Gites de France
Gites (holiday properties) are advertised in many national UK newspapers, travel agents and via the internet.
They provide furnished self-catering accommodation that can be anything from a chateau to a seaside apartment. They are classified according to the facilities they provide and each local syndicat d'initiative (tourist information office) retains a list of properties available in the area. A national federation imposes rules about minimum standards of furnishing and facilities.
The best way to find a gite is frequently through personal recommendation. Be wary of newspaper advertisements. Some of those that appear to offer particular gites are in fact 'samples' placed by letting agencies. The gite advertised is not usually available, and indeed may not exist. What you will receive, however, is a wad of unsolicited mail frequently offering inferior quality accommodation at grossly inflated prices.
Most reputable companies issue informative brochures. The following can normally be obtained through UK travel agents:
- Blakes Villas
- Country Holidays in France
- The Complete France
- Vacances en Campagne
Local tourist offices are always willing to send out extensive lists of all forms of accommodation. It is best to restrict your enquiry to the kind of accommodation you need.
Booking Direct
This is often the cheapest way to reserve a gite. The problem is that the information you receive from the owner may be sketchy, and in high season the best gites are frequently reserved from one year to the next. For your protection it is always best to get a written agreement. Some gite owners send out printed forms. It is important to be sure about:
- The duration of the let and times of arrival and departure.
- The deposit. Normally 10% but some owners demand up to 25%.
- Arrangements for the payment of services - electricity, water, etc.
- The facilities - particularly the numbers of beds and bedrooms.
- Exactly what is provided as part of the letting 'package'.
- Arrangements for car parking. Many apartments are allocated off-road parking for one vehicle.
- Arrangements for picking up and returning keys.
