Running a Gite Business in France

A popular choice for British expats starting a new life in France that need to earn a living is to run a B&B, or ‘gîte’ as they are commonly called in France.

A gîte does differ from the ‘traditional’ British B&B in that it is essentially a self-contained accommodation, rather than a room or rooms in the owner's house, as is often the case with B&Bs. A gîte is often separate from the owner’s accommodation or at least with a separate entrance if it is on the same property, much akin to a granny annexe. A gîte can also be one or a series of outbuildings that are part of the owner’s property – many British expats choose to buy up old French farmhouses and then do up the outbuildings and rent them out as gîtes.

It is very important to remember that, since the global recession that impacted most heavily in late 2008 and throughout 2009, there are far more gîtes available to rent than there are people wanting to rent them. Consequently, French estate agent windows are jam packed with properties currently owned by British expats who simply cannot afford to keep them – their projected income depended on rooms filled with British tourists with plenty of euros to spend, and that simply hasn’t happened for the last couple of years.

Now, that’s not to say that things won’t pick up, and there are already positive signs, but it is important to consider this before ploughing all your money into a business venture that is going through a very slow time.

If you do decide to go ahead and run a gîte in France, here are some guidelines for the issues that you may face.

Legalities

It is imperative that you have the right business permissions to run a gîte (or indeed any business) in France. Just because there might be another expat couple in the next village that have got away with it for years doesn’t mean that it is right. Make an appointment with your local mairie (the mayor at the town hall) to ask for advice before you do anything, and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Marketing

People won’t be able to flock to your gîte if they don’t know it exists! Get on to all of the relevant tourist information websites, register with travel websites, holiday agency websites and have decent coding on your own website so that you show up on relevant search engines.

Operational Issues

You must have the right business insurance in case anything happens to a guest on your property – don’t wait until it’s too late. You must also know that you are able to do the practical things needed such as cleaning on changeover days and having electrical equipment used by guests properly tested.

The Benefits!

Although it is hard work, running a gîte in France can be enormously satisfying, even if you’re not earning the same money you were back in the UK. That illusive quality of life will be better (as long as you can cover your bills – being poor is stressful!) and you and your family will spend more time together that you probably ever did before (so way up if that is a benefit before you make the leap to run a gîte in France!)