A "gîte d'étape" in Molières
In 2023, Molières became part of the Chemin d’Amadour (GR81), a 500 km long hiking trail that runs from Soulac-sur-Mer to Rocamadour. This old pilgrimage follows the footsteps of Saint Amadour and consists of 21 stages that will lead you through beautiful landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage sites. It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Causses du Quercy and crosses four departments: Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, Dordogne and Lot.
For most people this went unnoticed, but for us, it was something we’d hoped for and more importantly it would enable us to realise one of our dreams: creating a gîte d’étape.
As soon as the new route was inaugurated, we started seeing hikers walk by our windows. Seeing this filled us with a sense of elation, as it combined our love of hiking and our love of sharing all that our little village has to offer. But more importantly, it showed us that opening a gîte d’étape was not only viable, but needed!
And so began our journey of turning our house into a “Gîte d’étape”.
What is a "Gîte d'étape"?
A gîte d’étape is a type of shared accommodation, similar to youth hostels, hostels or mountain refuges. They are known as “shared inns”.
If we want to be technical about it, article L.312-1 of the Tourism Code defines a “shared inn” as “a commercial accommodation establishment that offers beds by the day in shared rooms as well as in individual rooms to people who do not take up residence there. It may or may not be run for profit. It is operated by a natural- or legal person, on a permanent or seasonal basis. It has communal areas, including at least one dining area. Bathroom facilities are shared or private in the rooms. It may comprise one or more communal buildings.”
So, what does this mean for our gîte d’étape?
In technical terms, the gîte is located on the first floor of our home and can accomodate up to 6 people: 2 in an individual double room and four in the shared dorm, which is mixed and consists of 2 bunk beds.
It is run on seasonal basis and the communal areas are comprised of a fully equiped kitchen with a dining area, a livingroom, a seperate toilet and 2 bathrooms which are shared.
In layman’s terms, imagine our gîte as a cozy appartement with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, because that ‘s what it is.
The kitchen is fully equiped with everyting you need to cook delicious meals after which you can unwind and relax in the livingroom. You can read a book, play a boardgame or just sit and look at the fire, happily crackling in the fireplace; except in summer, where you’ll probably spend the evening outside in our garden, grilling on the barbeque and taking in the quiet beauty that is our little village.
Our gîte is tailord to hikers and cyclists, but travellers of all ages and all levels are welcome. It doesn’t matter if you’re travelling alone, in a group or with family ; if you’re staying awhile or for a while, we will be happy to have you. You can also ask to privatize the gîte.
Encounters and discoveries
As mentioned, the gîte is shared, which means there might be other indivuals present at the time of your stay. It is our hope that you’ll have meaningful encounters and enriching conversations with the people staying at our gîte and that you leave, not as strangers but as fellow travellers. And if, for some reason you’d prefer to stay strangers, that is totally fine. As long as there is mutual respect and consideration, we’ll be happy.
Just a little more patience
The renovations on our gîte are not yet complete, we’re still hard at work. You can follow our progress in our blog, the transformation will be stunning, if we do say so ourselves.
The gîte is scheduled to open in spring 2026 and you can already contact us for more information about our rates and availability.
We hope to see you soon !
