A Chambre d’Hôte is more of a Bed & Breakfast style offer, which allows you to welcome people to your home and apart from a bed for the night(s), also offers breakfast. Table d’Hôte is an extension of Chambre d’Hôte offering local cuisine in a familial environment at other mealtimes.
STEP 2: RESPECTING THE RULES - WHAT A GITE NEEDS TO HAVE
2.1 Location
Your property should be in a location considered susceptible to tourist visits, be that in a town or a more rural location, and the exterior aspect of your offering should be coherent with the look of your region. Outside space is also required, be it a garden, a balcony or a terrace.
2.2 Equipment
A Gîte must have a furnished, communal space which can include an open-plan, equipped kitchen, as well as a table and chairs able to seat your full capacity of guests, and the means to wash, dry and iron laundry. Separate bedrooms must be furnished, and a shower room with sink and WC inside, with running hot and cold water, is a minimum requirement. This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how far the term ‘rustic’ can stretch when it comes to property rentals…
Note: if you want to join any of the established Gîte networks or labels then provision of more luxurious accommodations may be required; a full list of the criteria for classification can be found here: classement.atout-france.fr. An inspection by your chosen label takes place, and you can use this report to receive a classification of your property by your local Préfecture also.
2.3 Safety
You must ensure the conformity and legal compliance of the property especially with regards to water quality, guest safety at windows or on stairs or balconies, swimming pools, safety of electrical & gas installations, fire prevention, and ensure your competency if providing certain accompanied activities or hobbies.
For example, the swimming pool of a Gîte is not only subject to the same safety obligations as that in a private residence, but in addition must be declared to the Mairie, and the Prefecture; it must have a sanitary inspection by your regional health agency, and a list of regulations easily visible to your guests on which will be published your sanitary inspection results.
As a Gite is limited to 15 guests at any time it cannot be considered a public space, nonetheless you are advised to have at least one fire extinguisher per abode and you must have both a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. You must be in possession of a valid service certificate of your boiler and / or water heater, and also an annual certificate for having your chimney swept.
2.4 Insurance
You must inform your home insurance provider of your intention to provide seasonal rentals – specifically you should request assurance location saisonnier as an option on your current contract, as well as getting quotes from other providers to get the best value.
STEP 3 : FISCAL AND LEGAL SET UP
Once you are sure your property is ready to welcome members of the public, you must begin the declaration & registration process.
3.1 Declaration of the property
All furnished holiday rental property must be declared to the Mairie using this form: formulaires.modernisation.gouv.fr. Take it to your Mairie and they will sign and stamp the second page for you to keep.