Creating an Award-Winning Gite
Follow the exciting journey of establishing
holiday rentals in the Dordogne, Southwest France
Join hosts Vanessa and William as they share their adventure from leaving the UK behind, finding the perfect place to launching their unique holiday rental and why it won an award.
Bye-bye UK
In 2016, after years of hard work, Vanessa & William yearned for a new adventure. Combining Vanessa's marketing expertise and fluency in French, with William's carpentry skills, alongside their shared passion for vintage fashion and antiques, they decided to start a business in France.
During a visit to a French trade show in London, they had the opportunity to make valuable connections. Within weeks, they found themselves in the captivating Dordogne region of South West France, a place entirely unfamiliar to them.
After finding just what they were looking for, they bid farewell to their cherished home in Clare, Suffolk, to embrace a new chapter in their lives - one filled with excitement and possibilities.
To discover more about this fascinating journey and how their story unfolds, keep reading...
Is there a perfect place?
They explored over 30 properties in their quest for the ideal home and business location, ranging from dilapidated water mills, crumbling farmhouses, and British-looking expat properties to charming small chateaux in need of much work.. Throughout this journey, they created a wish list of must-haves, including extra space for a vintage clothing collection and William's growing collection of Tintin and Napoleonic memorabilia.
Their main priorities were to find a place that exuded French charm, with a refreshing pool, a village bakery, and scenic rural walks. Additionally, they desired a location conveniently close to a train station and an airport. If they could find a property near plenty of sightseeing attractions and excellent dining options too then they believed the whole package would provide the perfect foundation for a successful holiday accommodation business
Finally, they discovered an old coach house that remarkably met all their requirements. After one revisit, they put in an acceptable offer and sold their home in Clare. Six months later, they held the keys to their new house. Sometimes, everything falls into place perfectly.
What is a gite?
As they explored their accommodation options, they realised that their house would make a perfect gite. But what exactly is a gite? A gite, or rural holiday rental home in France, is a typical regional dwelling designed specifically for holiday stays. It offers guests the flexibility to prepare their meals and unlike regular accommodations, gites do not provide cleaning or bed-making services. This allows guests to come and go as they please enjoying their own space and privacy.
Gites are ideal for those who enjoy self-catering, as they are equipped with all the essential amenities you would expect in a home away from home, such as internet access and washing machines.
Given these features, it's no surprise that discerning guests often prefer gite accommodation over traditional bed and breakfast options.
Your French Stay is born
So, they Introduced "Your French Stay" - a brand focusing on holiday rental homes. The first gite they created, aptly named "Beaux Souvenirs" (beautiful memories), was designed with couples in mind, offering a unique and authentically French experience. Nestled in a charming setting, it provides all the comforts of home, while prioritising relaxation. The goal was to impress guests from the moment they entered the gite.
Additionally, they plan to refurbish another one-bedroom apartment on the premises, affectionately called "Le Calid" (The Hug). This delightful place will be useful extra accommodation when paired with Beaux Souvenirs for bookings that require three bedrooms.
What makes an award-winning gite
Further to all the wonderful features like a beautiful gite, exceptional customer service, and extra amenities, there is something extraordinary about this place - a fashion museum! It's not something you come across every day in France. The owners of this gite understood the importance of standing out in a competitive industry, so they decided to create their on-site fashion museum. Here, they proudly showcase their collection of vintage fashion gems. This may be the only gite in France with such a unique facility.
Their efforts did not go unnoticed, as they were awarded the Most Unique Self-Catering Accommodation-South West France in the LuxLife Hospitality Awards in November 2023. They are incredibly proud of this achievement and genuinely hope that this addition enhances the holiday experience for their guests, creating cherished memories to take back home.
They look forward to welcoming you!