Gîtes de France Calvados FAQs

There's a wide range of vacation rentals on offer, but here's what you need to know about the different types :

- Gîte rural : seasonal tourist rental of a fully equipped, furnished house in a quality setting... you'll feel right at home!

- Group gites : large-capacity gites (15 to 50 people), ideal for groups of friends and families.

- City Break : Gîtes de France's guarantee of quality in an urban environment. For your business or leisure stays, comfortable accommodation with easy access to public transport, shops, and the city's cultural and tourist attractions.

- Chambre d'hôtes : the French Bed & Breakfast (accommodation + breakfast). You are welcomed as a friend into the home of a private individual, who opens their house to you for one or more nights. The owner can also offer table d'hôtes, a meal served at the family table.

- Unusual : unusual, out-of-the-ordinary accommodation, while maintaining the brand's high standards of quality... for unforgettable experiences.

For a safe, comfortable and practical vacation, discover our 'Baby Friendly' vacation rentals. This qualification is awarded to gites or B&Bs that are suitable for babies.

You won't have to carry cumbersome equipment for your baby's comfort, such as a cot, high chair, changing mat, and possibly a stroller, adapted cutlery, etc. You're renting a safe vacation home with secure staircases, an enclosed garden... Don't hesitate to contact us on 0033 2 31 82 71 65 or visit https://www.gites-de-france-calvados.com/baby-friendly.html for more details.

Yes, if you choose accommodation that accepts animals only. The presence of a pet must be notified when the option is taken, and obligatorily when the contract is drawn up. A supplement and/or an increase in the deposit may be requested.

If you are travelling with more than one pet, please contact our reservations office, who will confirm whether the accommodation you have chosen is suitable for more than one animal.

At the time of booking, your contract specifies whether it is possible to stay with a pet. Please check this point before your arrival, as the service provider may refuse your stay.

You can also consult our page dedicated to pet-friendly beaches: https://www.gites-de-france-calvados.fr/plages-chiens-calvados.html

When you make your reservation, a search criterion allows you to filter accommodation offering an internet connection. This information is also given in the description of the accommodation.

You can also consult our page dedicated to accommodation suitable for teleworking https://www.gites-de-france-calvados.fr/teletravail.html with good network coverage, a high-performance broadband/wifi internet connection and a secluded room with a desk.

There is a maximum number of people that can be accommodated in each property. This number depends on the services and facilities offered and the insurance taken out by the owner.

Any overcrowding in the accommodation must be agreed by the owner and mentioned in the contract. Without this agreement, the owner may refuse you access without recourse on your part.

When you book a B&B stay, breakfast is always included in the price of your stay. Some owners can, if you wish, offer you a table d'hôtes and/or the assiette gourmande, for an extra charge and on reservation.

The table d'hôtes is a convivial meal (with local produce) shared with the owners and possibly other guests. The table d'hôtes and the assiette gourmande are reserved exclusively for B&B guests and must be booked in advance with the owner.

No, only the majority of the gîtes and chambres d'hôtes in the Reservations Department can be booked online (or by calling the Reservations Department on 0033 2 31 82 71 65).

Other accommodation can be booked by contacting the owner directly by telephone or e-mail.

You can find all the promotional gîtes on the https://www.gites-de-france-calvados.com/special-offers.html page. You can also use the selection criterion 'on promotion' in the filters when you search.

On the home page, you can enter the reference of the gîte in the search bar in the middle of the screen: 'Location, reference, name' and click on 'Search'.

Use the search engine on our website https://www.gites-de-france-calvados.com to find the accommodation that's right for you !

Do you know the period of your stay and the number of participants? Simply enter your dates and the number of holidaymakers in the search engine on the home page. You can refine your search using the search criteria: choose the number of rooms, the number of beds, the indoor and outdoor facilities, the services, etc…

You can also search by location or by reference.

Once you have chosen your accommodation, follow the step-by-step booking and payment procedure to finalise your booking online.

You can also call one of our reservation agents on 0033 2 31 82 71 65 from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, or use our contact page.

Once you have made your choice and clicked on the 'book now' button, you can check the details of your booking (accommodation chosen, date of stay, number of participants, etc.) You will then be asked to complete your contact details. The next step summarises all the specific elements of the contract. When you click on confirm, you will be presented with several options :

- I am booking more than 12 months before my holiday :

To confirm your booking, you must send us your duly signed contract by e-mail or post before the date indicated on it. You will be asked to pay the deposit six months before the start of your stay; you will be sent an e-mail or reminder letter. Similarly, you will be asked to pay the balance 30 days before the start of your holiday.

- I am booking less than 12 months before my holiday :

To confirm your booking, a deposit of 25% of the price of the holiday and any additional services (including booking fees and the cost of any insurance taken out) and a copy of the booking contract signed by you before the deadline shown on the contract. The balance is due 30 days before the start of your stay.

- I am booking less than one month before my holiday :

You will be asked to pay the balance as soon as your booking is created. You must also return the signed contract.

For bookings made more than one month before the start of the holiday, the booking becomes firm when the reservations department receives a deposit of 25% of the price of the holiday and any additional services (including booking fees and the cost of any insurance taken out) and a copy of the booking contract signed by you, before the deadline shown on the contract.

For all bookings made less than one month before the start of the holiday, you will be asked to pay the balance.

Have you received a summary e-mail, the rental contract and paid (partially or in full)? Our automatic registration systems are considered proof that the booking contract has been concluded and your booking is confirmed.

When you made your booking, you received confirmation of your request by e-mail. If you have made your booking by telephone, the description of the accommodation and the rental contract will also be sent to you by e-mail and must be returned to us duly signed. On receipt of the balance of your rental, you will receive the contact details of the owners (or their representative) and a map of how to get to the gîte. A few days before your arrival, you will be invited to contact the owner of the accommodation to discuss the organisation of your stay.

On our website https://www.gites-de-france-calvados.com/customer-account.html, using the e-mail address you gave when you made your booking. When you log on for the first time, you will need to 'obtain a password' by clicking on the link of the same name.

Please check your 'junk mail' or 'spam' folder.

If you do not receive it, please contact us on 0033 2 31 82 71 65.

Secure online payment is made by credit card (Carte Blue, Visa or Mastercard). It allows you to book your holiday online and immediately. If the period between the booking date and the start date of your holiday is less than 10 days, only online payments are possible by credit card or instant transfer (proof by e-mail will be requested).

If the period is longer, the deposit (or the balance if the holiday starts in less than 30 days) can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or Gîtes de France gift voucher.

- Booking a gîte : For bookings made more than 12 months before your stay: you will be asked to return the signed contract to confirm your booking. A deposit of 25% of the rental price and any additional services + booking fees + cancellation insurance (if taken out) will be required 12 months before your arrival and the balance 30 days before your arrival.

For bookings made between 12 months and 30 days before your stay: you will be asked to return the signed contract and pay a deposit of 25% of the rental price and any additional services + booking fees + cancellation insurance (if taken out) for confirmation within 48 hours or when you book online. The balance must be paid 30 days before your arrival.

For bookings made less than 30 days before arrival : payment in full is required for confirmation when booking online by credit card or within 48 hours if you have taken out an option.

- Booking a guest room :  The terms of payment are the same as for gîtes (deposit of 25% of the price of the stay with a minimum of one night's stay per room booked). It is not possible to book online (minimum deposit required).

You can pay in instalments, with the prior agreement of our booking agency, either by sending us several cheques (indicating the desired dates of collection), or by making several bank transfers. However, the deposit and the balance must be paid one the due date.

Intercommunal bodies can ask holidaymakers staying on their territory to pay a tourist tax. This tax allows the communes and EPCIs to finance expenditure linked to leisure or cultural facilities and tourist numbers.

Our booking fees are between 10 and 20 euros for reservations in gites and between 4 and 10 euros for reservations in guest rooms. We offer the booking fee for all bookings of 3 consecutive weeks or more on the same contract.

For a gîte reservation: on the client's arrival, a deposit (the amount is indicated on the contract) is requested by the owner. After the inventory of fixtures has been drawn up, this deposit is returned, minus the cost of repairing the premises if any damage is found. In the event of early departure (before the times mentioned on the description sheet) preventing the inventory of fixtures from being drawn up on the day of the tenant's departure, the deposit is returned by the owner within a period not exceeding one week.

For all modifications (additions of services, participants), please contact us by phone 0033 2 31 82 71 65 with your contract number.

When you book online, all you have to do is tick 'Yes, I want to be reimbursed (cancellation + assistance)' or 'No, I do not want to be reimbursed'. This insurance is only available if you live in Europe (mainland Europe, not just the European Union)

If you book by telephone or e-mail with the reservations department, your holiday advisor will suggest that you take out insurance. To confirm your subscription, simply pay the amount of the cancellation insurance at the same time as you pay for your rental. In your rental contract, answer the question 'Do you wish to take out cancellation insurance (optional)' by ticking 'yes' in the box (or 'no' if you do not wish to take out the insurance).

Contact our booking department as soon as possible by telephone on 0032 2 31 82 71 65 and by e-mail, specifying your contract number (you will be asked to send an e-mail confirming your cancellation).

The cancellation conditions depend on your contract:

- If you have taken out cancellation insurance, please refer to the specific conditions of this (see link on your rental contract received by email).

- If you have not taken out cancellation insurance, please refer to the Terms and Conditions of Sale or your contract to find out about the conditions and costs of cancellation.

Our reservation agency will send you an email confirming your cancellation, indicating the possible consequences of your request and the steps to be taken.

Benefit from a 5% discount on your second stay booked within a year of the arrival date of your first stay. Discover our loyalty offer on our dedicated page.

As soon as you take the option, you will have a phone number on your contract to contact the owner.

On receipt of the balance of your booking, the full contact details and address of the owner and/or representative will be sent to you in the booking confirmation. You will also find the contact details of the owners in your customer account.

The welcome is a moment of conviviality dear to the Gîtes de France network.

The owners are keen to offer you the best of their house but also of their region.

In a Bed & Breakfast, you are welcomed in the owner's house. He will receive you and give you all the information you need for your stay.

In a Gîte, the owner or his representative will welcome you. He will help you to make an inventory of fixtures and will give you all the indications concerning the good use of the house, without forgetting all the good advice to make your stay an unforgettable moment

You can refer to your contract but in general :

-  Gîtes : You may arrive at the gîte between 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm and leave at 10.00 am (except for bookings of 2 or 3 nights: maximum departure at 6.00 pm according to the terms of your contract).

-  B&B : Arrivals are usually from 6pm and departures at 12pm unless other times are mentioned in your booking contract.

In all cases, we ask you to contact the owners to arrange a meeting time.

Your arrival time must be agreed at the time of your booking either with our booking agency or with the owners.

In case of late arrival or last-minute impediment, you should call them to find the best solution for your reception.

For your stay, you will need to bring your own sheets and towels, unless these services are included in the rental price (please refer to the descriptive sheet attached to the contract). If you wish to lighten your load, many of our owners can offer to rent you sheets or towels (with an extra charge).

During your stay, you are responsible for any damage caused by you. You should be covered by an insurance policy for these various risks (check with your insurer as part of your home insurance).

On your arrival, the owner will ask you to pay a deposit, the amount of which is indicated on the contract and the description sheet, unless you have already paid this deposit online when you made your reservation (for accommodation offering this service) or in your customer account beforehand.

After a joint inventory of fixtures has been drawn up at the end of your stay, this deposit will be returned to you, less the cost of repairing the premises if any damage has been found.

The owner or his representative is your main contact during your stay.

Do you have a question about the operation of the property ? A household appliance that breaks down ? Do not hesitate to contact him, in most cases he will find a solution as soon as possible.

Do you have a problem with a major issue in the rental ? You must also inform Gîtes de France Calvados as soon as possible on 0033 2 31 82 71 65 who will be able to help you.

-  Heating

Heating is not necessarily included in the rental price. If it is included, this is specified in the gîte description. If it is not included, the difference between the meter readings on arrival and departure will be invoiced by the owner. The amount for heating may also be a fixed amount set by the owner and indicated in the gîte description attached to your contract.

-  Electricity

Electricity may be included. If it is not, 8 kwh/day are included in the rental price. Beyond this consumption, the supplement will be paid to the owner at your departure (current energy supplier rate). The difference between the meter readings on arrival and departure will be invoiced by the owner.

-  Wood

A supplement may be required if you use wood for a wood-burning stove or fireplace. The owner of the gîte will inform you of the amount.

1. Please inform the owner or hir representative to arrange a departure and inspection appointment.

2. Please contact us by email : reservation@gites-de-france-calvados.fr or by phone : 0033 2 31 82 71 65. The Reservation Service team is available from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm.

In the event of a claim in the gîte or guest room you have booked, we invite you to contact the owner of the gîte or the insurance assistance number given to you in the booking documents if you have taken out insurance.

In the event of a dispute, we invite you to contact our reservation agency on 0033 2 31 82 71 65 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9.30am to 6pm). In the event of a complaint, we invite you to send us by e-mail reservation@gite-de-france-calvados.fr any useful visual support (photo, video).

You can download the invoice on your customer account on the Gîtes de France Calvados website after your holiday.

You can also contact us at 0033 2 31 82 71 65 or by e-mail.

For all accommodation rented through the booking agency, you will receive an email inviting you to leave a review using a link to an online form. If you do not leave a review, you will automatically be contacted 15 days after this initial invitation.

Yes, since June 2013, in view of the abuse and numerous frauds (false reviews) reported on various websites, the NF Z74-501 standard governs the collection, moderation and return of consumer reviews. The review must be collected only from customers who have stayed in the accommodation concerned. The review is then systematically subject to the right of reply by the owner of the accommodation, before the final check by the moderator (the Gîtes de France departmental relay).

To keep up to date with the opening of the season (and the good deals from Gîtes de France Calvados), we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter (at the bottom of the Gîtes de France Calvados home page).