Hi

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on web sites to search for long (1-3 month) holiday lets in France.

No plans at the moment, just idle pie-in-the sky thinking. I've done the google thing and a number of sites come up. I've browsed through them and some look interesting.

But if anyone has had experience with, or knows of, a particularly good site I would be interested to know. BTW I know Schengen only allows 90 days not 3 months but, as I say, it's just daydreaming about what-ifs at this stage.

Thanks

Airbnb.com probably has the most comprehensive selection in the places that allow holiday rentals. Four weeks (28 days) is considered "long term" for that site and many hosts give discounts for a week+ or 4 weeks+. If you put in dates for a search that conform to those time frames the discounts will show up. With some discounts 4 weeks will be less expensive than, say, 3 weeks, so it helps to play with the dates for the places that interest you. You can also communicate with hosts through the site and ask for more information or for possible discounts that aren't offered in the listing. I got a very good deal that way once for a month stay by asking.

We used VRBO for our long term Autumn and Winter (6 month) rental and it was a great experience. We selected a few we liked and then contacted the owners. You may not get such a good discount if you are travelling in peak season. My sister in law always uses
https://www.gites-de-france.com/en

Many thanks MmeP and Cheska for your quick replies.

I've used both in the past but not for periods any longer than 7-10 days.

Cheska: I followed your recent adventures in France avidly and good to know that your excellent Nimes long term let was found on VRBO.

Gites de France lists rental houses and apartments, as well as B&Bs. We've used GdF to find B&Bs, and over many years and dozens of B&Bs, only one has been a dud.

One way to use their website is to search for gites only, and top of the line only. Gites are ranked from 1 to 4 ears of wheat, 4 being the highest. If you find some place you like, don't book through GdF. Contact the owner directly to see about a longer rental. The good places book up early, even a year ahead.

Of course, we can only tell you the way it used to be. Now and in the future, who knows? The cleaning requirements for rentals now are way beyond what they used to be pre-covid, and it might discourage a lot of proprietors.

Broin, you'll have fun looking, especially since you're at the very early stages of planning. Finding a good B&B near a good restaurant near good walking is (I think, anyway) very entertaining.

Thanks Coquelicot. Used Gites de France many years ago but haven't for a long time. Good tip - hadn't thought to contact directly and ask for long term rates.

Try this site: https://www.gites-de-france.com/en or this one: Bed and breakfast, cottage and holiday rental in France or https://www.france-voyage.com/en/

My impression is that they tend to offer a wider range than AirBnB

As a general rule, I think you can negotiate a discount/better rate for a "long-term" rental with just about anybody, especially these days. So don't be afraid to haggle. If the owners are French and you speak the language, it's almost a certainty that you can wrangle a good deal.

Michael, thanks for those links. And St Cirq, I've never been much of a haggler, but you're right I'm sure quite a few would be up for a reduced rate for a longer let.

Thanks again for your help.

While I don't mind a good haggle when it's appropriate, asking if an owner offers a discount for a longer stay is just a sensible question, not haggling. They will respond no or yes & tell you how much depending on your dates. A perfectly legitimate & simple exchange. Unless you're happy either throwing money away or not getting something as nice as you'd like, I think you have to give that small negotiation a try. It's expected.

I would recommend one week barge trip in Northern Burgundy with visits to Auxerre, Chablis, Vezelay returning to Dijon.