How to purchase a camping in France

France ranks first in the European outdoor accommodation market. According to Eurostat, there are almost 28,500 campsites in Europe, and 27% of them are in France. With both French and foreign tourists, the camping sector is experiencing significant growth. Therefore, purchasing a campsite in France can be an interesting strategic choice. However, establishing a campsite requires diligence and preparation. Several factors must be considered, including administrative authorizations, choosing the legal status of the company, analyzing the competition, and selecting the establishment location.

What location to choose to open a campsite ?

Selecting the appropriate terrain is a critical step in establishing a campsite. Certain areas are off-limits, including classified sites, nature reserves, and shorelines.

In order to determine the best location for your project, you must evaluate the size of the land, the number and nature of sites available, and the risk of natural disasters that could threaten the site, such as floods or severe weather. You should also consider the quality of the infrastructure, including internal roads, access to water and electricity, and any necessary compliance or beautification improvements to the facilities.

Furthermore, conducting a detailed analysis of the location and the competition is essential to the success of the project. This market research involves investigating the competition, creating a list of potential partners and suppliers, and identifying the target clientele.

What legal status to choose for opening a campsite?

There are two legal statuses available for establishing a campsite.

Firstly, the SASU or EURL status allows for the establishment of a solo-owned campsite. These are single-person forms of SAS and SARL companies.

Secondly, the SAS or SARL status is suitable for two scenarios.
– for the opening of a campsite with partners, as these two types of companies limit the financial liability of partners to the amount of their investment.
– for the opening of a campsite with your spouse, who will have the right to receive a share of the company’s profits (subject to making a contribution to the company).

Administrative procedures for opening a campsite

Formerly, it is necessary to create and register the business. This involves drafting the articles of association, depositing the share capital, publishing an announcement in a legal newspaper, and submitting the application for registration to the INPI website.

Next, obtain the necessary authorizations and permits. To set up a campsite, several authorizations and permits must be obtained from the « mairie » to comply with the regulations in force. These include:

Declaration of the campsite
Development permit
Declaration of completion of work

Opening a campsite in France is an ambitious project. Getting support from a specialized lawyer who can manage all regulatory and administrative aspects perfectly will be a real asset.

About the Author :

Business lawyers, bilingual, specialized in acquisition law; Benoit Lafourcade is co-founder of Delcade lawyers & solicitors and founder of FRELA; registered as agents in personal and professional real estate transactions. Member of AAMTI (main association of French lawyers and agents).