Important Information

How to book our lodgings at the best price ?

Book your stay in an individual gîte or group gîtes directly here without an intermediary on our own website and pay less with fewer bank charges depending on the chosen payment method and especially without additional commissions by going through the sites of operators such as "OTAs" (Booking, AirBnB, Abritel, etc.) who receive around 20 to 30% commissions. Direct payment to owners is often more eco-economical, eco-logical and above all more eco-practical for everyone!

However, if when you book online you see that we do not have availability for the selected days, it may be just because of automatic restrictions on arrival or departure days, the minimum number of nights required, etc. The calendar can thus only open from a minimum of 2 nights out of season (3 for Ascension or Pentecost for example) depending on the months and public holidays or only from Saturday to Saturday or from Sunday to Sunday in summer, or only on Fridays or Sundays in mid-season, or prohibit reservations for 3 weeks in " THE TOWER" lodging but authorize them per month in the "Le Nid" gîte only outside summer periods (from June to September), etc.

This is why in case of doubt, it is always better to check and obtain more information by email, SMS or telephone or even obtain on masnatura66[a]gmail.com a quote more adapted to your situation, budget, number of guests (adults, children, animals ...) or other needs according to the desired periods. Knowing that you can also book your accommodation(s) on Saturday and finally arrive only on Sunday noon or leave rather on Friday evening ... We can according to the cases, emergency situations and periods of the year remain flexible according to your needs and availability but also ours.

What is the best payment method ?

All have their advantages and disadvantages! Depending on your nationality or the time expected between the reservation and the day of arrival, it may be more reassuring or practical, especially when booking several months in advance, either to pay by check (in 1 or 2 installments), or to pay directly by credit card in 2 installments via STRIPE directly on our site in real time. Knowing that a reservation is only definitively registered when the deposit is received in our bank account.

Except for "Last Minutes" or for our old customers, we no longer accept full payment in cash or by bank transfer (due to the more frequent risks of hacking), so the 50% deposit must be paid in advance either by check or by credit card via our website (STRIPE) or OTAs (Booking, AirBnB, Abritel...). To pay in 2 instalments free of charge (if 2 months before) or for more information, contact us beforehand by email via the contact form or masnatura[a]gmail.com or by phone on +33 (0)6 26 50 30 61

In all cases, except for "last minute" bookings (less than 8 days before arrival) we do not accept any visitors who have not paid for their stay in advance and never for less than 2 nights. However, the tourist tax and supplements will be collected on site upon arrival with the security deposit and only in cash (no TPE here).

What to do in case of cancellation, delayed arrival or early departure ?

Please know, to reassure you, that thanks to our Channel manager Elloha, the validation of your online reservation automatically and immediately blocks the selected dates on all OTAs, in order to prevent any possible overbooking. In addition, as we are professional hosts, on our side there has never been a cancellation from our customers.

On the other hand, conversely, we also understand that something unexpected can happen just before your vacation, even at the last minute. However, as our activity is mainly seasonal and a reservation (especially planned in the long term) prevents other people from being able to book in your place, without valid reason we cannot assure you of reimbursing you at the same price, nor of relocating you to other dates in the year according to your or our availability. Depending on the situation, we try to do our best!

This is why, most of the time, no payment or deposit will be refunded in the event of late cancellation less than 60 days before arrival for group lodgings and 30 days for a single lodging or rooms - see our T&Cs It's a risk to be taken on both sides! That's why we encourage our customers to think carefully before booking, or even to take out special "holiday cancellation" insurance with their insurance company.

On the other hand, in case of delay, delayed arrival or scheduled departure: no worries if you had booked for the week or more, and that finally you had to postpone your arrival or advance your departure (for example ask to be postponed from Sunday or departure on Friday), just notify us at least 24 hours in advance. Knowing that no refund can be required for nights already paid and that we refuse the simple night key deposit on departure (inventory necessary for the deposit) since we do not work between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Thank you for your understanding.

On the other hand, in the event of non-appearance at the times set when booking (even via OTA) without prior warning by SMS, email or telephone, the rental is then considered vacant and no sum or request for re-rental may be required either.

Will we have to pay something on site afterwards ?

On arrival, when receiving the keys and contract with inventory, we will collect on site the tourist tax (according to the number of adults only), as well as the deposit, cleaning fees, reception of dog(s) or child(ren) and other possible supplements (such as bed linen and towels, etc.) if reserved in advance by email, SMS or telephone.

• What is not included in the price :

Tourist tax :

According to the guidelines of the Ministry and the Tourist Office, the tourist tax is calculated in a fairly complex manner for unclassified furnished accommodation at around 2% per night (with a threshold of 1.65% per night) and according to the number of adult occupants (children and minor adolescents under 18 years of age are exempt from tax). This is why it is normally up to us, professional hosts, to collect them separately (excluding accommodation costs) on site upon arrival according to the actual number of people present each night in our accommodation. This is why we ask you to be transparent about this during your stay with us and to never invite additional people to sleep. No refund possible in the event of untimely departure of a guest.

The deposit :

After the inventory, a deposit will be requested on site and only in cash or a part in cash and check(s) if group lodgings, and depending on the situation, the number of children, teenagers, pets, etc. Generally up to €500 for 1 lodging and €1500 for 2 lodgings + rooms, either in euros (€) or in local currency (£ or $, etc.). This will then be returned to you in full upon your departure, after the inventory and return of the keys in person, if there has been no damage, theft, breakage, disappearance or deterioration. Deposits other than OTAs or personal insurance are only for major damages.

Supplements for babies, children & animals :

Depending on the presence or absence of young children under 3 years old, it is necessary to have the appropriate childcare equipment on site with a baby bed (known as a "travel cot" in France), a high chair, a small plastic bathtub with reducer, cutlery, a potty or reducer for a children's toilet with a step stool, adapted games,  etc. Also available on request: stroller, cradle, cosy or child seat, deckchair, etc. For children between 3 and 12 years old, it is possible to add an additional folding bed (or mattress on the floor, toilet reducer, cutlery, games, etc.) in the lodging "THE NEST" according to our maximum capacity. In any case, let us know your needs and questions in advance.

As for pets only possible in the lodging "THE NEST" (2 maximum and no puppies or kittens) we may be required to charge a supplement (20€/animal/stay or more) for cleaning costs due to hair, additional charges and other possible nuisances or damage. This is why we do not accept pets in the lodging "THE TOWER" upstairs, not suitable for dogs or cats. Even if obviously for a goldfish or a hamster, it's different!

Cleaning & maintenance fees (arrival and departure) :

Since 2020, we have been doing a more thorough major cleaning after or before each arrival or departure in order to disinfect our lodgings with steam, clean all the windows, terraces, the large garden, etc. This explains why we now automatically charge all our customers €50 per lodging, €150 for group lodgings or €200 for the entire estate. This also includes exterior maintenance, particularly of the swimming pool, regular watering, etc.

On the other hand, all the interior and exterior tidying of the private terraces and common areas is still requested from visitors (like a quick wipe with a sponge and vacuum cleaner before leaving), in order to leave the accommodation(s) as tidy as you found them when you arrived and therefore that you will also have the courtesy to leave when you leave. This is undoubtedly the best way to thank us for the warm welcome and stay spent at Mas Natura in our ecological and ethical accommodations.

If required as an ADDITIONAL CHARGE (by prior reservation) :

Rental of bed linen and/or towels :

In France, unlike bed and breakfasts and hotels, most cottages and holiday homes rent their premises as is without bed linen or towels. We all prefer that everyone comes with their own hygiene equipment. However if you arrive by plane or train and you do not want to charge too much, we offer for rent organic cotton bed linen (sheets covers, flat sheets and pillowcases in summer + duvet covers out of season), as well as small and large bath towels (not for the beach or pool to provide in your suitcases). Knowing that in each cottage, there are pillows, duvets and blankets available free of charge, as well as tablecloths, napkins and tea towels, etc. But in any case, please inform us in advance of the organization of the beds to be assembled or separated according to the number of children or babies (depending on age), teens or adults, couples or friends, etc. ? This is very important to welcome you according to each case and specificities.

Bike rental :

We currently have 4 old bikes for rent on site (2 adults and 2 children aged 8-14), but they are not professional bikes of excellent quality. Please let us know in advance if you still want to reserve them or rent better ones from a professional in the sector such as in Boulou just next door or in Argelès-sur-Mer along the coast.

Care or activities with professionals :

To book in advance for massage and hairdressing sessions, beauty or well-being treatments, but also cycling, horse riding, hiking, water sports, aerial excursions, etc. with highly competent local professionals.

For other additional requests please contact us by email or telephone.

• What's included in the price :

The price of the stay according to the number of adults and children :

You should know that for all types of tourist accommodation in France (hotel, guest house, gîte, campsite, etc.) the price of a stay is not calculated per day but per night. Because it includes in addition to the cleaning and set-up time required between 2 rentals, the exact number of tenants (adults and minors) according to the number of beds available, the number of animals and other supplements or others. This is why it is never calculated per hour, nor over 24 hours per day but per "night". And also why if you can sleep there at night with fewer people than expected you cannot sleep there with more; otherwise you risk having a supplement added or even a refusal of accommodation or a penalty.

Finally, the price is also calculated primarily based on dates, durations and seasons, geographical location (in relation to the sea here), accommodation capacity based on the number of rooms, bathrooms and square metres, expensive or non-expensive services (such as a swimming pool, air conditioning, solar panels and parking cameras, etc.) and other development and renovation work already undertaken, but above all based on the originality of the property based on supply and demand in a specific region at a given time. This is why it is so complicated to compare prices and accommodation in France, which are often very different depending on the location and the services offered.

Charges and taxes, parking and Wifi :

Apart from the tourist tax to be added, all other charges are included in the overall price of the stay, such as our many taxes and additional costs in France which are higher than elsewhere in Europe, the estimated cost per person of water and electricity + gas price, household products and other miscellaneous costs (pool maintenance, watering, cleaning, guarding, surveillance, etc.). Parking and Wifi are also included in the price of the stay which varies according to the season but also the various other bank fees and commissions (whether via OTA or not).

What are the main rules and conditions here ?

Before any reservation and arrival we advise you to read our General Conditions of Sale (GCS) on which everything is better detailed. However, you just need to know quickly that:

• Our large communal swimming pool is open mid-season depending on the weather and climate but generally it is only available depending on the weather between the beginning of May (or end of April) and until mid-October (or beginning of November). Fully fenced and if necessary locked for young children, without chemical chlorine (device transforming salt into natural chlorine in the private garden shed) and must be cleaned at night especially during the summer. This is why we ask visitors to avoid using it between 9pm in the evening and 9am in the morning when the robot passes. Please also put away cushions, deckchairs and parasols after each use, and do not leave anything lying around in your absence, especially buoys and bath towels, put away the covers, empty the ashtrays and block the shutters because of possible gusts of wind even in summer. Reminder: proximity to the sea with changeable weather and risk of fire as well.

• It is welcome, as well as common sense, to always keep young children and animals under your supervision and responsibility, especially around the shared swimming pool (which is also forbidden to pets for reasons of hygiene, hair and safety). Never leave them alone in the accommodation even for a few minutes and do a "quick errand" because you never know what can happen in an unknown place, or in the middle of nature either.

• We also ask everyone to be eco-responsible with their waste and drinking water, especially by avoiding wasting it, as well as electricity at night (solar panels during the day). For example, by using city water, pouring your bottled water into the plants in the evening, turning off the taps and limiting unnecessary showers. Also, only clean the dogs if necessary (water jet outside on request), etc. If you wish, we also offer you the opportunity to participate in our household composting at the bottom of the garden near the orchard with your household plant waste, without citrus fruits, dairy or meat products, using the buckets with closed lids provided.

• Thanks to our photovoltaic panels, we produce our own electricity during the day, which allows us to benefit from reversible air conditioning all year round, which is why we encourage you to close all doors and windows to keep it cool in the summer or warm in the winter. To run your household appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, etc.) during the day and to charge your digital devices (tablet, computer, etc.) during the day and turn them off at night. This then allows you to renew family and friendly ties with games or walks, appreciate the calm, harmony and beauty of the daytime or nighttime landscape, move away a little from toxic electromagnetic waves and thus fully enjoy your revitalizing stay in the heart of nature (the WIFI here is cut off after midnight).

• Notify us in case of occasional guest during the day, totally forbidden at night because of our maximum capacity (including at the swimming pool), the prior calculation of charges and tourist taxes. Knowing that normally all parties, receptions, courses or conferences without our prior agreement are prohibited, except obviously for Christmas and New Year's Day, July 14, etc. We ask, as a priority to preserve the spirit of the place, the rejuvenating calm of nature as well as the tranquility of humans and animals all around, as well as our other visitors, neighbors or inhabitants of the village. This is why you should not play loud music outside, or even a sound system or speaker inside, and limit noise, especially between 11pm and 7am, even in summer. This is why, as a general rule, PARTY AND ALCOHOL PARTIES ARE FORBIDDEN AT MAS NATURA. Our reception capacity is limited, as are the French laws accepted with our T&Cs and must therefore also be strictly respected (no drugs, no theft, no prostitution, etc.).

• Likewise, the smoking area is only provided outside the accommodation and rooms , because we live in an area with a high risk of fire, like everywhere in the South of France ! You will also have at your disposal one or more closed ashtrays and therefore more adapted to our region, like a gas plancha on wheels with a lid rather than a fixed charcoal barbecue which is more dangerous, toxic and above all very risky with young children or animals, especially in high winds.

• The equipment loaned in the gîte and games & sports room must remain on site (risk of loss or theft), unless requested in writing and with prior agreement (by SMS or email). Don't forget to take care of it as if it were your own and to put everything back on site after each use and especially departure, thank you in advance.

• For groups : It should be known that it is the person who has booked who is considered our main customer responsible for the group and must therefore ensure to inform and enforce all its guests the rules of life, hygiene and safety during the stay. It is also this referring person who must sign the contract on arrival with the inventory and GTC in the appendix, so commit to be present from the beginning to the departure during the reception or return of the keys and the deposit. Otherwise, it will not be returned even if you are part of the same group of friends or family.

How to prepare your stay well before arrival ?

It is always preferable to contact us at least 1 or 2 weeks before the planned day of your arrival in order to obtain from both parties some additional information; such as the exact number of guests and animals for the organization of beds and rooms (adults and/or children, couples or not, etc.), your journey and approximate arrival times (SMS if possible 1 hour before), reception times and shopping to plan for the evening or morning, certain needs for your children and/or pets, your choice of activities and outings to organize in advance, the equipment to provide, towels and linen to bring, access and parking, etc.

Remember to visit and contact the Tourist Office websites to book your activities and events in advance:
http://www.aspres-thuir.com/fr/
http://www.tourisme-leboulou.fr/
http://www.perpignantourisme.com/

Book your massage, modeling or hairdressing sessions by a professional (adult or child) before your arrival : haircut, Chinese adult or Ayurvedic baby or child massage on site or in the institute.

Book in advance or on site the bike rental (family: 2 adults and 2 children) or more professional in Boulou or Argelès-sur-Mer – see the other page: https://www.masnatura.fr/presentation/organisation-trajets.html

Book your horse or pony rides or lessons at the Sant Jordi Equestrian Center in St Génis des Fontaines (5 km) or at the St Georges Equestrian Center between Pollestres and Canohès (12 km).

Golf information (with or without reservation) at the Montescot Golf Course (9 holes) 10 km away or at St Cyprien Golf Course (27 holes) 20 km away.

As a stay in a furnished tourist accommodation (also called a "gîte" in France) is more often done by the week (especially in high season: from June to September) and sometimes over 2-3 days (in low season: from October to May), it may be useful to obtain more information in advance before booking. So if you prefer, or are of foreign nationality, you can also send us an email or SMS with all your questions or prior requests and we will help you and answer them as quickly as possible (English or German language + Google translation if necessary).

How to organize your arrival and return ?

Arrival :

Remember to send us an email a few days or weeks before for the organization of rooms and specific needs and let us know if possible by SMS at least 1 hour before your arrival. Please note that because of our own obligations, entry into the accommodation(s) can only be done after 6 p.m. and until 11 p.m. or more depending on traffic or other impediments if reported in advance by SMS or phone. In case of early arrival in the region, we advise you to do some quick shopping at the supermarkets of Boulou (5-10 minutes by car) to be quiet the next day. On the other hand, in case of delay, notify us quickly so that we can organize ourselves accordingly.

Departure :

The evening before or the morning of your departure before 10am, please provide tidying up and a quick cleaning of the accommodation(s), terraces and plancha barbecue and then send us an SMS when you are ready after loading. Please allow about 20 minutes to do the inventory together, settle the last details, give us your opinion, tell us about your stay and say goodbye without rush or stress. It's better to end your holiday serenely! On the other hand, the departure must be between 7am (but not before) and 10am (11h max), because we will need to collect the keys to the cottages for the steam cleaning and the necessary preparations for the other guests of the afternoon or evening.

In any case, we hope that your stay with us and the relaxing contact with Nature, especially your walks, activities and visits to the Pyrénées Orientales, will have recharged your batteries and pleased you so much that you will want to come back or talk about it to your friends and family afterwards. Do not hesitate, in this case, to leave us a little message in our Guestbook and/or on the internet ( Google Reviews or other), thank you in advance !