Guest House in the South of France – Sud France

Villa Roquette is a guest house, but it is difficult to define what a guest house is. Is it a Chambre d’Hote (a bed and breakfast) or is it a hotel, is it a Gite or a lodge ?

Even defining a Bed and Breakfast establishment is difficult, are BB or a BnB, B&B, banb etc the same thing?

In France, a Chambre d’Hote is clearly defined, it is a home with a room or rooms specially set up to receive paying guests and which supplies a breakfast included in the price of the room. The home must have the owners living in it and must be registered wit the local Town Hall (Mairie).

A guest house has no clear definition, we call Villa Roquette a Guest House as we also offer evening meals for guests and have individual private self catering apartments, plus a lot of other services and extras for guests in our home.

To further complicate our marketing, we are in Languedoc, or Languedoc-Roussillon, which is now named the Sud de France and is further south than the South of France , so we get more sunshine and have a better climate than the traditional South of France.

Whatever you call us, a Guest House, Bed and Breakfast, Gite, Holiday Apartment , B&B bb banb -whatever – we guarantee you a warm welcome.

Road to montblanc and villa roquette

Welcome to Montblanc and Villa Roquette Guest House

Ten Top Tips for House Buying in France

I saw this article in today’s Telegraph – the journalist is talking about buying in Peter Mayle’s Provence – but the ten pieces of advice given at the end of the article are good.

Did I mention I met Peter Mayle – here is a photo of us 🙂

Tony Tidswell and Peter mayle

Peter Mayle and Tony Tidswell

TOP TEN TIPS FOR BUYING IN FRANCE

1 Try before you buy

Rent a holiday house in your chosen area. You might discover it is too far from airports or the sea. Or you don’t like the local wine or architecture.

2 Investigate in depth

Photographs can be deceptive. Go to see properties at least twice and drive there yourself. Also check out the surroundings. Is there a good local village? Does it feel too built-up or too remote?

3 Check the layout

If you are planning to let your property to holiday makers, the layout of the house and grounds is crucial. Dangerous balconies, unfenced pools and remote locations down bumpy tracks will put off potential tenants.

4 Know procedures

See www.frenchnotaire.com for detailed information on the purchasing procedure and financing a property in France.

5 Seek assistance

If you don’t speak French, go with someone who does and is on your side. If you are planning on renovating, take along an architect who understands your intentions.

6 Planning help

It’s obligatory to use a qualified and registered architect to prepare and submit a planning application, if the proposed habitable area is greater than 170sq m.

7 Sharing a vision

When choosing an architect, make sure you see a few of their previous projects. French tastes differ dramatically from English. You need to find someone who shares your vision.

8 Check agreements

If you decide to proceed, the vendors’ notaire (solicitor) will send you a compromis de vente (sales agreement). Make sure you understand and agree with it. Your own notaire will help you to modify it if necessary.

9 Sourcing funds

There are numerous mortgage brokers offering to lend money for French property.

10 Agent support

Consider using a buying agent to help locate a property and negotiate on your behalf.

11 Stay with us at http://VillaRoquette.com