LET US BOOK YOUR NEXT TRIP TO FRANCE

Imagine your own home in the middle of a vineyard in Burgundy, or sharing a small chateau with friends in the Loire, or even a troglodyte dwelling in the Dordogne. Gites are a unique and affordable way of experiencing "la vrai France". Let us arrange your rural accommodation throughout France for a minimum stay of one week.

A Gite is a privately owned, self-contained country holiday home. The federation, Gites de France, supervises the integrity of the accommodation and ensures its members provide a good welcome, a minimum standard of comfort, and reasonable prices. Each gite, often a converted farm cottage, is graded. Instead of a three star property you would be looking at a rating of three ears of corn - much more in keeping with its rural theme.

Over the years we have experienced many Gite holidays both as a family and as part of our cycle tours. It has allowed us to experience the diverse regions of France as well as a full range of accommodation styles. In the past accommodation has ranged from a small purpose built modern cottage in the Auvergne to a 16th century farmhouse (with 20th century plumbing) in a walnut grove in the Dordogne, to a 18th century chateau in Burgundy, to a renovated barn in the Loire which accommodated three families in comfort. Gites can accommodate anywhere from 2 to 20 people and the cost is calculated per unit not per person. The average cost for a week’s accommodation for four people ranges from $550 - $750.00.
Bookings are taken on a weekly basis, Saturday to Saturday. Once you have decided on the region you wish to visit you can view a number of properties to find the one that best meets your requirements. Most properties come with a well equipped kitchen including a microwave and dishwasher; laundry facilities and television. It provides an affordable accommodation alternative for families, or groups travelling together. A 25% deposit will hold your property and the balance is due 45 days prior to your rental period.
This type of holiday is very popular and there is a significant demand during the summer months. However, almost all properties are available on a year round basis. The only proviso is that these properties need to be booked well in advance. If you are traveling during the summer months, August in particular, you need to start your search as early as November and no later than February. These are not hotels and should not be considered as such when you are considering them as an accommodation alternative.

Here are a few examples of the cottages available to rent.

LOIRE
$710.00 per week accommodates 4 people

PROVENCE
$680.00 per week accommodates 4 people

BURGUNDY
$395.00 per week accommodates 5 people

If you are interested in more information on this type of holiday experience please contact Shelagh at Destinations by Design, 278 Anderton Road, Comox, BC. or call 1-888-703-0163.