what is a gite

A gîte or gite is a French term that typically refers to a holiday rental home in France, but there are many interpretations of the term. The term originally meant a form of shelter, and it has evolved to include a range of accommodations, from a gîtes detape, which is a hostel for walkers and cyclists, to a gîte rural, which is a holiday home in the country available for rent. Gîtes are generally old farmworkers cottages or converted outbuildings and barns, and they are sometimes regarded as "basic" in terms of facilities. However, in recent years, the concept of the gîte has gone up-market, and the majority of gîtes, particularly those that advertise internationally, offer good quality accommodation or even luxury accommodation. The term "gîte" more generally defines the function of the property, and in reality, there are plenty of "gîtes" in modern buildings. Gîte accommodation is usually in a house, cottage, or villa, and it is private and self-contained. Guests can have the fun of buying local produce in the markets and French supermarkets for their meals. Gîtes are available that sleep any number of people, so they are suitable for both smaller and larger groups. The owners, sometimes French, sometimes expatriates, will often be English speaking and may also live on the same site as the gîtes. A separate benefit is that a gîte will almost always cost less per person than a stay in a hotel.