| When going to France on holiday you normally have a | | | | sumptuous places if the cost is shared and may even |
| good choice of accommodation, hotels, B&Bs, | | | | be able to holiday in a French chateau or even a |
| Gites, Luxury Villas and even Chateaux. Most of these | | | | castle. |
| will be recognised by English holidaymakers though | | | | It can be surprising to see that a seemingly luxurious |
| some may not be aware what a gite is. | | | | holiday chateau in France can work out far cheaper |
| Theoretically for a property to be called a gite the | | | | per head than a modest holiday cottage or gite. For |
| owner must live close by so they can be on hand to | | | | this reason, and for the sheer opulence, French |
| assist and welcome their guests. Generally gites are | | | | chateau hire is increasingly popular but be warned they |
| old farm workers' cottages or properties converted | | | | do book up early so plan well in advance to get the |
| from outbuildings or barns on land within the owner's | | | | best French chateaux available. |
| grounds or gardens. They used to be regarded as | | | | Chateau holidays are ones which invoke powerful |
| basic accommodation as originally they only had | | | | memories for families and can linger in the memory for |
| fundamental facilities and were a cheap way to | | | | far longer than most holidays, probably because of the |
| holiday in France. Nowadays gites can be luxurious | | | | surroundings and because you are sharing the times |
| and you may get top class accommodation and even | | | | with your loved ones. Some of the advantages of a |
| swimming pools, it is more likely they are now holiday | | | | chateau holiday are:o The interiors can be old and |
| cottages but can still offer good value family | | | | authentic and you can experience taking a step back |
| accommodation. | | | | in time whilst still maintaining a modern feel with all the |
| The basis of a gite is that it was the barn or outbuilding | | | | facilities you would expect.o The exteriors are normally |
| at the bottom of a French family's garden so they can | | | | lavish with grounds and magnificent gardens which |
| tend to be quite small. These days there are more and | | | | provide a truly striking backdrop for holiday |
| more extended families going to France on holiday. So | | | | photographs and a great place for the kids to play and |
| you will see more families going with parents, brothers | | | | explore.o Many chateaux also have their own private |
| and sisters in tow. This could mean up to 20 people | | | | swimming pool so you can relax with your family and |
| going abroad together so perhaps a gite isn't quite the | | | | enjoy the pool or just unwind by the side for a truly |
| right thing and if you want to stay together in the | | | | relaxing time.o Because most chateaux were owned |
| same property you may need something bigger unless | | | | by the richest families in a region they have the best |
| you want to reside in separate properties. But having | | | | settings and locations and you benefit from having |
| everyone in one place is the favoured way for most | | | | excellent views and good access to which ever |
| families to holiday, then you have the advantage of | | | | French region you choose. |
| having babysitters to hand, you can organise all your | | | | So get you family together and start planning you next |
| trips over dinner but most of all you get to spend | | | | French holiday but this time in an impressive French |
| quality time with your loved ones. | | | | chateau. Let your fairytale dream come true and |
| Budget is always an issue but sharing your holiday with | | | | combine comfort and homeliness with opulence and |
| your own family or indeed another family is a great | | | | luxury. This is your chance to enjoy a holiday in a real |
| way to cut costs. You can afford some really | | | | French Chateau. |