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23/02/2008, 20:48 EnglishBadger Joined on 09/07/2006 Posts 18 Gites. Hi All, we know this as probably been asked and answered a million times before but we plan to buy a gite complex with three gites in Charante and run it for a living. We know it will be hard work and we will just make a living but that is all we want so we can get out of our mega stress jobs in the uk. Some might say we could be jumping into the pan from the fire (Is that the right saying????) but a change is just as good sometimes. We know how we will be furnishing the gites and what prices to charge (we have done endless hours of research) and how and where to advertise etc. Our question is simply do people think we could get 10 weeks per gite sold so we can make our break even margin? We hope we dont offend people by asking this question for the million and first time and we thank anyone in advance for and good/bad news/advice.    Report

23/02/2008, 21:50 LEO Joined on 15/04/2006 Calvados,14 Posts 976 Re: Gites. Hi Badger, is this an existing gite complex, with web-site and or reputation already eastablished or a start-up project. Leo. www.vianormandy.com ( I owe , I owe , so it's off to work I go! )    Report

24/02/2008, 7:23 EnglishBadger Joined on 09/07/2006 Posts 18 Re: Gites. Its a start up project. The gites are readyish to go though. Our thinking is that it will be the third year before it really takes off. are we correct? I know we are newbies etc but we have done lots of research etc and the gites will be of a high standard, look nice and have all mod cons.    Report

24/02/2008, 7:52 Thebiga Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 43 Re: Gites. You can in general guarantee the six weeks school holidays, After that its a lottery. You may book more you may not. Because its a start up complex you may well find that it takes a while to get up and running and get in some repeat bookings etc. You are cetainly going for a good area because of the extra sunshine etc. I wish you good luck. We did the same to get out of the rat race etc but for some reason are stuggling for bookings at the moment where other years we have not.!      Report

24/02/2008, 8:19 Cendrillon Joined on 19/10/2007 S.E. England & S.W.France Posts 363 Re: Gites. Thebiga wrote "You can in general guarantee the six weeks school holidays, After that its a lottery".   I agree, the number of bookings per year certainly can be a bit of a lottery. You could look at various Gite websites and see how many others are doing the same thing in your area. I think the Charente (16) & Charente Maritime (17) are already well served and there is a lot of competition out there. Whatever you decide, Bonne chance et bon courage Cendrillon    Report

24/02/2008, 9:23 suzy2 Joined on 19/10/2006 Posts 5 Re: Gites. Sounds optimistic to me for a start-up, you are talking about 30 weeks in all.  You don't say how many people the gites are for, ours are 2 person gites and we get a very different booking profile than places with a pool catering for the family market.  The other thing is the amount of gites in your area offering the same facilities as you.  Why would someone go to your gites and not the one down the road?  You have to think about your unique selling points. In your calcs don't forget that you will have to register as a business if this is your main income, so there are those dreaded cotisations to pay as well. BTW you jump from the frying pan into the fire.   Anyway good luck with your venture!  Suzy    Report

24/02/2008, 12:17 Deby Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 638 Re: Gites. The other consideration should be is that people tend to prefer private gites and the trend is towards privacy.  People also do not like sharing the swimming pool.  Are you gites all connected or sharing the same viciniy, it is something you should consider.  Also contact the owners of other gite complexes within the region and they will be able to tell you exactly how it is. Deby http://www.chateau-de-clerac.com    Report

24/02/2008, 20:41 EnglishBadger Joined on 09/07/2006 Posts 18 Re: Gites. Many thanks for all your answers. Yes it does scare us if we fail etc and yes we know that the stress of our current jobs will be almost the same on change over days but all in all we will do what we can to achieve what we need to make our life in France a decent one. I hope when we move to France, that maybe we can meet some of you nice people for drinks. . . . .   See you soon.........    Report

25/02/2008, 13:02 Cerise Joined on 23/08/2004 Laguepie Tarn & Garonne Posts 695 Re: Gites. Just my 2 cents worth.  Try contacting the local tourist office and see what your area is missing - then see if you can provide.  Here we are oversubscribed with large gites with pools, but badly lack small places for couples with decent standard of furnishing and kitchens.  Someone I know bought a small one bed-roomed cottage and made it really nice and they get about 25 weeks a year in it.  Don't know what is lacking in your area but the local tourist board may be able to help from the demands that they have.    Report

25/02/2008, 16:10 JJ Joined on 01/01/2005 Charente Maritime Posts 238 Re: Gites. I would tend to agree with Cerise, the market is a saturated one, especially in the Charente and Charente Maritime. But that does not mean you cannot be a success. We had plans to have at least 3 gites, or a complex, but in the end we had to settle for one gite, however, it has been very popular averaging 26 weeks per year. Mind you, it does not provide enough income to live on. The main reason for our success is that the gite is big enough for a small family of two adults and 3 children, yet also ideal for couples, so bear that in mind. Also, one gite and one pool is a very popular option, although that may not be feasable in your case. Also, do not cut corners on fixtures and fittings, there are still loads of gites out there with tatty secondhand furniture wondering why they are not getting many bookings We are now in our 4th season. Good luck.   JJ www.gites.gb.com    Report

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