France is taking a major step towards more inclusive outdoor tourism with the launch of the first next-generation mobile home fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. With a surface area of 50 square metres, the new model – developed by Bio Habitat under the O’Hara brand – marks a concrete evolution in accommodation offerings and sets a new benchmark for truly accessible outdoor hospitality.
Until recently, French regulations limited mobile home sizes to a maximum of 40 square meters, an obstacle that made it difficult to provide dignified and comfortable accommodation for people with disabilities, especially in models with multiple bedrooms. This changed thanks to the combined efforts of Bio Habitat, the advocacy network Réseau Passerelles, France Simplification (formerly France Expérimentation), and the Fédération Nationale de l’Hôtellerie de Plein Air (FNHPA). Their coordinated work led to a landmark regulatory reform in April 2024, allowing the development of mobile homes up to 50 square meters specifically designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
The 1175 3CH mobile home by Bio Habitat features premium specifications that make it perfectly suited for people with reduced mobility. It is easily accessible for wheelchair users, with 150 cm turning areas in each room and door widths of at least 83 cm. The ceiling height is 2.30 meters, and one of the children’s bedrooms can accommodate a medical assistance bed.
Attention to detail extends to both the interior and exterior design, which reflects the style of the O’Hara 2026 range: elegant, warm interiors combining natural wood, soft tones, and high-end materials. It comes with reinforced 4-season insulation as standard, and features an XXL shower room with an innovative design, including a shower with a removable and height-adjustable seat, a folding glass panel, shower grab bars, a wall-mounted toilet, and a washbasin.
Perfect synergy for a common goal
The synergy between these partners was essential: Bio Habitat, through its O’HARA brand, initiated the process by designing an innovative mobile home prototype; Réseau Passerelles provided insight into the real needs of families and individuals with disabilities; France Simplification guided the legislative process, helping to implement the new regulation; and FNHPA facilitated dialogue with authorities, strengthening the voice of the open-air hospitality sector and promoting more inclusive tourism.
This breakthrough has a tangible impact on more than 300,000 families in France who have children with severe disabilities. For them, this new type of accommodation opens the door to planning holidays in spaces that are not only adequate and safe but also dignified, places where every family member can relax and enjoy a sense of normalcy. The prototype, unveiled on the Emerald Coast, was met with widespread approval and is already being hailed as a concrete example of social progress. More than just a new housing option, it represents a paradigm shift in accessible tourism.
“This prototype marks a crucial milestone for inclusion in leisure and vacation experiences. It proves that open-air hospitality can be a powerful driver of equality in access to holidays for all,” said Nicolas Dayot, president of the FNHPA.
