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Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Aix-en-Provence: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Former capital of Provence and birthplace of Cezanne, Aix-en-Provence is one of the strictest cities in southern France for short-term rental regulations. Its historic center with 17th-century private mansions, the Cours Mirabeau and the International Opera Festival make it a major tourist destination, but the municipality has chosen to firmly protect its residential housing stock.
90 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Mandatory
Compensation
Rental day limit in Aix-en-Provence
In Aix-en-Provence, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 90 days per year. Aix-en-Provence has activated the option provided by the Le Meur law to reduce the cap to 90 days per year for the primary residence. This decision reflects the strong property market pressure in a city where prices per square meter are among the highest outside Paris, and where the student population (40,000 students) generates considerable residential rental demand.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Aix-en-Provence beyond 90 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Aix-en-Provence
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Aix-en-Provence, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Mandatory.
Aix-en-Provence requires compensation for any change of use of a dwelling to furnished tourist accommodation. The owner must convert an equivalent commercial or office surface area into residential housing within the municipality. This constraint is particularly burdensome in the historic center, where available premises for compensation are scarce and expensive. The protected sector, covering old Aix from the Cours Mirabeau to the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, is subject to heightened vigilance.
Quotas and restrictions in Aix-en-Provence
Historic center
Aix-en-Provence applies restrictions in its historic center, where the concentration of furnished tourist accommodation has reached levels deemed excessive by the municipality. Change of use authorizations are examined on a case-by-case basis, with a high probability of refusal within the protected perimeter. The Mazarin quarter, the Cours Mirabeau and old Aix are subject to enhanced monitoring.
Fines and enforcement in Aix-en-Provence
In Aix-en-Provence, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Fines reach €10,000 for failure to register and €50,000 for unauthorized change of use. Aix-en-Provence has significantly strengthened its inspections since 2024, with municipal agents who systematically check online listings. Several owners in the Mazarin quarter and old Aix were fined in 2024 and 2025 for renting without authorization.
Specific rules in Aix-en-Provence
- Registration number mandatory on all listings, actively monitored by city hall
- Compensation mandatory for any change of use, regardless of the number of properties
- Enhanced restrictions in the historic center with case-by-case examination of authorizations
- Cap reduced to 90 days per year for the primary residence
- Increased tourist tax collected by platforms and remitted to the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolitan Authority
Energy rating (DPE): The historic center of Aix-en-Provence is filled with private mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries, built in golden limestone with high ceilings and large windows. While these features appeal to travelers, they make thermal insulation challenging. Listed or registered buildings cannot receive external insulation, and interior work must respect original moldings and decorative elements.
Le Meur Law: the complete guide for property owners
Discover all measures of the Le Meur Law 2025: taxation, energy ratings, national registration, co-ownership, and mayoral powers.
See also: regulations in nearby cities
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Aix-en-Provence is one of the strictest cities in southern France. The cap is 90 days per year, compensation is mandatory for any change of use and the historic center is subject to enhanced restrictions. Inspections are active and penalties are regularly issued.
Renting the primary residence is possible up to 90 days per year, with city hall registration. For a secondary residence, change of use authorization with compensation is mandatory, and applications in the Cours Mirabeau area are examined with heightened scrutiny. Refusals are frequent in this perimeter.
Yes, the International Opera Festival (June-July) is the period of highest demand, with rates that can quadruple. The Rencontres du 9e Art (comics), the Christmas market and the Provencal markets also attract a regular tourist clientele throughout the year.
Yes, compensation is particularly challenging in Aix-en-Provence. You must convert a commercial space into housing within the municipality, but available premises are scarce and expensive in the city center. The total cost of the process can reach tens of thousands of euros, making it prohibitive for many property owners.
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