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.
