Search Facilities

1. General Search Facilities - By using the drop down search facility on every page. Enter or select the options that will provide you with the best choice of holiday home or hotel:
   
   
   • Number in your Group - Enter here the number of people in your party that will be staying in the holiday home or hotel. If you do not know the number then leave the field untouched or select 'not sure'.
   • Maximum Rent - Enter here the maximum amount in Sterling or Euros that you are willing to pay per week for your holiday home. For a Hotel room per night leave blank. If you do not have a preference leave the field untouched.
   • Region - Here you can select from a list of all the regions in France. If you do not have a preference, leave this field untouched or select 'not sure' and all holiday homes and hotels that fit your other requirements will be displayed regardless of region.
   • Number of Bedrooms - Enter how many bedrooms you are looking for. If you do not know the number then leave the field untouched or select 'not sure'.
   • Type of Accommodation - Select either holiday homes or hotels. You must choose one or the other to make a successful search.

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2. Geographical Search by Region or Department - If you are unsure where you want to stay in France we have made it very easy for you by providing a map of France that you can click on. Go to the regions page where the map is displayed and click on the region you are interest in for a more detailed map. Information on that Region, as well as some links to department and town websites, will appear. Click on the specific department within the region that interests you and a list will be displayed of all holiday homes and hotels in the department.

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3. Detailed Search with specific requirements - When you have made a search using one of the methods above, it may be that too many holiday homes or hotels are displayed and none of them meet your specific requirements. If so, you can use the refine search facility. The link to this is at the top of every listing page, just below the menu. The refine search facility allows you to specify additional information such as the type of property, local attractions that you want nearby and facilities that you require in the house.

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Questions before booking

It is important to us that you book the right type of accommodation, so below we have made a few suggestions to help you.

1. General Please do remember that each property is different. Do make sure the accommodation is adequate in terms of size and specifications before booking to avoid disappointment. If you require privacy, especially in a gite complex, find out if any of the facilities are shared. Also be clear about terms such as 'owners nearby' as this could mean that the owner lives on site and may affect your privacy. In the South, it is common for bedrooms to have wooden floors or tiles and consequently they are often not carpeted. Kitchens are normally equipped with adequate cooking facilities but if you require a particular facility i.e. microwave or washing-up machine, look for the following icons or select before searching.

   - Microwave

   - Washing machine

   - Dish Washer

   If you have young children do think carefully before booking accommodation with steep access by steps or ladders. Also think about safety with busy roads, ponds and even swimming pools if you have young children which cannot swim.

   Most owners will not include linen in their French homes and do not always have 'English' pillows. As French pillows are sometimes a different shape this can cause a problem when taking linen - so ask. If you specifically require a linen and towel service look for the following icon:

   - Linen provided

   Some homes have extra sleeping areas on galleries and open-plan areas, if this is the case be aware that there is less privacy than a specific bedroom.

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2. Cleaning and maid/cook/babysitter service Nearly all houses are cleaned by local key holders or owners. It is hoped that all homes will be to a high standard, but if not, remember to contact the owner straight away if you are not happy. Maids and cooks are sometimes available in the more expensive properties but in the very rural areas these are extremely difficult to find and you may wish to opt for a B & B or Hotel accommodation if you regard this as an important part of your holiday. Babysitters can sometimes be arranged locally, however it is best to ask the owners beforehand.

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3. Outside Nearly all homes with gardens will have adequate garden furniture supplied and most will be enclosed by fencing or hedging. However, do remember if you have young children to ask. It is also worth noting, that if you are hiring in the South, it does get very hot and some shade is very welcome! Swimming Pools are indicated by the following icons:

   - Shared Swimming Pool

   - Swimming Pool

   Pools are not normally heated and often are not in use before the end of May or after mid September. If you are booking 'out of season' you should therefore ask if the pool will be available and if it is heated, whether there is an extra heating charge. It is also recommended to ask the owner if the pool will be cleaned prior to your arrival and whether it will be cleaned regularly during your stay. Do remember, when searching our database, that you will probably pay at least another £200 p.w for a property with a pool.

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4. Telephones It is easy to keep in touch in France. Some holiday homes have land lines although these are often limited to local calls. However if you have a mobile phone, check to see what the mobile signal is like with the following icon:

- Good Mobile Phone Reception

...and if it is good just arrange for your international bar to be lifted. You can then be in contact at all times. Satellite TV is becoming more common in holiday homes, especially when the owners are on site, and give access to English speaking channels. Look out for the following icon:

- Television

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5. Electricity, Gas & Heating In France the electric current is 220v. You should take a travel plug adapter with you (available from most electrical stores or on the boat) as most plug sockets will require 2 pin plugs. You may also find that in rural areas, the electricity supply is not as reliable as the UK, especially when there is stormy weather. It is normally fixed fairly quickly but it is worth taking a torch just in case! Gas refills are not expensive (approximately £8) but check if the owners will refund this cost if you have to refill it while you are in their home. Do remember there is a deposit on these bottle, so do not throw them away once they are empty, as you will probably have the cost taken off your deposit. Heating is available in most homes. In colder areas expect central heating, but in the South open fires and wood burning stoves are common. Look for the following icons:

   - Central heating

   - Fireplace

   Some owners do charge extra for heating so check if you are booking out of season what the cost will be.

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6. Charges and Arrangements Always make sure you know exactly what the deposit payment is for and when it will be repaid. If, you accidentally cause some damage to the property, make sure the owner knows and find out the amount of any deduction from your deposit. Some owners will charge extra for electricity, gas, water and wood (see above). If there is a local delivery of bread and other products, ask if there is a charge for this or if it is included. You might decide, if there is a charge, that you do not want this facility.

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LASTLY, the above are only some suggestions but remember this is a holiday which we hope you will enjoy! So do take the time to check the details before booking if you have any doubts. Most owners will be only too happy to help you.