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About Us - Auvergne France Vacances  What is Auvergne France Vacances? Auvergne France Vacances (formerly Auvergne France Homes) has been established in the Auvergne for over 8 years and specialises in holiday rental properties in the Puy de Dome region of the Auvergne. We work closely with the owners of each of our properties to ensure that every holiday home is maintained to the highest standards. The Auvergne To sum up the Auvergne:"The Auvergne is an undiscovered gem in the heart of France" The stunning countryside offers a wide range of terrain ranging from the mountain ranges of the Puys and Monts Dore to the plains of Limagne. You will also find a rich tradition of gastronomy with many regional dishes. Among the tastes on offer are truffade, potée, brioche de tome, pounti, tarte aux myrtilles and the famous St. Nectaire cheese (one of many superb local cheeses). Perhaps the most well known product from this area is the green Puy lentil, a feature of many local dishes. But the Auvergne possesses a hidden treasure. Miles and miles of fresh water rivers and lakes (ideal for fishing and other water sports). The source of all this water are the many mineral and thermal springs prevalent in the area. There are several bottled mineral water producers in the Auvergne (Vichy, Volvic) and a number of thermal spas (Mont Dore, St. Nectaire, La Bourboule) where you can sample the restorative powers of the hot spring waters. The architecture of the Auvergne is as rich as it is diverse, with some particularly notable examples in the Romanesque style (the churches at St. Nectaire and St.Saturnin for example). The capital of the Auvergne is Clermont-Ferrand, a celebrated historical and industrial centre. Our Mission Our mission at Auvergne France Vacances is to find you the best property for your holiday to suit all of your requirements. After you have had a look at the holiday properties on our site you can contact us directly with details of any properties you are interested in or tell us your requirements and we will recommend, subject to availability, a suitable property. We will advise you on the best possible property to suit all your requirements. The specific advice Auvergne France Vacances can offer you on each property will enable you to choose the right property for a great holiday. Liz Smith is able to speak both English and French. To contact us: Auvergne France Vacances: Rue de la Pardaniche Murol, 63790 Tel: 0033 4 73 88 81 65 e-mail:afhinfo@wanadoo.fr Office opening hours: Monday to Friday: from 9am to 7pm Saturday & Sunday: from 9am to 12pm. If we are not available directly please leave a message or e-mail and we will contact you as soon as possible. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUR PROPERTIES General Booking Conditions Domestic animals: Within each detailed property description there is an icon which indicates whether animals are accepted or not. There may be a supplement payable for each animal which is also indicated against the animal icon. This is payable at the end of your stay. If you arrive with an animal and this is not as agreed and noted in your holiday contract the owner reserves the right to refuse access to the property by the animal. In addition you must be able to provide on request a current vaccination certificate for any animals accompanying you on your holiday. Arrival and departure: In high season (July,August,Christmas/New Year and all other school holiday periods): The rental period is from Saturday 4pm to Saturday 10am. At other times there may be more flexibility on these times by agreement with Auvergne France Vacances. Week-end lets: Generally arrival is Friday evening with departure on Sunday afternoon. Other rental periods are available for some properties outside of high season. Details on request.For all arrivals: please contact either the owner direct or Auvergne France Vacances (as indicated on your contract) to let them know when you will arrive so that you can be met with the keys. Departures: Generally departure is by 10am on the day of departure (particularly in high season). If you wish to leave earlier or later than this time please liaise with the owner or Auvergne France Vacances representative. Capacity: The capacity of each property is noted in the description. The number of people (adults or children) staying in each property must not exceed the capacity stated in the description. Please notify the owner (or Auvergne France Vacances) if you wish to increase the number of people beyond that stated in your contract. This is only acceptable if the property as the capacity to accommodate more people than stated in your contract. To ensure a comfortable stay, we advise you to not exceed the capacity indicated on the house description. It is possible that the use of a sofa bed will be necessary in order to guarantee the sleeping capacity but this will be indicated on the house description. Camping: Camping is not allowed within the bounds of your rental property - tents, caravans or camping cars - without the express written permission of the owner. If this condition is ignored the owner reserves the right to terminate the contract without reimbursement of monies and request that the renters leave the property immediately. The deposit: In most cases a damages/breakages deposit will be requested on arrival. The amount of the deposit will be as indicated on the rental contract.Your deposit will be returned in full within 10 working days of the end of the rental period, providing that there has been no damage or breakages caused to the property during your stay, in which case an appropriate reduction will be made from your deposit. If damage has occurred to the property which requires repair, the owner reserves the right to withhold the deposit in full until such repairs can be reasonably carried out. Please note that in high season repairs may not be able to be carried out until the end of the season. If the cost of replacements/repair exceeds the deposit the owner will invoice the renter for the additional cost. If you decide to leave earlier than indicated on your contract, we advise you to contact the owner to organise that he or she can do the final check.Otherwise they will have to deduct any possible supplementary charges from your breakages deposit. Auvergne France Vacances cannot act as an intermediary in this situation unless they are already the agreed representative of the owner. Use of the property: The renter promises to respect the property and use it appropriately. He promises to leave the property in the same state of cleanliness as found upon arrival. The contract between the two parties is for the sole benefit of the proprietor and the renter. Supplementary Charges: Supplementary charges are as noted within the description of each property and will be stated within the rental contract. They are payable at the completion of your stay directly to the owner or to the Auvergne France Vacances representative. Where heating and/or water is a supplementary charge, this will either be a fixed payment as stated in the contract or calculated according to consumption. In extreme cases the owner may feel the need to charge extra for power/water (above the fixed charge) if he feels that excessive use of heating/water has occurred. The classification of each property: Each property is given a category as stated within the description on the property pages of this website. Our descriptions are as clear and thorough as possible but cannot take into account the taste of everyone. It may be that certain activities or facilities indicated within the property descriptions (swimming, tennis, various water sports for example) are not available throughout the year. Where this is the case and as far as possible, the opening hours of each activity are indicated within the property description. Please note that opening times are subject to change and whilst we endeavour to include accurate information in our descriptions we would always advise that you check with Auvergne France Vacances prior to booking regarding a particular activity/facility you are interested in. Auvergne France Vacances cannot be held responsible for the exceptional closure of any facilities/activities. Category: ◊ This category of property is the most basic and simple in terms of equipment and finishing touches. It is clean with good bedding but may not be equipped with a TV or washing machine and will not have been recently refurbished. There are a smaller number of rooms which are of medium size. Category: ◊◊ This category of property will be of a higher standard and better equipped than the basic category. You will usually find a TV; the kitchen may be a separate room and might be equipped with dish washer, microwave etc. Often, you will find a good sized outside space equipped with furniture/BBQ etc. Category:◊◊◊ This category indicates the most comfortable and well equipped of our properties. This category indicates that the property has been decorated or renovated recently with taste and care. You will usually find a TV, washing machine and dish washer at the property. The WC is usually separate from the bathroom. There may also be a swimming pool at these properties and usually a nice view. Children/Infants: Most of our properties are ideal for children with an outside space where they can play safely. The property description will state whether the outside space is enclosed and note and if there is water within the grounds or close by the property. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of the renters to ensure the safety of all children whilst occupying the rental property.If you have young children, pleas ask for specific advice on which property to choose from Auvergne France Vacances. The Facilities: Inventory: The owner takes an inventory at the beginning and end of each rental period. The cleanliness of the property is noted at this time. It is the responsibility of the renter to keep the property clean during the rental period and before departure. The cost of possible cleaning charges is mentioned in the contract. All of our properties include a sufficient number of blankets/quilts. Sheets: generally you will be required to provide your own sheets or in some cases these can be hired (this is indicated against the bed symbol within the property descriptions). The size of beds is included in each property description for your information. Sometimes you will find equipment such as washing machines, TV's and dishwashers at the property. These are noted within each property description.If you think that something is missing from the your holiday property please contact Auvergne France Vacances or the owner immediately and we shall endeavour to provide the missing item as soon as possible. Cots: Each property description includes a symbol indicating whether a cot is available at the location or if one can be provided by request. In this case you would be required to provide the sheets/blankets for the cot.Certain owners will provide a high chair on request. Note: Baby equipment is available for hire from Auvergne France Vacances. Please enquire at the time of booking. Linen: Generally, renters must provide their own linen. Some owners hire out sheets and towels (please consult the property description). In all cases the renter must provide tea towels. Cleaning: The renter is responsible for keeping the house clean and tidy during the rental period as well as at the end of the stay. Some owners offer a cleaning option at the end of each rental, the amount of which is stated on the main property description page. If you do not wish to take up the end of stay cleaning option renters are expected to leave the property in the condition they found it. This must include washing and drying all crockery and cutlery and/or emptying the dishwasher, sweeping and washing the floors, cleaning out the fireplace and BBQ if used, cleaning the microwave and coffee machine and emptying the bins. Failure to do this may result in charges being made against your deposit. Refuse collection: You will always find a large container for rubbish located close to each rental property from which refuse collections are made. There is no door to door collection from any of our properties. Often large yellow recycling bins are also located close to the refuse bins. The advantages: Within each property description there is a section highlighting the particular advantages of that property. Tourist Tax: This tax is payable for all rental properties at the end of each rental period. The amount depends on the number and age of renters and the period of rental. This is indicated where possible within each property description. Building or road works: It may occur that there are building works taking place near the holiday property. In no case can Auvergne France Vacances be held responsible for the possible inconvenience caused. As well, Auvergne France Vacances can neither intervene nor stop the building works.Tous ces points font partie intégrante des conditions de réservation de Auvergne France Vacances ne peut en aucun cas être tenu pour responsable d'évenements exceptionnels ou de nuisances indépendants de sa volonté (mauvais temps, coupure d'électricité CONDITIONS OF RENTAL AND PAYMENT. Generally: Nous vous conseillons de lire attentivement ce qui suit. Vous et Auvergne France Vacances avez des droits et des devoirs. Avec votre réglementà Auvergne France Vacances, vous confirmez votre accord avec les conditions suivantes. 1. Booking and payment: The process of booking is as follows: 1.- Consult our property pages and select your desired rental location or locations and contact Auvergne France Vacances by telephone on 00 33 4 73 888165 or e-mail:afhinfo@wanadoo.fr 2.- Auvergne France Vacances will confirm if the property or properties you have chosen are available for the period you require. 3. - Once you have confirmed your choice, subject to availability, we will take an option on the property with the owner (reserve the property for you). 4.- Auvergne France Vacances will then send you a contract for the property rental, which contains the payment term of payment. 5.- You must then return a signed copy of the contract with the first payment as follows by the date stated in the contract:The first payment comprises: - 25% of the basic cost of the rental plus a booking fee of 24€ (This will be stated in the contract)- éventuellement les frais de l'assurance annulation facultative 11€ par semaine de location, la location des draps, l'option ménage, le supplément animal 6.- Not less than 4 weeks before the start of the rental period you must pay the ramainder of the rental amount 75%.If you make your booking within 4 weeks of the start of your holiday you must pay the full cost of the rental with the return of your contract. Payment can be made in sterling or euros by bank transfer, cheque or Paypal (a small fee applies in this case). The exchange rate will be as current at the time of booking. 7.- After Auvergne France Vacances have received payment in full you will receive the following: - the full address of your rental property - an plan of access for the property - details of any particular events you have requested 8.- The deposit (amount as stated in the property description) must be paid on arrival at your rental property by cheque or in cash to the owner or the Auvergne France Vacances representative. Your contract will state the time within which your deposit will be returned (subject to the conditions noted above). 2. In case of late payment: If the renter fails to pay by the dates stated in the contract he will be in default.If the renter still does not pay, even after a new request by Auvergne France Vacances, the booking is cancelled. The rules described in the paragraph ‘cancellation by the renter’ are then applied. Auvergne France Vacances le signale au locataire et ce dernier dispose alors de 5 jours pour effectuer le réglement demandé.S'il ne paye pas même après cette relance, le locataire est en faute sans que Auvergne France Vacances n'ait d'autres démarches de rappel à effectuer et ceci est sans appel.Dans ce cas, Auvergne France Vacances est en droit de considérer cette réservation comme annulée. Les règles prévues par le paragraphe 'Annulation par le locataire' s'appliquent alors.Le locataire en faute doit tout de même payer à Auvergne France Vacances ce qu'il doit ainsi que des frais de recouvrement de 15% et 1% d'intérêt par mois de retard commencé. 3. The booking fee: Auvergne France Vacances charge a booking fee of 24€ to cover administration. This is payable per booking and not per property. 4. Cancellation by the renter: Cancellations can be made by e-mail, telephone or registered letter. On receipt of your cancellation notification Auvergne France Vacances will send you a confirmation of cancellation and a new invoice if necessary.a] Within 8 days of your provisional booking (option), you can cancel your booking but Auvergne France Vacances will not refund the booking fee of 24€, to cover administration. If your booking is made within 4 weeks of the start of your holiday please refer to the section below entitled 'Cancellation of booking made within 4 weeks of the start of your holiday.' b] In the case of bookings cancelled more than 8 days after the date of the reservation, the following charges apply:i) Cancellation by the renter more than 8 days after the date of reservation but more than 4 weeks prior to the start of the rental period: - 25% of the full rental amount plus the €24 booking fee. ii) Cancellation (by the renter) of bookings made within 4 weeks of the start of your holiday:- The full balance is payable plus the administration charge.iii) Non-appearance by the renter within 24 hours of the commencement of the rental period (as stated in the rental contract): - the contract will be nul and void - all monies paid to Auvergne France Vacances in respect of the boking will be retained by Auvergne France Vacances - the owner will have the right to access and disposal of the property as he wishes Si vous avez souscrit une assurance annulation par notre intermédiaire, ce sont les règles de ce contrat annulation qui s'appliquent. Tout séjour écourté ne donne droit à aucun remboursementDans le cas d'une annulation et sous certaines conditions, si le locataire trouve lui-même un remplacant intéressé par la même location et aux mêmes dates, Auvergne France Vacances rédige un nouveau contrat de location et facture des frais de réservation au nouveau locataire. 5. Cancellation by Auvergne France Vacances at any time prior to the commencement of the rental period: If Auvergne France Vacances have to cancel you booking for any reason we will contact you immediately and, as far as possible, propose an alternative property of equal standard as that originally booked. If you do not accept the alternative or if we cannot offer you an alternative, Auvergne France Vacances will reimburse in full any monies paid by the renter to Auvergne France Vacances in respect of the cancelled booking. The renter will not, under any circumstances, receive more than sum stated above. 6. Changes to bookings: If the renter wishes to amend his booking, he must inform Auvergne France Vacances immediately. If the revision is possible Auvergne France Vacances will confirm this with the renter. If the revision is not possible and the renter wishes to cancel the booking, the terms and conditions of cancellation as above will apply. 7. New search at the request of the renter: Changes can be made to your booking Si le locataire demande une autre location ou encore s'il souhaite modifier ses dates de séjour, cela peut être possible jusqu'à 8 semaines avant le début du séjour prévu initialement. Les frais de cette nouvelle recherche sont de 95€ Si vous souhaitez des changements moins de 8 semaines avant le début du séjour, nous considérons cela comme une annulation et les conditions d'annulation citées ci-dessus s'appliquent alors. 8. The obligations of the renter: * During the rental period the renter, and rental party, have an obligation to maintain the rental property in the condition in which they find it. In this case the property includes the fabric of the building, and any exterior space, and all decorations and eqipment/furniture contained therein. Failure to observe this condition may lead to charges being made against your deposit and in extreme cases further action may be necessary to recover loss or costs incurred.* The renters must respect all conditions of the contract between the rental party and Auvergne France Vacances and any particular conditions of the owner not specifically noted in the rental contract that the renter is made aware of.* The rental property owner, his representative or Auvergne France Vacances can refuse entry to or eject from the property any renters acting unreasonably in their behaviour (rudeness, noise etc.) whilst occupying the rental property or not respecting the regulations of the rental contract. Any costs incurred as a result of this action will be charged to the renter. Si le locataire est reconnu comme non responsable des faits qui lui sont reprochés et s'il a été mis dehors de façon injustifiée, Auvergne France Vacances lui restituera le montant du solde de la location (soit 75%).* If the renter finds discrepancies between the rental property and the rental contract, in which he is not satisfied, he must inform Auvergne France Vacances, the owner or his representative in writing, by e-mail or telephone stating his concern. 9. Responsibility of Auvergne France Vacances: * Auvergne France Vacances are not responsible for any loss, theft, damage or physical accidents which take place within the rental properties under contract with them.* If there are errors in the description of the locations by Auvergne France Vacances, la responsabilité de Auvergne France Vacances ne peut être engagée. 10. Complaints: Même si nous apportons les meilleurs soins au bon déroulement de votre séjour, il peut arriver que vous ayez une réclamation.Any complaints will, if possible, be dealt with by the owner or his representative immediately. If the problem cannot be resolved immediately or if it is not resolved to the renters satisfaction, the renter must put in writing the nature of his complaint to Auvergne France Vacances within 8 days following the end of the rental period. Toute réclamation déposé après ce délai n'est plus recevable même si vous pensez avoir droit à un quelconque remboursement. Dans un cas de force majeure, vous devez prendre directement et immédiatement contact avec Auvergne France Vacances Le plus souvent une solution raisonnable est envisageable et ainsi vous permettra de terminer votre séjour de la façon la plus agréable possible. Si vous vous installez seuls, c'est-à-dire sans autorisation du propriétaire, dans une autre location que celle indiquée par Auvergne France Vacances (c'est possible lorsque le propriétaire a plusieurs locations au même endroit) ou si vous quittez votre location sans raison et sans en avoir au préalable averti le propriétaire, vous perdez tous vos droits de compensation. Dans tous les cas de litiges donnant droit à un éventuel remboursement, Auvergne France Vacances ne vous remboursera au maximum que le montant de la location. 11. Cancellation Insurance: It is recommended that cancellation insurance is taken out for all bookings made with Auvergne France Vacances. Auvergne France Vacances offer the possibility to take out cancellation insurance with SART Assurances, 11€ per week per location). If you would like details please enquire to Auvergne France Vacances. |
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