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?
What the new law means for Lyon property owners
Since 1 January 2025, the short-term rental cap in high-demand zones has dropped from 120 to 90 nights per year for primary residences in Lyon. For secondary residences, the city council can set even tighter district-level quotas. Owners must now focus on peak periods — festivals, trade fairs, summer, major sporting events — to maximise the revenue from their available nights.
Net yield: short-term vs long-term rental in Lyon
Despite the legal constraint, short-term rental remains significantly more profitable. A two-bedroom apartment on the Presqu'île earns around €950–1,100 net per month on a long-term lease. The same property, optimised over 90 authorised nights per year, can reach €1,300–1,900/month on an annualised basis — a 30–60 % premium. The key: high occupancy on available nights and dynamic pricing aligned with the Lyon events calendar.
Which neighbourhoods outperform in 2026?
The Presqu'île and Vieux-Lyon remain the strongest performers, driven by international tourism and business travellers. Confluence is gaining ground with new cultural venues. Croix-Rousse attracts guests who stay longer and spend more. Peripheral arrondissements deliver lower yields unless the property is very well placed near public transport or the Parc de la Tête d'Or.
How SmartStay manages your Lyon property
Our local team handles everything: professional listing, daily dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest welcome, hotel-grade cleaning and monthly reporting. We track night counts in real time to stay compliant with legal quotas and automatically adjust your availability calendar. Lyon owners delegate with zero stress and receive a monthly transfer alongside a detailed breakdown.
Get a revenue estimate for your Lyon property →