The tourism industry in France is a major economic driver, and at the heart of this dynamic lies the camping sector. Whether you are an experienced investor or someone looking for a career change close to nature, the Outdoor Hospitality market offers exceptional opportunities. To support you in this project, feel free to consult our dedicated buying guides. On ma-propriete.fr, we have created this category specifically for tourist properties, making it easier for passionate buyers and sellers to connect.
France ranks first in Europe in terms of the number of campsites, and second in the world, just behind the United States. This success can be explained by the diversity of its landscapes and the quality of the infrastructure on offer. The HPA sector is constantly evolving, moving upmarket to meet the expectations of a varied clientele.
When it comes to acquiring a property of this kind, it is essential to distinguish what exactly is being purchased. Listings may involve the sale of the business only (the commercial activity) or the transfer of the property and business together (the real estate and the activity). The latter option is often preferred to secure long-term assets.
The properties available on our portal are extremely varied. You will find the human-scale family campsite nestled in greenery, as well as large seaside complexes offering high-end services. These establishments are defined by their reception facilities. They feature bare pitches for camping and caravanning purists, but above all rental accommodation that boosts profitability. Among these, mobile homes are essential, but the offer is diversifying with chalets, bungalows and unique accommodation such as lodge tents.
A modern campsite requires specific facilities to attract holidaymakers. Having a swimming pool has become standard, if not a real water park with slides for larger sites. Sanitary blocks must be impeccable, and compliant wastewater treatment is a crucial point to check during visits, as bringing it up to standard can represent a significant cost.
To enhance guests’ stay, a children’s playground, a multi-sport area or a pétanque court are undeniable assets. In addition, many campsites are sold with on-site accommodation for the owners, allowing them to live on the premises and ensure a constant presence, which is essential during high season.
The specific segment of the Residential Leisure Park (PRL) should not be overlooked. Unlike traditional campsites, PRLs often allow plots to be sold to private individuals through share transfers or notarised deeds, offering a different economic model based on renting plots or selling serviced land.
Geographically, while coastal areas (Atlantic, Mediterranean) remain highly sought-after thanks to their strong occupancy rates, the hinterland and rural areas (Dordogne, Ardèche, Lot, etc.) are also experiencing growing interest due to green tourism.
Buying a campsite is a life project that requires thorough analysis. Beyond simply falling in love with a place, it is a business takeover that must be studied carefully, which is why we make it easy to connect with real estate professionals specialised in this field to guide you.
The first indicator to look at is turnover and how it has evolved over the last three years. However, to assess the real health of the business and its ability to repay a loan, it is the EBE (Gross Operating Surplus) that banks will use as a reference. To validate your business plan, you can also rely on our land valuation studies. The profitability of the business will depend on your cost management and commercial strategy.
Financing is a key stage. Banks generally require a substantial personal contribution, often between 30% and 40% of the purchase price, especially when buying the property and business. If the purchase is made through a company, it may take the form of acquiring shares.
The structure of the turnover also needs to be analysed: what proportion comes from bare overnight stays (pitches) versus rentals? What is the occupancy rate during the summer season? Is there a residential clientele providing regular income outside peak season?
Additional services are powerful growth drivers. A campsite with a full alcohol licence has a major advantage for developing a bar business. Catering and the snack bar are important profit centres, as are the grocery shop or bike hire. Likewise, the quality of entertainment offered during the day and evening helps build customer loyalty and often justifies a higher nightly rate.
The star rating (from 1 to 5 stars) is a key benchmark for customers and determines the standing of the establishment. When buying, check the date of the last rating and the investments required to maintain or improve it. Finally, for those seeking an investment without day-to-day management, rental investment in campsites managed by major chains can be an alternative, although our portal mainly focuses on full-property transactions.
Reception and human management are the soul of a campsite. It is a service profession where availability and a smile directly impact customer reviews and thus future occupancy.
Ma-propriete.fr has developed a powerful search engine to help you navigate the complex market of tourist real estate. Our platform allows you to filter listings with precision.
Do you want to acquire a 5-hectare estate in Brittany with a specific budget? Our selection tool based on area in hectares, budget and location (region, department) will lead you directly to suitable properties. You can also refine your search according to sub-categories, whether you are looking for a PRL, a farm campsite or a 4-star complex.
To make sure you do not miss any opportunity, we invite you to create personalised email alerts. As soon as a new property matching your criteria (such as “campsite with a swimming pool” or “seaside”) goes online, you are notified instantly.
One of ma-propriete.fr’s major strengths is transparency and ease of contact. On each listing, you will find a form to get in touch directly with the seller, whether a private owner or a real estate professional specialised in HPA. In addition, the geolocation of listings (when authorised by the seller) allows you to locate the property within its tourist environment at a glance, close to major roads or points of interest.
If you own a campsite and are considering selling it, ma-propriete.fr is the ideal showcase to highlight your assets. With thousands of monthly visitors focused on rural and tourist real estate, we guarantee maximum visibility among serious buyers.
We know that confidentiality is essential when selling a business so as not to worry customers or staff. This is why we offer different levels of geolocation for your listings. You can choose to show the exact location or only an approximate area (department or region).
The simplicity of our interface allows you to put your listing online in just a few minutes, detailing all the strengths of your property: water park, owner’s accommodation, profitability, etc.
Your listing is not limited to our site. Thanks to our multi-distribution strategy, it benefits from increased exposure, in particular via shares on social networks and specialised Facebook groups, thus reaching an active community of investors and potential buyers. Our in-depth knowledge of the rural market allows us to showcase the specific advantages of your property, whether it is an exceptional natural setting or a highly efficient business tool.
Beyond simply publishing listings, ma-propriete.fr positions itself as a comprehensive partner for the success of your project.
Whether you are looking to take over a family campsite or invest in Outdoor Hospitality on a larger scale, ma-propriete.fr is your starting point for a new entrepreneurial adventure in the great outdoors.
