With so many gites / holiday homes to rent in France how does someone choose a particular property?

With our properties to rent here in the Loire Valley knowing how our bookings are going to go in the year ahead. We have to rely on our advertising and the promotion of our region of France as the ideal area to spend a holiday 

We chose to live and work in the Centre-Val de Loire because, as a holiday destination, it is a very popular choice for discerning tourists as it offers such a diverse range of holiday options with regard to what to see and do.

Le Bourg in Barrou

 Once someone has found the area they want to visit, they then have to go about finding a suitable property to rent. Some, especially larger groups and families with children, will be looking for larger houses with a pool and outside space. These properties (not all) tend to be in the countryside, so you may have to sacrifice the convenience of village amenities.

Les Balcons in Le Grand-Pressigny

Others will be looking for a quiet secluded spot to escape the normally busy business lives and again may head for the country where they hope they will find peace and tranquillity.

Our guests tend to be looking more for a village experience where they can be involved, in whatever small way, with the local community, whether it is dining at the village restaurant, buying bread from the boulangerie or using a local shop for topping up supplies.

Previous 'Le Bourg' guest's comment:

"The small village experience was great and made us feel part of the landscape rather than just passing tourists."

We have many ‘world travellers’ choosing our houses and some come to the Loire Valley after a visit to Paris or some other major European city so are pleased to find the houses equipped with washing machines which allow them to freshen-up before heading off to their next destination.

With 10 years of renting we have gained so many new friends that it has become less of a job and more a series of pleasant experiences. Yes, we have to work hard, as there is a standard to maintain, but knowing that we have helped make our guests’ holidays as enjoyable as possible is what drives us. 

'Old Walnut Mill'

One of the aspects that pleases us most is the number of returning guests we get. This year guests from the USA are returning to 'Le Bourg' for the fourth year in a row plus the 'Old Walnut Mill' has another guest returning for a fifth visit to Barrou. ‘Les Balcons’, our property in Le Grand Pressigny also has three parties of returning guests this year - we must be doing something right!