A gîte (French pronunciation: ​[ʒit]) is a specific type of holiday accommodation. A gîte is a holiday home available for rent. Gîtes are usually fully furnished and equipped for self-catering. Many owners choose to handle their own rentals, and one can find these by searching online on the multitude of listing sites or by checking with the local tourist information office.Technically, to be called a gîte, the owner must live close by in order to provide help, assistance, and a warm welcome to guests.[citation needed] Gîtes are generally old farmworkers' cottages or converted outbuildings and barns within proximity of the owner's principal residence. This type of holiday accommodation is sometimes regarded as "basic"' in terms of facilities; however, most gîtes are generally very well kept, and a growing number will have excellent facilities such as fully fitted kitchens, en-suite bathrooms, TV, DVD, and access to a swimming pool or other sporting activities. The term gîte nowadays encompasses most forms of holiday cottage and even holiday flats or apartments. Many gîtes will also accept pets.The term gîte originally meant quite simply a form of shelter. Gîtes today vary from being luxury holiday homes to very basic apartments. Some gîtes don't provide linen as standard, so many gîte holidaymakers take their linen with them. However, many gîte owners do include linen at least as an option.Gîtes are encouraged by the local tourist board and planning authorities since they attract investment and tourism.All gîte owners are required to ensure that their gîtes are safe and comply with the necessary rules, regulations, and insurance requirements.In French-speaking regions of Europe, several associations regroup gîte owners: