| Although a Gite used to be a basic place to stay, | | | | which are graded by Gîtes de France and to |
| today you can get luxurious accommodations like | | | | give you a help in hand, some of these are as |
| swimming pools etc, that can offer excellent value | | | | follows: |
| for your money when it comes to your family | | | | Known as Gite Rural, these offer self-catering |
| holiday. Plus with thousands available all around | | | | accommodation and can be located in the |
| France, many people find that staying in Gites is a | | | | countryside, by the sea, or in the mountains, they |
| good way of experiencing France whether it be | | | | are completely self contained with one or more |
| whilst traveling through or for a memorable | | | | bedrooms, a lounge, sometimes a dining room, a |
| holiday in a specific region. | | | | kitchen and bathroom facilities and it is these |
| Technically speaking to be called a Gite the owner | | | | particular types of Gite that have come up in |
| must live close by in order to provide help, | | | | standard considerably over the years. |
| assistance and a warm welcome to guests, | | | | Then you have Gites d'Enfants, which are |
| whereas if it is known as a French holiday | | | | specifically for children and it is during the school |
| cottage, then this normally means that it is owned | | | | holidays that host families will provide lodgings for |
| by someone who does not live in France - like | | | | children of various ages with a wide variety of |
| British, German or even American owned. | | | | activities. The big plus is that these Children's Gites |
| Gites are generally old farm workers cottages or | | | | are very well regulated and inspected to ensure a |
| converted outbuildings and barns within the | | | | safe and secure environment for each child. |
| proximity of the owners' principal residence. This | | | | The stopover and holiday getaways, known as |
| type of holiday accommodation is sometimes | | | | Gites d'Etape, are normally situated well off the |
| regarded as 'basic' in terms of facilities and the | | | | beaten track and are mainly for groups of |
| first ones we ever came across were extremely | | | | walkers or cyclists, and the best comparison to |
| basic. In fact, in this tiny little village that only had | | | | this type of Gite is most probably a youth hostel |
| a church, one shop, a restaurant and a bar all | | | | and these are basic. |
| these so called Gites were like wooden huts, just | | | | So as you can probably realize by now, holiday |
| with beds, toilet and a wash basin, that were | | | | Gites can range from the very simple converted |
| situated in the back garden area behind the local | | | | barns to part of a large chateau in private |
| bar and restaurant! | | | | grounds and are located all over France, right |
| However most Gites these days are generally | | | | through from rural villages, to the center of |
| very well kept and a growing number of them will | | | | towns, up in the mountains or right near to the |
| have excellent facilities such as fully fitted | | | | beaches, the choice of accommodation is endless. |
| kitchens, en-suite bathrooms, TV, DVD and even | | | | And with there being so many different Gites to |
| access to a swimming pool and many other | | | | choose from, it is a good idea to get the family |
| sporting activities that the whole family can enjoy. | | | | together and make a check list of the type of |
| Just what is needed when on holiday with the | | | | amenities that you feel are important to you, |
| family. | | | | after all, like us, you may prefer having separate |
| Also, holiday Gites in France are encouraged by | | | | sleeping areas so that you have your own space, |
| the local tourist board and planning authorities as | | | | rather than being crowded in one large bedroom. |
| they attract investment and tourism into the | | | | Also, having entertainment on hand can be great |
| area, and all owners are required to ensure that | | | | for the children, especially if you happen to have |
| they are safe and comply with the necessary | | | | bad weather for a day, so you may want to |
| rules, regulations and insurance requirements, in | | | | check what is available before booking. |
| turn giving the holiday maker peace of mind. | | | | Of course, depending upon your budget, you may |
| It is the Gites de France that assesses them, | | | | also feel that a Gite with its own pool and outside |
| which means the quality has risen and they are | | | | dining areas can be the best option for your |
| far better equipped and comfortable compared to | | | | relaxing holiday in France, but don't forget that |
| how they used to be, plus with the foreign | | | | some of these are situated way out in the sticks, |
| investors who have purchased property in France | | | | so location is also something that must be |
| for renovation, the standard has risen even higher | | | | considered. |
| and you will not come across many Gites that are | | | | No matter what you decide, France is a vast |
| any where near as basic as what we mentioned | | | | country and you will be able to get the perfect |
| earlier, to be honest, we have not come across | | | | Gite for you and your family, but the motto we |
| one since that doesn't at least have a kitchen, | | | | have learned is prepare and organize first, so that |
| seating area and proper bathroom facilities so you | | | | you can enjoy your holiday and enjoy everything |
| will not need to panic too much when booking! | | | | to its fullest. |
| You can also find a number of classes of Gites, | | | | |