France has updated and clarified the administrative, regulatory and tax framework for entrepreneurs and companies looking to open chambres d’hôtes – small-scale bed and breakfast style tourist accommodation – as part of broader efforts to streamline tourism-related business requirements.
The guidance on how to start and operate a chambre d’hôtes has been published by the French public service portal Entreprendre.Service-Public.fr, with a focus on legal categorisation, formal obligations and compliance rules that companies and business owners must satisfy before offering paid overnight stays.
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Definition and operational standards for chambre d’hôtes
Under French tourism law, a chambre d’hôtes is defined as a furnished bedroom provided by a host in their dwelling to tourists for one or more nights, where the stay is accompanied by specified services such as client reception, breakfast, linen and regular cleaning.
To qualify under this specific tourist accommodation category, operators must provide at least three out of four core services, including receiving guests and supplying breakfast.
Business owners planning to offer chambres d’hôtes must be aware that the activity is subject to precise capacity limits: no more than five guest rooms and a maximum of 15 clients at the same time.
Exceeding these thresholds means the accommodation cannot use the “chambre d’hôtes” designation and would be categorised differently under law, leading to stricter regulatory requirements akin to traditional hospitality establishments.
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By GlobalDataOperators are required to ensure that each bedroom includes direct or indirect access to a bathroom and WC facilities.
There are also minimum space requirements per guest and detailed health and safety expectations that align with broader tourism accommodation compliance standards in France.
Administrative steps and business registration requirements
Companies and entrepreneurs must complete several administrative steps before opening a chambre d’hôtes. The first mandatory action is to declare the activity with the local mairie (town hall), even if projected revenues are low; failure to declare may result in a fine.
Opening chambres d’hôtes is treated as a commercial enterprise regardless of income level.
This means that business owners must also choose a legal structure, complete registration with the French commercial registry (RCS), and obtain a SIREN number, just like other commercial ventures.
Operating without proper registration can be classed as undeclared work.
For companies with more complex structures or those considering expansion, facilities must also be checked for compliance with local urban planning restrictions, particularly when properties are located in protected zones or subject to homeowners’ association rules.
Tax, reporting and classification considerations
The tax status and social contribution obligations for chambres d’hôtes vary depending on revenue thresholds and business classification.
Revenues generated by the rental activity may fall under micro-enterprise (micro-BIC) tax rules if certain turnover limits are not exceeded, with defined abatement ratios applied to taxable income. Exceeding thresholds may require operators to adopt a full real-basis tax regime.
Chambres d’hôtes do not receive the official hotel star rating classification, but operators can pursue private labelling schemes that may enhance market visibility.
Where food and alcohol are offered as part of meals to guests, specific licences and training may be required to comply with public health rules.
These updates aim to provide greater clarity for domestic and international entrepreneurs considering investment in French bed and breakfast style accommodation – a sector that blends residential property use with commercial tourism services – and ensure that business practices meet current regulatory expectations before commencement.
