Self-Catering France

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Self-Catering Self-Catering France Federation Nationale des Gites de France 

	Federation Nationale des Gites de France
tel: +33 1 49 70 75 75

Gites de France is an organisation backed by the French government Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture and which provides grants for renovating country buildings of varying kinds for the purpose of encouraging tourism. The organisation sets out minimum standards - considerably up-graded since the idea started in the ‘60s - and now overing apparently a total of 60,000 properties - though not all are self-catering.
The web site is available in English (click on the Union Jack) and offers connections to the local departmental organisations running gites and local booking services (on line booking is not yet offered by all departments).

Where

Countryside across France.

Style

Houses, converted farm buildings, cottages, converted windmills and dovecotes, mountain chalets, manor houses, or simply self-contained flats in rural surroundings. Options include country cottages as well as bed and breakfast and farmhouse restaurants and campsites.
The properties are now graded according to five standards.
The most basic offers at least one bathroom for six people, fridge, mini oven, basic cleaning equipment and materials, high chair on request and outside space.
The second grade also offers a barbecue, if sleeping six-plus a washing machine, TV antenna, curtains, table linen and towels on request.
Three epis offers in addition independent access and private garden, two lavatories for properties sleeping seven or more, a dish washer for properties sleeping five-plus, an oven, colour TV, phone and cleaning service on request.
Four epis indicates a building of character, interesting surroundings and good quality internal d?cor, a microwave, fridge freezer, tumble drier for properties sleeping six-plus.
Five epis indicates a private landscaped park or garden, leisure equipment like tennis, a pool, or Jacuzzi, and covered parking. Though not common, there are luxurious gites, complete with swimming pool.
Local lists are available from each department tourist office and may include overnight walking tour gites, as well as those for longer stays, including chambres d'hotes.
A selection of better properties/considered suitable for the British market, is bookable through Brittany Ferries (see also), generally offering a more reliable service than using the above, though if you know what you are looking for this obviously offers a wider range.

Season

In some cases year-round, though only the better quality properties will have suitable heating and details of this should be checked with care before booking.

Facilities

Standards in many gites tend to be basic and equipment will be French rather than English (so rarely any kettle for example). But they are correspondingly well priced.

Extras

See ratings above - indicating that cleaning services should be available on request.

Sample Price

For a three epis property in the Pyrenees Orientales in a restored abbey with access to riding and facilities like dishwasher, for a fortnight in peak season E1,109.14.