I wonder if any of you fodorites can help me with this one?<BR><BR>I want to book a Gite for 2 weeks in July/August 2003.<BR><BR>I located a Gite on the web and as instructed wrote to the owner giving all my details and an International Reply Coupon for the return of the contract of the rental. <BR><BR>I received a reply saying that the owner was forwarding my leter to the reservations service and that they would let me know if the Gite was available etc.<BR><BR>This was around a month ago and I have heard nothing since. I wondered if this might be because they have not started the reservations for 2003 yet? I am feeling a little anxious as properties book up so quickly that I am concerned that I will be left without something suitable.<BR><BR>Does anyone know when the Gites De France reservations for 2003 start online?<BR><BR>Has anyone got any other suggestions here? I have looked at many of the properties that English Owners are renting out and am appalled at the price level for very modest accommodation compared to the Gites.

According to the Gites de France site in English at:<BR><BR>http://www.gites-de-france.fr/eng/index.htm<BR><BR>you can book online.<BR><BR>Hope that helps.

Thanks for your reply. <BR><BR>The problem I am having is that if I try to book online for 2003 at this moment the system will not accept any bookings. Even someone wanting to book a Gite for January or February next year cannot do so as the resevations service will not accept it. This seems ludicous. How can you plan ahead?<BR><BR> I have already got a ferry crossing booked as I took advantage of a special offer which I would have lost out on had I waited for Gites De France to get their act toether.So at this point in time I am waiting for Gites De France to begin the process of accepting 2003 bookings. Does anyone know when this will be? I have tried contacting the organization via e mail in both English and French but they do not reply.

TTT

Buzzy, what do you mean by English Owners? Is that a website? There are many different websites where you can book gites. We've used www.vfbholidays.co.uk and www.holiday-rentals.co.uk and found them good value.

Re:English Owners:<BR><BR>I meant that properties that are bought and restored by English people, and then rented out always seem to be more expensive, than French owned properties of a similar size and quality.<BR><BR>The rental prices for a French Gite in July/August can be as low as &pound;200 -&pound;300 whereas the English owners always try to recoup their costs by charging &pound;400 - &pound;600 for quite basic properties. Last year I had a huge detached 4 bedroomed house with TV, Washing machine, dishwasher 2 stereo systems, telephone, garage and huge grounds near Paris. This cost &pound;330.00 booked through Brittany Ferries but if I had booked direct with Gites De France I later found out their price for that property for July/August is &pound;230.00.<BR><BR>That is why I am trying to book direct this year as further research has turned up the fact that there are hundreds of properties throughout France which are being let for vastly less than all of these other websites I have searched on.<BR><BR>In England we have become used to the fact that it can cost as much as &pound;400 - &pound;500 to stay in a caravan on a campsite in July/August and vastly more than that for cottages. I'm sure this also affects the prices that English Owners seem to set for their properties. The average Frenchman would think it funny that we English are prepared to rip each other off in this way. You only have to pick up any brochure for self catering property in England or should I say the whole of Britain and Ireland and marvel at the ridiculous prices charged in peak periods.<BR><BR>

I've never found the good properties in Gites de France available in high season. It always says to try another date, so I assumed they're booked a year ahead.

ttt

That's an intersting point made by Sam above. I wonder if that is why I am having difficulty making a reservation. Have the French got an "in house" thing going on here. Are they booking everything up ridiculously in advance and before reservations open up to non French people? Tell me it isn't so?

It has nothing to do with your nationality. I would simply call the Gites de France office for the department that you are interested in and inquire about that property directly. This is much the best way. If it is booked, the person there can help you find something for a similar price in the same region. Not all GDF people speak English, however, so do ask and perhaps have access to a French speaking person just in case. You can get the numbers for the "centrale de reservation" on the web site or in the books. Good luck.

No, it isn't so. The French version has the same problem. <BR>Some departements do work online though for 2003.<BR>I suspect it means that in some areas the regional office has not yet updated all properties for next year, and that until such time, they do not upload their database. <BR>Call the owner directly. That is always the best solution.