HOSPITALITY & LEISURE PROPERTIES FOR SALE IN FRANCE

All of our agents are bilingual – they live and work on their patch and have an unrivalled local knowledge. Our 650 agents across France are in an ideal position to source the ideal small business to suit your needs. Whether you are looking for a lifestyle property with some income on the side, a fully licensed hotel/restaurant, a chateau for a unique wedding business, or a campsite with tent pitches you have come to the right place.

We are one of the leading Hospitality & Leisure specialists in France, with properties across the country to suit all budgets. Whether you are looking to have your own bed & breakfast, to gain an income from a licensed bar/restaurant, create a gite complex, or to offer guests a unique event venue we should have the right property for you. If not, why not mandate us to do a property search on your behalf?

With over 650 agents across France, we are in a unique position to help clients find their ideal Hospitality & Leisure property. Our agents are bilingual and used to helping both domestic and international clients. When setting up a small business it is essential to get professional and targeted advice. We work with tax, finance, currency, and relocation experts to ensure that you are building your business upon solid foundations.

We reach both domestic and international buyers, meaning a quicker sale at a price that meets your needs. We have a database of 60,000 active buyers, many of whom are looking in the Hospitality & Leisure sector. Your property will receive worldwide exposure and last year we sold property to buyers from 40 different countries. Our local agent will always be your first point of contact and can draw on the expertise of our specialist Hospitality & Leisure team at any moment for advice and support.

France has been the world's leading tourist destination for more than 30 years. Each year around 90 million international tourists visit France to enjoy its world-renowned hospitality and way of life. Following a drop due to Covid-19, tourism all but fully recovered in 2023, aided by the Rugby World Cup. 2024 looks like it will be a bumper year, with the Paris Olympics as the flagship event. Tourism contributes some €220 billion to the French economy, about 8% of total GDP, and the sector is expected to grow at an average of 3% annually over the next decade, which is twice the 1.5% annual growth rate of the country’s overall economy.

Q. Which part of France is best to set up gites or a B&B?
A. With over 90m tourists coming here every year, there really is no shortage of guests. It pays to fully research your market though. As a rule of thumb, you will receive higher income from businesses in Paris, the Alps and the Cote d’Azur but, of course, competition is steeper. Match your offer to your target market and make sure you have a competitive difference that allows your offer to stand out. Plenty of guests are happy in quieter areas (Brittany, Normandy, Dordogne, Charente, Correze etc) but they will still require fast WIFI, access to shops & commodities and maybe even a pool.

Q. What are the different types of property that can provide an income?
A. The list is endless, and the only boundaries are your imagination. Tourist demand is constantly evolving, and owners are adapting their properties accordingly. Here are six types to get you started:

• Lodges and chalets, cottages, and cabins. These would typically be located in rural and/or mountain locations. No country in the world does “rural” as well as France, with its spectacular lakes, rivers, and mountains. From an eco-friendly campsite in rural Creuse, to a luxury chalet in Courchevel profitable businesses are there to be had.
• Event venues. We have all seen the TV programmes where people have bought and renovated a beautiful chateau and turned it into a spectacular wedding venue. There are plenty more chateaux in France to buy but they are the tip of the iceberg. If you want to enter the Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions sector then French property is an excellent starting point. Property prices are affordable and local artisans are skilful and well regulated. With the worlds finest food and wine to offer guests this is an ideal income producing opportunity.
• Holiday parks and campsites. Land is (usually) cheap and plentiful in France, so it is possible to combine your free-standing properties with plenty of outdoor activities. Beyond your property boundaries you will also find the natural landscape of our lakes, rivers, mountains, and historic attractions.
• Equestrian facilities. France is home to some of the finest equestrian properties in the world and the Leggett team is one of the leading in France. Many equestrian properties also have ancillary accommodation facilities, particularly in Normandy. We have profitable stud farms, riding schools and equestrian centres for sale.

Q. How do I find out about the tax implications of starting a business in France?
A. Sign up (link) to our regular newsletter and we will ensure that you are told of the latest changes to tax law and regulations. We have partnered with specialist chartered accountants who can offer bespoke advice on all of your Hospitality & Leisure questions. Meanwhile here are some links to our briefings on capital gains tax, wealth tax and tax on rental income (need links).

Q. Do I need a visa to live and work in France?
A. EU citizens can readily start a business in France. If you are a non-EU national wishing to pursue a commercial occupation in France you must have a suitable residence permit. Your starting point should be the official French Government site at http://entreprendre.service-public.fr We have partnered with a specialist relocation and hand-holding company who can offer bespoke advice. We have also created these short briefings for those clients looking to buy from the UK and USA.