Bed and Breakfasts in France

Chambres d’Hotes

These guest homes are often found in smaller and rural villages throughout France, though these Bed and Breakfast type accommodations have now spread into the cities as well. Originally an industry developed for tourists and businesspeople who could not afford a hotel, as well as a means for the owner to supplement income, these cozy establishments have spread all over France. Chambres d’Hotes are much like guest houses, where visitors can rent their own furnished bedroom in someone’s home. These accommodations almost always supply a full breakfast as well. Some chambres d’hotes will sometimes also be listed as tables d’hotes, where dinner and sometimes lunch are also included in the price of the room. If you are looking for a way to truly experience France, chambres d’hotes are definitiely the way to go. Not only will you find affordable and comfortable rooms, you will get to eat authentic French cuisine and converse with locals. They sometimes require a minimum 2-night stay, but this varies depending on the individual chambre d’hote owner.

Gites

The words “Gite” and “Chambre d’Hote” are often used interchangeably, though gites are slightly different than traditional chambres d’hotes. While a chambre d’hote can be almost any room rented out of a home, a gites are generally old farmworkers’ cottages or converted outbuildings and barns within the proximity of the owners’ principal residence. These accommodations are sometimes regarded as ‘basic’ in terms of facilities, however most gîtes are generally very well kept and a growing number will have excellent facilities such as fully fitted kitchens, en-suite bathrooms, TV, DVD and access to a swimming pool or other sporting activities. The term gîte nowadays encompasses most forms of vacation cottages, flats or apartments.