A gîte is a French holiday home available for rent, typically made from former agricultural buildings. Owners usually manage the properties themselves, offering various amenities and services. Different types of gîtes exist, including those in the countryside, for children, equestrian, and for short stays.
Although the French term gîte simply refers to any type of retreat, a Gîte is more specifically known as a French holiday home. These houses are available for rent and are usually furnished and equipped with the appropriate equipment for daily needs. This includes typical household items such as a refrigerator, working stove, cooking utensils and cutlery, etc.
Most of the gîtes are made from former barns or cottages used by agricultural workers, or from other buildings that are no longer needed for agricultural work. These buildings are typically on private property along with the owners’ home, who likely still live on the property year-round. By renting out the accommodation to tourists and vacationers, the owners therefore have a source of income and can easily take care of the property and the guests.
While some rental properties are managed by outside real estate companies, most of the properties are maintained and rented through the landlords themselves. This allows the owners to welcome guests personally, remaining available for any further needs of these guests. Holiday makers looking to stay in a gîte should check with the owners to ensure exactly what facilities are provided. For example, some gîte owners may offer linen services while others may not.
Other things to make sure of before choosing to stay in a gîte include whether pets and children are welcome and what amenities are available. While some gîtes offer facilities such as television and DVD players, others may be more rustic and, for example, have separate bathrooms. Details can be discussed by contacting the rental owners directly or by contacting the rental service who manage the property. There are websites that list accommodation rental contact information and quality reviews.
While the most traditional gîte is a converted building on former farm property, many other types of residences may also be called gîtes, including everything from city apartments to resort-style accommodations available to rent. Because of this variety, different types of gîtes may have different names. For example, a Gîte Rural is a gîte in the countryside near the ocean or mountains. A Gîte d’Enfants offers accommodation for children. An equestrian Gîte is an outpost for people traveling on horseback and a Gîte d’Etape is similar to a hostel, where people can stay for one or two nights while traveling on foot or by bicycle.
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