Details: Gites and B& Bs
Sunday, August 5, 2007; Page P06
Web sites listing privately owned chambres d'hotes
(bed-and-breakfasts) and gites (vacation homes) on farms and
vineyards and in centuries-old villages offer travelers to
France enjoyable and economical alternatives to hotels.
On Gites de France (see
below), which bills itself as the largest guest-house network in
Europe,
average prices are $559 a week for a house in high season
(generally June through August), $365 in low season. Rates vary
according to location, region and the size of the gite, many of
which are capable of accommodating a dozen or more. Chambres
d'hotes -- guest rooms that often have their own entryway and
bath (some may be down the hall) -- average $67 a night double,
breakfast included. · Gites de France (
http://www.gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/rural_gites).
Although this may be the most complete list of vacation properties
in France, many listings are presented only in French. Navigation is
sometimes confusing. The site also has links to vacation properties
in 24 other European countries. Number of listings: 56,000 (in
France).
· TopRural (
http://en.toprural.com). A user-friendly site that
also lists properties in
Spain and
Portugal. Number of listings: 17,200.
· Likhom ( http://www.likhom.com).
An easy-to-use site with properties in 18 of France's 22 regions.
Listings: Several hundred.
· Chambres D'Hotes France (
http://www.chambresdhotesfrance.com).
This site focuses on France but also offers properties in
Germany, Spain, Portugal and
Italy. A basic knowledge of French is helpful.
· Les Vacances en France (
http://www.les-vacances-en-france.com).
A no-frills site with some listings linked to the property owners'
Web sites, which more than likely will be in French; others have no
links and list only addresses and phone numbers.
· Gite.com ( http://www.gite.com).
A Canadian site aimed at the North American market, with an emphasis
on "properties that are architecturally representative of their
region, furnished in the local style, and whose owners will act as
enthusiastic and knowledgeable ambassadors for their area."
Listings: 350.
· Owners Direct (
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/France.htm).
A British site listing properties worldwide. Listings: 17,000.
-- G.C.
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