Running a Chambre d’hôtes or Maison d’hôtes in France

Denyse Betts shares her insight, tips and advice for running a chambres d’hôtes or maison d’hôtes, the French alternative to a British or American-style bed and breakfast.

“Elegant and poised, focused and aware. Each step precise, keen eyes watchful. No matter what surprises the day brings, these feathers remain unruffled.” Those words do not belong to me, but they ring quite true, to the point that they can easily apply to any undertaking.

            In France, the bed and breakfast business still remains a widely popular formula. Just remember, there is more to owning a maison d’hôtes than just renting “guest bedrooms”, chambres d’hôtes in French. Whether a rural cottage, a maison de maîtres, or a grand manor house, the maison d’hôtes is a private home where paying guests are welcomed as friends. These establishments are the quintessential Bed and Breakfast à la française.

            Once the welcome mat is laid at your doorstep, you are joining the hundreds of owners who choose to be in this unique type of hospitality business, i.e., the people business. From the moment paying guests cross your threshold to the moment they depart, you are responsible for their well-being. You are in the position of making them feel unique and making their stay with you unique as well. Quite a responsibility, quite a challenge, but what an exhilarating experience if you have the mettle, and an opportunity to get acquainted with people you would never meet otherwise. Lasting friendships can ensue with lovely memories to share for years to come. But before you can boast of having an interesting coterie of friends, there are steps to take to ensure the success of your enterprise.

Running a Chambre d’hôtes : the keys to a successful partnership

That is where the second most important rule comes in. You cannot run a maison d’hôtes successfully on your own. The vast majority of establishments are owned by couples. That should come as no surprise. The tasks and the responsibilities are huge. You will both share the burden in order to reap the benefits together. You have to be two to equally divide the responsibility and the chores. You might share the housekeeping but bear in mind that not everybody is good at everything, and while you are both invested in greeting your guests, ask yourself what you are best at and where your natural talents will be of use. In other words, why not let your partner do the bookkeeping while you do the cooking? You might want to grow your own vegetables; you might have a pool, a tennis court, or extensive grounds with trees, bushes and flower beds to tend to. All of that takes time and energy, and unless you can afford professional help, you will have to pace yourself and share the workload.

Business basics

Making yourself known is the next most important factor. Owners today can rely on several forms of advertising. Nowadays, you have the possibility of getting known worldwide through your own website, a bevvy of renting platforms, and social media. But keep in mind, before getting the world to know you, get known by the locals. The French love to meet the new family in town. You should introduce yourself to your community and make contact with your local authorities, such as the mayor and the local bank manager, and your local tourism board. If you need advice or have a problem down the road, they will be glad to help you if they already know who you are. If you open an account at your local bank, you can ask for a découvert, a running overdraft, and a credit card machine that will be very helpful, if not a must. When booking, you may take the first night, as in any hotel, with the understanding that that first night is not reimbursed in case of a no-show unless there is a valid reason to cancel.

Pay a visit to the local restaurants, post office, and bakery. Have on hand the names of a doctor, hairdresser, and tradesmen whose services you might need down the road. Also, if you decide to be totally integrated, a visit to the local chamber of commerce, chambre de commerce, can be of great help. Should you decide to register with them, you can form a small company, a micro enterprise, and obtain a siret number (a business registration number) which in turn will allow you to subscribe to the health care system. This is a quick and easy way to get established without the expense of a solicitor. To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to have a French accountant do your taxes. Not to worry, you will not be making millions. If you do not take a salary, you will have no personal income tax to pay; you will be, in some cases, non-imposable. As for the business, expenses will be deducted, and you will have very little or even might have nothing to pay for the taxe professionelle.

Investment and profit

Speaking of money, what are you willing to invest in order to get the return you wish to have? A guest bedroom has to be attractive in order to command a certain price. Again, the choice is as wide as it is personal. Just remember, no matter the price, the chores remain the same. Ask yourself. Are you better off with four cheap rooms or two luxurious suites? Are you willing to invest for today’s guests who expect much more when it comes to amenities? No one wants to share a bathroom anymore. Beds, mattresses, pillows, sheets, blankets, and towels have to be up to certain standards, as they will have to stand the test of time. If you intend to have two rooms, think of having a double bed in one and two twin beds in the other, thus allowing yourself to have flexibility. You will have to invest in a good water heater. Look up and compare existing chambres d’hôtes and then try to define your own style. The décor can be luxurious and lavish or simple yet sophisticated. Just avoid the mundane, the no surprises, the run-of-the-mill type of accommodation.

Serving food and entertainment

The same goes for breakfast. Fresh daily bread and croissants from the local bakery are a big plus. Homemade jams and jellies, creamy butter, a plate of fresh fruit, perhaps a small serving of local cheeses, good coffee and tea, and a beautifully set table are the secret to a perfect morning meal.

Entertaining at night is another plus. If you enjoy cooking and wish to offer dinner to your incoming guests, you will have an opportunity to dazzle them with local fare and some of your own recipes. After the apéro, the best way to get acquainted with your guests is to join them at mealtime. Guests should reserve dinner when they book their room. No one expects you to serve dinner every night, but incoming guests who have travelled all day do appreciate a home-cooked meal on that first night. Take the opportunity to ask if they are allergic to anything, and avoid nasty surprises. Create an ambience. Always decorate the table, and have an interesting centrepiece, be it fresh-picked flowers or fruit. Add sparkle to your table with fine China, matching silverware, and glassware. Have a beautiful tablecloth with napkins to match. Do not forget the candles. The wine is always included in the price of the meal. This allows you to apply for a basic liquor license, which is usually issued for free. Otherwise, if cooking is not your forte, make absolutely certain there is a choice of good restaurants nearby.

Setting boundaries

Another piece of advice. Control the business, do not allow the business to control you. You have to set the rules, and this can be done elegantly by leaving a handwritten note on the bed. You can, for example, tell your guests that breakfast is, for instance, at 9 am, dinner at 7 pm, and that after eleven at night, it is recommended they refrain from being noisy as other guests are trying to get some rest, or are perhaps already asleep. Bath towels should remain in the bathroom. Towels for the beach can be made available on demand. Upon departure, ask them to please make sure they do not forget anything in their room. Finally, from a hygiene standpoint, it is preferable not to accept pets, forbid smoking, and ask guests to refrain from eating in the room.

The chambres d’hôtes business is time-consuming and can draw out all of your energy. It is important to have your own private quarters where you can spend a little quiet time between lunch and the evening meal to rest and recuperate. Planning ahead will help. It takes time to clean the rooms, prepare meals, and do the shopping. Start a routine, have menus on hand that you are familiar with, and have staples always in good supply. If you cook, your partner must do the serving and the entertaining, and also help out with the cleaning afterwards. Furthermore, always prepare the breakfast table in the evening so as not to be in a rush come morning.

Marketing your chambres d’hôtes

As for advertising, the hospitality business has undergone serious changes in the past few years. Gone are the days when you could count on a guidebook to become known. Nowadays, future guests will find you online through your own website or on a listing from one of those dozens of platforms. It is a good idea to become known worldwide but beware. You will be on your own, and that type of publicity can have its drawbacks. If a problem arises, you cannot count on those platforms to help you. You will also have to make do with comments from clients.

On the other hand, before you open your house to guests, it is advisable to have a reputable organization pay you a visit. Gîtes de France is still the best option. By becoming a member, you will have an inspector come to your home to assess the premises and help you avoid costly mistakes. The Gîtes de France team will always be there to counsel you if need be, and while developing your establishment, you can always make an application for a grant. All in all, they will give you a star rating (from 1 to 5) as well as gaining the prestige it entails.

Alas, nothing is perfect. Although your maison d’hôtes will be featured on their website, do not anticipate having as many reservations from that site as you would like, since their clientele is mostly geared towards renting self-catering facilities. The Gîtes de France, nevertheless, will always be a great asset if anything nasty happens.

Is running a chambres d’hôtes the right choice for you?

Having a maison d’hôtes can be a hugely rewarding experience. However, it is up to you to make it work. It is a demanding endeavour. You will be there to please and cater to people’s needs and whims, while your guests expect value for the money they are spending.

Flexibility, how you handle yourself in any situation, and how to remain calm and attentive even when having to deal with the “bad apples” is the secret to your success. Stand firm, steadfast, never lose your patience or sense of humour, “keep those feathers unruffled” and things will always work out. Not to worry, be positive; the vast majority of guests are delightful people.