The value of labels for gîtes and bed and breakfasts

When you run a bed and breakfast or a gîte, holding labels is not compulsory, yet it can bring real advantages. Belonging to a label can, for instance, boost your property’s visibility and therefore its reputation, simplify rental management (through a central booking platform, for example), or give you access to grants and financial support.

So how do you go about obtaining a label? And what are the specific benefits of each one?

Here is everything you need to know!

Certification, an essential first stepTo obtain a label, gîtes must first register for the furnished tourist accommodation classification. This step is compulsory in order to be listed by Tourist Offices (at both département and regional level) and to obtain ANVC holiday voucher approval. This star rating is listed on Atout France, the French tourism development agency and the only state operator in the sector.

Bed and breakfasts are not covered by a national prefectural classification. They are therefore under no obligation to register for the furnished tourist accommodation classification, since they do not fall into that category. That said, certain labels such as Gîtes de France® and Clévacances do offer their own rating, awarded in ears of corn or in keys depending on the label.

National labelsThere are 4 major labels recognised by the French Ministry of Tourism:

• Gîtes de France®Thislabelis theleadingnetworkfor stays in private homes in France. As a member, you benefit frompersonalised serviceswith guidance fromspecialists(interior design, profitability, layout and more) as well as the option of beingmarketedthrough acentral booking service. Membershipapplications are submitted as a file to the federation’sdepartmental office. The annual cost of this label is around130 €.

• ClévacancesThis is France’ssecond largest label. You benefit fromsupport for your business(training, legal assistance, technical advice and more) and from thepromotion of your rentalboth inFranceandabroad. This label, however, does not offer a central booking service. Membershipis arranged through yourdepartmental head officeand will also cost you130 €a year.

Fleurs de Soleil is an association of bed and breakfast owners. It helps you through your administrative procedures and lists your property on its website in return for a contribution. Annual membership costs €250.

Accueil Paysan brings together people who are passionate about animals and gardening, alongside professionals with farming status. Its ethical, people-focused charter aims to introduce guests to life on the land. This fair tourism label operates in France and internationally, for €150 of membership a year.

Complementary labelsIn addition to the national labels, you can also obtain “complementary” labels. Here is a small selection:

Bienvenue à la ferme takes an environmental and educational approach: the label lets farmers showcase their work and their produce, so it goes beyond the accommodation itself. You sign up through your local chamber of agriculture.

Tourisme et handicap aims to provide accessible accommodation for people with disabilities. To be awarded the label, a property must meet a set of specifications and guarantee both quality services and a quality welcome. Ask your regional tourism adviser for the details.

Rando-Plume certifies, for the property and for its host alike, a home with character, a warm setting, suggested activities and a range of extra services. The application goes through a Rando-Accueil representative.

Bienvenue au château is an association that runs a label safeguarding French heritage, with an openly prestigious ambition. Joining starts with getting in touch with the association.

So while holding labels is not compulsory, it is nonetheless a genuine asset for demonstrating the quality of your accommodation and standing out from the competition. A label can also help you specialise and be listed so as to build your reputation. Guests will therefore be more inclined to book your accredited rental, seen as a mark of quality. One word of caution: to obtain a label, you will need to meet the requirements set out and then comply with the label’s charter, or risk losing your membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a label mandatory to rent my gîte or guest house? No, a label is not mandatory. However, if you manage a gîte (holiday rental), you must register with the tourist accommodation classification to be listed with tourist offices and obtain the holiday voucher accreditation. Guest houses, on the other hand, are not subject to any mandatory classification.

What is the membership cost for the main labels? The four major national labels (Gîtes de France®, Clévacances, Fleurs de Soleil and Accueil Paysan) offer annual fees ranging from 130 to 250 euros. Gîtes de France® and Clévacances cost around 130 euros per year, while Fleurs de Soleil and Accueil Paysan are respectively 250 and 150 euros annually.

What is the difference between Gîtes de France® and Clévacances? Both are major French labels. Gîtes de France® offers a booking platform and specialized support (decoration, profitability, development). Clévacances provides activity assistance (training, legal support) and promotion in France and abroad, but has no booking platform.

Are complementary labels suitable for all types of accommodation? No, each complementary label has its specific criteria. Bienvenue à la ferme targets farmers, Tourisme et handicap targets accessible accommodations, Rando-Plume targets characterful homes, and Bienvenue au château targets heritage properties. You must match the label's profile to be eligible.

What happens if I don't comply with the label's charter? Failure to comply with the label's charter can result in your exclusion from the label. This is why you must truly meet the required standards before joining and honor the commitments you make when becoming a member.

Here is a summary of the four major national labels and their key features.

Label	Annual cost	Distinctive advantage	Limitation
Gîtes de France®	€130	Booking platform + specialised support	None mentioned
Clévacances	€130	Training, legal support and international promotion	No booking platform
Fleurs de Soleil	€250	Association dedicated to guesthouses with support	None mentioned
Accueil Paysan	€150	Solidarity tourism label, international presence	None mentioned