gîtes ruraux

The Countryside Gîte

In a Gîte Rural, you'll find not just accommodation but a warm welcome from your hosts, who know just how to help you explore their region and discover a different pace of life.

A gîte rural is an independent house in the country, usually rented by the week. You can also rent a gîte for a mid-week break, i.e. from Monday 2pm to Friday 12 noon, and for weekends from Friday afternoon to Sunday, outside of the school holidays.

A gîte consists of a fully equipped kitchen, a shower-room or bathroom, wc, a sitting room, bedrooms and a garden.

The "Gîtes de France" seal of quality guarantees specific standards of comfort, regularly inspected and complying with a national charter.

Comfort

Countryside Gîtes are classified from 1 to 5 ‘ears-of-corn'.

EC: Indicates that the gîte is currently undergoing classification.

1 Ear of Corn: Outdoors area, garden furniture; up to 6 people: shower-room and wc, second shower-room from 7 people upwards; rotisserie or mini-oven, hob, pressure cooker, fridge, basic cleaning equipment and products, iron, high chair on request.

2 Ears of Corn: In addition to, or instead of, the 1 ear-of-corn equipment: barbecue, washing machine from 6 people upwards, mixer, electric coffee maker, TV aerial socket, sheets, table linen and towels on request.

3 Ears of Corn: In addition to, or instead of, the 2 ears-of-corn equipment: independent access and private garden; 2 wc from 7 people upwards, washing machine, dishwasher from 5 people upwards, oven, colour TV, telephone; cleaning service on request.

4 Ears of Corn: In addition to, or instead of, the 3 ears-of-corn equipment: house with character, very high quality interior decoration and exterior setting, open fire or woodburning stove (unless against local by-laws); micro-wave, fridge with freezer compartment, electric clothes-dryer from 6 people upwards.

5 Ears of Corn: In addition to, or instead of, the 4 ears-of-corn equipment: landscaped private garden or grounds, use of leisure equipment (such as tennis court, swimming pool, sauna or jacuzzi), garage or covered car-space; from 3 people upwards - dishwasher, electric clothes-dryer, hi-fi, video-recorder.

PRICE

The rental charge is all-inclusive. The price is given per week (Saturday 4 pm to Saturday 10 am) or per weekend.

Depending on the classification, sheets, towels and a cleaning service may be available on request. Heating is very rarely included in the rental. Whether this is so or not, must be clearly stated in the rental agreement. It is advisable to ask the owner for an estimate of daily heating costs.

How to book ?

The five départements in Normandy offer on-line booking. You may also - depending on the gîte you choose - contact the département's Service Réservation (booking service), or make direct contact with the owner: see the individual gîte descriptions for details. However you book, you will receive a rental agreement. If this is sent via the booking service, you will also usually be offered cancellation insurance.

Contact details for the Gîtes de France offices in Normandy :

Calvados : Tel : 00 33 (0)2 31 82 71 65

Eure : Tel : 00 33 (0)2 32 39 53 38

Manche : Tel : 00 33 (0)2 33 56 28 80

Orne : Tel : 00 33 (0)2 33 28 07 00

Seine Maritime : Tel : 00 33 (0)2 35 60 73 34