The interest of labels for gites and guest houses

When you manage a guest house or a gite, being part of a label is not mandatory but it can nevertheless present some advantages. For example, being part of a label can increase the visibility and therefore the notoriety of your establishment, simplify the rental management (via a global reservation platform for example), or benefit from subsidies and financial aid.

So how do you go about obtaining labels? What are the specific advantages of each label?
We explain you all!

In order to obtain a label, it is necessary for the lodgings to register with the classification of the furnished tourism. This step is compulsory to be listed in the Tourist Offices (of the department and the region) and to obtain the ANVC vacation voucher approval.This star rating is referenced on Atout France  which is none other than France’s tourism development agency and the sole state operator in this sector.

Bed and breakfasts are not subject to a national prefectural classification. They are therefore not obliged to register with the classification of furnished tourist accommodation, as they are not classified. On the other hand, some labels such as Gîtes de France et Clévacances propose a classification, according to their labels, with ears of corn or keys.

There are 4 main labels recognized by the Ministry of Tourism:

• Gîtes de France
  This label is the first network of home stay accommodation in France. As a member, you benefit from personalized services with the support of specialists (decoration, profitability, layout, etc.) as well as the possibility of being marketed on a central reservation system. The application for membership is made on file in the departmental relay of the federation. The annual cost of this label is approximately 130€.

• Clévacances
  It is the second major French label. You will benefit from a help to your activity (training, legal assistance, technical support…) and from the promotion of your rental in France and abroad. This label, however, does not offer a central reservation system. Membership is available at the headquarters of your department and will also cost you 130€ per year.

• Fleurs de Soleil
  This label is an association of bed and breakfast owners. It can help you in your administrative steps and refer you on its site against a participation. Its annual membership is 250€.

• Accueil Paysan
  It is a label gathering people passionate about animals, gardening or professionals with an agricultural status. Its ethical and human charter aims to help travelers discover the work of the land. It is a label of solidarity tourism established in France and internationally. Its annual membership costs 150€.

In addition to the national labels, you can also obtain “complementary” labels. We have selected some of them:

• Bienvenue à la ferme
  It is a label with an ecological and educational approach that allows farmers to discover their jobs and their products. Indeed, it does not focus only on a service related to accommodation. To register, you just have to go to your chamber of agriculture.

• Tourisme et handicap
  This label aims to offer accommodation adapted for people with disabilities. In order to receive the label, the site must meet a set of specifications and guarantee quality services and a warm welcome. To obtain it, you can ask your regional tourism advisor.

• Rando-Plume
  This label certifies that the accommodation and its guest are a house of character, with a warm setting, proposals for activities and many additional services. To obtain this label, you must contact a Rando-Accueil representative.

• Bienvenue au château
  It is an association whose aim is to create a label safeguarding the French heritage. It is a prestigious label! To join, you must first contact the association.

Thus, to have labels is not obligatory but it is all the same a real asset to attest the quality of your accommodation and to distinguish you from the competition. The label can also allow you to specialize and to be referenced in order to gain notoriety. Travelers will then be more likely to book your labeled rental, a guarantee of quality. Be careful, however, because to obtain a label you must meet the requirements and respect the charter of the label or you risk losing your membership.