How are tourist residences classified?

Fully-equipped, standardised and classified apartments

Tourist residences are classified and evaluated on a regular basis to ensure quality is up to standard. The results are published on Atout France’s classified accommodation website. The classification is attributed by Atout France based on 219 classification criterias.

Classification process

First, the tourist residence operator performs a self-assessment using a model available on the Atout France website before contacting a control agency certified by COFRAC (French national accreditation body).

An inspector then pays a visit. If the results are in line with the operator’s expectations, the inspector sends the findings to Atout France, which issues the classification.

[Otherwise, the operator rectifies the shortcomings identified and requests a new inspection]

The operator may (and must) then display the tourist residence classification panel (showing the number of stars) in front of their establishment.

L’exploitant peut et doit alors afficher le panonceau de classement Résidence de Tourisme … étoiles à l’extérieur de son établissement.

1 star, Budget tourist residences

• The area of the studio apartment must be at least 10m² (excluding sanitary facilities).

and 

2 and 3 stars, low-end and mid-range

• Personnel speak at least one European language in addition to French.
• Reception facilities are open for at least 5 hours a day.
• For 2 star residences, the minimum surface area of a 2-room apartment for 2 to 4 people is 20 m² (excluding sanitary facilities).
• For 3 star residences, the minimum surface area of a 2-room apartment for 2 to 4 people is 24 m² (excluding sanitary facilities).
• A 3 star apartment is equipped with more electric sockets, an oven in the kitchen, baby-care amenities (upon request), and a second bathroom for 6 people or more.

4 stars, high-end

• The minimum surface area of a 2-room apartment for 2 to 4 people must be 28 m² (excluding sanitary facilities).
• Personnel at reception must speak at least two foreign languages, including English.
• When there are 3 rooms or more, the apartment must have a bathtub and a separate shower. When there are 2 rooms or more, the water closet must be separate from the bathroom.
• The apartment must have a telephone, a flat-screen TV and internet access.

5 stars, top-end

• The minimum surface area of a 2-room apartment for 2 to 4 people must be 32m² (excluding sanitary facilities).
• Large-sized beds.
• Personnel at reception must speak at least three foreign languages, including English.
• Apartments must have internet access, air-conditioning and a safe deposit box.

Tourist residences and stars

Now that you are an expert on tourist residence evaluation criteria, it is high time you knew more about how the stars are aligned!

Classified tourist residences break down as follows:

3% of total classified residences

14% of total classified residences

56%of total classified residences

25% of total classified residences

2% of total classified residences

The brands adhering to the SNRT display several other labels such as Famille Plus, Clef verte, Qualité France…