Running a Gite in France
Gîtes in France
However, over the years the French holiday rentals market has changed - this zone is here to help you work your way through all the issues from the state of the gîte market, advertising and marketing your gîte in France to renovation and refurbishment and even the tax implications of running a gîte.
My name is Sally Stone and I am the joint founder in 2002 of the successful network Les Bons Voisins, caretaking holiday homes across France.
Thanks to LBV, I know a huge amount on this subject - and am chock full of common sense! - which I look forward to sharing with you.
So do treat me like your on-line neighbour – knock on the FrenchEntrée door and get in touch for tips and advice on every aspect of owning a gîte in France, as well as finding real life stories telling it like it really is.
A bientôt!
Sally
Make sure your gîte is clean!
There is nothing worse than discovering your holiday cottage is grubby. Make sure your gîte is spotless and welcoming. more...How Much do Gîte Complexes Cost?
RUNNING A GITE IN FRANCE
Planning to move to France and thinking of a gîte business to earn an income? Then take a look at our advice and real life stories to help you decide whether you want to do it, the best way of going about it plus tips and advice from those already making a living. Also, you can view our gîtes for sale database.
Providing furnished property rental
Obligations & tax implications
Furnished property rentals bring many benefits but have you also thought about your obligations and the tax implications? Below you will find a brief summary of the main points you need to consider when running furnished property rentals in France.
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Renewed interest in gîtes
Expats looking for a place to live and work
The credit crunch hasn’t stopped the British buying property in France, but it has influenced their search criteria. With a gîte, your new home has the potential to earn you an income, so it should come as no surprise that this type of French property is one of the most popular at the moment.
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Adding value to your gite or B&B
Easy improvements
Running a gîte business or B&B is a popular way for English speakers to make a living in France, so if you want to stand out from the competition or are planning to put up your prices, it pays to see how some others are adding value – with minimum outlay.
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Toiletries delivered to France
All you need from head to toe!
Are you tired of problems with your toiletries at the airport check in? BOX-ON-LINE delivers essential toiletries for business travel, leisure and holidays.
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Letting advice
Make your property stand out from the crowd
We have been so busy upgrading our gîte over the winter and wondered if you have any tips about trying to let your property in France. There is a huge amount of choice and we are agonizing over how we can make ours stand out from the crowd...
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Survey offers guidance for investors
Tips for running a successful gîte business
A survey carried out by FrenchEntrée at the end of summer 2010 paints a picture of how holiday rental property in France has fared over the last 12 months. Is now a good time to be in the market?
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Caretaking a gîte
Most of you will have some contact with holidaymakers in France during the summer, but in case you didn't realise what effort goes into making sure their holidays are successful, 'a week in the life' of a caretaker of holiday homes makes entertaining reading...
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How to ensure your gîte business is profitable
Sally Stone, who runs a successful gîte and property management business, reveals how to ensure, in these changing financial times, that your gîte not only attracts holiday-makers but keeps them returning year after year...
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Gîtes in France - Can you still make a living?
The gîte market in France is ultra-competitive - but this doesn't mean it is impossible to earn an income. However, to make it work you have to be committed, focused and tough....
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Setting up and running a gîte in France
Rural gîtes, hold a great appeal both for holiday makers who love that type of holiday as well as for property owners. Here, Indra Balassoupramaniane of Tee France provides some practical and legal advice on how to set up and manage a rural gîte.
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Tax liability on French holiday home rental income
Many owners like to let out their second homes in France when they are not using them. But what are the tax implications for this? David Franks, Chief Executive of Blevins Franks, explains...more...
Tax Break for owners of EU Holiday Homes
Alistair Darling's 2009 Budget report signalled the end of tax breaks for owners of UK based holiday homes. However, in the short-term, owners of holiday homes elsewhere in Europe have been granted a tax rebate for this tax previously only available to UK-based holiday home owners...more...
Renovation, refurbishment and running costs for a gîte
You've bought a property and now you need to get it ready. Check out our tips and good advice on getting your gîte business ready - and when you need to start marketing
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Marketing your gîte - it's never too early to start
Would you want to stay in a gîte if it was advertised with this picture? Of course not. Not only is there no point in having a fabulous gîte if no-one knows that it exists, if you don't advertise it well, then you may as well not have bothered at all. more...
Gîtes for the disabled
If you're interested in adapting your gîte so it is suitable for people with disabilities, here's some advice on what you will need to do...
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New rules for running a chambres d'hôtes in France
If you want to run a chambres d'hôtes in France there are restrictions on the number of rooms you may let out and the staff you can have...
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+++++ REAL LIVES +++++
What is it like to run a gîte in France? How has the market changed over the years? Read our first-hand accounts of those already in the businessWe run a gîte complex near Eymet
Meet Chris and Marian Blake
Chris and Marian Blake from Wiltshire have a gîte complex, La Petite Auberge, just outside of Eymet in the Dordogne. FrenchEntrée went to meet them in the run up to the start of their seventh season, to find out what they've learned about running a business in France and living like the locals.more...
A change in our marketing doubled our bookings
Jayne and Tony Abbato have had a gîte complex since 1993. Despite their wealth of experience, by last year their bookings had dwindled to just a few weeks a year. Then, they updated their marketing strategy...
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Successful Gîte Rentals
Jim & Gail's story.
Jim and Gail moved to the Charente-Maritimes in April 2003. Usual story; they wanted to get out of the rat race in South-East England, and bought a property with a tumble-down wreck attached. But now the wreck is a beautiful gîte, and the couple have discovered the recipe for success with holiday lettings...
gîte rental story...
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Insure your holiday home
Insurance for your French holiday home when it's unoccupied or holiday let. Simple to understand French
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Website Design for Gites and B&Bs - Free Trial
Simplicity Websites offer a website creation service specifically for guest and rental accommodation in France. There's a no obligation two-month free trial on offer. Get your French property online today!
Need Euros for your gite purchase or renovation?
Whether you need advice or an international money transfer quote, FrenchEntree's currency partner - Moneycorp - can help. Visit the France currency exchange zone.
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