Buying a Mobile Home in France: Complete Guide for 2026
Buying a mobil-home in France costs from EUR 14,576. France is the largest European market with over 400,000 units in PRL parks and campsites. Green Village has a showroom in La Seguiniere and handles everything end-to-end.
France is the largest mobile home market in Europe, with over 400,000 units installed across the country. The concept of "residence legere de loisirs" (recreational light dwelling) is deeply rooted in French culture, and the offering spans from 3-star residential campsites to luxury residential leisure parks (PRL) in the country's most sought-after regions — from the Vendee and Brittany to the Languedoc coast and Provence.
Whether you're looking for an affordable second home, a seasonal rental investment, or simply an alternative to the traditional property market, a mobile home in France represents a unique opportunity. Prices range from EUR 14,576 for well-maintained used units to EUR 80,000 for premium two-bedroom models with integrated decking. This guide explains the entire process — from legislation to transport, including choosing a plot and understanding revenue potential.
The French mobile home market: an overview
France has the highest concentration of mobile home parks in Europe. The market splits into two main categories: residential campsites (where the mobile home is installed on a rented plot within a classified campsite) and Residential Leisure Parks — PRL (specifically zoned áreas authorised for recreational light dwellings, with their own infrastructure).
The most popular regions for mobile homes are the Vendee (France's highest concentration of campsites), Brittany (more affordable plot costs), Charente-Maritime (La Rochelle, Ile de Re), Languedoc-Roussillon (affordable Mediterranean living), and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (premium market). Inland, the Loire Valley and the Dordogne attract a growing number of buyers drawn by quality of life and moderate prices.
The used-unit market is particularly dynamic: many campsites refresh their fleet every 15-20 years, releasing mobile homes in good condition that can be transported to another location or another country. Green Village works directly with these parks and with European manufacturers to offer the best catalogue of new and used units.
Legal framework: loi ALUR, PLU and permis d amenager
French legislation classifies mobile homes as "residences mobiles de loisirs" (RML) under the Code de l'Urbanisme. The fundamental distinction is: a mobile home is NOT real property. It retains the means of mobility (chassis, axles or towing system) and therefore does not require a permis de construire (building permit) — provided it is installed on legally authorised land.
Authorised land for an RML (wheeled mobile home) includes: (1) classified campsites (1 to 5 stars) with plots designated for RML, and (2) PRL — Residential Leisure Parks authorised by a permis d'amenager, or a classified holiday village (R111-42). On private land, even buildable land, an RML is always prohibited: the wheels and towbar must be removed and a déclaration préalable (up to 20 sqm) or a permis de construire (above) obtained. Installing a mobile home on unclassified agricultural or forest land is illegal and subject to fines and forced removal.
The loi ALUR (2014) strengthened the rights of mobile home residents in campsites and PRL, including minimum contract duration (1 year, renewable), transparency in charges, and the right to sell the unit in situ. If the plot contract is not renewed, the park operator must compensate the owner for the unit's value. This is a critical point to verify before any purchase.
- 1-5 star campsites: annual plot contract, regulated by the loi ALUR.
- PRL (Residential Leisure Park): permis d'amenager, individual lots, autonomous infrastructure.
- Private land: an RML is never allowed; only a construction without wheels (HLL), with a déclaration préalable (up to 20 sqm) or a permis de construire (above), if the PLU allows it.
- Maximum size without special authorisation: 40 sqm floor area (NF S 56-410; 50 sqm for units adapted to reduced mobility since the order of 8 April 2024). There is no national height limit.
Costs: purchase, plot rent, taxes and maintenance
The total cost of owning a mobile home in France includes four components: the unit price, plot rent, local taxes, and annual maintenance. Understanding each is essential for calculating return on investment.
Purchase price varies significantly depending on condition, size and brand. Used units aged 10-15 years in good condition cost between EUR 14,576 and EUR 25,000. Recent units (less than 5 years old) range from EUR 25,000 to EUR 50,000. New high-end models with two bedrooms, full bathroom and integrated decking can reach EUR 80,000. Green Village offers units across all price ranges, with delivery and installation included.
Plot rent is the main recurring cost. In residential campsites, it ranges from EUR 200 to EUR 500 per month, typically including water, electricity (up to a threshold) and access to communal facilities (pool, reception, security). In PRL, rent tends to be slightly higher (EUR 300-600) but includes larger, more private lots. Some PRL offer freehold lot purchase — the initial cost is higher but eliminates monthly rent.
| Cost component | Indicative value |
|---|---|
| Used mobile home (10-15 years) | EUR 14,576 - 25,000 |
| Recent mobile home (< 5 years) | EUR 25,000 - 50,000 |
| New mobile home (premium) | EUR 50,000 - 80,000 |
| Monthly plot rent (campsite) | EUR 200 - 500/month |
| Monthly plot rent (PRL) | EUR 300 - 600/month |
| Taxe de sejour (per night, if rented) | EUR 0.20 - 4.00 |
| Taxe d habitation (annual) | EUR 200 - 800 |
| Annual insurance | EUR 150 - 400 |
| Average annual maintenance | EUR 500 - 1,500 |
How to choose a PRL or residential campsite
Choosing the right park or campsite is just as important as choosing the mobile home itself. A good park adds value to your unit and ensures quality of life; a poor one can devalue it and create contractual disputes. Several criteria should be considered.
Location and accessibility: proximity to the coast, a town with services, or a motorway. Parks in high-demand tourist áreas (Vendee, Charente-Maritime, Herault) offer the best seasonal rental potential. Facilities: pool, reception, playground, restaurant, laundry and wifi are standard in 4-5 star campsites. Security: access barriers, surveillance and night lighting.
Plot contract: carefully read the clauses on duration, renewal, rent indexation, subletting restrictions and exit conditions. The FFCC (Federation Francaise de Camping et de Caravaning) publishes best-practice guides and can mediate disputes. Also check whether the park allows seasonal rental of your unit and under what conditions — some campsites reserve rental management for themselves and charge 20-30% commission.
Mandatory visit: never buy a plot without visiting the park in person. Green Village arranges accompanied visits to its La Seguiniere showroom (49280, Vendee) and can schedule visits to partner parks in the region.
Transport and delivery: how your mobile home reaches France
Whatever the unit's origin — whether from the UK (Europe's largest source) or elsewhere in continental Europe — transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and is included in the delivered price.
Green Village is an end-to-end operator: we handle the whole journey from collection at the origin to installation at the destination plot, and obtain every permit the delivery requires, plus coordination with the destination park or PRL for final placement.
Transport cost depends on distance and unit dimensions, and is included in the delivered price each listing shows for the destination you choose. Green Village provides a detailed, written, no-obligation quote before any order.
Living in a mobile home in France: climate, insulation and daily life
Living in a mobile home in France varies significantly by region. In the south (Languedoc, Provence, Cote d'Azur), the Mediterranean climate allows near year-round use, with mild winters (rarely below 5 degrees C). In the northwest (Brittany, Normandy), winters are colder and wetter, making the unit's thermal insulation critical.
Modern units (manufactured after 2015) come equipped with double wall and ceiling insulation, double glazing, central heating (gas or electric), and mechanical ventilation. For older units, Green Village offers refurbishment services including insulation reinforcement, window replacement and heating system upgrades — investments that pay for themselves in 2-3 winters of energy savings.
Water, electricity and sewage connections are typically provided by the park or campsite. In PRL with individual lots, autonomous connections may be needed (approved septic tanks, individual meters). Monthly utility costs range from EUR 80 to EUR 200 depending on season and consumption.
Insurance is mandatory. A "multirisque habitation" policy for mobile homes costs EUR 150 to EUR 400 per year and covers fire, storm, theft, civil liability and third-party damage. Replacement-value cover (valeur a neuf) is recommended for units less than 10 years old.
Investment and seasonal rental: potential income
A mobile home in France can be a profitable investment when combined with seasonal rental (location saisonniere). In high-demand tourist áreas, a 2-bedroom unit can generate EUR 5,000 to EUR 15,000 in gross revenue during the summer season (June to September), with 70-90% occupancy in July and August.
The tax regime for seasonal mobile home rental income in France is "micro-BIC" (Benefices Industriels et Commerciaux), which allows a flat 50% deduction on gross income up to EUR 77,700 per year (2026 threshold). Above this threshold, the "regime reel" applies, allowing deduction of all expenses (rent, insurance, maintenance, depreciation).
Typical return on investment ranges from 5% to 12% net, depending on location, plot cost and rental management. The best returns are found in parks with professional rental management, located in áreas with a long tourist season (Atlantic coast, Mediterranean). Green Village can advise on the regions with the best potential and parks with managed rental programmes.
Important note: unit depreciation is real (a mobile home typically loses 3-5% of its value per year over the first 15 years). The investment makes sense when rental income compensates for depreciation and covers fixed costs — which is why location and park type are decisive.
Green Village in France: La Seguiniere showroom
Green Village has a physical presence in France through its showroom in La Seguiniere (49280), in the heart of the Vendee — the region with the highest concentration of campsites and PRL in the country. The showroom operates by appointment and allows you to visit display models, discuss installation projects and receive personalised advice on unit and plot selection.
The La Seguiniere team speaks Portuguese, French and English, and can guide you through the entire process — from unit selection in the catalogue to installation at the destination park. To schedule a visit, contact us via the website form or by telephone.
Green Village operates as a registered importer and transport operator with a European EORI, meaning we handle all customs documentation, transport and installation without intermediaries, ensuring your mobile home arrives in perfect condition at its final destination.
How to Buy a Mobile Home in France
- Research and define your project. Set your budget, preferred region and usage type (residence, holidays, investment). Browse the Green Village catalogue to compare models and prices. Each listing shows the delivered price for the destination you choose, transport included.
- Visit and choose. Visit the Green Village showroom in La Seguiniere (49280) or request a virtual tour. Visit parks and campsites in your preferred region. Choose the unit and plot that best suit your project.
- Financing and reservation. Decide on payment method (own funds, personal loan or Green Village financing). Reserve the unit with a deposit and sign the plot contract with the park.
- Transport and customs. Green Village manages the entire journey and completes the customs formalities, obtaining every permit the delivery requires. Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and is included in the delivered price, insured at 100% of the unit's value, from collection to installation on site.
- Installation and connections. The unit is placed on the plot, levelled and connected to water, electricity and sewage networks. Final inspection, key handover and insurance activation. Welcome to your new mobile home in France.
In summary
- France is Europe's largest mobile home market, with over 400,000 units installed.
- French law (loi ALUR) protects mobile home owners' rights in campsites and PRL.
- Used unit prices start from EUR 14,576; new units up to EUR 80,000.
- Monthly plot rent ranges from EUR 200 to EUR 600, depending on park type.
- Seasonal rental potential of EUR 5,000 to EUR 15,000 per summer.
- Green Village has a showroom in La Seguiniere (49280, Vendee) — visit by appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission to install a mobile home in France?
No permit is needed while the unit keeps its wheels and towbar: it is a résidence mobile de loisirs, admitted only on a classified campsite, PRL or classified holiday village. On private land, even buildable land, the wheels must be removed and a déclaration préalable (up to 20 sqm) or a permis de construire (above) obtained. The maximum floor área without special authorisation is 40 sqm.
Can I live year-round in a mobile home in France?
In PRL, year-round residence is possible. In campsites, most contracts limit stays to 8-11 months per year (the campsite closes in winter for maintenance). Always check the plot contract.
What insurance do I need for a mobile home in France?
A "multirisque habitation" insurance policy is mandatory. It covers fire, storm, theft and civil liability. Annual cost ranges from EUR 150 to EUR 400 depending on the unit's value and chosen coverage.
What is the maximum size for a mobile home in France?
French regulations set the limit at 40 sqm floor area (NF S 56-410, referenced by article A111-2 of the Code de l'urbanisme) for résidences mobiles de loisirs (RML); since the order of 8 April 2024 a unit adapted to reduced mobility may reach 50 sqm. There is no national height limit; above 40 sqm the unit falls under the habitation légère de loisirs regime.
Can foreigners buy a mobile home in France?
Yes, with no nationality restrictions. Anyone can buy a mobile home and rent a plot in a campsite or PRL in France. Green Village handles all documentation for international clients.
How long does delivery of a mobile home to France take?
It depends on the origin: for units from the UK the lead time includes customs clearance, and units from continental Europe arrive sooner. Confirm the timing for your unit when you ask for a written quote. Green Village coordinates all end-to-end logistics.