What is a gite?

The meaning of the word Gite (or gîte to be absolutely correct - we leave the accent off as we are not convinced that the world's search engines can read it) is: gîte. noun masculine - logement - a lodging or resting place*.

Originally used to describe small converted buildings on farms that their owners converted to holiday cottages, a gite is a term now used to describe any furnished self catering rental accommodation in France.

Cottages, converted barns, farmhouses, town houses, villas, apartments, bungalows, chalets, mansions and chateaux - country, village or town.

When does a gite become a villa? Usually when you get near the Mediterranean.

When does a gite become an apartment? Well a clue could be, we never hear the term gite used in Paris!

*Source: Harrap Shorter French Dictionary 6th Edition