This concerns specifically the holiday rentals within the Vendee-Gites.com scheme.
For properties that are indicated as being under the management of a partner agency or company there will be differences, so please refer to their specific booking procedure.
Click on each section below to see the details of each step. There are also answers to the frequently asked questions.
Are my holiday dates available ?
The calendar shown on the property page is updated in real time (within a few hours of any change), including any options currently held awaiting confirmation. If the period is Green it is available. If it is Yellow then you can ask to be placed second in line if the option falls through. If it is Red, then the dates have already been taken. You will also see that there is an availability summary in the menu that allows you to check across all our properties at a glance.
Can we do other than a Saturday to Saturday rental ?
July / August - no it's not possible, only the standard changeover day.
(If a property is Friday to Friday this is shown on the calendar.)
June and September - may be possible on some properties - please ask.
April, May, October - possible on most properties - please ask.
Can we have 10 or 12 night rental ?
An indication of the date restrictions for this is given in the pricing table for each property. In general :
July / August - no it's not possible, only full weeks, 7, 14, 21 nights.
June and September - may be possible on some properties - please ask.
April, May, October - possible on most properties, if open - please ask.
What price for these dates ?
Consult the pricing table on the property page and find the dates that correspond. This rental price per 7 nights is shown, in Euros. If there are two prices shown, the lower price is for smaller groups (up to the number of people stated at the top of the pricing table). Outside July / August, if you are looking for 10 - 12 nights we will quote you a specific price where this is possible - please ask.
Can I book on-line ?
Sorry, we don't participate in the automated booking schemes proposed by some of the major publicty sites. There are good reasons for this and we much prefer the personal contact with our clients. You get the same guarantie and security of payment.
Is the swimming pool sole use ?
On the summary page and the property page (top left), if it is marked "Private Pool", then it is for sole use. If it is shared in any way it is marked "Shared Pool" and the sharing is described in the property text.
Is the swimming pool heated ?
On the summary page and the property page (top left), if it is marked "Heated Pool", then it is heated throughout the season. If there are any date restrictions, this is described in the property text.
Is there internet at the property ?
On the property page (top left), if it is marked "Internet WiFi", then the property has WiFi available. If there are any specific conditions, this is described in the property text.
How far is it to the nearest beach, to amenities ?
On the property page (top left), the distances to the nearest beach and the nearest amenities is marked. From the property page you can go to the "Local info and more photos" page which gives full details of this.
Are sheets and towels included in the rental ?
On the property page, just below the pricing table, you will find the list of charges. If sheets and towels are included in the rental price this will be marked here.
Can we add more people, extra beds, etc. ?
The sleeping capacity is indicated on the summary page and on the property page (top left). You are not allowed to exceed this number. A baby in cot may be allowed over this number if agreed by the owner.
How do I make a reservation ?
You can use the contact form available from the link on the property page - we will reply within a few hours. You can also telephone us if your prefer. See details of the complete booking procedure in the sections below.
When will the payment be due ?
An initial deposit of 25% to secure the reservation (by card or by bank transfer). The remainder at 8 weeks before the holiday dates (same method). Reservations within the 8 weeks of the rented dates require the full payment.
How do I find a Booking Form ?
Each property has its own Booking Form (Letting Contract) in PDF format. This is available from the link on the property details page (in the Menu or in the 'How to book' section). Once you have made your reservation you can print this form to complete and return to us.
What are the cancellation terms ?
You can refer to our Terms and Conditions. Note that in normal circumstances the initial deposit is not refundable. In the case of epidemic related issues, the cancellation policy may be determined by any emergency legislation in force in France at that time. You are strongly advised to also ensure that your travel insurance policy offers adequate cover, particurarly for medical issues.
The availability shown on our web site is normally accurate to within a matter of hours, but the situation can change on a daily basis. You can request that we hold an option open for you on the dates that you require while you consult other family members or while you book your travel. Request this by e-mail or by telephone. The option will be held for 3 days, after which time the dates will be re-opened for booking.
See our Travel page for ferry discounts, crossings, distances and fly-drive.
You are required to confirm your reservation by the deposit payment of 25% of the rental price. Reservations made at 8 weeks or less from the rental start date will require full payment.
This is normally by telephone, giving your card details. We accept any card showing the VISA or MASTERCARD symbol (sorry not Am-Ex or Maestro.) The payment will be in Euros and the deduction from your account, in your local currency, will depend on the exchange rate and any charges that your bank applies. No surcharge is made by us for either credit or debit cards.
If you wish to split the payment between two cards, we can do this but will add a fee of €20 on the second transaction.
You can also pay by bank transfer if your prefer, for which we will supply our bank details on request.
NB: The booking is not definitive until stage 3 below has been completed.
You are required to complete the reservation by completing and returning the Booking Form, available to print from the property details on this website - the link is in the Menu and in the 'How to book' section. Each property has its own Booking Form, in PDF format*.
Fill in the form LEGIBLY (we don't know your postal address, nor your post code, you do...).
Fill in ALL sections and remember to sign and date the form at the bottom.
The price entered must be in Euros.
Scan and email the completed form to us (info AT vendee-gites.com).
This can also be a good quality photo (see the notes at the foot of this page).
NB: Due to the actions of a minority of negligent customers, if the completed forms are not received within 14 days the reservation may be considered as cancelled. In these cases we apply a € 50 deduction to any refund to cover administration charges.
Once we have received your completed Booking Forms we will raise your booking confirmation document and payment receipt. The turn-round time for this is no more than 2 working days. We are moving to sending all documents by email. If this is not possible, the postal delay will be 3 to 5 days. PLEASE TAKE CARE TO KEEP THESE DOCUMENTS IN A SAFE PLACE.
Just before travelling, around 5% of clients claim that they never received their documents...
Make a note of the balance payment date that is shown on your confirmation (see below).
You are required to pay the remainder of the rental price (75%) by the due date that is shown on your booking confirmation document. This date is 8 WEEKS before the rental. You will receive a reminder by email a week before. We will not automatically take the balance from the card details used for the deposit payment unless you confirm that you wish us to do so. You can simply confirm this by e-mail, but make sure that the original card is still valid and has not been replaced with a new one in the meantime. Otherwise, please telephone with the card details that you wish us to use.
If you wish to split the payment between two cards, we can do this but will add a processing fee of €20 on the second transaction.
If you wish to pay by bank transfer, this will be the same account details. Just let us know that it is on its way.
NB: Due to a increasing number of customers not having the honesty to inform us promptly that they will not be continuing with their holiday booking, we are obliged to issue only ONE further balance payment reminder by e-mail at 7 days overdue. If no reponse is received within a further 7 days we must assume tacit cancellation of the booking and put the dates back on sale.
Once we have received balance payment we will raise your payment receipt and send this to you by email, together with the detailed arrival instructions. The turn-round time for this is usually no more than 2 working days. PLEASE TAKE CARE TO KEEP THESE DOCUMENTS IN A SAFE PLACE.
Just before travelling, around 5% of clients claim that they never received their documents...
The arrival instructions will allow you to find the property easily and also contain the postal address of the property, the Sat-Nav coordinates, the contact details for the owner or caretaker and a reminder of the other points that you need to bear in mind for your arrival (see below). MAKE SURE THAT YOU READ THIS DOCUMENT AND TAKE IT WITH YOU.
Just before departure you may have a few questions. The answers to these are usually to be found in the "Questions and Answers " section of this web site, or indeed on your Booking Form, or in the property description or on the arrival instructions. If you have not found the answer there, or if the question is a little more specific, please feel free to get in touch.
Remember that you must advise the owner or caretaker of your estimated arrival time, either by email or by text message, to arrange key collection. The contact details are given on your arrival instructions. Unless stated otherwise, arrivals are from 5pm (17.00) onwards.
The following two items will be needed when you arrive at the property.
Please note that the property owner can refuse entry to the property in the absence of these. This is not an owners' preference or whim, it is a legal requirement in France...
(i) The Security Deposit. Please refer to the Booking Form and arrival instructions for the details of the Security Deposit that is required. There will be different systems for this. Most are now done before arrival by a secure card imprint on the Swikly system, others may require a cheque or cash on arrival.
(ii) Documentary proof of travel insurance including Personal Liability cover, for all members of your party. See this page for the answers to your questions on this point.
You will also need to settle any charges that are to be paid on site (linen hire, cleaning service, residence tax, etc.), as indicated on your Booking Form. Please have the courtesy to have the necessary amount with you on arrival.
If your question is not answered here, feel free to telephone us.
0033 787200687
English spoken
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