Rupert Springfield and Franck van der Hooft are the proud homeowners of Le Mas & Le Mazet, two very profitable gîtes within the beautiful countryside of the Dordogne, however even they admit that with regards to gîtes, there’s loads to get proper. When it involves the all vital query of tips on how to get extra bookings in your vacation residence or gite in France – there are just a few ‘musts’ says Rupert.
“We thought we came into this with our eyes open. Before launching our gîtes in 2016 we did extensive research and designed every detail meticulously to provide an exceptional product and service, but in reality, we still had a lot to learn and were quite naive.”
Factors to think about for gîte success
Rupert explains {that a} profitable gîte requires a robust basis and equal consideration given to the constructing blocks. The three elements to the muse are already decided if you buy your gîte property: your individual involvement, the property itself and the place it’s positioned.
“First, is your gîte a second home away from where you live or is the property going to be your primary residence?” says Rupert. “Living away from the property would require you to arrange a crew to handle and clear the property, welcome friends and take care of issues that crop up. Living on website is totally totally different, you’ll handle all that yourselves and have extra contact with the friends, constructing a relationship with them.
“Then, after all, you’ve the distinctive character of your buildings and its land. Yes, you possibly can add a pool, renovate bogs, panorama the backyard. But some issues are already set in stone. For occasion, is there are view, is the structure characterful and charming, is there sufficient area to create the variety of bedrooms it is advisable generate your required revenue? Decide on these standards when property searching – and keep on with your weapons.
“The third part of the foundation is often underestimated – your gîte’s location. Does it provide your guests with what they’re looking for? Tourist attractions, local markets, restaurants and travel hubs that make it easy for them to access your gîte. If your department doesn’t attract many visitors, how are you going to? These three parts of the foundation are all pre-determined by your property, but there are building blocks that you can shape and form yourself.”
Consult your individual gîte guru
If anybody is aware of tips on how to make a hit of a French gîte enterprise, it is Rupert and Franck. They qualify their success by their annual income and the way a lot of it’s generated by returning friends (61% in 2025), the size of their season (29 weeks in 2025), and the publicity they generate (9 articles in The Sunday Times and counting, reviewed by The Telegraph and given 9/10, and featured in quite a few magazines). In 2020 they acquired a request to assist some fellow homeowners, so that they arrange Gîte Guru to supply skilled recommendation to those that are simply beginning out, or who’re on the lookout for methods to enhance their lodging enterprise.
“This is not a competition to see who’s best. It’s about showing aspiring gîte owners the potential in running a gîte and being part of a community helping each other. The work we do with clients falls into four building blocks,” explains Rupert, “and these are interior design (getting the most out of the layout and look), business matters (rules, regulations, terms and conditions), communication (telling the story of your gîte) and marketing (making it visible to your target groups). We’ve helped many fellow owners over the years, here are some case studies that might help other readers.”
Gîte Case research 1: Communication
Helena and Mutlu run a four-bedroom gîte based mostly in a standard farmhouse within the Dordogne, they usually knew that they wanted professional insights from the beginning.
“One of our very first conversations with Rupert and Franck was about naming our gîte. Together, we brainstormed a spread of concepts earlier than we settled on La Mouy, a beautiful nod to our hamlet, La Mouyssarie. They gave nice recommendation for our web site: the data that is most vital for friends, content material construction, and software program to make the reserving course of seamless. The finish result’s an internet site and a communication plan that I’m genuinely pleased with.
“They also introduced us to a fantastic local photographer, who even gave us a discount for being Gîte Guru clients! We are very grateful for all the knowledge they shared about rules and regulations, and the updates we receive about any changes. Rupert and Franck are experts in simplifying complexity and building confidence, and you feel that you have someone supporting you every step of the way.”
Gîte Case research 2: Marketing
Neil and David moved to the Dordogne in 2017, the place they arrange Domaine de la Banne. They had already been working their gîte for a 12 months after they first referred to as on Rupert and Franck, in search of recommendation on how finest to spice up their enterprise and tips on how to go about making a profitable advertising and marketing technique.
“Once we began working with Gîte Guru, that is when the whole lot actually started to click on. As we got down to refine our advertising and marketing plan, they zeroed in to assist us outline our superb visitor profile and the way we may make Domaine de la Banne really seen to our goal market.
“They built a clear strategy that combined the strengths of online travel agents —platforms that take bookings on our behalf — with smart tactics for generating direct bookings. Over the years they’ve also advised us on new marketing opportunities and challenges, to ensure we get as many risk-free bookings as possible.”
Case research 3: Business issues
Becky and Gareth personal the 18th-century Château du Rayet in southwest France, which they hadn’t initially thought-about letting it as vacation lodging.
“When we first purchased Rayet and started renovating it, we did not actually consider renting it out after we weren’t utilizing it. Once we determined to discover the enterprise aspect of that choice, Rupert and Franck stepped in and made the entire course of really feel easy.
“They mapped out the fiscal panorama for us. They guided us by the registration course of and created a rental settlement tailor-made to our personal phrases and circumstances.
“The icing on the cake was that they found several clever ways to cut our running costs, including one that now saves us thousands of euros each year.”
Case research 4: Interior design
In 2020, New-Zealander Catherine, and Neil from Devon within the UK, moved to Dienné close to Poitiers, the place they now run La Guillonnière.
“Originally, we’d planned to convert a long building on our property into three one-bedroom gîtes all sharing a pool and outdoor space,” explains Catherine, “however when Rupert and Franck got here to see it, the whole lot modified. They studied the location and did some analysis, then instructed us {that a} single, bigger household gîte would truly work higher in our location.
“They proposed a completely new brief — a four-bedroom layout with the right flow, features, and facilities to really make the most of the space, inside and out. We took their criteria and turned it into a design that we absolutely love. Neil is now in the thick of bringing it to life, and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests.”
Rupert acknowledges how difficult the foundations and rules for fellow gîte homeowners are, and the way staying updated with the continuous adjustments is troublesome. He posts often on Instagram @gite.guru with updates and vital information that can assist you, and in The Gîte Podcast (on YouTube youtube.com/@TheGitePodcast and all good podcast platforms) he discusses the ups and downs of working gîtes with different homeowners. All this data and inspiration is free!
However, for recommendation tailored to your gîte and plans, you’ll find out extra or ebook a session with him at giteguru.com
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