The journal

Everything we learn from the field.

Market, regulation, taxation, destinations, owner advice — by the SmartStay team.

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Destinations·20 May 2026

Val d'Isère: concierge & property management in the queen of the Alps

Val d'Isère is France's most international resort and one of the most expensive in Europe. Its rental market is as demanding as it is lucrative — here is how to make the most of it.

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Renting on Airbnb in Lyon in 2026: is it still worth it?

The Loi Le Meur of January 2025 has fundamentally reshaped France's short-term rental market. In Lyon, the question is more pressing than ever: stay on Airbnb, or switch to long-term letting?

Destinations·5 min

Méribel: Airbnb management in the heart of the Three Valleys

Méribel sits at the centre of the world's largest ski area. Its dark-timber chalets and villages attract a loyal clientele, especially British guests. Here are the distinctive features of this market.

Destinations·5 min

Airbnb property management in Chamonix: maximising peak-season revenue

Chamonix is one of the few resorts in the world with two equally intense peak seasons: winter skiing and summer trail running / mountaineering. A well-managed apartment can generate revenue for 10 months of the year.

Destinations·5 min

Morzine: concierge & short-term rental in the Portes du Soleil

Morzine is the gateway to the Portes du Soleil, Europe's largest Franco-Swiss ski area. An authentic village, a warm atmosphere, and a dual French and international clientele make for a distinctive rental market.

Taxation·6 min

Tax regime for French furnished tourist rentals in 2026

Since the 2024 Finance Act and the 2025 Loi Le Meur, the tax treatment of furnished tourist rentals has changed significantly. Here is a clear, up-to-date overview of the available regimes and the right strategy for your situation.

Destinations·4 min

Val Thorens: Europe's highest resort, top-altitude revenue

At 2,300 metres above sea level, Val Thorens is Europe's highest ski resort. Guaranteed snow cover, a long season and the Three Valleys ski area make it one of the most stable rental markets in the Alps.

How to prepare your chalet for the winter season

The winter peak season typically accounts for 70–80 % of a mountain property's annual revenue. Thorough preparation in September–October makes the difference between a smooth season and a series of unpleasant surprises.

Destinations·4 min

La Plagne: property management in the Alps' most visited resort

La Plagne is the most visited ski resort in the French Alps, with nearly 2.5 million skier days per year. For an investor or owner, this means guaranteed rental demand — provided the property is well managed.

Destinations·4 min

Tignes in summer: rental yields as strong as winter

Tignes is often associated with skiing and its winter season. Yet over the past three years, summer has become equally — if not more — profitable for owners who let year-round.

Destinations·4 min

Les Ménuires: the underrated rental yield of the Three Valleys

Les Ménuires is often overshadowed by neighbours Val Thorens and Méribel. Yet its position in the Three Valleys, accessible prices and yield-to-price ratio make it a rational choice for savvy investors.

Airbnb concierge vs letting agency: what's the difference?

Many property owners hesitate between a traditional letting agency and a short-term rental concierge service. The models are fundamentally different — here is how to choose.

Destinations·4 min

La Rosière: the Franco-Italian resort attracting investors

La Rosière is a family-friendly resort in the Tarentaise valley with a rare asset: a direct ski connection to La Thuile in Italy. This cross-border ski area and still-accessible prices make it an interesting choice for yield-focused property owners.

Regulation·5 min

Short-term rental regulation in France 2026: what has changed

Between the Loi Le Meur of January 2025 and the wave of municipal by-laws in tourist areas, the regulatory framework for short-term letting in France has tightened considerably. Here are the key points to stay compliant.

Destinations·5 min

Courchevel 1850: how to make an exceptional property pay

Courchevel 1850 is the highest segment of the French Alpine rental market. Acquisition prices are among the highest in Europe — but so are rental revenues. Here is how to maximise return on investment.

Destinations·4 min

Short-term rental in Villeurbanne: the opportunity that Lyon overlooks

Villeurbanne is often seen as Lyon's suburb. In reality, it is France's 10th largest city and an under-exploited short-term rental market, with acquisition prices 30–40 % lower than Lyon for similar demand.

Megève vs Chamonix: where to invest in the Alps?

Megève and Chamonix are two of the most sought-after alpine destinations in Haute-Savoie, but their rental markets are fundamentally different. Here is a factual comparison to help you choose.

Airbnb vs Booking.com vs VRBO: which platform for your property?

Each short-term rental platform has its own rules, its own clientele and its own commission structure. Understanding these differences lets you choose the right distribution mix to maximise your revenue.

Revenue management for short-term rentals: our techniques

Dynamic pricing is the most powerful lever for increasing your rental income without changing your property. Here are the principles we apply at SmartStay to optimise rates across our portfolio.

Preparing your mountain property for summer: our practical tips

Summer in the mountains now generates revenue comparable to winter in many resorts. But preparing your property for the summer season requires specific attention, different from winter preparation.

Annecy: short-term or long-term rental?

Annecy is one of the French cities where this question is most acute. Strong summer tourist demand, increasingly strict regulation, high property prices: here is how to choose the right strategy for your property.

Where to invest in the French Alps in 2026: our market-by-market analysis

The French Alps offer vastly different markets depending on the destination. Yields, climate risk, appreciation potential: here is our analysis of each market to guide your investment decision.

Destinations·4 min

Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise: the hidden resort that outperforms

Sandwiched between Val d'Isère and La Rosière, Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise remains one of the Alps' best-kept secrets. Yet its rental metrics outperform many far better-known resorts. Here is why.

Short-term rental in Lyon: which neighbourhood to choose?

Lyon is a city of sharply contrasting micro-markets. From one arrondissement to the next, the clientele, nightly rates and regulatory constraints vary considerably. Here is our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood analysis.