One thing you have to understand about French gîtes is that they are designed as short-term accommodations for people who arrive by car. Some owners don't provide bed or bath linens. People bring their own, packed in the trunk of the car. Other owners provide sheets and towels upon payment of a surcharge. We usually take our own, now that we live in France. There are always blankets, bedspreads, and pillows in the gîte.
A gîte is normally located out in the countryside — hence the name gîte rural — so you need a car anyway, just to get around. You can bring your own computer, your own food, your own knives or other kitchen things, and even your own TV. The ads for gîtes normally tell you what conveniences are provided and how the place is furnished. If something you need or want is not on the list, bring it yourself. If you don't want to bring all these things, stay in a hotel or find a more expensive, luxurious vacation rental. We paid the bargain price of 300 euros for 7 nights in this gîte. Usually, the minimum stay in a gîte is a week, but sometimes weekend (3 nights) or mid-week (4 nights) plans are offered.
In the case of the gîte we stayed in, a good television and a satellite system were provided. The beds were completely made up when we arrived, and bath and hand towels were provided. The kitchen was equipped with everything you'd need, plus a dishwasher and a washing machine. There was no dryer but there was a folding rack for hanging wet laundry up to dry. (French people mostly don't have clothes dryers. It's cheaper and more environmentally friendly to hang clothes up to dry.)
I posted a floor plan of the gîte a while back. There were two bedrooms upstairs, with sleeping space for 5. In the bigger bedroom, there was a queen-size bed as well as a single bed in a little nook off to the side. There was a wardrobe (armoire) too. The smaller bedroom was furnished with a double bed and a big chest of drawers (all drawers empty). The door into the smaller bedroom isn't shown on the floorplan; it was directly across from the bathroom (S.E. = salle d'eau, meaning there's a shower but no bathtub.)
And don't forget (oh readers) that you might need to bring your own dishwashing liquid for washing dishes in the kitchen sink. That, I was surprised to have to provide, myself. We live and learn! Now I know to ask about, or just bring, toilet paper, soap, dishwashing liquid, and laundry detergent, if you expect to be there long enough to do laundry once (or if you've already been traveling for a week, and need to do a load).
ReplyDeleteAnd dish towel, in some cases!
ReplyDeleteWell, this gîte came equipped with dishwashing liquid, dishwasher tablets, and laundry detergent. As well as sheets, towels, and at least one dishtowel. As I have said, it was fairly luxurious.
DeleteThe rooms look nice. Low head clearance on that last bedroom picture. I certainly understand about the lack of a dryer. Clothes wear out faster using a dryer, imo.
ReplyDelete