|
|
|
Mobile homes in France - the new way to camp
Camping has always been popular, but as the modern world becomes more sophisticated and desiring of luxury, the popularity of mobile homes over tents has risen accordingly. Wherever you go in France, you will find campsites and mobile home sites, often combining the two within one location. Some are designed for holidays, others provide for permanent or long-term living. These sites can vary massively in every possible way, with some being huge and equipped with every conceivable convenience and leisure facility, while others have very little to offer but peace and quiet, basic facilities and pretty surroundings. Whichever type of site you are seeking, however, you are bound to find one to suit your needs. France loves camping in any form, and it seems that mobile homes are not only the new way to camp, but also, for some, the new way to live.
|
French mobile homes – how mobile are they?
It is important to understand that the term "mobile home" often refers not to a touring caravan, which you move around with you, but a static caravan that occupies a permanent or near permanent site. These mobile homes are so called because they can be moved, for example, from the manufacturers to the site, or to a different site when sold or required, but they should generally be considered as fixed.
|
Accommodation and facilities provided
Mobile homes vary considerably in size and accommodation, but usually they are set out with separate rooms; a living room (normally with convertible sofas which can be pressed into service as extra beds if required), a kitchen area open to the living room, a bathroom and any number of bedrooms depending on the size of the mobile home. Many sites provide pitches which include fenced private garden areas and decking areas for al fresco dining and appeal. Mod cons may be included, with dishwashers, washing machines, televisions and other luxuries found in many homes. When choosing a mobile home, whether for a holiday rental or to buy, be sure to ask what sort of facilities it already has. It may be possible to purchase extras and have them fitted if you are buying a new mobile home direct from the manufacturers.
|
|
|
Mobile home sites in France
Once again, it is difficult to generalise, as the sites can vary a great deal. Different types of site will please different types of people, with some enjoying the tranquillity and feeling of being at one with nature found on small rural sites, while others will prefer the big sites with extensive facilities. A small site may offer very little other than a pitch with utilities connected, which may not really be a problem as everything you need, including washing machines and other conveniences can be found within the mobile home. A large site may offer swimming pools, tennis courts, bars and restaurants, laundry services, babysitting services, children's clubs and entertainment. Some even have discos and take away pizzas available for residents and holiday makers.
|
Mobile homes for rent in France
A mobile home can make a perfect base for a holiday. They are ideal for families with young children, who may be uncomfortable with the restrictions of hotel life, or who might worry, for example, that noisy children or a crying baby could disturb other guests. A mobile home provides more privacy and an easier way of living, allowing you to decide when and what you eat, to arrive back at your holiday base at any time you choose, has more outside space than a hotel balcony and gives a sense of being a real home from home.
|
How to find them
There are a great number of holiday companies as well as individuals who offer mobile homes for rent in France. Some of the best known firms are the big "campsite" holiday companies such as French Life, Eurocamp, Keycamp, Roan, Selectacamp and Suncamp, although a very brief internet search or glance at the holiday pages of a newspaper will show that there are many more besides. There are also privately owned campsites that are not part of these large chains, and it is also possible to rent a mobile home direct from the owner. The small ads of the local paper are a good way to find these, but word of mouth from someone who has had a successful holiday is always best!
|
|
|
Large mobile home sites
The big companies have the advantage of years of experience, and usually provide the most extensive facilities. The downside to these sites can be that in search of maximum profit, such companies may provide smaller pitches with neighbours a little too close for comfort and parking areas that require expert reversing techniques to fit into! Check also when booking that your mobile home is not sited right beside the toilet blocks, the disco or the main road through the site, as all of these positions can be noisy and spoil the holiday.
|
French mobile home holidays – are they expensive?
A holiday in a rented mobile home can be a cost effective way of holidaying in France, but remember prices vary massively from area to area. Expect popular locations such as the Riviera (French Riviera Property - an insider's guide) and Brittany (Brittany Property Guide) to be more expensive and to be booked up quickly. They also vary from site to site and according to the size and quality of the home and its fixtures and fittings. Prices from the large companies vary from as little as £150.00 for a two-bedroom home for a family of four for seven nights in April, or as high as €1,500 for the same family in a more luxurious home on the Riviera in August. To get a good deal you need to shop around, comparing prices and accommodation offered carefully, especially if work or school commitments mean that you need to take your holiday at the peak times.
|
Mobile home holidays in France - what is included?
It is very important to ascertain exactly what will be included in the holiday package, as often you will need to make arrangements with the holiday company to hire necessities such as bed linen and duvets, or to bring these with you from home. Others may provide these things as standard. If you are hiring privately you should be able to arrange terms to suit with the owner, regarding such matters as linen and cleaning. Be aware that while the big holiday companies will have a team of cleaners on hand to make the home ready for the next holidaymakers at the end of your stay, a private owner may not, and you may be expected to do the laundry, clean the home and prepare it yourself.
|
Mobile homes for sale in France
It may be that you are considering purchasing a mobile home to use for frequent holidays. There are several ways of doing this. You can buy direct from the manufacturer, purchase or rent a pitch on a site and have the mobile home transported to your chosen site. Prices for new mobile homes (not including transport) begin around £13,000 for a basic two-bedroom model. If this is too expensive, you could save a considerable amount of money by purchasing an ex-rental home. Chances are that you may have to also have this transported from the company who sell it to you, but they often offer deals which make the transport more reasonable. Expect to pay anything upwards of £3,000 plus transport. Finally, you could buy a home that is already on site, either from the holiday company or site owner or from a private seller. Again, prices will vary according to the size and quality of the home, the pitch and the site, but you will benefit from not having to pay any transport costs.
|
French mobile homes for sale - are there any extra costs or disadvantages?
If you own a mobile home on a holiday site you will have to make certain extra payments, as you would if you owned an apartment in a holiday complex. Every site will charge an annual fee for the pitch rental, which should be in the region of £2,000 to £4,000. Smaller campsites with less facilities may charge less, so if your budget is tight consider these costs carefully. These charges should include necessities such as the collection and disposal of your rubbish, adequate lighting around the campsite, sewage, grounds maintenance and use of facilities such as swimming pools, children's parks and similar amenities. Obviously you will also need to budget for utilities (gas, electricity etc) and insurance, which is a legal requirement in France.
|
When are mobile home sites in France open?
It is also important to check that your park or campsite will be open at the times of year that you are likely to want to visit it. Not all sites are open all year round, although these days many will be. Pitch rentals could be cheaper in sites which only open in summer, but only you can decide which option is more suitable for you. You should also carefully consider whether or not you may be frustrated by always having to take your holidays in the same place, or whether the familiarity of returning to a place you enjoy is actually a plus point for you.
|
Mobile homes in France – are they a good idea?
Renting a mobile home can be a great idea for budget conscious holidaymakers, with all home comforts and often excellent facilities as well as a built in social life. The purchase of a mobile home can also be ideal for many, providing years of relatively inexpensive holidays, a home from home with friendships built up with other owners, and the easy life that comes from knowing an area really well. As an investment, a mobile home clearly doesn't score as highly as bricks and mortar because the value will actually decrease over time, whereas a traditional "fixed" property will usually increase in value (except in exceptional circumstances). But the prices are lower and the rentability factor high enough to realistically cover costs, as long as you have a decent pitch on an attractive site.
Additional articles which may be of interest:
Holidays in France
Buying a campsite in France
|
About the author
Joanna Simm moved to the Languedoc area of south-west France in October 2004 having found her property through French Property Links.
|
| |
|
your questions...
1. A question about living permanently on a mobile home site (added 12/11/09)...
I have just read your interesting article on your website and would love to know more about permanent living on a mobile home park. I am presently living in Switzerland, but seriously considering a move to France (Southern regions) for my retirement. A mobile home sounds like a perfect solution, but I'm still not too sure as to whether I can remain on any park all year round, although I do understand that I would be requested to provide a so-called "permanent" address, whether in Switzerland or England.
Many thanks for any information or advice that you may be able to offer.
Our reply...
Thanks for contacting us. I understand it is indeed possible to live all year on certain mobile home sites in France, but it depends on the site as some allow this and some don't, so you would have to check with each site you might be interested in.
|
|
your feedback counts... |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
