The mobile home market in France attracts new buyers each year, drawn by the idea of an accessible second home. Since decree n°2026-14 of January 14, 2026, campsite pitch contracts are more regulated, which changes the rental conditions for plot owners. This recent regulatory context makes the choice of the plot even more crucial than that of the mobile home itself.
Local administrative risks and campsite compliance
Before considering the orientation or size of a pitch, a often overlooked parameter deserves special attention: the administrative solidity of the targeted campsite. Prefectural orders targeting mobile homes can jeopardize the operation of certain pitches, as demonstrated by a well-publicized case in Millau where an entire season was threatened.
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In Charente-Maritime, which has nearly 318 campsites, departmental commissions now systematically check the compliance of each campsite regarding safety and urban planning. A non-compliant site may face formal notices or operational limitations. In practical terms, a buyer who signs a pitch contract at a campsite in violation risks having to move their mobile home, sometimes at their own expense.
Before any commitment, it is therefore relevant to check if the campsite has undergone recent inspections and if its classification is up to date. Requesting a copy of the latest safety commission report remains the most reliable approach. Field feedback varies on the ease of obtaining this document, but a transparent manager will provide it without difficulty.
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When considering the purchase of a mobile home on a campsite, this administrative verification is a prerequisite that conditions the longevity of the investment over several years.
Campsite pitch contract: what decree 2026-14 changes
The decree n°2026-14 that came into effect on January 16, 2026 strengthens the regulation of pitch contracts. The clauses related to duration, termination conditions, and tenant protections are now stricter. For a mobile home buyer, this means that the plot rental contract can no longer contain certain provisions deemed abusive.
Several points of the contract deserve careful reading before signing:
- The duration of the contract and renewal terms: a contract that is too short (one year tacitly renewable) leaves the manager free not to renew, forcing the relocation of the mobile home
- The conditions for early termination by the manager: the decree now imposes stricter regulation of these clauses, but their wording varies from one campsite to another
- The obligations for buyback or transfer: some campsites require that the resale of the mobile home goes through them, with a commission or a minimum price imposed
- The amount of the entrance fee and its possible reimbursement in case of departure: this amount, sometimes substantial, is not always recoverable
A contract signed before January 16, 2026, does not automatically benefit from the new protections. The available data does not yet allow conclusions on how courts will interpret the clauses of old contracts in light of the new text.
Plot rent and annual charges: underestimated items
The purchase price of the mobile home captures all the attention, but the annual rent of the plot represents the primary recurring expense. Campsite managers report that annual charges are often underestimated by buyers. In addition to rent, there are electricity, gas, water, tourist tax, and sometimes maintenance fees for common areas.
The increase in plot rents is a documented phenomenon in recent years. However, the margins for negotiation vary significantly depending on the occupancy rate of the campsite and the region. A seaside campsite in Hérault or Morbihan will charge significantly higher rates than a site in the hinterland.
Year-round or seasonal campsite: the impact on the budget
A year-round campsite allows for the use of the mobile home off-season, but fixed charges run for twelve months. A seasonal campsite reduces costs but limits use to a few months. The choice between these two options depends on the actual frequency of use, often overestimated at the time of purchase.
A rarely anticipated element: insurance for the mobile home and the plot. It is mandatory, and its cost varies depending on location (flood zone, proximity to the coast) and the value of the property.
Mobile home location: concrete criteria for evaluating a plot
Once the campsite is validated on an administrative and contractual level, the choice of the plot itself relies on measurable physical criteria. The surface area of the pitch determines the model of mobile home that can be installed, as well as the comfort of daily use (terrace, parking, privacy).
- Orientation: a plot facing south or southwest extends the usage season and reduces heating needs off-season
- Topography: a sloping terrain complicates installation and leveling, with additional costs for leveling
- Proximity to connections (water, electricity, drainage): a plot far from networks may incur additional connection fees
Privacy and the density of installation in the campsite directly influence comfort. A plot on the edge of the site generally offers more privacy but may also be more exposed to road noise or wind.
Campsite or PRL: two distinct legal frameworks for your plot
The residential leisure park (PRL) offers an alternative to traditional camping. The fundamental difference lies in the land status: in a PRL, it is sometimes possible to acquire the plot itself, which eliminates the risk of non-renewal of the rental contract. In camping, the owner of the mobile home remains a tenant of the land, with the constraints that this implies.
The PRL, however, has a higher entry cost and a more limited geographical offer. France has a limited number of PRLs compared to its camping sites, which reduces location choices.
The question of the legal status of the plot conditions the long-term protection of the investment. A mobile home loses value over time, unlike land. Buying on land that one owns fundamentally changes the financial equation, even if the initial cost is higher. This parameter, often relegated to the background behind the price of the mobile home and the appeal of the campsite, remains the one that determines the real solidity of the operation.