Top tips for buying a static caravan in France

To help you in your conversations with your clients, we asked the team to provide some top tips on buying a static caravan. Please feel free to share these with your clients.

Whether you’re picturing a coastal retreat in Brittany, or a sun soaked base on the Côte d’Azur, buying a static caravan can be a smart, flexible way to enjoy the French lifestyle for some of the year.

Today’s static caravans offer stylish, fully equipped living spaces set in well managed holiday parks, often with pools, restaurants, and a ready made community. They’re typically far cheaper than bricks and mortar properties, come with minimal maintenance, and sidestep many of the legal and tax hurdles of French property ownership.

In this article, we’ll explore the practical steps to buying and owning a static caravan in France.

Finding a perfect location for your static caravan

The first thing you need to do is find the perfect spot for your static caravan. You should consider the climate of the region you’re planning to pitch, and pay attention to whether there are any flood risks for your chosen area, as this could affect the cost of your insurance.

You’ll also want to consider accessibility – are you planning to drive to your static caravan or will you need to utilise public transport? How close will you be to airports or ferry ports?

There’s also the cost to consider. Certain areas of France will be more expensive than others; for example, popular coastal and southern regions tend to have higher pitch fees and purchase prices.

And finally – will you be staying in your static caravan in a residential park or a holiday park? Residential parks allow for year-round visits but are less common and may have stricter entry requirements than holiday parks. Holiday parks are great for seasonal stays, often with pools, entertainment, and tourist facilities, but usually full‑time residency isn’t allowed.

Choosing between new and pre-owned static caravans

The benefit of buying a new static caravan is that you can find something that is exactly tailored to your needs – you get total freedom to choose your model, layout and finishes. That said, this is the more expensive route.

Buying a used model home instead of a new one can save you a lot of money, especially as it will likely be already sited. Make sure you check all the specifications of your static caravan before buying it and compare it to your chosen site, as some sites have restrictions on older units. When considering a site, ask about holiday let policies, resale conditions, and whether or not you need to buy through a specific dealer.

How much will a static caravan cost me?

A brand-new static caravan can cost from €30,000, or €10,000-€15,000 for  second‑hand (though the older the model, the more likely it will be cheaper). You’ve also got pitch fees to consider, which usually run to about €1,200–€3,000 per year, depending on the location and facilities of the park. On top of that, there’s utilities, insurance, and possible holiday letting fees.

Can I let out my static caravan for a holiday?

Yes, you can, though make sure to check with your park for any possible holiday letting fees. You should also inform your insurer that you’re planning to let it out for a holiday, so they can make sure that you’re adequately covered to do so.

Do I need static caravan insurance?

It’s advisable to take out static caravan insurance as it will offer you peace of mind should your static caravan be affected by weather, flooding or fire. The cost will vary depending on your location and if you’re planning to let your static caravan out for a holiday when you’re not there.