A gîte or gite (French pronunciation: [ʒit]) is, typically, a holiday rental home in France, but there are many interpretations of the term 'gîte'.
They range from a gîtes d'etape — a hostel, for walkers and cyclists — to a gîte rural, a holiday home in the country available for rent, often an accessory dwelling unit.
Gîtes d'etape, which resemble mountain huts or youth hostel, usually provide meals and have dormitory accommodation.
[2] It is often suggested that a gite is a property whose owner lives nearby and can provide a warm welcome to guests, but the word is frequently used (or misused) in a much wider sense.
This type of holiday accommodation is sometimes regarded as "basic"' in terms of facilities; however, most gîtes are generally very well kept, and a growing number will have fully fitted kitchens, en-suite bathrooms, TV, DVD, and access to a swimming pool or other sporting activities.