First of all, you need to inform the Mairie by filling in a declaration de meublé. But don’t be fooled, this is just an administrative step to confirm that you can rent your property as a holiday let. You then need to register your gite with the taxman in order to pay your taxes in the future on the rental income.

A gîte (French pronunciation: ​[ʒit]) is a type of accommodation that comes in a variety of forms, ranging from a gîtes d’etape, a hostel, for walkers and cyclists, to a gîte rural, a holiday home in the country available for rent. The term gîte originally meant quite simply a form of shelter.

From wild scrub hillsides overlooking the turquoise sea in Corsica to a historic castle tower in Normandy, there are dozens of homestay villas scattered across the coastal regions of France.

Here are some top tips for how to run a gite successfully.

1. Location, location, location.
2. Be objective when you’re searching.
3. Make sure there’s a market for your gite.
4. Check the competition.
5. Know your client.
6. Start your business plan as soon as possible.
7. Marketing is critical.
8. Take feedback seriously.

The French government says a person will make only e3,000 per gîte a year.” They are well inland and feel the French prefer the coast. With business down 50 per cent in the past two years, they have had to supplement the gîte income with casual work.

British nationals who wish to start a business in France after Brexit now need a business visa. The visa normally issued is a carte de sejour ‘visiteur’, which grants no right to run a business. Indeed, the visa specifically states that no professional activity can be undertaken.

Houses in France tend to NOT be made of wood (though it does exist) and instead have concrete or stone walls, especially old houses.

Set up Costs A property for your occupancy plus two gîtes may be available for as little as 300,000 euros, but a complex offering scope to run as a profit-making business will need at least four letting units and will probably cost a minimum of 500,000 euros.

Gites.co.uk lists gorgeous gites and villas in France that you can book direct with the owner. We don’t charge any booking fees and you can speak direct with the owner or agent. ideal for extended family get-togethers.

Weekly gite rental rates in July and August for gites in this directory vary from less than € 500 a week to a few large gites that charge over € 1500 a week in high season – and are much cheaper off-season. Gite rental charges depend on location, size, facilities, and the quality of the amenities.

Big savings on gite rental prices can be made by choosing weeks in early summer or early autumn. Weekly gite rental rates in July and August for gites in this directory vary from less than € 500 a week to a few large gites that charge over € 1500 a week in high season – and are much cheaper off-season.

Choose from among the 70,000 holiday rental accommodation: Gîtes, Chambres d’hôtes (Bed & Breakfast), City-Break (rental in town), group lodgings for family reunions or professional seminars, children’s lodgings and campsites surrounded by nature.