Natasha and Tony bought a large property in the Dordogne in 2024, the majority of which was just a shell. They opened 2 small gîtes whist renovating the rest, which they hope to open in 2026. We talk about doing the renovations yourselves, getting discounts on building materials, their social life, who their guests are, and what they think of their new life in France - which you will be able to watch on TV next year! I loved the fact that they were also so honest about the challenge living and working together in a new country, and what that has meant for their relationship. https://latrilogiedor.com/ https://www.giteguru.com/ https://lemasdordogne.com/

Sven and Sandra bought a house in the Dordogne as a second home, but soon hit upon the idea of running it as a gîte when they're not there. But does it still feel like a home now?! We talk about costs vs. investments, tv crews staying, joining the hunt, doing your own renovations, being the same target group as your guests, and how much money they made this year.  Sven and Sandra has also given up their jobs to open more businesses connected to their gîte.  https://maisonsaintblaise.com/https://sandmarkers.com/gite/ https://www.giteguru.com/https://lemasdordogne.com/

It's our turn to talk about our gîtes! We published this episode on the 10th anniversary of having bought Le Mas. A lot has happened in that time... We talk about good guests and difficult guests, our renovation of the property, what's changed in the past 10 years, how running gîtes together has affected our relationship, the mistakes, the joy, the stress, profitability and what we've learnt about ourselves.   https://www.giteguru.com/https://lemasdordogne.com/

Tom and his wife Emilie bought their gîte sight unseen in Emilie's father's village. Tom admits getting it ready for paying guests nearly broke them, but  the sense of achievement is obvious.We talk in detail about the challenge of running a gîte from a different country, never meeting your guests, and relying on others to maintain, clean and present your gîte.  https://toumassou.com/ https://www.giteguru.com/https://lemasdordogne.com/

Elsa and her husband are in the process of setting up a gîte on her grandparent's old horse ranch in Sologne. We talk about why they came up with this plan, which involves moving with their baby daughter and dog from California, what their action list is for the coming months, values, bullying, marketing and target audiences and lots more.  https://www.instagram.com/leclosdebauzy/ https://www.giteguru.com/https://lemasdordogne.com/

Suzie talks to me all about the two big gîtes she ran for 7 years, before deciding to sell the property and buy another French property without a gîte. She looks back, both with the rose-tinted glasses on and off, at her time as a gîter and has some great tips for others wanting to start out.  https://www.giteguru.com/https://lemasdordogne.com/

Julia and Mac decided to end their careers in the UK and make their dream of moving to France a reality. They fell in love with Les Chauvins, bought it, adapted the previous gîte set-up, and opened it to paying guests. We look back over the process and find out if they have any regrets! https://leschauvinsfrance.com/ https://www.giteguru.com/https://lemasdordogne.com/

Valérie has been advising people about setting up businesses in France since 2009. We talk about the differences between then and now, and why increased regulations and restrictions aren't necessarily a bad thing!We discuss visa application, especially important for Brits post-Brexit, taxation, registration and much much more! Valerie's websiteValerie's YouTube If you want to know more about Gîte Guru, please go to our website

Paul and Fiona run a beautiful 6-bedroom gîte in the Dordogne, welcoming families, holidaymakers and bikers. They're avid motorbike enthusiasts and offer their guests facilities, services and a choice of routes to ride in the Dordogne. They talk about finding the property, moving from the UK and getting residency in France post-Brexit, renovating, being on TV and in the papers, accepting a service dog to stay and lots more. https://www.lechaivilla.com

How is it living and working together, what are their costs, some words of warning about gîte Facebook groups and lots more!Real stories from gîte owners about the highs and lows of running a gîte business in France. Paul and Charlotte from Maison Montruf talk to Rupert, aka Gîte Guru, about renting their own home out for 17 weeks over the summer to paying guests.

Real stories from gîte owners about the highs and lows of running a gîte business in France. Paul and Charlotte from Maison Montruf talk to Rupert, aka Gîte Guru, about renting their own home out for 17 weeks over the summer to paying guests. How do they do it, how much do they earn, what do they do before, during and after the season, how do they show their love and loyalty to their guests?