Create your free welcome book
Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Bayonne: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Capital of the French Basque Country, Bayonne is a city fortified by Vauban at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers. Its historic center, divided between Grand Bayonne and Petit Bayonne, attracts many visitors for its Fêtes de Bayonne, artisanal chocolate, and gastronomy. Vacation rental regulations aim to protect the residential fabric of the colorful half-timbered houses lining the Nive quays, while supporting the tourist development of this sub-prefecture of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department.
90 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Mandatory
Compensation
Rental day limit in Bayonne
In Bayonne, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 90 days per year. Bayonne applies a 90-day per year cap for primary residence vacation rental. This reduced threshold is due to the housing market tension affecting the entire Bayonne metropolitan area, linked to the pressure exerted by tourism along the nearby Basque coast. Night counting is automated and platforms are required to suspend listings once the cap is reached.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Bayonne beyond 90 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Bayonne
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Bayonne, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Mandatory.
Compensation is mandatory in Bayonne for any change of use to a vacation rental. The owner must compensate by converting premises of a different type into housing in the same area. This obligation is particularly heavy in the historic center of Grand Bayonne and Petit Bayonne, where the listed half-timbered houses offer little flexibility for conversions. The proximity of Biarritz and the coast amplifies pressure on the Bayonne rental market.
Quotas and restrictions in Bayonne
Restrictions in the historic center
The historic center of Bayonne is subject to restrictions aimed at limiting the number of vacation rentals. The affected perimeter encompasses Grand Bayonne around the Sainte-Marie Cathedral, Petit Bayonne with its bars and colorful quays, and the Saint-Esprit quarter on the other side of the Adour. The municipality monitors the proportion of housing dedicated to short-term rentals in these heritage neighborhoods listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.
Fines and enforcement in Bayonne
In Bayonne, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Violations of Bayonne regulations are penalized with fines of up to €50,000. Inspections focus on the historic center and its picturesque quays, where the temptation of short-term rentals is strongest. The Fêtes de Bayonne period, which attracts over one million visitors in five days at the end of July, is subject to heightened vigilance regarding undeclared rentals.
Specific rules in Bayonne
- Registration and compensation are mandatory, with specific restrictions within the historic center perimeter encompassing Grand Bayonne around the cathedral and Petit Bayonne along the Nive.
- The 90-day cap for primary residences is subject to enhanced monitoring during the Fêtes de Bayonne at the end of July, when demand for seasonal housing peaks.
- Half-timbered houses in the listed historic center are subject to the Architecte des Bâtiments de France's approval for any modification, including the installation of equipment related to vacation rental activity.
- The tourist tax is collected and remitted to the Pays Basque metropolitan community, the largest inter-municipal authority in France, which coordinates tourism policy across the territory.
- Rentals in buildings along the Nive quays, Bayonne's tourist showcase with their colorful facades, are subject to priority inspections by municipal services.
Energy rating (DPE): An energy performance certificate is required for Bayonne vacation rentals. The half-timbered houses in the historic center, some dating from the 16th century, present considerable insulation challenges. The wattle-and-daub timber-frame walls characteristic of Basque architecture require specific renovation techniques to balance energy performance with the preservation of the architectural heritage protected by the conservation area.
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
Municipal registration is the first mandatory step. For secondary residences, a change-of-use authorization with compensation is required. The process is more demanding in the historic center of Grand and Petit Bayonne. Contact the city's planning department to learn about compensation options in your area.
No, any vacation rental requires prior registration, including for the Fêtes de Bayonne. The festive period is subject to enhanced inspections as it generates a proliferation of undeclared offerings. With fines of up to €50,000, the financial risk is disproportionate compared to the income from a week of rental.
Grand Bayonne and Petit Bayonne are subject to restrictions on the number of authorized vacation rentals. The municipality monitors the concentration of short-term rentals in these heritage neighborhoods to preserve residential life. Obtaining change-of-use authorization is conditional on respecting these thresholds and completing the mandatory compensation.
Tourist pressure from the entire Basque coast spills over into Bayonne, which becomes an alternative for travelers unable to find accommodation in Biarritz or Anglet. This pressure has led the municipality to adopt measures similar to its coastal neighbors: mandatory compensation, 90-day cap, and center-city restrictions. The Pays Basque metropolitan community coordinates policy across the territory.
Renting in Bayonne? Prepare now
Create a professional welcome book for your guests and ensure smooth and compliant management of your rentals in Bayonne.
Create my book for free