|
Starting and Running a B and B in France: How to Make Money and Enjoy a New Lifestyle Running Your Own Chambre D'hotes
|
| Price: |
15 new or used available from £2.59
Average customer review:
Product Description
The aim of this book is to pass on the experiences which Deborah Hunt had in setting up and running a B&B in France. Her change of lifestyle meant a lot of hard work, but with lots of fun in between - which kept her going.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #173447 in Books
- Published on: 2003-09-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 192 pages
Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
With the help of this book, you'll be able to enjoy a great new lifestyle in a wonderful country - and earn a decent living, too.
About the Author
Deborah Hunt and her husband have been running a B&B in France for ten years. An architect by profession, Deborah was familiar with the demands of renovating and converting a property, but she and her husband had no experience of the hotel trade - they had to learn as they went along. Deborah's aim in writing this book is to pass on her own experience of running a successful and profitable B&B in France, and make is easier for you to set up your own successful business.
Customer Reviews
Lots of good advice but fun too!
Deborah Hunt has set up and run a B and B in France for real. She and her husband are both architects by profession and so the book includes plenty of hints and tips about what to look for when buying a suitable property and also repairing and renovating it for B and B purposes. Also lots on getting the business up and running profitably.
As well as all the serious advice there are light touches such as a possible Basil Fawlty type response to an enquiry from a Brit lady with cut glass accent asking if there would be enough hot water! To me this makes it not just informative but a good read as well, especially if you want to know what happens behind the scenes and how and what ‘they’ think of ‘us’!
There’s a chapter on how to deal with officials of all sorts from M. Le Notaire to a surveyor (not usual in France but recommended) when buying and converting. Also, once in, folk such as tax, health VAT and banks and settling in generally including the benefits of ‘making your number’ with the local police……just in case of real problems and, again a light touch, how a gendarme’s parents came to stay as guests.
The book details the Hunts’ successes and misfortunes over a 10 year period and there’s plenty of serious advice on what to do and not to do to make it all pay. It also includes short interviews with other folk in the same business which gives a slightly different but useful perspective. There are glossaries, which cover the essential French words for the chapter concerned and suggestions for learning or improving your French with the wry comment that it won’t just ‘rub off’ on you once you get there.
Altogether a definite first stop for anybody contemplating starting B and B in France but even if setting up in France is only a fond daydream or if you just visit French B and B’s regularly well worth reading.
Ducks the issues
In spite of the nice presentation, this book does not deal with the difficult aspects of starting a business in France. In particular, there is virtually nothing about taxation or social security, let alone pensions or health insurance. Not the most useful book on the subject.
Packed full of useful information
This is a great book. It gives sensible advice to anyone considering setting up a B&B or gite business in France. It is clearly written in plain English with no silly jargon - all facts are laid out clearly to avoid doubt or confusion. Virtually everything you need to know about setting up such a business is covered down to the smallest, but no less important, details such as greeting guests and etiquette, advice on meals, childrens play areas, furnishings, types of B&B, etc. as well information on red tape and bureaucracy the French seem to adore. The appendices contain lists of other useful books and addresses.
I consider this book contains plenty of information and guidance to help one assess and decide if a B&B business in France really is for them. Highly recommended.
