There are between 7,500 and 10,000 accommodations rented on the Airbnb platform in Lyon © Assedrani Official / Pexels
Deleterious impact on the housing market, noise pollution, “Disneylandization” of tourist centers, furnished tourist accommodation are in the sights of critics in Lyon. Overview to understand the challenges of these accommodations popular with occasional visitors.
There are between 7,500 and 10,000 homes for rent on the Airbnb platform in Lyon. Figures come from the city hall, for the low scale, and from the Inside Airbnb platform, for the high scale. In other words, around 3% of Lyon’s homes are intended for tourists. A situation which, at first glance, seems far removed from the failings experienced by European tourist capitals such as Paris, Barcelona or Venice.
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“These figures are misleading because furnished tourist accommodation is not distributed equitably throughout the city. It is mainly the hypercentre which is concerned, with peaks in Vieux Lyon, the Presqu’île and the slopes of Croix-Rousse. For the 1st arrondissement, they still represent 7% of main residences. The impact on access to housing and real estate prices is therefore significant”, reports Sophia Popoff (EELV), housing assistant at the City of Lyon. In fact, most studies report a return approximately three times higher than a traditional rental. Enough to attract investors and property management companies [lire l’entretien]. From right to left, the subject is politically consensual. David Kimelfeld, former president of the Métropole de Lyon, recognizes this: “There are entire buildings made up of Airbnbs, and it’s a real problem..” The opposition representative, however, qualifies: “I don’t think there are too many. We are not yet at the level of Barcelona where local residents are demonstrating in the streets. You have to stay vigilant and find a balance. There is still room to tighten the screw but it is not a question of eradicating Airbnb. It also corresponds to a use. It is a complementary tourism offer and it is not a subject for hoteliers who target another market. We can clearly see that, for families or low-income households, Airbnb is more suitable. It’s also another way of experiencing the city.”
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