Law & Regulations — 🇫🇷 France

In France, a caravan may be kept in a garden without planning permission for no more than three months per year, with all periods combined. Longer stays require a prior declaration; if the caravan is used as living accommodation or has its wheels and tow bar removed, a different regime applies. Penalties can include fines, and for mobile homes up to €6,000 per square metre.

Under the French urban planning code, a caravan may be parked on private property without formalities for a maximum of three months per calendar year, with all stays counted cumulatively. Beyond 90 days, a prior declaration of works must be filed with the local planning service; in areas near historic monuments, flood zones or protected natural sites, extensions are often refused. To retain vehicle status, the caravan must keep its wheels and tow bar attached; removing them reclassifies it as a permanent structure. Non-compliance can lead to financial penalties and daily fines imposed by the public prosecutor.

A category B licence allows driving vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 3.5 tonnes and a maximum of nine seats including the driver; motorhomes are subject to the same rule. The GVWR is shown on the registration document in field F.2, and it is this figure, not the kerb weight, that counts. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes generally require a C1 licence, which covers vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes; the only notable exception is holders of a B licence issued before 20 January 1975, who must have code 79 added to drive abroad. EU Directive 2025/2205, in force since late November 2025, allows member states to permit B licence holders to drive motorhomes up to 4.25 tonnes subject to specific training or a test; France has until the end of 2028 to transpose the text and set the conditions, and until then the 3.5-tonne limit remains.

In France, storing a caravan on private property without formalities is allowed for a maximum of three months per year. Beyond that period, a prior declaration to the town hall is required, and the local urban plan (PLU) may prohibit long-term parking in certain zones. The difference in notices received by two neighbours is explained by the different zoning classifications of their plots.

In France, a sign with a crossed-out motorhome is not part of official road signage and does not by itself create a ban. A municipality can restrict parking only through a reasoned decree, for example for traffic needs or environmental protection. In Port-des-Barques, the commune had to repeal its decree and remove signs after a lawsuit by the Comité de liaison du camping-car. When facing a ban, it is advisable to request a copy of the municipal decree from the town hall and forward it to a relevant association.

The CLC association, which represents motorhome industry professionals and user federations, is working to persuade French municipalities to allow motorhome parking. According to the organisation, a French motorhome user spends an average of €50 per day, while foreign visitors spend €80. The CLC advises town halls on creating dedicated parking spaces and has challenged illegal bans in administrative courts since 1985.

EU Directive 2025/2205 of 22 October 2025 allows category B licence holders to drive a motorhome with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3,500 kg but not exceeding 4,250 kg. The text must first be transposed into French law, with a deadline of up to three years, i.e. by November 2028. Patrick Lablanche, president of the French Federation of Motorhome Associations and Clubs (Ffaccc), stated that application will not occur before 2029, contradicting a report that mentioned November 2027. The directive also envisages that this extension may be subject to targeted training or a medical test.

In France, a homeowner placed a caravan in his garden to temporarily house his son. Four months later, the town hall notified him of a violation of Article R.421-23 of the Urban Planning Code: parking a caravan on private land outside campsites and residential leisure parks for more than three months per year requires prior declaration. The three-month limit is cumulative across all parking periods in a year, even if the caravan never stayed in place for more than a few days at a time. If exceeded, the mayor can order removal under a penalty of €500 per day, capped at €25,000.

Under Article R417-12, parking a vehicle at the same point on a public road for more than seven days is illegal. Moving the camper a few metres does not guarantee a reset, and authorities may still consider it a violation.

61-year-old Pascal parked his van on a field with the farmer's permission, but the town hall reminded him that the owner's consent does not override local land-use rules.

A retiree from Lamothe-Fénelon in the Lot department is seeking €522,000 in damages from the French state after his motorhome, built in 2010, was found to be too heavy to drive on French roads. He claims the regional directorate for industry, research and environment (Drire) of Basse-Normandie failed to detect the problem during inspections. During the hearing, the public rapporteur noted that it is the manufacturer's or owner's responsibility to declare the vehicle's weight, and no fault by Drire was proven that would engage state liability. A 2018 ruling had already gone against the retiree, who reportedly invested over €700,000 in the motorhome.

French tax authorities may demand housing tax (taxe d'habitation) from motorhome owners if the vehicle is used as a permanent dwelling rather than as a means of transport. According to Auto Plus, the tax office focuses on actual use: if a motorhome is parked long-term on a plot, connected to water or electricity and used as a residence, it may be treated as taxable housing. The specific tax on mobile land homes was abolished in 2019, but housing tax can still be levied if the motorhome is used as a second home or due to a declaration error. If a notice is received, owners should verify whether the vehicle remains mobile and, if necessary, file a complaint with supporting documents.

On 9 September 2026, FFCC president Bruno Garancher met with the Road Safety Delegation to discuss the transposition of the new EU driving licence directive into French law. Directive No. 2025/2205 must be transposed by November 2027 and will allow B licence holders to drive motorhomes with a gross vehicle weight between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes, and up to 5 tonnes with a trailer under certain conditions. A supplementary training of about 7 hours, without a new exam, would be required; a new code 96.02 is under consideration. Issues such as training vehicles and driving school accreditation remain unresolved.

The town of Pornichet has launched a call for expressions of interest to find an operator for the Ermur motorhome site, covering 2,135 m² and accommodating between 20 and 30 pitches. Applications are due by 5 October 2026 at 12:00. The future operator will finance the necessary infrastructure, pay the town an annual fee of at least €5,000 plus a variable component, and collect and remit the tourist tax. Parking tariffs and whether the site will remain free or become paid have not yet been determined.

French motorhome owners often cite a “15-day rule”, but under Article R.111-49 of the Urban Planning Code, a mayor may authorise caravans in an area where camping is normally prohibited for a maximum of 15 days by decree. On private land, a motorhome is treated as a caravan: if it stays less than three months per year (cumulative), no declaration is required; beyond that, a prior declaration is mandatory. On public roads, parking in the same place for more than seven consecutive days can be deemed abusive, and the mayor may reduce this period. The case of Patrick and Isabelle shows that even a nine-year oral agreement does not create a right if the land is jointly owned and new heirs object.

In France, a caravan or motorhome parked on private land for more than three consecutive months may be reclassified as an installation subject to prior declaration or planning permission. Local urban plans (PLU) can impose stricter rules, including bans on long-term parking in some areas. Neighbours may also file civil complaints over nuisance, regardless of town hall requirements.

A family in France placed a caravan in their garden for their son's temporary stay, but four months later received a notice from the town hall. Under French law, a caravan can be kept on private land without declaration for no more than three months per year.

Under Article R.421-23 of the French Urban Planning Code, a caravan on private land for more than three months per year requires prior declaration. The period is cumulative. Fine up to €500 per day, capped at €25,000.

A man installed a caravan in his garden to temporarily house his son. Four months later, the town hall notified him of a violation: caravans can be placed for no more than three months a year, with fines up to 500 euros per day.

In France, placing a caravan on private land without permission is limited to three months per year. Exceeding this period requires a prior declaration to the municipality, and installing permanent connections or removing wheels may lead to the caravan being classified as a permanent structure. Violations can result in fines up to 500 euros per day.