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Viewing Thinking of a French Gite Holiday in France?Thinking of a French Gite Holiday in France?
By Martyn Davis
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Have you ever thought about going on holiday in France? The next questions are: where in France, and where you are going to stay. What about a French Gite! Although a Gite used to be a basic place to stay, today you can get luxurious accommodations with swimming pools etc. that can offer excellent value for money when it comes to your family holiday. With thousands available all around France, many people find that staying in gites is a good way of experiencing France, whether it be while traveling through or for a memorable holiday in a specific region. Technically speaking, to be called a 'gite', the owner must live close by in order to provide help, assistance, and a warm welcome to guests. However, a French holiday cottage may be owned by someone who does not live in France. Gites are generally old farm workers' cottages or converted outbuildings and barns within the proximity of the owners' principal residence, and this type of holiday accommodation is sometimes regarded as 'basic' in terms of facilities. The first ones we ever came across were extremely basic. In fact, in this tiny little village that only had a church, one shop, a restaurant, and a bar, all these so-called gites were like wooden huts, just with beds, toilet, and a wash basin, that were situated in the back garden area behind the local bar and restaurant! However, most gites these days are generally very well kept and a growing number of them will have excellent facilities such as fully fitted kitchens, en-suite bathrooms, TV, DVD, and even access to a swimming pool and many other sporting activities that the whole family can enjoy - just what is needed when on holiday with the family. Holiday gites in France are encouraged by the local tourist board and planning authorities, as they attract investment and tourism into the area. All owners are required to ensure that they are safe and comply with the necessary rules, regulations, and insurance requirements, in turn giving the holidaymaker peace of mind. The Gites de France assesses them, which means that the quality has risen. They are far better equipped and comfortable compared to how they used to be, and with the foreign investors who have purchased property in France for renovation, the standard has risen even higher. To be honest, we have not come across one recently that doesn't at least have a kitchen, seating area, and proper bathroom facilities - so you will not need to panic too much when booking! You can also find a number of classes of gites, which are graded by Gites de France. Some of these are as follows: Gites Rural offer self-catering accommodation and can be located in the countryside, by the sea, or in the mountains. They are completely self-contained, with one or more bedrooms, a lounge, sometimes a dining room, a kitchen, and bathroom facilities, and it is this particular type of gite that has come up in standard considerably over the years. Gites d'Enfants are specifically for children, and it is during the school holidays that host families will provide lodgings for children of various ages with a wide variety of activities. The big plus is that these children's gites are very well regulated and inspected to ensure a safe and secure environment for each child. The stopover and holiday getaways, known as Gites d'Etape, are normally situated well off the beaten track and are mainly for groups of walkers or cyclists. The best comparison to this type of gite is most probably a youth hostel. So as you probably realize by now, holiday gites can range from very simple converted barns to part of a large chateau in private grounds. They are located all over France, from rural villages, to the center of towns, to high in the mountains, or near beaches. The choice of accommodation is endless. With so many different gites to choose from, it is a good idea to get the family together and make a checklist of the amenities that you feel are important to you. You may prefer having separate sleeping areas so that you have your own space, rather than being crowded in one large bedroom. Having entertainment on hand can be great for the children, especially if you happen to have bad weather for a day, so you may want to check what is available before booking. Of course, depending upon your budget, you may also feel that a gite with its own pool and outside dining areas can be the best option for your relaxing holiday in France. Don't forget, however, that some of these are situated way out in the sticks, so location is also something that must be considered. No matter what you decide, France is a vast country and you will be able to get the perfect gite for you and your family. The motto we have learned is prepare and organize first, so that you can enjoy your holiday and enjoy everything to its fullest. About the Author: www.placesinfrance.com Martyn Davis: European traveler, author, photographer and business development manager. For all your French holiday needs and travel guide to France, with tourist information, landmarks, and attractions - Holiday Gites In France. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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