Gites in France - why are they such a popular choice for holidays in France?

The term 'gite' was originally used for simple rustic accommodation in rural France. Today, however, the word 'gite' is used much more readily and gites in France now range from small holiday cottages, grand farmhouses and luxury apartments, to large holiday gites with pool, a chateau or even unusual gites in watermills, windmills and manoirs.  Most gites today are well equipped with all modern facilities.

You can rent gites by the week, fortnight or even longer and you travel arrangements, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an independent holiday. Some gite owners have secured special discounts with ferry companies, car hire companies etc., which they are able to offer those who book their gite. What with the extended flight routes to many provincial French cities, the channel tunnel crossing, Eurostar train to Calais in the North or Avignon in the South, the many ferry crossing choices and excellent French road networks, travelling to your gite should not be a problem.

Gites in France are available for both small and large groups. Usually a gite is a self-contained property, often with a garden, and sometimes with a pool. They are often independent of other properties, but sometimes form part of a small group of gites at the same location, usually called a gite complex, which can be ideal for 2 or 3 families or groups of friends to holiday together. The owners may also live on the same site as the gite and are usually discreet with their presence but are available to offer advice whilst staying in your holiday gite.

To rent a self-catering gite usually costs a lot less than staying in a hotel but if you are looking for a bit of luxury, then there are many gites which offer a very high standard of luxury accommodation, often with a pool and occasionally with its own private tennis court.

There are several websites now advertising gites in France, where you can contact the owner of the gite directly, by email or phone. You are then able to ask further questions about the gites and see more photographs before making a booking. It is a good idea to book as early as possible as the best gites usually get snapped up months or even a year in advance.

Renting a gite can be a great way to spend a holiday, giving you the independence to come and go as you please but with all the comforts of home. The owners are usually very happy to give you information about what to see and do in the region, where to do your food shopping, where the markets are held, and of course, the best restaurants in the area.

So what are you waiting for? Book a gite holiday in France and experience French life at its best.

Gites in the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley - one of the most magical regions of France! Explore over 800 magnificent chateaux. Discover charming towns of art and history. Escape into the enchanting countryside and enjoy cycle tours, bird-watching, golf, hot-air ballooning, canoeing and kayaking. And if you are a food lover then the Loire Valley is the place for you from fresh fish to goat's cheese. For your accommodation, gites in the Loire Valley are a fantastic option, giving you the freedom to be able to explore this stunning area at your leisure.

Beautiful villa with pool in the Dordogne, sleeps 10

La Petite Tour is a new purpose built luxury perigordian towered villa, splendidly positioned in the small friendly hamlet of Le Queyrel Haut, with beautiful views across the valley to woods, large private pool, gardens and land.

The holiday villa has been designed by the owner who is sympathetic to the region and consideration has been given to plan an ideal holiday property, including: comfort, privacy, light and space. Situated 10kms from the picturesque and very popular market town of BRANTÔME ('little Venice').

South of France - a great holiday destination with many 'must see' sites

The South of France is a great place to visit. It has a wonderful climate, rich wildlife, a spectacular coast, chic resorts, beautiful scenery and astonishing history. It is a perfect French holiday destination, however, the difficult question is which of the many amazing sites and landmarks to visit. Spoilt for choice, from Roman remains to stunning natural landscapes to the flashy resorts of the Riviera, here are a few of the 'must see' sites.

Aix en Provence: This elegant, historic town has an impressive array of Renaissance buildings and is one of the South of France's most pleasing towns. It has been named 'the city of a thousand fountains'. Three of the best are situated on cours Mirabeau, Aix's main attraction. On one side are 17th and 18th century buildings with wrought-iron balconies; on the other are cafes - so much a part of the city's social life. The Old Town centres on the Place de l'Hotel de Ville, with its colourful flower market.

Canal du Midi: The Canal du Midi is the quintessential image of the South of France. It perfectly symbolises the rich history and the slow pace of life. A lazy day spent cruising along the Canal du Midi or walking along its tow path is must on any tourist itinery to the South of France.

Carcassonne: Explore the fascinating medieval fortress at Carcassonne, the largest fortified town in Europe..it never fails to amaze. It crowns a steep bank above the river Aude, a fairy-tale sight of turrets and ramparts overlooking the Basse Ville below. People still live within the defences, and there are lots of shops and restaurants to explore in the narrow streets. Wander through the ancient streets of this captivating city before lunching on local specialities such as the classic cassoulet (meat and bean casserole). Stroll around the lower town (Villa Basse) to admire the 17th and 18th century town houses and good boutiques. The market (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings) has been held here since medieval times.

Nimes and the Pont du Gard: The Roman town of Nimes and the spectacular aqueduct that was built to bring water to its citizens, combine to form one of the great sights of France. They are 20kms apart so you can choose which to see first. At Nimes, the main 'must see' site is 'Les Arenes', the 2000 year-old amphitheatre. It's the best preserved Roman amphitheatre in the world. There are 3 tiers of stone steps inside, designed to seat around 20,000 and it is still in regular use for events. The Pont du Gard - this huge hone-coloured marvel strides across the River Gardon in three imposing tiers, constructed by the Romans around 19BC, and makes a fascinating site.

Arles and the Camargue: Roman Arles is the gateway to the mysterious and romantic natural wilderness of the Camargue, a marshy flatland famous for its exotic wildlife and its semi-wild white horses. Thousands of pink flamingos come to feed in the shallow water here, and evaporating sea water leaves vast crystalline saltpans.The small town of Arles is one of the most appealing of Provence, with Roman public buildings, including a well-preserved amphitheatre. There are many excellent museums and antiquities in and around the town. Arles is famous for its short but memorable association with Vincent van Gogh, who stayed in Arles for only 18 months yet during this time produced some of his most famous paintings, including the famous sunflower series.

Avignon: The grandeur of Avignon's medieval walled city, dominated by a huge papal palace, makes it an intriguing place to visit. Avignon is a charming city, with lots of bustling streets and squares. Around the town, you'll find stunning architecture, the best shopping along rue de la Republique and cafes at the Place de l'Horloge offering the chance to relax and watch the world go by. There are several museums to explore, and an essential stop is the Pont St Benezet - the Pont d'Avignon immortalised in song. The cheerful children's song about dancing on the bridge dates back to the 15th century. In the summer the town is the scene of the popular Avignon Festival.

Gorges du Verdun: France's version of the Grand Canyon is the deepest and most dramatic gorge in mainland Europe: an unmissble 21km of steep cliffs punctuated by breathtaking viewpoints. At the bottom run the clear green waters of the river which run out into the artificial Lac de Ste-Croix.The gorge was formed over millions of years by the River Verdon, and is one of the natural wonders of the world. The river powers a hydro-electirc plant, and is dammed below Moustiers, offering good opportunities for experienced canoeists. Short walks lead from many of the view-points, such as the zig-zag path from the Point Sublime, on the north side. There are plent of cafes to choose from in the cobbled squares of Moustiers-Ste-Marie. There are also lots of good viewpoints, where you can stop for a picnic and enjoy the panoramas.

Nice: one of the biggest cities along the Mediterranean coast and the capital of the Riviera, Nice is vibrant and buzzes with life. Sun seekers relax on parasoled loungers lining its pebbled shores and swim in the azure sea, bladers cruise the curved Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels) against a backdrop of palm trees along the Promenade des Anglais. Many splendid belle-epoque buildings line the broad Promenade des Anglais along the seafront. There's an old quarter to discover, where you'll find interesting little shops, cafes and churches, the famous Nice flower market, plus some of the top art galleries of the region. In the 19th century it became a chic winter resort, naming Queen Victoria among its illustrious visitors.

Just a taster of some of the many splendid places to see when on holiday in the South of France, but you will no doubt discover many of the myriad of other tantalising delights along the way.

10 excellent reasons to holiday in Aquitaine, South West France

Amazing diversity of landscapes - As the third largest region of France, the Aquitaine region has a wealth of natural spaces and a huge variety of beautiful landscapes.

A mild and sunny climate throughout the year - Bordered along the whole of its west coast by the Atlantic Ocean, Aquitaine is bathed in a mild oceanic climate with the influence of the Gulf Stream. The 2,200 sunshine hours per year make the Bordeaux region similar to the Mediterranean.

An outstanding gastronomy – Local speciality such as oysters from Arcachon, foie gras from the Landes or Dordogne, ewe’s milk cheese from the Pyrenees, prunes from Agen, canelés from Bordeaux, excellent fish all along the coast.

Exceptional vineyards around Bordeaux – Enjoy a wine tasting from the famous Saint Emilion, Médoc or Sauternes vineyards. Stretching over 145,000 hectares of vines, Aquitaine is the largest region of fine wines in the world.

Stunning coastal resorts, excellent for swimming, surfing and sailing – Biarritz on the Basque coast, Arcachon with the Pilat sand dune (the largest in Europe), Lacanau, Hossegor, Capbreton, Saint-Jean-de-Luz…are some of the most famous seaside resorts.

The beauty of the Dordogne scenery and its meandering river - Admire the breathtaking beauty of the ever popular Dordogne. There’s much to enjoy, from tranquil villages and rivers meandering through miles of unspoilt countryside, to the pre-historic caves of Lascaux.

Unique historical heritage – It is the most abundant region in France for prehistoric sites such as the remains of the Vezere Valley and the Lascaux cave paintings listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Castles galore – The Middle Ages left captivating impressions throughout Aquitaine. The region is dotted with fascinating bastide towns and villages: La Roque-Gageac, Domme, Sare, Labastide-d’Armagnac, and castles: Beynac, Castelnaud, Bonaguil.

Strong traditions – Basque games and festivals: Basque Pelota (precursor of tennis), Skittles "Quilles" and Basque Power games "Jeux de Forces" are famous in Aquitaine. Wine festivals take place around Bordeaux throughout the year and many music festivals including the Basque coast music festival which takes place every summer.

A wide range of outdoor activities – From golfing, surfing, body boarding and swimming, to cycling, canoeing, horse riding, tennis, fishing, hiking in the Pyrenees, exploring the valleys and forests to name but a few.

See for yourself this amazing part of France and stay in one of the many gites in Aquitaine or villas in Aquitaine which are available to rent throughout the region.

Paradise in Provence

Beautifully restored Farmhouse, set in it's own grounds, therefore peaceful and quiet but only 5 minutes outside the village of Cucuron and close to Ansouis and Lourmarin. Half hour north of Aix en Provence, 6 large ensuite double bedrooms, large heated pool.

Whether it be mountain biking on the Grand Luberon or an afternoon of golf at one of the many Championship golf courses or perhaps a sedate tour of the provençal wineries is more to your liking or just doing absolutely nothing....There is so much to see and do in this wonderful region. The Luberon really is a fantastic area of Provence. Come and experience!

Mas de la Boissiere in Provence, South of France

Burgundy - the very heart of France!

Beautiful Burgundy is so often overlooked as a holiday destination, but this charming French gem is well worth a visit. Thousands of Britons either pass through or even by-pass it on their route to the south and rarely consider it as place to stop and enjoy. A comfortable striking distance from home, it’s easily accessible by car, or by Eurostar to Paris, then less than a 2 hour train journey into Burgundy.

Burgundy is arguably France’s richest province – historically, culturally, gastronomically and economically. It has a rich architectural inheritance of remarkable buildings, castles and Roman churches, with unique Romanesque architecture in Fontenay and Vezelay. Its vineyards are some of the most prestigious in the world, and its cuisine is also famous. Burgundy also offers natural beauty, with lakes and forests, and plenty of opportunities for fishing, walking or riding. The Nièvre holds a vast area of wild countryside ideal both for sport and cultural activities. Visitors to the region will find gentle landscapes, with the river Loire and hillsides covered with vineyards.

Wine is unmistakably the most well known product in Burgundy. From north to south, the most famous and recognizable wines of the region grow on carefully exposed soils: Chablis, Côteaux de l'Auxerrois, Côte-de-Nuits, Côte-de-Beaune, Hautes-Côtes, Côtes Chalonnaise et Mâconnais, and, of course, Pouilly-sur-Loire are some of the world’s most respected wines.

The capital of Burgundy, Dijon has a rich cultural life, a renowned university and is a must for lovers of art, architecture and food. Famed for its gastronomical delights, with a pleasantly walkable centre bursting with boutiques, bars, green parks, historic building and interesting galleries and museums. The city’s great art treasures are housed in the Palais des Ducs and of course Dijon is also world-famous for its mustard. It became a major rail hub during the 19th century and now has a TGV link to Paris. It is also the home of Kir, an aperitif made from a blend of the local white wine and crème de cassis (black currant liqueur).

Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, is a lovely old town with an ancient centre of narrow cobbled streets, pretty squares and is a delight to visit. There are exquisite shops, countless wine merchants and an abundance of wonderful restaurants. There is a cycle track down and through the vineyards that slope south of Beaune (much of it follows the ancient vineyard paths themselves) and also numerous walking trails.

All in all, the less frequently visited region of Burgundy is well worth savouring, in more ways than one!

Holiday Accommodation in Burgundy