The department of Haute Savoie is particularly well endowed with gîte accommodation. Haute Savoie currently has more than 1200 certified stopover or rural gîtes labeled Gîtes de France, in addition to all the independent gîtes in this network. We can only advise you to choose a gîte that is part of the Gîtes de France network.
Is a rural gîte suitable for my stay in Haute Savoie?
A rural gîte is a house or independent accommodation in a quality environment, arranged respecting the local style. Many gîtes are located near major resorts, but rarely within them. So be sure to check this point and plan to use your car to get to the ski resort in winter, for example.
In general, a gîte consists of a living room/dining room, a kitchen of varying size, one or more bedrooms, and of course sanitary facilities. The comfort and equipment of the gîte vary depending on its classification. A rating from 1 to 5 ears of corn (for the Gîtes de France) guarantees you a precise level of comfort and equipment. A gîte can be rented for one or several weeks, or for a weekend, whatever the season. Naturally, in peak season you will have great difficulty renting one for just a weekend.
Some gîtes accept pets, but not all. So be sure to check this point before booking.
How does renting a gîte work?
Once your gîte is selected, you must contact the owner or the Gîtes de France central reservation office. After that, you will receive from the owner a Gîtes de France rental contract. This must necessarily contain the following elements:
- Gîte certification number
- Rental dates of the gîte
- Rental rates of the gîte. Generally, prices are weekly, with arrival scheduled on Saturday at 4 p.m., and departure the following Saturday at 10 a.m. for rural gîtes.
- Included or non-included charges (flat rate of 8 kWh/day included)
- Number of persons
- Pets accepted or not
- A detailed descriptive sheet of the accommodation
- The general sales conditions on the back of the contract
Then, upon your arrival at the gîte, an inventory of fixtures will be made. In some cases, a security deposit will be requested (its amount will have been indicated on the rental contract you will have received beforehand). This security deposit will be returned to you at the end of your stay if no damage has been observed.
When you leave, an inventory of fixtures (cleanliness, inventory…) will be made. The gîte must be left in perfect condition. Depending on the choice of the municipality, a tourist tax may be charged in addition to the rental price of the gîte.
Where to find a gîte rental?
Several websites offer gîte rentals in Haute Savoie. You can also find some on the departmental Gîtes de France site: www.gites-de-france-haute-savoie.com
Have a pleasant stay in a gîte!
