🏙️ Marseille & Paris: a duo to stem tourist accommodation! 🏡

IN BRIEF

Paris imposes fines of up to 100,000 euros for illegal rentals.
Reduction of the maximum rental duration to 90 nights per year starting in 2025.
80% of short-term rental requests in Paris are denied.
Marseille requires landlords to acquire another property to offer year-round rentals.
80% of tourist accommodations requests are also denied in Marseille.
Both cities are fighting against overtourism and the housing crisis.

Across France, Marseille and Paris are leading the way in the fight against the proliferation of tourist accommodations. While these iconic metropolises attract millions of visitors each year, municipal authorities are seeking to regulate this phenomenon, which has become a source of tension between tourists and residents. Through deterrent fines and new requirements for property owners, both cities aim to preserve their identity and address the challenges posed by overtourism. A deep dive into the issues shaping the future of tourist accommodation in France.

In a context where the demand for short-term rentals is booming, the cities of Marseille and Paris are taking firm measures to curb the proliferation of tourist accommodations. This initiative aims to protect urban heritage and address housing challenges for residents. While adopting different approaches, these two French metropolises nonetheless demonstrate a common desire to regulate this rapidly growing sector.

Paris: strict regulation #

The French capital, in search of fairness and sustainability, is becoming an example to follow in the control of tourist accommodations. The City Hall of Paris recently announced fines of up to 100,000 euros for property owners who do not comply with imposed regulations. The city relies on national legislation aimed at limiting the number of allowed rental nights to 90 per year starting in January 2025 for primary residences. Currently, the limit is set at 120 days.

This decision is part of a desire to protect the capital from overcrowding, in response to increasing demand and a significant decrease in housing supply. Paris has nearly 100,000 tourist accommodations, a significant portion of which are not declared. This situation poses challenges for both residents and visitors, as it disrupts the very dynamics of Parisian neighborhoods.

Marseille: an innovative strategy #

In Marseille, the municipality adopts a more original method to tackle the same problem. Rather than imposing strict restrictions, the city encourages property owners of tourist accommodations to purchase a property to rent year-round. This would not only increase the supply of permanent housing in the Marseille metropolitan area but also encourage a certain form of social responsibility among landlords.

The City Hall of Marseille already rejects 80% of requests for “short-term rental” status to ensure that housing is occupied stably. In addition to this incentive policy, the city aims to establish clear rules for future market players, thereby preserving the authenticity of neighborhoods while addressing housing challenges.

The benefits of joint regulation #

By uniting against the proliferation of tourist accommodations, Marseille and Paris demonstrate that thoughtful regulation can alleviate pressure on the real estate market while promoting sustainable and harmonious development of cities. This initiative allows for rethinking the use of urban space to better meet the needs of residents without reducing the potential for tourist accommodation.

The fact that each city adopts a unique approach shows that there is no universal solution to the problem of tourist accommodations. It is imperative for each metropolis to examine its own challenges while learning from the best practices of its neighbors. By joining their efforts, Marseille and Paris pave the way for a model of responsible tourism, while ensuring the quality of life for their residents.