It’s so nice when people say things like that isn’t it. Makes the effort to add all the extra touches worthwhile!
Several of our ( non-british) clients have said that they have found british/dutch owned gites are often more modern and of a higher standard than the typical french owned GdF. Which is I suppose logical as so many french owned gites have been operating for 20+ years without major renovation, and the owners are less personally invested in it.
It’s horses for corses isn’t it , what different people prefer .I like a good authentic feeling when I am away. My French house )apart from maybe the attic) you would instantly know what country you were in
Exactly right Nellie…what I don’t like are places that could be absolutely anywhere. We’ve tried to respect the building’s industrial/local history (without turning it into a museum) and slot in modern comforts.
Hummmmm we have around 1200 ‘gite’ type places to stay here in the Pyrenees Ariege (09) and 99% of them are French owned and run. 57% of them are classed as 3 star or above which is not bad for such a rural region. Obviously standards and length of operation vary but that’s got nothing whatsoever to do with the nationality of the owners!?!
@JaneJones I find your ‘logical’ take in things to be quite warped and offensive. We’ve had many newcomers into the local holiday rental business over the past 20 years - mostly French and mostly offering a very comfortable standard of accommodation. Many of my friends on our local owners group are hugely invested in their businesses (financially and emotionally) and completely focused on promoting tourism in this part of the world.
Jane - you really should avoid make sweeping, divisive statements to the detriment of your host country. Don’t rely on feedback from your clients - get out there and have a look for yourself! In this area we do that regularly so that we can share ideas and work together as a force for local tourism - instead of playing one-upmanship games…
Way back when - in the UK - I knew a family which was as rich as Croesus, yet they chose to holiday in an ancient family property, hidden in the Devon countryside - with no modern fitments, no running water etc etc.
They told me they enjoyed getting back to nature and being in tune with times gone bye.
On that basis, I reckon there is a place for all levels of gîte accommodation here in France. 
Have used many GdF accomodations over the years with mum. All run by French people who were proud of their accomodation and went out of their way to ensure that we had everything we needed. Not just welcome packs with local products but a real wish to ensure that we had the maximum enjoyment during our stay.
We were given lots of advice and local recommendations on places to visit and I have some great memories, it’s not things like swimming pools and satellite tv’s that count, it’s the feeling of being made welcome and being able to relax that counts.
Perhaps you are describing the situation around where you live.
Throughout France, I’m sure there are good, better and best - all grades of gîtes - regardless of the nationality of the owners
It was their personal opinion, nothing to do with me, other than putting it all together in the first place.
@Jane_Williamson Oh for goodness sake Jane - do keep up. My reply was NOT directed at you. READ your screen 
I’m going to watch gogglebox at 10pm so please refrain from posting anything contentious after that because I don’t want to miss it! I’m not putting an emoji but if I was it would be a laughing face.
We used to own a set of ten holiday apartments in Torquay. Always loads of useable food left, never had to buy anything for lunch. Even though we always left starter packs for people the amount of things like salt and vinegar that had accumulated usually lasted us all winter.
Very happy memories of Torquay. I lived in Abbotskerswell for 4 years.
I played hockey at Torquay - happy schooldays in Devon.
Well I am merely repeating a comment that has been made to me by several clients who have stayed in gîtes in France for 20+ years, and pondering what the reason for it could be. I have also looked at and stayed extremely happily in french owned gîtes the length and breadth of France probably once or twice a year for 40 + years , and have found whilst many are wonderful there are a reasonable proportion that are somewhat dated. Often the ones that are making use of a family property that they can’t sell, and the owners are no longer local.
Exactly the same as applies to hotels, restaurants and other tourism services in every european country I imagine - a spread that has choice for all tastes and budgets.
No Jane - that’s YOUR comment - don’t try to fob it off on your clients!
Jolly Hockey Sticks - @Stella really is as posh as the rumours suggest!
You daft bat - I went to school in Devon - that’s all. I loved playing hockey and enjoyed lots of inter-school/inter-county sports stuff. 
It was certainly an enjoyable way of visiting all over the South West… Torquay was amazing…first time I had seen Palm Trees 
Those crazy japes at St Trinians!
I’ve always thought Stella looks like a formidable lady from the WI.
IMO it’s the attitude of the owner towards both the accommodation and the paying guests that is the difference between a successful property and an also-ran.