Opening a guesthouse is more than just a career change: it’s a life project. Imagine welcoming travelers from all over the world, sharing your hospitality, and living in idyllic surroundings while earning a living. But before you get there, there are a few steps to take, from administrative formalities to renovation work, not forgetting choosing the right tax plan (because yes, even dreams have taxes to pay!).
1. What is a guest house?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand what a guest house is. It’s not a hotel, nor is it simply a guest room for rent. Under French law, a guest house is a dwelling with furnished rooms made available to travelers, for a limited period of time, in return for payment. It must comply with certain specific rules:
- Limited number of rooms: Maximum 5 rooms for up to 15 people simultaneously.
- Services included: The price of the night must include breakfast and linen.
- Personalized welcome: The owner must live on site, which guarantees direct interaction with guests.
- Price: You’re free to set the price per night. However, you are required to be transparent. All prices must be clearly displayed and include all taxes. You must also provide your guests with a detailed invoice if the amount exceeds 25 euros.
2. Choosing the ideal location for your guesthouse
Location: the key to success
A good location is guaranteed to attract customers. But be careful, it all depends on your target market:
- Families are often looking for destinations close to nature, or with suitable activities (hiking, beaches, skiing, etc.).
- Couples prefer romantic, peaceful settings.
- International travelers love scenic spots and places steeped in history.
Practical tip: Study the competition and identify a niche. If everyone is offering gites in the mountains, why not open a wellness-themed guest house with a spa?
The layout
To win over your future guests, your home must meet certain essential criteria:
- Comfort: Spacious, well-equipped rooms (comfortable beds, private bathroom, Wi-Fi…).
- Charm: Carefully decorated to reflect the authenticity of the region.
- Communal areas: Lounge, garden or terrace where your guests can relax.
- Accessibility: Parking, disabled access and good signage.
3. Administrative procedures for opening a guest house

Declaration at the town hall
This is the first official step. You must declare the opening of your guest house to your local town hall, by filling in Cerfa form n°13566*03. This is free of charge, but mandatory. Once the declaration has been made, you’ll receive a receipt to keep.
Comply with health and safety standards
Your home will have to comply with safety (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, evacuation plan, etc.) and hygiene standards. If you plan to serve meals (table d’hôte), you’ll also need to comply with DDPP (Direction départementale de la protection des populations) standards.
Obtaining labels or classifications
To reassure your future customers and increase your visibility, consider obtaining a label such as “Gîtes de France“ or “Clévacances”. These certifications guarantee a certain level of quality and can make all the difference.
4. Tax and administrative management of a guest house

Which legal status to choose?
There are several ways to run a guest house:
- Auto-entrepreneur: Simple and suitable if you’re starting out on a small scale. Sales are capped at €188,700 (in 2024) for accommodation activities.
- Sole proprietorship (EI ) or micro-enterprise: Ideal for modest incomes, with simplified administrative management.
- Company (SARL, EURL): Recommended if you are planning a large-scale business or wish to protect your personal assets.
Tip: Consult a chartered accountant to choose the status best suited to your needs.
Tax obligations
You must declare the income from your guest house to the tax authorities. Two main systems apply:
- Micro-BIC system (industrial and commercial profits) :
- Applicable if your sales do not exceed €188,700.
- Advantage: Flat-rate deduction of 71% on revenues.
- Easy to manage.
- Actual system:
- Mandatory if your revenue exceeds the micro-BIC threshold.
- Allows you to deduct your actual expenses (maintenance, repairs, insurance, etc.).
- More complex, but often more advantageous if your expenses are high.
5. Attracting your first customers: marketing and communication

A guesthouse is also a business, and without guests, there’s no income. Here are a few tips to help you stand out from the crowd:
Creating an attractive website
A well-designed website is essential. It must include :
- Beautiful photos (professional, if possible).
- Detailed descriptions of rooms and services.
- An online booking module.
- Customer reviews to reinforce your credibility.
Bonus SEO: Use keywords like “guest house [nom de la région]”, “authentic stay [nom de la région]” to attract local searches.
Register on booking platforms
Platforms such as Booking , Airbnband TripAdvisor can bring you visibility, even if they charge a commission. Be strategic and monitor the reviews left by your customers to maintain a good reputation.
Social networks and local partnerships
- Post regularly on Instagram and Facebook to reach a wide audience.
- Take part in local events or work with tourist offices to boost your profile.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be well equipped to make a success of your project. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tools, your decorating ideas and your notebook of regional recipes… your future guests are waiting for you!