Are you one of the thousands of francophiles who dream of running your own gîte in France? We hear you! There are many advantages to this lifestyle if you get it right, but most experienced owners will tell you that there are several things they wish they had known at the start. Here’s what you need to know before starting a gîte in France…
Seasoned professional Rupert Springfield has run a very successful gîte business in the Dordogne – Le Mas & Le Mazet – since 2016, along with his husband Franck van der Hooft. Together, they also run Gîte Guru, a consultancy advising fellow gîte owners on how to boost their business as well as helping newcomers to the industry.
As Rupert explains, there are several common pitfalls to avoid when setting up your own gîte business. “Naivety is an important quality to have when you start out, dreaming big and aiming high. But there are some important realities you should know before you begin.”
Be realistic about the length of your season
Whether you choose a popular tourist location or not, there will be a natural season to your gîte. For instance in the Dordogne it’s May to September and averaging 16 weeks in Rupert’s experience. You can do better (his record season is 32 weeks), but don’t expect this straight off the bat.
“Your first year is the launch year,” says Rupert, “without repeat guests and reviews, nor with a proven track record with Airbnb and other platforms, so it will be a bit bumpy”
“Every gîte in France should be booked up in the summer; the challenge for all of us is to get bookings in April, May, September and October.
“That’s important to know right from the beginning, as you could be calculating your income and potential profit based on overly optimistic figures. Don’t bank on renting out for 20 weeks a year in your first season, but with an amazing product and proactive marketing it should be possible in the following year(s).
The skills you need to run a gîte
Running a gîte is all about being proficient in a range of tasks and skill sets, you might not have them when you start out, but you need to pick them up quickly.
“This is a job that involves sourcing furnishings, white goods and furniture carefully and doing meticulous housework” says Rupert, “you’ll need to maintain the garden, pool and property throughout the year. You’ll become an expert in pool algae treatment, oven cleaning, leaf blowing, getting towels fluffy, raking the drive, hoovering the sofas.”
“Alongside the physical aspects of a perfectly presented property, you’ll need to hone your business skills by understanding your accounting and legal obligations, which might differ from your home country, then developing technical skills for setting up a website and a booking system.
“You’ll become proficient in marketing and communication, because if you don’t explain and show why your place is amazing and bring it to the attention of your target group, people won’t book. For most places, advertising on Airbnb isn’t enough, you’ll need to be proactive and ambitious in your marketing, react quickly to opportunities and offer your guests a fantastic service.”
“The pillars of hospitality will become part of your make-up: being kind, generous, helpful and respectful towards every guest. Most of your guests will be lovely, enjoying their holiday at your place, but you’ll learn how to deal with all guests, not just the lovely ones! Listening to both feedback and criticism is important, even if it feels personal.”
Know your taxes
Whichever country you grew up in or worked in before moving here, it’s almost guaranteed that the laws there are different from those in France when renting out your property.
“People often have a vague idea that the onus is on the tax man to explain what you owe, which it isn’t” explains Rupert. “Claiming ignorance because a tax isn’t logical (they usually aren’t!) or you didn’t know doesn’t hold up. Flying under the radar is no longer possible, you’ll need to pay or prove exemption with any of the up to 10 different taxes for gîte businesses. It is up to each individual to research their financial obligations and to stay up to date with any changes. Which is easier said than done, so follow @gite.guru on Instagram for updates.
“Some of these nuances can be to your advantage. For example, if you’re a small business (micro-BIC) and get your gite classified with a star rating from the Ministry of Tourism, your social security contributions (cotisations) can be halved to 6% (2026), which is great news. However, even though it’s an official rating, the information doesn’t necessarily get disseminated to the other relevant authorities in France, so you need to share it and request the lower rate. For gite owners, this is the biggest tax we pay so it’s a huge saving.”
A beautiful gite helps but there’s more to it than that
Falling madly in love with a property is a wonderful experience, but it is not always the wisest route when you’re going to run a business from it too.
“Letting your heart rule your head is problematic,” says Rupert with a rueful smile. “So many buyers fall for a house and are emotionally committed to it before really analysing if it will work as a gîte. The location must have enough tourist attractions to entertain your guests, and people expect good weather on their French holiday. This is partly why the Alpes-Maritime is such a tourist draw compared to Creuse, for example (insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2012672#tableau-TCRD_020_tab1_departements)
“Also consider the infrastructure of ferries, railways, airports and roads that will make your gîte accessible. The more complicated and lengthier the journey, the fewer guests will attempt it.
“Other aspects are more subjective. Some people look for holiday accommodation that’s within walking distance to a bakery and restaurants, while other holidaymakers want to escape to a secluded setting that’s far from the madding crowd. Your location can work either way, but consider your target group, and look at your property analytically.”
Consider your own home life and don’t police your guests
If you’re going to be living next to the gîte, don’t over-romanticise what it’s like to be in close quarters to your guests.
“If you’re living on site, privacy is utterly vital both for you and your guests,” insists Rupert. “If you shout at your dog (or even your better half) when the windows are open, will your guests hear you?! Can you still enjoy your own outdoor area when your gîte is full of guests? If you share a pool will you ever get to use it if your guests are always in it?
“You trust your guests to respect your property, but occasionally some won’t. Don’t let the few bad eggs spoil everyones’ holidays. Some will forget to close the pool at night or lower a parasol when its windy, others might mistakenly use a scouring pad on the stainless-steel hob or leave the window open when the air conditioning is on. That’s all part and parcel of accepting guests into your home, don’t hang up signs telling them what not to do, learn not to police them, which is a skill in itself!”
Expect the unexpected
“Anyone in the hospitality business will tell you that you can’t anticipate what’s coming next. We’ve worked hard to build our business but we never foresaw Brexit, Covid, and the cost-of-living crisis – and the negative impact they have all had on our business.
“The property can surprise you too! We’ve been improving and updating ours for 10 years and thought we know every quirk and nook and were prepared for every eventuality, even frost. But still some pipes froze for the first time this winter which took us by surprise.
“We discuss these unexpected challenges with owners on The Gîte Podcast. Swarms of bees, pools and roofs damaged by hailstorms, bats in the bedrooms, guests driving their car into a ditch on the property. If you’re thinking about setting up a gîte in France, the podcast is a great way to get information directly from people who have seen it all. Maybe you’ll come on it yourself one day, sharing your own experience to help and support others?”
Rupert recognises how complicated the rules and regulations for fellow gîte owners are, and how staying up to date with the continual changes is difficult. He posts regularly on Instagram @gite.guru with updates and important info to help you, and in The Gîte Podcast (on YouTube youtube.com/@TheGitePodcast and all good podcast platforms) he discusses the ups and downs of running gîtes with other owners. All this information and inspiration is free!
However, for advice tailor-made to your gîte and plans, you can find out more or book a consultation with him at giteguru.com
