Everything we learn from the field.
Market, regulation, taxation, destinations, owner advice — by the SmartStay team.
Short-term rental scams: protecting your listing and income before winter
Fake platform messages, off-platform payment requests, fraudulent bookings, parties disguised as quiet family weekends: as winter bookings open, scam attempts targeting property owners multiply. None of them is inevitable. Most fail against a handful of simple rules, applied without exception.
Airbnb and Booking discounts and promotions: when a price cut really makes you money
Weekly discounts, early-bird offers, last-minute deals, the Genius programme: platforms keep adding discount levers, and many owners switch them on without doing the maths. Badly configured, these discounts stack up, eat into your margin on weeks that would have sold anyway and weaken your positioning. Used well, they fill exactly the nights that would otherwise stay empty.
Trade fairs and congresses in Lyon: capturing Eurexpo's business travellers in winter
In Lyon, winter is not just the Festival of Lights. Between Eurexpo, the Cité Internationale and medical congresses, thousands of professional visitors need a place to stay for three or four nights, often midweek and often at short notice. For a well-prepared owner, a single trade-fair week can be worth a month of ordinary occupancy.
Guest messaging: the communication sequence that protects your winter stays
In a ski resort, a winter stay is often won or lost before check-in: snowy roads, no parking, a forgotten lockbox code at 10 pm. A well-built messaging sequence prevents most incidents, late-night calls and four-star reviews. Here is the sequence we apply to every booking.
Photo condition reports and inventory: protecting your property before the winter turnover
In a ski resort, an apartment can host more than twenty groups between Christmas and Easter, with departures on Saturday morning and arrivals the same afternoon. At that pace, an undocumented breakage or missing item is a straight loss: without dated evidence, no platform or insurer will pay out. A systematic photo condition report is the cheapest protection of your season.
Your family ski weeks: how to block them without sacrificing your winter revenue
At the end of September, many owners of ski chalets and apartments set their own winter dates at the last minute, or worse, after bookings have opened. Yet a poorly placed personal week can cost more than an entire month of low season. Everything comes down to which dates you choose and when you block them.
Housing seasonal workers: a profitable alternative for your resort studio?
Every autumn the same question comes back to owners of small units in ski resorts: should you let to seasonal staff from November to April instead of managing sixty short-term arrivals? Demand is real and the legal framework exists, but the financial trade-off is far less obvious than it looks.
Winter access: parking, snow tyres and shuttles, the detail that drives your reviews
A guest arriving at 9 pm in falling snow, unsure where to park or whether their tyres are legal, starts the stay already stressed. Access logistics are the most overlooked part of mountain listings and one of the first causes of a low January rating. This is work you do now, not at the first storm.
Overbooking, breakdowns, water damage: your continuity plan
A boiler failing on 27 December, water damage the evening before a check-in, two bookings on the same night after a calendar desync: these incidents are not rare, they are statistical. Across a full winter season, the question is not whether they will happen, but whether you have prepared the answer. Here is the method we apply.
Hot tub, sauna, spa: what return on investment in a chalet?
It is the question that comes up most often as the winter season approaches: should you install a hot tub or a sauna in your mountain property? The equipment sells, without question. But between the purchase price, running costs and health obligations, the decision deserves more than intuition. Here are the numbers and the method.
Winter 2027 school holidays: building your calendar zone by zone
In an Alpine resort, winter revenue is not decided across a season but across a dozen weeks whose dates are known well in advance. The French and European school-holiday calendar is the most predictable data point in your business — and the least exploited. As winter calendars open, here is how to turn it into a pricing grid.
Ski-in ski-out or resort centre: what location really does to your revenue
In an alpine resort, two identical properties 400 metres apart do not command the same rental value. Distance to the slopes is the criterion buyers discuss most — and quantify worst. As winter calendars open, here is what location actually delivers on average rate, occupancy and the summer season.
Business and second-home tax: the owner's autumn tax calendar
Between October and December, two tax notices land back to back on French holiday-let owners: the CFE business property tax, then the second-home council tax. Unanticipated, they arrive at the worst possible moment for cash flow — right before season opening costs. Properly understood, they can be managed, and sometimes significantly reduced.
Large capacity: why 8-to-14-bed properties outperform
For a comparable building, a property configured for twelve guests does not earn twice what a six-guest property earns: it often earns two and a half times more. That gap has nothing to do with floor area or altitude. It comes from a market where large-capacity supply remains structurally scarce while group demand keeps growing. Understanding the imbalance changes how you weigh a purchase or a renovation.
Orphan nights: recovering the gaps in your winter calendar
Between two week-long bookings there are often two or three nights nobody will ever take under your current settings. In Alpine resorts these gaps routinely account for 8–15 % of the winter calendar — lost revenue that stays invisible because it never appears on any statement. The good news: September is when those gaps are created, so it is also when they can still be prevented.
Hotel-grade linen: buy, rent or outsource before winter
Linen is the most mundane line item in a short-term rental, yet it drives more negative reviews and more turnover delays than almost anything else. Between owning your stock, renting from a commercial laundry and running a hybrid setup, the decision affects both your cash flow and your average rating. September is the last sensible moment to settle it, before the back-to-back Saturday changeovers of February.
Booking pickup: reading your winter booking pace from September
In mid-September your winter calendar still looks almost blank — which is exactly what makes it readable. Pickup, the number of nights added week after week for each period, tells you very early whether your rates are right, too ambitious or already too low. Here is how to track it and, above all, when to act.
DAC7: what booking platforms report about your rental income
Every January, Airbnb, Booking.com and Vrbo send the French tax authorities a full breakdown of what you collected the previous year. Most owners have never heard of the DAC7 directive until a request for clarification lands in their tax portal. Here is what is reported, why the figures never match your bank statement, and how to stay protected.
Low weeks in the ski season: filling January and early December in the Alps
A profitable winter is not won only at Christmas and in February: it is won on the eight to ten weeks everyone lets slip. Early December, January and late March often account for more than half of a season's available nights. September is when you build the strategy that fills them without discounting your property.
Switching property manager: how to hand over your rental without losing anything
September is when most management changes are decided: winter bookings are not yet heavy, and contractual notice has time to run before Christmas. Yet many dissatisfied owners delay the decision, convinced they will lose their listing, their reviews and their ranking. That is not true — provided the handover is sequenced properly.
Ancillary revenue: the services that raise the average value of each stay
Almost every owner thinks in nights booked and occupancy rate. Yet in a well-positioned Alpine chalet, services sold during the stay can account for 8–15 % of annual turnover — without adding a single night to the calendar. Here is how to build that second revenue line before the winter season opens.
Direct booking: taking back control of your commissions before winter
Between platform commission, payment fees and VAT on services, a stay sold for €2,000 rarely leaves more than €1,800 to distribute. Direct booking is the only lever that raises your margin without touching your headline rate. September, as the winter calendar opens, is the moment to put it in place.
Energy costs in ski resorts: the line item eating your winter margin
A chalet let all winter can post flattering revenue and disappointing profitability. The cause is almost always the same: energy. Heating, hot water, hot tubs and towel rails run non-stop from December to April, controlled by guests who never see the bill. September is your last window to act before the meter takes off.
International guests in the Alps: the markets that make your winter
In the Northern Alps, a chalet's performance does not depend on its location alone: it depends on its ability to capture foreign markets whose calendars look nothing like the French one. British, Dutch, Belgian and Nordic guests book earlier, stay longer and pay more on a handful of very specific weeks. September is when those bookings are decided — and when most French owners are not yet ready.
Safety and compliance in your rental: what to check before winter
A furnished tourist rental is not only a revenue product: it is a home subject to precise safety obligations, several of which are checked at the start of the season. In the Alps, winter concentrates the most serious risks — heating, chimneys, hot tubs, ice — and it is also when your property is occupied without a break. September is the last comfortable moment to bring everything up to standard.
The remote owner: running an Alpine property without living there
Many owners of chalets and apartments across Savoie and Haute-Savoie live hours away from their property, and often abroad. Distance is not a handicap in itself: it becomes expensive when nothing has been structured before the season opens. Three months out from winter, this is exactly the moment to put the setup in place.
Festival of Lights: the four most expensive nights of the year in Lyon
Every 8 December, Lyon draws close to two million visitors across four evenings. For an owner, this is the window where nightly rates can triple — provided the calendar was opened and priced months in advance. In September, that decision is still yours to make.
Christmas, New Year and February half-term: build your winter pricing grid in September
Across a ski season, three or four weeks routinely account for 40 to 50 % of a resort property's annual revenue. They are also the weeks owners most often undersell, simply because the rates were never set before the market opened. In September, winter demand takes shape — and that is when the pricing grid is decided.
Serviced tourist residences: should you exit your commercial lease and self-manage?
Thousands of alpine apartments are still locked into a commercial lease signed with a serviced tourist residence operator. At every three- or nine-year milestone the same question returns: accept a rent revised downwards, or take back control of the property. Autumn is when these decisions get made, ahead of the winter booking window.
Airbnb management contracts: the clauses to check before you sign
Choosing a management company is rarely decided by the sales pitch — it is decided in the contract. Scope of service, commission base, term of engagement, ownership of the listing: four badly drafted lines can cost you several thousand euros a season. Here is what an owner should read before signing.
Off-season works and maintenance: your September–October action plan
Between the last August booking and the opening of the ski season, you have an eight-to-ten-week window. It is the only time of year when building work costs you no nights. Owners who plan it in July get through winter without a technical incident; the rest improvise in December, at the worst possible moment.
VAT and para-hotel status: when your short-term rental becomes taxable
Most owners assume furnished tourist lets are inherently outside the scope of VAT. That holds true — until the services offered tip the activity into para-hotel territory. Since the reform of Article 261 D of the French tax code, that line has moved, and a property manager who is too generous with services can push you across it without you ever deciding to.
Autumn wine tourism: turning the grape harvest into rental income
Between the end of the summer peak and the opening of winter bookings, one window stays largely untapped by Alpine and Lyon owners: autumn wine tourism. From September to November, harvests, tastings and gastronomic weekends draw guests who spend well and book early. Positioned right, your property can smooth out a traditionally quiet month.
Social contributions on furnished tourist rentals: the €23,000 threshold explained
Income tax is only part of the equation. Above €23,000 in receipts, your furnished tourist rental can tip into a social-contributions regime that reshapes your net yield entirely. It is a threshold too often discovered after the fact, when the URSSAF bill lands.
Snow reliability and climate risk: choosing the right resort before you invest
Investing in the mountains means betting on snow. But warming is redrawing the map of reliable snow cover, and resorts are no longer created equal. Before buying to let, altitude and aspect now matter as much as location.
Autumn: capturing mid-term stays and business travellers
September reshuffles the deck. Tourist demand fades, but a quieter clientele takes over: professional relocations, long assignments, training courses, worksites, spa cures. Mid-term rental is the most underused lever to smooth your autumn revenue — provided you approach it with method rather than by default.
Home staging: the styling that justifies premium rates
Two comparable properties, two wildly different revenues. The gap rarely comes down to location — it plays out in the atmosphere, the coherence and the care given to every room. Home staging isn't decorative luxury; it's a profitability lever you can measure directly on your calendar.
Autumn half-term in the Alps: the off-season market owners overlook
In the Alps, the autumn half-term empties the clichés, not the guests. Between amber foliage, crisp air and rates that are still gentle, France's late-October school break draws a clientele most owners ignore — convinced the season only starts at Christmas. It's a mistake that leaves several thousand euros on the table every year.
Summer season review: the metrics to analyse before winter
The summer season is winding down — the moment to dissect your performance while the numbers are fresh. A solid August review shapes your winter pricing strategy, the most profitable season in the mountains. Most owners skip this step and repeat the same mistakes year after year.
The Airbnb cleaning fee: how to set it without losing bookings
The cleaning fee is the most scrutinised line on any listing — and often the worst calibrated. Set it too low and it eats your margin on every stay; too high and it scares off short bookings and drags down your conversion. Handled well, it's a quiet profitability lever most owners leave to chance.
Attracting families to your short-term rental: the segment that fills your summers
In July and August it isn't weekend couples who fill your calendar — it's families on week-long stays. They are the most loyal segment, book the longest stays and are the least price-sensitive, provided your property ticks the right boxes. Here is how to turn your rental into a safe bet for families.
The 90-night cap: renting your primary residence without crossing the line
Renting your primary residence on Airbnb is perfectly legal, but a strict cap limits the number of nights you can offer. Since the Loi Le Meur, that ceiling has tightened and city councils now actively enforce it. Here is how to stay compliant while maximising revenue on the window available to you.
Winter 2026-2027: why you should open your bookings right now
In the middle of July, the ski season feels a long way off. That calendar misjudgement is exactly what costs Alpine owners the most. Winter's highest-earning stays — Christmas, New Year, February half-term — are booked in summer, often six months ahead. Here is how to structure your season opening.
A short-term rental with a pool: yield and legal obligations
At the height of summer, a pool has become the single most-used filter for guests on Airbnb. For an owner, it's a powerful revenue lever — provided you master its true cost and legal framework. Here is our data-driven analysis, from premium pricing to mandatory safety rules.
Noise and neighbours: protecting your short-term rental this summer
Summer is the prime season for short-term rentals — and the one when neighbour disputes peak. Terraces, open windows, groups on holiday: a single noisy evening can trigger a complaint, a bad review, even a co-ownership vote to ban short-term letting. As a property owner, anticipating noise issues isn't optional: it protects your asset.
Short-term rental registration number: the 2026 owner's guide
Since the Loi Le Meur, the registration number is no longer a formality reserved for big cities. In 2026 it becomes the cornerstone of any compliant short-term rental. Here is what you, as a property owner, absolutely need to know to let with peace of mind.
Last-minute bookings: the winning summer 2026 strategy
Just days before the summer peak, a growing share of travellers now book within 72 hours of arrival. For property owners, these last-minute bookings are not a hazard to endure: managed well, they fill calendar gaps and protect your July–August occupancy rate.
EV charging station: the amenity that attracts travellers in 2026
Summer 2026 brings a new generation of electric road-trippers to the Alps and Lyon, all looking for a property where they can charge overnight. Installing a charging point in your rental is no longer a gimmick: it's a search filter, a booking argument and a source of extra income. Here's how to turn it into a profitable lever.
Workation: capturing remote-work travellers to fill your calendar
Remote work has created a hybrid traveller: on holiday, yet still working a few hours a day. This segment books longer stays, off-season, and pays for comfort. Setting your property up for workation smooths your occupancy all year round. Here's how to turn it into a real revenue lever.
Multi-platform distribution: should you list beyond Airbnb?
Many owners bet everything on Airbnb and leave unsold nights on the table. Listing your property across several platforms — Booking, Vrbo and beyond — boosts visibility and occupancy, provided you master synchronisation. Here's what to know before you start.
Summer comfort in short-term rentals: should you add air conditioning?
France's summers keep breaking records, and thermal comfort has become a booking criterion as decisive as cleanliness. To cool or not to cool? Here is how to decide, resort by resort and flat by flat, without eroding your yield.
Writing an Airbnb listing that converts: title, description and keywords
Great photos earn the click, but it's the copy that turns a visitor into a booking. Most owners polish their images and neglect their title and description. Here's how to write a listing that actually converts.
Short-term rental insurance: what your policy must actually cover
A claim in peak summer season, a guest injured on your terrace, a water leak flooding the flat below: in short-term rental, the unexpected is expensive. And the nasty surprise often comes from the policy itself, which fails to cover what the owner assumed was insured. Here is how to genuinely protect your property.
Minimum stay length: the setting that reshapes your yield
It's one of the most powerful levers on your calendar — and one of the most poorly set. Minimum stay length isn't a set-and-forget rule: it's something you steer week by week. Calibrated well, it raises occupancy, cuts cleaning costs and lifts net revenue without touching your nightly rate.
The digital welcome guide: the tool that cuts your messages and lifts your reviews
The plastic-sleeved binder on the coffee table has had its day. In 2026, the digital welcome guide has become the highest-return, lowest-cost tool for smoothing your guests' arrival. Here is why it changes the game, and what a good guide should contain.
Airbnb cancellation policy: which strategy actually protects your income?
The cancellation policy is one of the most underrated settings on a listing. Too lenient, and your high-season nights are exposed to last-minute drop-outs; too rigid, and you deter bookings altogether. Here is how to choose, and adjust, the strategy that genuinely secures your revenue.
Allowing pets in your rental: the revenue lever everyone overlooks
Nearly half of French households own a pet, and most refuse to travel without it. Yet almost every listing shuts the door on dogs and cats. For an owner, that collective reluctance is exactly what creates the opportunity.
Capital gains on selling a French furnished rental: the 2025 reform
The Loi Le Meur has ended the quietest tax break in furnished letting: on resale, depreciation already deducted is now added back into the capital-gains calculation. It is a shift every landlord should anticipate — sometimes years in advance.
2030 Winter Olympics in the Alps: should you invest now?
The 2030 Winter Olympics will be held in the French Alps. For a property owner, that's rare: a four-year horizon, named host sites and a wave of global media attention. The real question isn't whether the event will lift revenue, but how to position yourself without overpaying the premium.
Aix-les-Bains: the spa-and-lake market property owners forget
Twenty minutes from Chambéry and set on the largest natural lake in France, Aix-les-Bains combines two demand drivers few Alpine resorts can match: spa cures and lakeside summers. The result is a rental season that runs from March to November, while high-altitude resorts live in bursts. For a property owner, it's a market with steady yields — and one still largely overlooked in short-term rental.
Airbnb in Lyon in summer: the urban market owners wrongly discount
Everyone assumes Lyon empties out in June as residents leave for the coast. The opposite is true: between the Nuits de Fourvière festival, international tourism and business travel that never fully stops, the Lyon summer is one of the steadiest seasons — provided you don't slash your rates on reflex.
Becoming an Airbnb Superhost: the badge that lifts your revenue
Superhost status is not a decorative trophy. It is a trust signal that directly drives your visibility, your conversion rate and the price guests will accept to pay. Earning the badge takes discipline; holding it quarter after quarter takes real organisation.
UTMB and Alpine trail races: the late-summer revenue window owners underrate
While most owners think in terms of the ski season and summer holidays, a second calendar quietly overlaps in the Alps: the one set by the great trail races. The UTMB and the events that punctuate the warm season generate premium, predictable and largely untapped demand spikes.
Airbnb concierge in Courchevel: high-end property management in the 3 Vallées
Courchevel holds the most coveted leisure real estate in the French Alps, and a clientele that tolerates no shortcuts. Letting your property there without professional management means losing both revenue and reputation. A look at a market unlike any other — and what it truly demands.
Shoulder season in the Alps: turning quiet months into revenue
Between the May–June snowmelt and the September–November pre-season, Alpine resort calendars empty out. Most owners simply close their property — yet the shoulder season can deliver 15–20 % of annual revenue for those who know how to work it.
EPC and furnished tourist rentals: the timeline that can ban your listing
Long spared, short-term rentals are now firmly within the scope of energy performance rules. France's Loi Le Meur is gradually aligning furnished tourist lets with the energy-decency standards applied to ordinary housing. For a property owner, ignoring this timeline means risking the loss of the right to rent the property at all.
Furnished tourist rental classification: the most overlooked tax lever in 2026
In 2026, the official star classification of a furnished tourist rental — from one to five stars — has become the most profitable and most overlooked optimisation lever available to landlords. Since the Loi Le Meur, it directly determines your micro-BIC allowance and sends a decisive quality signal to guests. Here's how to obtain it, and why it pays for itself within a few nights.
Hotel-grade cleaning in short-term rentals: the quiet pillar of 5-star reviews
Guests rarely forgive a lack of cleanliness. It's the first thing they see on arrival, the last thing they remember on departure — and the single most-cited complaint in negative reviews. As the summer peak season approaches and turnovers stack up, cleaning becomes the link that makes or breaks your rating.
Airbnb amenities: which ones actually grow your revenue
Not all amenities are created equal. Some pay for themselves in a single season and unlock a premium clientele; others tie up capital without moving your occupancy. Here, backed by data, are the ones that genuinely shift your rental income.
Tourist tax for short-term rentals: the complete 2026 guide
Tourist tax looks like a harmless formality. In reality it is one of the line items where short-term rental owners are most exposed to a reassessment — often without realising it. Between Airbnb's automatic collection and total oversight on every other channel, the line is thin — and municipalities now cross-check the data.
French SCI or direct ownership: which structure for short-term letting?
It is the question owners most often ask us before signing. The SCI (real estate civil company) is attractive for succession planning and joint acquisition — yet its compatibility with furnished tourist letting hides a little-known fiscal trap. Here is a clear analysis to decide with eyes open.
Guest damage protection: Aircover, deposit or pro insurance — what really works in 2026
A guest who breaks a sofa, a group that wrecks a kitchen, an unauthorised party: every short-term rental owner eventually faces it. Between Airbnb's Aircover, a Stripe damage deposit and a professional multi-risk policy, the real question isn't which to pick — it's how to combine them so you never pay a euro out of pocket.
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains: the spa resort that extends the rental season
At the foot of Mont Blanc, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains offers what no other French Alpine resort can match: a ski area connected to Megève, thermal baths in operation since 1806, and access to the Tramway du Mont-Blanc. For an owner-investor, it is one of the rare addresses where rental yield no longer depends on snow alone.
Buying to let short-term: building a credible business plan in 2026
Building a business plan for a short-term rental investment requires far more than averaging a few Airbnb prices. With higher interest rates, the Loi Le Meur and rising operating costs, a credible 2026 plan must stand up to both a banker and the reality of day-to-day operations.
Cycle tourism in the French Alps: the summer market property owners overlook
Amateur cycling, granfondos, the Tour de France passing through: the Alpine cycling season generates dense, international, high-spend rental demand — yet most property owners overlook it in their positioning strategy. Here is how to capture it this summer.
Self check-in: a flawless contactless arrival for your guests
Self check-in has become one of the strongest expectations among short-term rental guests. Done well, it cuts your operational costs, smooths peak-season turnovers and improves your scores. Done badly, it creates stress, poor reviews and security risks. Here is how to nail contactless arrival, from choosing the lock to the guest experience.
Renting by Lake Annecy in summer: the market that flips the season
Annecy is far more than a winter base near the ski resorts: it is one of France's most sought-after summer destinations. Between June and September, rental demand around the lake surges, driven by guests willing to pay for a rare location.
Your co-ownership AGM is voting to ban short-term rentals: what you need to know
You have received a general meeting notice with an agenda item proposing to ban short-term rental in your building. Since the Loi Le Meur of 19 November 2024, such a vote is legally possible — but only under strict conditions that many managing agents fail to mention. Here is what you must check before, during and after the AGM.
Annecy Animation Festival 2026: the most profitable week of the year for your property
In two weeks, Annecy hosts the world's largest animation film event. For a well-positioned owner, this is the single highest-priced window of the year — often above Christmas week in Courchevel. Provided you prepare now.
Professional Airbnb photography: the highest-return investment in your listing
On Airbnb and Booking, a guest decides in under four seconds: they click or they scroll past. That decision rests almost entirely on the cover photo. Yet more than half of all listings still rely on amateur snapshots that cap their conversion rate — and with it, their revenue.
Airbnb review management: how to earn 5-star ratings consistently
On Airbnb and Booking.com, your average rating is the most visible signal for guests — and one of the algorithm's most decisive ranking criteria. Below 4.8 stars, you lose visibility and must compensate with lower rates. Above it, you can command a 15–25 % premium on your nightly price. Here is how to structure your management to earn 5-star reviews consistently.
La Clusaz: the Aravis resort that combines authenticity and yield
45 minutes from Annecy and an hour from Geneva, La Clusaz is Haute-Savoie's benchmark family resort. Its preserved Savoyard architecture, spruce forests and loyal French clientele make it an unusual rental market — and a particularly resilient one.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.