What you need to do to open a bed and breakfast

Opening a bed and breakfast is far more than a simple career change: it is a life project. Picture yourself welcoming guests from all over the world, sharing your hospitality and living somewhere idyllic while earning a living. Before you get there, though, a few stages have to be cleared, from the administrative formalities to the renovation work, not forgetting the right tax arrangement (because yes, even dreams have taxes to pay!).

What exactly is a bed and breakfast?

First things first: you need a clear understanding of what a bed and breakfast actually is. It is not a hotel, nor simply a spare room put up for rent. Under French law, a bed and breakfast is a dwelling containing furnished rooms made available to guests, for a limited period, in return for payment. It has to meet a number of specific rules:

• A limited number of rooms: a maximum of5 roomsable to accommodate up to15 people at the same time.
• Services included: the nightly rate must include breakfast and household linen.
• A personal welcome: the owner must live on site, which guarantees direct contact with guests.
• The price: you are free to set your nightly rate. However, you are bound by a duty of transparency. All prices must be displayed clearly and inclusive of all taxes. You must also provide your guests with an itemised invoice if the amount exceeds 25 €.

Choosing the ideal location for your bed and breakfast

Location: the key to success

A good location is your guarantee of attracting customers. Be careful, though: it all depends on who you are targeting.

• Families often look for destinations close to nature or to suitable activities (walking, beaches, skiing and so on).
• Couples favour romantic, peaceful settings.
• International guests love picturesque places or spots steeped in history.

Practical tip: study the competition and identify a niche. If everyone else is offering gîtes in the mountains, why not open a themed bed and breakfast built around wellbeing, with a spa?

Laying out the property

To win over your future guests, your house needs to meet a few essential criteria:

• Comfort: spacious, well-equipped rooms (comfortable beds, private bathroom, Wi-Fi, etc.).
• Charm: careful decoration that reflects the character of the region.
• Shared spaces: a lounge, garden or terrace where your guests can relax.
• Accessibility: parking, access for people with reduced mobility, and clear signage.

The administrative steps to opening a bed and breakfast

Registering with the town hall

This is the first official step. You must declare the opening of your bed and breakfast to your local town hall by completing form Cerfa no. 13566*03. There is no charge, but it is compulsory. Once the declaration has been made, you will receive a receipt, which you should keep.

Meeting safety and hygiene standards

Your property will have to comply with safety standards (smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, evacuation plan, etc.) and hygiene rules. If you plan to serve meals (table d'hôte dining), you will also need to comply with the standards set by the DDPP (the French departmental directorate for the protection of populations).

Obtaining accreditation or a classification

To reassure future customers and boost your visibility, consider applying for an accreditation such as "Gîtes de France®" or "Clévacances". These certifications guarantee a certain level of quality and can make all the difference.

Tax and administration for a bed and breakfast

Which legal structure should you choose?

Several structures are available for running a bed and breakfast:

• Auto-entrepreneur: straightforward and well suited if you are starting out on a small scale. Turnover is capped at 188,700 € (in 2024) for accommodation activities.
• Sole trader (entreprise individuelle, EI)ormicro-entreprise: ideal for modest income, with simplified administration.
• A company (SARL, EURL): recommended if you are planning a substantial business or want to protect your personal assets.

Handy tip: talk to an accountant to choose the structure best suited to your needs.

Your tax obligations

You must declare the income from your bed and breakfast to the tax authorities. Two main regimes apply:

1. The micro-BIC regime(industrial and commercial profits):
   • Applicable if your turnover does not exceed 188,700 €.
   • Advantage: a flat-rate allowance of 71% on receipts.
   • Simple to manage.

2. The standard (régime réel) regime:
   • Compulsory if your receipts exceed the micro-BIC threshold.
   • Allows you to deduct your actual costs (maintenance, works, insurance, etc.).
   • More complex, but often more advantageous if your costs are high.

   Attracting your first customers: marketing and communication

   

   A bed and breakfast is also a business, and without customers there is no income. Here are a few tips to help you stand out:

   Build an appealing website

   A well-designed website is essential. It should include:

   • Attractive photos (professional ones, if possible).
   • Detailed descriptions of the rooms and services.
   • An online booking module.
   • Customer reviews, to strengthen your credibility.

   SEO bonus: use keywords such as "bed and breakfast [name of the region]" or "authentic stay [name of the region]" to capture local searches.

   List on booking platforms

   Platforms such as Booking , Airbnb and TripAdvisor can bring you visibility, even though they take a commission. Be strategic and keep an eye on the reviews your customers leave, so as to maintain a good reputation.

   Social media and local partnerships

   • Post regularly onInstagramandFacebookto reach a wide audience.
   • Take part in local events or work with tourist offices to raise your profile.

   By following the steps set out in this article, you will be well equipped to make your project a success. So what are you waiting for? Gather your tools, your decorating ideas and your book of regional recipes: your future guests are ready and waiting!