When it comes to going on vacation, you have an infinite choice of possibilities. But in France, the terms gîtes and chambres d’hôtes are often used interchangeably. They’re often confused, yet each has its own characteristics. Find out more here.
1. B&Bs
A gîte is a house (or apartment) that you have full use of. It is also known as a “meublé de tourisme” or seasonal rental. It must be :
- Furnished
- Equipped
- Rented by the week or weekend but never by the night
There are several types of gîtes to choose from: country gîtes and ecogîtes. The latter came into being with the advent of sustainable development, and are very much in demand. Among the best-known in France are the Gîtes de Francewith over 56,000 properties rated from 1 to 5 épis (equivalent to stars).
2. Bed and breakfast
A chambre d’hôte, on the other hand, is a home-stay accommodation. Also known as a B&B, a chambre d’hôte is a private, en-suite room in your hosts’ home. So you don’t have full use of the premises. Here are the main features:
- Rental per night
- Breakfast always included
- Maximum 5 rooms per house and 15 people in total (referred to as a “maison d’hôtes”).
- Hotel service: bed-making and cleaning
- The living rooms are shared
It’s a great way to discover local culture and homemade food, and to meet new people! One of the main rules is respect for the owners. While you can arrive and return whenever you like in a gîte, it’s best to let the owners know if you’re coming in late, and to make sure you don’t make any noise in a guest house.
And that’s it! Now you know the difference between gîtes and chambres d’hôtes. And if you’re interested, you can also find out more about the Gîtes de France label.