Booking a gîte in French Catalonia is mostly straightforward, but the rental contract is where money quietly leaks away or gets stuck. This guide shows you exactly what to verify before you pay, so you know what your deposit protects, what the fees cover, and how to get your security money back in full.
Deposits: why “arrhes” and “acompte” are not the same word
French rental contracts use two words for the down payment, and the difference is legal, not cosmetic. Under French contract law they behave very differently.
- Arrhes: either side can back out. If you cancel, you lose the sum. If the owner cancels, they owe you double.
- Acompte: a firm commitment. Both parties are bound, and cancelling can expose you to further damages, not just the loss of what you paid.
If the contract only says “deposit” in English, ask which one applies in French. Most gîte contracts use arrhes, which gives you more flexibility, but never assume it.
The security deposit (dépôt de garantie or caution)
This is separate from your rent. It covers breakages and is returned after check-out, usually within days to a couple of weeks. Owners often ask for it by cheque, card pre-authorisation, or cash on arrival. Confirm three things: the amount, the payment method, and the return timeline in writing. A pre-authorisation that is never captured is cleaner than handing over cash you must chase later.
The tourist tax (taxe de séjour)
Nearly every commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales charges a small tourist tax per adult, per night. It is set locally, so the exact figure varies by town and by the property’s classification. It is legitimate and usually modest, but it should be stated clearly, not sprung on you at the door. If it is missing from your quote, ask.
What is actually included
This is where budgets slip. In French gîtes, several items are commonly extra:
- Bed linen and towels (linge de maison): often not included, or rented per set.
- End-of-stay cleaning (forfait ménage): either included, optional, or mandatory. Clarify whether you must leave the place cleaned yourself if you decline it.
- Heating and firewood: in the Vallespir or Cerdagne, shoulder-season heating and wood for a stove may be metered or charged separately.
- Cot, high chair, extra bed: frequently on request and sometimes charged.
The état des lieux (inventory and condition check)
This is a walk-through, at arrival and departure, that records the property’s condition. It is your single best protection for the security deposit. Do it properly, photograph anything already damaged or worn, and keep those images dated. If the owner does not propose one, ask for it. No shared record means disputes become your word against theirs.
A real scenario
A family books a mas near Céret for a week. The listing looked all-inclusive. On arrival they learn linen is 12 euros per bed, the cleaning fee is mandatory, and the tourist tax applies for four adults. None of it was hidden, but none was totalled up front, and the week costs noticeably more than the headline price. A single email before booking asking “please confirm the full total including linen, cleaning, tourist tax and security deposit” would have surfaced all of it.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Paying before reading the French terms. Fix: request the contract in full and ask for clarification on arrhes vs acompte before transferring money.
- Assuming the price is the total. Fix: ask for an itemised grand total in writing.
- Skipping the arrival inventory. Fix: insist on it, and photograph existing wear the moment you arrive.
- Paying the security deposit in cash with no receipt. Fix: prefer card pre-authorisation or a cheque, and always get a receipt.
- Not confirming check-in and check-out times. Fix: agree arrival windows in advance, especially for remote properties where the owner meets you in person.
Your pre-booking checklist
- Confirm whether the down payment is arrhes or acompte.
- Get the security deposit amount, method and return timeline in writing.
- Ask for a full total including tourist tax, linen and cleaning.
- Check what heating and firewood cost in cooler months.
- Agree the arrival and departure times.
- Confirm an état des lieux will be done on arrival.
Conclusion and next step
The contract is not there to trap you; it is there to make expectations explicit. Your next step is simple: before you pay anything, send one email asking for the itemised total, the deposit terms, and confirmation of the inventory check. If the answers are clear and prompt, that is also a good early sign of a well-run gîte.
FAQ
Can I get my down payment back if I cancel?
It depends on the type. With arrhes you forfeit the sum but owe nothing more. With an acompte you are committed and may owe additional cancellation costs. Check which applies, and read the cancellation clause.
Is the security deposit the same as the rent?
No. The rent pays for your stay; the security deposit is held against damage and returned after check-out, assuming the property is left in good order.
Is the tourist tax a scam if it appears only at check-in?
No, it is a real local tax collected by the host on behalf of the commune. The issue is transparency, not legitimacy. Ask for it to be included in your quote so nothing surprises you.
Do I have to buy the cleaning package?
Sometimes. Some gîtes make it mandatory, others optional provided you leave the property clean. Confirm in advance which applies and what “clean” means to the owner.
What if the owner will not do an inventory check?
Document the property yourself with dated photos on arrival and email a short note listing anything already damaged. It is not as strong as a shared inventory, but it gives you a record.
References
- Gîtes de France and Clévacances, the two best-known rental labels in France, whose contracts and classification criteria set common expectations for included services.
- service-public.fr, the French government public-service portal, for the legal distinction between arrhes and acompte and for tourist-tax rules.