Gite or Maison d’Amis? What’s the difference?
In France, the terms "gîte" and "maison d’amis" both refer to properties used for guest accommodation, but they often carry slightly different connotations, particularly in terms of their intended use, legal classification, and how they are typically managed.
Here’s a breakdown of the differences:
What is a Gîte?
- Traditional Meaning: Historically, a "gîte" (from the Latin giser, meaning "to lie down or rest") was a humble lodging for travelers or pilgrims, often a simple, self-catering holiday home in a rural area. The Gîtes de France organization, founded in 1955, played a significant role in popularising this concept, encouraging farmers to rent out empty cottages to city dwellers for inexpensive holidays.
- Modern Usage: Today, the term "gîte" has broadened considerably. It generally refers to any self-catering holiday rental property in France. This can include renovated farmhouses, barns, annexes, or even apartments. While the traditional image might be a rustic, rural setting, many gîtes now offer modern amenities, luxury features, and can be found in various locations, not just the countryside.
- Legal Classification: From a legal standpoint, a gîte is typically classified as a "meublé de tourisme" (furnished tourist accommodation). This implies specific legal requirements for furnishing, safety, and a maximum rental period to the same tenant (usually 12 consecutive weeks or 90 days), as it’s intended for temporary, seasonal stays, not permanent residency.
- Purpose: Gîtes are primarily run as a business venture to generate rental income. Owners often register their gîtes with local authorities, tourist offices, or classification bodies like Gîtes de France to meet specific standards and benefit from official recognition and marketing.
- Owner Presence: While the owner of a gîte might live nearby and offer a warm welcome, the gîte itself is usually a separate, self-contained building or unit from the owner’s primary residence.
What is a Maison d’Amis?
- Literal Meaning: "Maison d’amis" literally translates to "friends’ house" or "guest house."
- Intended Use: This term suggests a property that is primarily intended for personal use by friends and family of the owner. It might be a smaller, separate dwelling on the same property as the main house, or even a completely separate house that the owner uses for guests.
- Rental vs. Private Use: While a "maison d’amis" can be rented out, its primary designation implies a more personal, informal use. If it is rented, it might be done so less frequently or with less emphasis on it being a full-time business compared to a property explicitly marketed as a gîte.
- Legal Status: A "maison d’amis" doesn’t have a specific legal classification in the same way a "gîte" (as a "meublé de tourisme") does unless it is regularly rented out for profit. If it is regularly rented, it would likely fall under the same legal and tax regulations as a gîte.
- Connection to Main Residence: Often, a "maison d’amis" is physically close to or within the grounds of the owner’s main residence, implying a closer relationship or shared amenities.
Key Differences:
| Feature | Gîte | Maison d’Amis |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Commercial holiday rental | Accommodation for personal guests (friends/family) |
| Legal Status | Typically classified as "meublé de tourisme" | No specific legal classification unless rented |
| Owner’s Intent | To generate income, run as a business | To host personal guests; rental may be secondary or informal |
| Location | Can be rural or urban; often self-contained | Often on the same property as the main house, or used primarily by owner’s guests |
| Formality | More formalised with regulations and classification | Less formal, more personal |
In practice, the lines can sometimes blur, and you might see properties marketed as "maison d’amis" that are also available for holiday rentals. However, the distinction generally lies in the owner’s primary intent for the property’s use and its legal status as a commercial rental versus a private guest space.
The taxation of rentals to tourists of furnished real estate have changed in 2025: new tax abatement rates, mandatory energy performance assessment (DPE), powers extended to mayors … For full details see Service-Public.fr for the latest information. (English version)
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