Dreaming of starting a gîte in France – or already have one and want it to be better? We speak to Rupert Springfield, who shares his recipe for gîte success with other owners. Meet the Gîte Gurus…
“In the good old days, you could buy a place in France, decorate it, and rent it out to earn some extra money” says Rupert. “Now though, it’s more complicated, there are more regulations, ever-changing taxes, and a flood of competition. At the age of 40, we swopped our careers for a life of gîtes in France and it’s been a great success. We’ve created a system that takes the guess work out of getting it right.”
Starting a gîte in France
British-born Rupert and his Dutch husband Franck, live in Dordogne running their gorgeous gîtes, Le Mas & Le Mazet. But it’s not always easy says Rupert, “we’ve made mistakes, we’ve learned from the challenges, and we’ve analysed everything to understand what works, and what doesn’t.” The couple who were an antique dealer and theatre producer, viewed a whopping 69 properties before they found ‘the one.’
“Yes, it may seem over the top” laughs Rupert “but we were very specific about what we wanted the property to offer our guests, which would give our new lives in France the best chance possible. We had to make it work.”
They renovated the whole property in just 8 months, creating 5 bedrooms and en suite bathrooms in Le Mas, with a summer kitchen for guests to enjoy the stunning view over the private pool and Dordogne countryside. Le Mazet became a charming 1-bedroom cottage with a double-height living space. A decrepit tobacco-drying barn was transformed into Rupert and Franck’s contemporary new home.
The pressure of sacrificing their salaries for a start-up gîte business meant they prepared for every eventuality – or so they thought. “We made mistakes and wrong decisions, but built on them and guests loved what we created,” explains Rupert. This knowledge and experience led to Gîte Guru – a consultancy helping other gîte owners who would otherwise be thrown in the deep end. They advise on everything from buying the right property, revamping a gîte, launching the business, to where and how to market it.
“I don’t believe in guess work, trusting what the internet says or hoping for the best. Creating a profitable gîte is hard work – you’re a host, bookkeeper, gardener, marketeer, good at maintaining your property and pool, great at communicating and cleaning. So prepare well, believe in yourself and your product, and ask questions.
“But the upside is that it’s great fun, everyone can do it, you meet a lot of amazing people, and it’s mostly low stress – if you get it right of course! There’s nothing better than knowing that your guests are having a wonderful time, and that all that hard work has been worth it.
Even though you’ll be working ‘on your own’, you’re not alone, there are so many other gîte owners like you out there. That’s why, alongside helping our clients with tailormade advice, we’ve built a community on Instagram and launched The Gîte Podcast full of inspirational stories about the reality of running a gîte, bringing owners together.
“In Dutch there’s a brilliant expression, ‘living like a God in France’. And there is much to love here, the diverse landscape, from the French Alps to the Mediterranean beaches, history, culture, vineyards, fantastic weather, culture, gastronomy, and wine. A gîte is a great way to follow your dream to live and work in France.”
Top tips for gîte owners
You’re not alone: meet and support other fellow gîte owners, who are experiencing the same highs and lows as you.
Think about your guests: design your gîte with guests in mind (for example the outside dining area), offer them a great experience and listen to their feedback.
Know how to market: Agency fees can be high, so if you are proactive and have the time, market the gîte yourself.
Promote your USPs: with an ever-increasing number of gîtes for guests to choose from, understand what your USPs are and communicate them clearly.
Understand your costs: Boring – but vital, know your costs from laundry to marketing. Use an accountant to make sure you don’t pay too much tax whilst fulfilling your fiscal responsibilities.
Always improve: if you’re TV isn’t smart, your wine glasses are mismatched, your towels aren’t fluffy anymore, it’s time to upgrade.
Keep up to date: new regulations, new tax thresholds, new responsibilities – follow us on Instagram for gîte news and updates
Stand up for your business: Decide on your t&c’s and stick to them. If a platform like Airbnb offers you a risky cancellation policy, be creative and find ways to lessen the risk to your business.
Get classified: there are major tax advantages for micro-BICs, and marketing power for places awarded 4* and 5*.
Get a free consultation: If you’d like to find out how Gîte Guru can help you with your gîte project, Rupert offers an initial meeting free of charge. Whether you’re in the planning stages or looking to boost an existing business, Gîte Guru’s insights could save you a lot of heartache and will make a tangible difference to your bottom line.
Visit www.gîteguru.com for more details and find Rupert on Instagram @gîte.guru, where he shares the latest news, tips and updates for gîte owners.
