Any recommendations for good gite finding websites

[Ohyoubadbadkitten]

Looking for a gite in France. Have always camped before, so I have no idea which companies are reputable, or the pitfalls to look out for. Can any one recommend a company or website please?

www.ownersdirect.co.uk has a great choice. Bear in mind you are booking with the owners so it is not the company that need to be reputable.

My advice is to e-mail (or phone) with an enquiry then see what response you get. Anyone that doesn't reply within 24 hrs is not reliable IMO.

Ask plenty of questions about the property and the area and this should give you a good feel for the owners. If you are looking for this year then alot of the best properties will already be booked, but any out there not yet booked might be prepared to do a deal, so don't be afraid to ask.

If you speak French then it might be worth looking at www.gitesdefrance.fr but bear in mind that French owned properties whilst sometimes cheaper, often don't include things like sheets and towels and you have to do a full clean at the end of your stay.

That is really helpful, thank you very very much :)

Might this be any good? Spotless cottage in a lovely location.

It looks gorgeous, but not in the right place for us. Thank you.

I second Owner's direct. My parents used them for years, and now have their own place on there. It works well.

Holiday rentals is another one but a bit more commercial I think (but I have used them and had no problems).

Where do you want to go exactly? Gitesdefrance or clevacances are both good. You pay a little extra for linen but should take towels. You also pay extra if you want them to clean at the end.

Around the camargue area.
I'm having a lovely evening looking at owners directand have sent a few queries! We would like a little private place. I'll try those other sites tomorrow evening. Thank you :)

Bit beyond the camargue (languedoc), but we have just arrived back from a lovely week at domaine la castagne (on phone so can't do links), but comes up on google, think we found thru' owners direct. Price included linenx, towels and cleaning, which is simpler than sorting it yourself (esp if you have little dc as we do!)

:) I'll have a look at that one. Thank you.

Oh lucky you getting to plan a holiday - you deserve it though!

Second the idea of ownersdirect or holiday-rentals. We have used them to book a number of villa/apartment holidays on the continent - you'll get a very good response directly from the owners, I've found people generally respond very quickly and are eager to help.

If you are prepared to look at the Languedoc region I can recommend Maison de la Roche run by a lovely British couple. Get in touch if you want more details.