If the grey weather is making you dream of your next holiday, how about renting a gite in the South of France? Whether it's Summer or Winter there's plenty to do down here whether you are into food & wine, outdoor activities, visiting castles and historic villages or just drinking coffee and watching the world go by. I'm writing this on the 8th December in Montpellier; we have a blue sky outside and I went for my morning walk in a long sleeved t-shirt and a fleece, no coat or hat or gloves! As I've said before, I'm biased; I chose to live in the Herault region so I think its' the best area but there are plenty of other places in the South of France to be explored!
A gite is the French term for a self-catering holiday home or apartment and there are hundreds of them in France. It's a great way to spend a family holiday or take a break with some friends. There are many different types, ranging from cramped apartments in a resort complex to tastefully decorated converted historic buildings or converted farm buildings on an estate. You can even stay in a French chateau relatively inexpensively if you find one that offers a self-catering option.
The main advantage of a self-catering holiday compared with a hotel is that you have more private space. Many gites will have their own pool, or a shared garden and pool between a small number of houses or apartments so you don't have to fight for a sunbed. You will also have your own living and dining area so you can enjoy some private space indoors as well.
Of course there's also the cost factor - self catering means you don't have to eat out for every meal and especially if you are travelling with children this is a huge advantage. You still have the option to go out for a few nice meals, with or without children, as most gite owners will be able to organise a babysitter. There are so many fabulous markets and other food shops in France that it would be a shame not to have somewhere to eat your favourite cheeses and fabulous breads! And you'll want to bring back your favourite wines to go with them which you can't easily do in a hotel.
Here are some tips when looking into gite rentals:
1. Check the kitchen facilities. If you want to whip up some gourmet meals make sure there is an oven as some can be fairly basic and only provide a microwave.
2. Try to find out the actual size of the apartment if it's an apartment you are looking for. Some photos are taken with wide angle lenses which make the rooms look larger than they really are which can be very disappointing.
3. Check heating and cooling facilities. Older buildings with their thick stone walls were designed to keep the occupants cool which is great in Summer but they may not be set up with good heating systems in Winter. In newer buildings check for air conditioning or fans if you are coming in Summer as it can get pretty warm down here.
There are a number of different websites you can use to research the accommodation that will suit your needs. Some specialise, others have a range of different types of accommodation but if you are searching in France for self-catering accommodation then use the word gites and you'll find it!
Kerry Latchford lives and works in the South of France in a village near Montpellier. She looks after the marketing for four gites in the Herault in Pezenas in a converted 19th century convent.
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