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past two years have been more
than compensated for any
vacant periods during winter
lockdowns. In 2019, France was
the most visited country in the
world, and post-Covid, we are
sure it will retain that crown!
Amongst those who've
swapped a hectic corporate
life for a rewarding one running
gîtes in the Charente are Bob
and Geraldine Greatbanks
from Manchester. The couple
moved 12 years ago, and their
21-bedroom property includes
a four-gîte complex and three
swimming pools. Bob, a former
investment banker, says: "Life
changed signifi cantly. We have
been able to enjoy much more
quality time with our kids while
they were growing up. We feel
simple things like being there
for them before and after school
have been a blessing for us all."
Most people don't embark
on hospitality if they don't
enjoy meeting new people,
and reviews of gîtes always talk
about the warm welcome rather
than the high-spec bathroom.
But after over a decade, they've
learned how to make a success
of it. Bob advises: "Be proactive
with your guests and provide
extras they might not expect.
We provide a welcome pack
with bread and homemade
jams. Try and have a quick hello
with each of your guests each
day. This will let them give you
feedback on the property if they
are missing anything."
Be prepared to put eff ort
into your property during the
out-of-season months. "Garden
and property upgrades in the
down season will always pay
dividends. This might enable
you to off er other moneyspinning ideas for
your guests
when they are here, such as BBQ
or pizza nights."
The money from guests can
be used to improve or expand
your property or pay for other
pursuits in the down season.
Ken and Elizabeth Mason have
run three gîtes and a swimming
pool at their property in the
Loire Valley for 16 years and
typically enjoy 80% occupancy
between the end of March and
October. "Outside that period,
we travel around Europe and
the Southern Hemisphere," says
Ken. "Other advantages include
being our own boss, fl exibility,
working as a couple, and having
a property large enough to
accommodate our three children
and seven grandchildren!"
Ken says it was vital for them
to buy a registered gîte that was
trading successfully. Having
access to well-kept records
of turnover is very useful for
producing a business plan to
get a visa. Post-Brexit, you can
apply for a business visa, or you
can go to France on a visitor visa
FAIRYTALE CHÂTEAU
Ideal for luxurious gîtes or B&B. Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Ref. A12918 €1 750 000 HAI
Energy class: C Climate class: C
HUGE PROPERTY
House with 5 gîtes and
a further building to
renovate. Charente.
Ref. A07905
€1 260 000 HA
DPE: No Data
KEN & ELISABETH MASON
and their characterful gîte complex
with pool and owners' accommodation.
Indre-et-Loire
Ref. 120324 €595 000 HAI
Energy class: D Climate class: B