collective accommodation covers hotels, campsites, residential leisure parks, tourist residences, holiday villages and hostels. Tourists are becoming increasingly discerning, and star ratings remain an important and universal benchmark. France has therefore decided to improve its classification system by bringing it more closely into line with customer expectations and international practices. (source: Atout France)
The classification is valid for 5 years.

The process of classifying a hotel or holiday accommodation

The classification process is carried out entirely online, via a quick and straightforward procedure. Several tools have been put in place to facilitate this process: tutorials to help you get to grips with the platform, a self-assessment tool to estimate your chances of achieving classification, and a conditional extension allowing you extra time to renew your classification.
3 main steps:

Create your account atwww.classement.atout-france.fr.
Book an inspection with an accredited body (fee applies).
Submit the online pre-assessment to your chosen inspection body (via www.classement.atout-france.fr).

Labels

Destination Excellence
The ‘Destination d’Excellence’ label was introduced in May 2024 to replace the ‘Qualité Tourisme’ mark and improve the overall quality of tourism services in France, whilst placing particular emphasis on environmental responsibility and providing information for visitors with disabilities. This new label applies to the accommodation sector (excluding self-catering accommodation), the catering sector, leisure venues, transport and tourist information centres.

How can you obtain it?

Accueil Vélo label
‘Accueil Vélo’ is a national label that guarantees a warm welcome and high-quality services along cycle routes for touring cyclists. It can be awarded to the following categories of establishments: Accommodation, Cycle hire companies, Cycle repair shops, Restaurants, Tourist information centres, Tourist attractions

How do you obtain it?

Tourisme et Handicap label
Accessibility is a major issue for the tourism sector. The ‘Tourisme & Handicap’ (T&H) label is part of this initiative. It certifies that tourist sites and establishments are adapted to the needs of people with disabilities.

Full details about the label

Tourist tax

Any accommodation provider whose property is situated in Lourdes is required to submit a monthly declaration of the tourist tax collected from their guests, at the rate corresponding to their classification level.
The information leaflet on the tourist tax is available onlineby clicking here.
The Town of Lourdes has set up a system to enable you to declare tourist tax quickly and easily via this dedicated, secure platform.
https://lourdes.consonanceweb.fr

Guide to the tourist tax

Police records

Anyone who lets out tourist accommodation (whether on a commercial or non-commercial basis) to a guest of foreign nationality must ensure that the guest completes an individual police registration form (including nationals of the European Union).
This form must be kept for 6 months and forwarded to the police or gendarmerie only upon their request.

Downloadmy police registration form template

Find out more about the police registration form athttps://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33458

CSR approach

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a key issue for the tourism sector, combining economic development, environmental protection and social commitment. Adopting a CSR approach enables tourism businesses to balance performance with a positive impact by meeting the growing expectations of travellers and local stakeholders.

🔵 Economic Pillar: Ensuring sustainable and ethical growth (transparency, responsible innovation, sustainable profitability).
🟢 Environmental Pillar: Reducing the ecological footprint (resource management, biodiversity, renewable energy).
🟠 Social Pillar: Promoting well-being and equity (working conditions, diversity, impact on communities).

The Lourdes Tourist Office has enlisted the support of the consultancy firm Linéa to implement a CSR policy within its organisation. This has enabled it to draw up itsvery first action plan.
The Tourist Office also aims to set an example in terms of sustainable development in the region and offers its support to local tourism stakeholders wishing to adopt this approach.

For more information on CSR, visit the CRTL’s professional website:
https://pro.tourisme-occitanie.com/engagements-prioritaires/tourisme-durable/j-engage-ma-structure/la-responsabilite-societale-des-entreprises/