Disabled access for gites

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limousin-cottage
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Disabled access for gites

Post by limousin-cottage »

I have been reading on Facebook that it is obligatory for gites and meubles de tourisme to have disabled access, but I can only find official information that states it's only obligatory for those that sleep more than 15 people. Has anyone else looked into this please?
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Moliere
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Post by Moliere »

Not an answer to your query, but I can say that if you can do it, and do it properly, it doesn’t half rack up your bookings.

Mols
Jumping is just dressage with speed-bumps.
limousin-cottage
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Post by limousin-cottage »

Hi Moliere, I can well imagine that it does, but it's out of the question in my little 18th century cottage, sadly.
Circé
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Post by Circé »

I agree it is hard to find the info!
Basically an ERP (établissement recevant du public = a place open to the public) has to provide disabled access. Hotels for example. A gite taking more than 15 people is classed as an ERP so has to comply.
Under 15 guests - no need to comply.
This info sheet pulished by Loire Atlantique Tourisme gives a handy summary for gites and chambres d'hôte:
http://pro.tourisme-loireatlantique.com ... s-2015.pdf
LotBoy47
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Post by LotBoy47 »

Is that 15 people in one gite = ERP?
limousin-cottage
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Post by limousin-cottage »

Circé wrote:I agree it is hard to find the info!
Basically an ERP (établissement recevant du public = a place open to the public) has to provide disabled access. Hotels for example. A gite taking more than 15 people is classed as an ERP so has to comply.
Under 15 guests - no need to comply.
This info sheet pulished by Loire Atlantique Tourisme gives a handy summary for gites and chambres d'hôte:
http://pro.tourisme-loireatlantique.com ... s-2015.pdf
Thank you Circe. This is basically what I thought, and what I found from my own searching, but just have a know it all woman on a Facebook group insisting I am wrong lol. I wouldn't mind if it were just me she is giving out wrong info to.
Circé
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Post by Circé »

LotBoy47 wrote:Is that 15 people in one gite = ERP?
Check out the link I gave.
If in doubt seek advice from your local tourist board in Agen or ask the Prefecture.
My understanding is that a gite which takes 15 or more people is classed as an ERP, but three gites each sleeping five would not be, unless consistently marketed as 15 person accommodation.
I am a mere property caretaker/manager and French citizen, I have given the OP my best shot!
I always try to find the best source material that I can, and give forum folks the links. Then it is down to each person to see what applies to them.
Ecosse
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Post by Ecosse »

Circé wrote:A gite taking more than 15 people is classed as an ERP so has to comply.
That may officially be the case, however I know of examples here in Haute Savoie where, because the building wasn't suitable in any way for disabled access, the authorities have applied common sense. One particular example which springs to mind is the 52 bed gite once belonging a friend (he's now sold, but the place is still being run as a gite, with no alterations), who was approached by the authorities to comply with new regs. He complied with all the ones he could (fire regs, mainly) but it just wasn't possible to make the building wheelchair friendly and the authorities told him that the law only applies to buildings that can be altered.

Also, just a word of caution: sometimes it's better to stay under the radar with your local authority. You may feel that you're doing the responsible thing by contacting your maire/département to clarify the law, but this may inadvertently give some bored clerk the excuse to come and inspect you and tell you a whole suite of things, totally unrelated to disabled access, that you 'must' do. To give another example, fellow hoteliers here thought they were being responsible when they asked the authorities to check them over for guest safety. This resulted in some msirie dogsbody with no structural engineering experience, closing every one of their perfectly safe balconies and forcing them to put up hazard signs on each door leading to them. No amount of pleading would get the authorises to change their mind, and the signs remain, 6 years later... which, as you can imagine, look great for business!!
ORIGIN
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DISABLED ACCESS GITE

Post by ORIGIN »

Hello - being a wheelchair user myself who had really struggled finding accessible accommodation, we designed the renovation of the ground floor of our own old gite property around disabled guests. It does not need THAT much variation if starting from scratch; just a clear understanding of what's needed. Obviously, no stairs/steps, a wetroom rather than a step-into cubicle, large rooms if possible without too much furniture, tables you can get knees in a wheelchairs under, beds at 60cm height. Beyond that, there is lots of specialist equipment available. For detailed setup advice, I suggest you ask someone in a wheelchair to comment/help. If adapting an existing house, understandably, it may be hard or impossible to do.

For listings, the local tourist office can accept listing ads with the disabled access logo and the CONSEIL GENERAL can visit/sign off the level of adaption achieved. Apparently, being listed can reduce the taxe d'habitation too. Experience confirms what another writer comments that the accessibility does indeed boost visitor numbers.

Any queries, please do contact me - 0044 1524 34100.

Best wishes

Peter Henry
https://www.origincare.com/lorigin-home/

PS - if you haven't seen this wonderful French film about disability, I urge you to do so - INTOUCHABLES - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34WIbmXkewU
GillianF
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Post by GillianF »

Good, first-hand, advice from Origin.

Our daughter is 'handicapped' which manifests as having a weak side. It is a mild form of cerebral palsy and similar to having had a stroke. Our daughter has been affected since birth so knows no different and we have not had to make any adaptions to our home for her. As she now lives independently she has thought about how to live, what works for her, what is difficult etc.

But, if you can't make your gite suitable for a wheelchair user there are things you can do to make it accessible to the 'lesser disabled' - and I don't want to offend anyone by that term.

Our daughter copes very well but a banister/handrail on both sides of a staircase make life easier. A shower cubicle rather than shower over a bath. A hand/grab rail in the bath. Saucepans that are not too heavy. Microwaves are easier than hot/heavy dishes in a hot oven. There are lots of other things but look around your home and think how you would manage with only one hand or a weak side or not feeling very sure of your footing etc. etc.
Circé
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Post by Circé »

+1 Gillian and Origin.
Just a few words for anyone advertising 'disabled' accommodation: disability comes in many forms, and what suits a wheelchair user with good eyesight may not be easy for a blind person on two legs.
As Origin says, you need to know what's needed by your target clientele, there's lots of advice out there.
Being honest when you reply to prospective renters who ask questions about your property in terms of suitability for their needs is vitally important.
Don't forget that disabled clients may be accompanied by their assistance dog.
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