Hotels
Operating a hotel in France: legal and regulatory framework
By Yasmine EDDAM17 April 2025Running a hotel business in France is an exciting entrepreneurial adventure, at the heart of a dynamic but highly regulated sector. Navigating the maze of legal and regulatory rules can be a complex task for professionals, whether newcomers or established players. However, a good understanding of this framework is essential if you are to secure your business, optimise your management and avoid costly setbacks. This article aims to shed light on the basics: what is a hotel business in the eyes of the law, how does official classification work, what are the particularities of hotel leases and what regulatory obligations cannot be ignored? It goes into more detail on some of the key points in this general framework of rights and obligations in the hotel industry. Defining the hotel business: more than just a rental property To begin with, we need to understand what the concept of a hotel means in legal terms. Article D. 311-4 of the French Tourism Code...
The hotel contract: booking, rights and duties of the customer and the hotelier
Commercial, business and competition law, HotelsA stay in a hotel, whether for business or pleasure, is based on a fundamental agreement: the hotel contract. Often concluded quickly, sometimes even without a formal written document for a simple overnight stay, this contract nonetheless remains the cornerstone of the relationship between the operator and the guest...Hotel liability: damage to guests and their property
Commercial, business and competition law, HotelsA stay in a hotel is generally a positive experience, but incidents can happen: an unfortunate fall down the stairs, the theft of valuables from a room or a vehicle from the car park, etc. When such events occur, the question of the hotelier's liability arises....Hotel rights and obligations: the essential guide for travellers and operators
Commercial, business and competition law, HotelsThe hotel industry is a pillar of France's economy and tourism. Behind the apparent simplicity of booking a room, however, lies a complex legal relationship governed by specific rules. Whether you're a traveller looking for accommodation or a professional running an establishment, knowing your rights and obligations is a must...
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