Using laptop abroad - internet access?

In December I took my (new) Dell laptop to France. I only planned to use it for watching DVDs etc, but when I switched it on first time, it connected to the Internet, having asked me if I wanted to search for available wireless networks. So, to my surprise, I was able to e-mail, listen to BBC radio, and surf to my hearts content for the whole fortnight - and my house in France doesn't even have a phoneline! I'm new to wireless, but I ume I was somehow linked to a nearby internet connection - possibly the local Tourist Info Office(?). Having returned there 2 weeks ago, this time the connection was unavailable. Does this simply mean a firewall or similar has been installed, and I was just very lucky first time, or is there something I should be doing to re-establish the link - indeed, is it something that I shouldn't be trying to do anyway? If it's not repeatable, is there any sort of wireless internet service that i can subscribe to when there, without putting in a phoneline? Thanks