Branding and design for French gîtes 🇫🇷
Gîtes du Marigné
Mike and Kathy fulfilled a lifelong dream when they moved from Kent to the French countryside to become the new owners of Gîtes du Marigné. After years of holidaying in the region with their family, they fell in love with its slower pace of life, beautiful surroundings and welcoming community. Their vision was to create a place where couples, families and friends could escape the busyness of everyday life, unwind, reconnect and experience the beauty that South West France has to offer.
The challenge
As new owners taking over an established property, they needed a fresh visual identity and website that reflected their own vision while showcasing the charm of the gîtes and the surrounding area. The brand needed to feel warm, welcoming and trustworthy, encouraging guests to picture themselves relaxing in the French countryside from the very first visit to the website.
Working with me
Branding
I started by getting to know Mike and Kathy's vision through a consultation call before exploring moodboards and design concepts. They already had an idea in mind for what they wanted, but were open to a wildcard option too - something to make them stand out and ooze their personality. Spoiler alert: they chose the wildcard option!
Website
With their new branding in place, I carried that identity through into their website - the main hub they use to showcase their gorgeous french gîtes and take booking enquiries. They had some important website goals in mind: getting bookings (of course), using their website to show prospective guests what there is to do in the local area, and selling craft workshops. With lots to cover on their website, we started with the structure before diving into the design. Squarespace was the perfect fit because it allows them to make small website updates themselves without needing a developer, while still giving me the flexibility to create something bespoke for them.
Design
I started by gettingBeyond their website, Kathy & Mike knew how important it was that their brand experience was consistent from discovery and booking, right through to their guests' stay. So, we set about creating some welcome packs and signage in their new branding. I created these as editable Canva templates so they could confidently update welcome packs and other guest information themselves, while keeping everything beautifully on-brand.
The final result
A cohesive brand and website that reflects the warmth, personality and relaxed pace of life at Gîtes du Marigné. From the first website visit to the welcome packs guests receive on arrival, every touchpoint now feels recognisably "them" - creating a consistent and exciting experience for guests before they’ve even unpacked their bags!
“Amy is so easy to work with, really knows her stuff and is able to communicate with me in a way I can understand the processes better. I feel like she really knows my business and my target audience well and I trust her to guide me whilst at the same time respecting my own preference and experience in my business.”
Could your business be next? 🌱
Every business is different, which is why every project starts with getting to know you, your goals and the people you want to reach. If you're looking for meaningful branding, a bespoke Squarespace website or ongoing design support, I'd love to hear your story.
