Gites in Provence

A gîte is a French holiday home that is available for rent. Gîtes are usually fully-furnished and equipped for self-catering. Many owners choose to handle their own rentals and you can find these by searching online on the multitude of gite listing sites or by checking with the local tourist information office.

Provence (Provençal Occitan: Provença in classical norm or Prouvènço in Mistralian norm) is a region of southeastern France on the Mediterranean Sea adjacent to Italy. About 335 miles south of Paris, Provence is home to beautiful views, spectacular memories, and great food. Local favorites include chocolate covered fruits, egg pie (quiche), fresh fish from the mediterranean, horse meat, and lobster. It is part of the administrative région of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. The traditional region of Provence comprises the départements of Var, Vaucluse, and Bouches-du-Rhône and parts of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes. Provence is so named because it was the first Roman province outside of Italy.

Technically speaking to be called a gîte a owner must live close, to provide help, assistance and a warm welcome to guests. Gîtes are generally old farmworkers cottages or converted outbuildings and barns within a proximity of the owners' principal residence. This type of holiday accommodation is sometimes regarded as basic in terms of facilities, however most gîtes are well kept and a growing number will have excellent facilities such as fully fitted kitchens, en-suite bathrooms, TV, DVD and access to a swimming pool or other sporting activities. The term gîte nowadays encompasses most forms of holiday cottage and even holiday flats or apartments.

The original term Gite means quite simply a form of shelter. Gites today vary from luxury holiday homes to basic apartments. Some Gites don't provide linen as standard, so many gite holiday makers take linen with them. However many gite owners do include linen or at least an option of linen.

Gîtes are encouraged by the local tourist board and planning authorities as they attract investment and tourism.

Gîte classes

A number of classes of 'gîte' are defined and graded by Gîtes de France. These are:

Gîte Rural
Offers self-catering accommodation located in the countryside, by the sea, or in the mountains. The gite is completely self contained with one or more bedrooms, a lounge or dining room, a kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Chambres d'Hôtes
Bed and Breakfast (B&B) the French way. Stay as a guest in a private home with a full breakfast provided. Some hosts offer Table d'Hôtes which provide either full or half-board. If Table d'Hôtes is not available there is usually a local restaurant available for evening meals.
Gîtes d'Enfants
Holidays for children. During the school holidays host families provide lodging for children of various ages with a wide variety of activities. Children's gîtes are regulated and inspected to ensure a safe and secure environment for each child.
Gîtes d'Etape
Stopover and holiday getaways off the beaten track for groups of walkers or cyclists. The UK equivalent is most probably a youth hostel.
Chalets-Loisirs
A complex of wooden cottages set in the countryside providing various activities, such as, fishing, horse-riding, archery, cycling.
"Gîte equestre"
A staging post for people or groups travelling across France on horseback; or gite offering normal gite facilities, plus stabling for horses

All gîte owners are required to ensure that their gites are safe and comply with the necessary rules, regulations and insurance requirements.

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