+33 5 31 60 92 46
State-approved center since 2016 and Qualiopi certified since 2020
How to Open a Chambre d’Hôtes (B&B) with a Table d’Hôtes in France
- 12 March 2026
- 27 March 2026
Dreaming of opening a chambre d’hôtes (B&B) in France and offering home-cooked dinners with wine?
Be careful: French regulations are strict, among the strictest in Europe. With over 400,000 rules, France is often considered a world champion of regulation.
If you want to welcome guests and serve alcohol legally, you must understand the difference between a chambre d’hôtes, a table d’hôtes, and a restaurant.
This guide explains everything step by step.
What you'll find in this guide
What Are the regulations for a Chambre d’Hôtes in France?
A chambre d’hôtes is the French equivalent of a bed and breakfast.
It is defined by law as “accommodation in the host’s primary residence, where guests stay overnight and receive breakfast.”
Legal limits:
Maximum 5 bedrooms
Maximum 15 guests
Mandatory inclusion of breakfast
Unlike hotels, this is a small-scale hospitality activity, often located in rural or semi-rural areas.
What Is a Table d’Hôtes? (and why it’s not a restaurant)
Many B&B owners want to offer dinners. In France, this is allowed, but only under the table d’hôtes framework.
⚠️ This is a strictly regulated concept.
If you don’t follow the rules, your activity can be reclassified as a restaurant, with much heavier obligations. Read more about french regulations to open a restaurant in France.
The 5 mandatory rules for a table d'hôtes
- Only for your guests : you can't serve external customers.
- One single menu: no "à la carte", no choices (except allergies).
- Local, homemade cuisine: your meals must reflect regional products and traditions.
- Shared table: guests and hosts eat together.
- Limited to your capacity: maximum 15 guests
If you break even one rule, your activity becomes a restaurant. And the regulation is stricter.
You’d have to complete a full permis d’exploitation course (2,5 day). And your home will be considered as an ERP (établissement recevant du public = public venue).
Pay attention, if you serve a glass of alcohol alone. For example, to one guest who comes at 4pm, after driving 8 hours. To be able to serve him a welcome glass of wine, you’ll need a Licence 4. In order to purchase it, you need a full permis d’exploitation course as well.
Serving alcohol: what you need to know
Serving alcohol is where regulations become more complex. Even in a table d’hôtes, you need a licence.
To obtain this licence, you must first complete a permis d’exploitation training. There is a dedicated permis d’exploitation dedicated to table d’hôtes: this 1-day course (7 hours) is mandatory and allows you to legally serve wine, beer or cider with meals.
If you serve alcohol outside meals (for example in the afternoon), you may need a licence 4, which requires a full initial training (20 hours).
Our training center offers permis d’exploitation courses in english, 100% online classroom (Zoom). Right after your training, you receive your official certificate valid for 10 years in France.
Learn more about our permis d’exploitations courses in english.
Step-by-Step: how to open your Chambre d’Hôtes
Step 1: declare your activity at the Mairie (Town Hall)
Opening a gîte or chambre d’hôtes requires a prior declaration to the mayor. You must submit a declaration to your local mairie where is located your guesthouse.
You’ll have to fill an administrative form “CERFA 13566“. CERFA is used to describe official forms in France.
Fill in the CERFA form online, and print it, then you have to submit it in person at the town hall.
In large cities like Paris, rules are stricter. You need to obtain a registration number. Check all the required informations at your local mairie. guest
Step 2: choose your legal status
In France, to operate a business, you have the choice between different status.
You can operate as:
Micro-entrepreneur : simplified, ideal for small projects
It’s the usual status for small B&Bs. It offers flat-rate taxation and simplified accounting. There is no VAT below a certain revenue threshold. It suits hosts earning a supplementary income or aiming to test the idea.
Entreprise individuelle
This status works better when income exceeds the micro-entrepreneur ceiling. It also suits hosts for whom the B&B is a primary occupation.
Corporations (company SARL or SAS)
This status suits larger properties or multiple owners. They offer stronger liability protection and greater tax flexibility. If your chambre d’hôtes has additional services to offer, the best option is the corporation.
SAS is a good status if your don’t need monthly earning nor social security protection. In this way, you’ll earn dividends each year.
Otherwise, SARL will be a good option. Indeed the social security contributions are lower.
Your choice depends on your revenue and long-term strategy.
Step 3: obtain your permis d’exploitation
Do you plan to serve wine at dinner? Or beer, cider? Then you need a Restaurant License. And to obtain it, you need a valid permis d’exploitation.
The fastest option for B&B owners is the dedicated course: https://www.licence-4.com/en/permis-dexploitation-table-dhotes-course/
This course is:
100% online (Zoom)
Delivered in English
Valid for 10 years in France
Licence-4.com is one of the only State-approved center that offers this course in English language.
Step 4: declare your licence
You have obtained your permis d’exploitation? Congratulations ! Now you need to go the the Mairie (town hall) in order to apply for the license.
The most appropriate license to ask for a table d’hôtes is the Restaurant license.
Keep in mind : you must declare your license at least 15 days before opening.
Next steps :
Fill in the CERFA form 11542
Bring a valid proof of identity and your permis d’exploitation certificate
Submit to the Mairie (or Prefecture in Paris)
Step 5: food hygiene declaration
Even if full HACCP training is not mandatory for table d’hôtes, you must comply with hygiene regulations. The best way to know these rules is to complete a course.
In any case, except if you run a vegan restaurant, you’ll have to fill in an online declaration. It will be transmitted to the State Hygiene Department, called DDecPP.
This is required if you handle animal products.
Food Hygiene Rules: what you must apply
You must follow basic hygiene principles:
Clean surfaces and equipment
Proper storage temperatures
No cross-contamination
Safe sourcing of ingredients
Even without formal documentation, HACCP principles still apply.
If you want to strengthen your compliance with hygiene regulations, you can follow our dedicated HACCP course in English.
Why Joining Gîtes de France can boost your business
Joining Gîtes de France is not legally required. But it is highly recommended. Why? Because it gives your B&B instant credibility and national visibility.
Benefits include:
Quality label (1 to 5 épis) : your property is inspected and rated from one to five “épis”. This quality label build trust for your customers. It is a real competitive advantage in a crowded market.
Increased visibility
Booking platform
Training and support
It helps build trust and attract more guests.
The network generates thousands of bookings every year. Visibility matters, and Gîtes de France delivers it.
The federation also trains hosts on the permis d’exploitation. So affiliation is not just about marketing. It is about being legally prepared. To join, contact your local Gîtes de France delegation. An inspector will visit your property before classification.
Opening a chambre d’hôtes with a table d’hôtes is a great opportunity, but only if you comply with French regulations !
If you plan to serve alcohol, obtaining your permis d’exploitation is a key step. Start here with our permis d’exploitation course for chambre d’hôtes in English.
Stéphane Gely
Managing Director and trainer at AVENTUM. With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he specializes in supporting restaurant and bar owners with regulatory compliance, including permis d’exploitation (operating licence) and HACCP food hygiene training.
Licence-4.com is an Aventum website
22 avenue du Louron
31770 Colomiers
Phone : +33 (0)5 31 60 92 46
Contact us
Monday to Friday : 8h30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
About Us
Our Expertise
Regulatory course
Short online courses
Other courses for restaurateurs
Online information and advice
Credentials
Approval Permis d’exploitation
Organization approved by the Prefecture of Haute Garonne
(renewal of 04/01/2022 of the ministerial approval of 18/01/2026 NOR:INTD1736567A)
Quality Certification
What is Qualiopi ?
All rights reserved – © 2023 – Licence 4 by Aventum