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Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Carcassonne: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Carcassonne, the prefecture of the Aude department, is world-famous for its medieval Cité, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With over two million visitors per year, the tourist pressure is particularly strong within the Cité perimeter, but also in the Bastide Saint-Louis on the left bank of the Aude. The municipality regulates short-term rentals to prevent the residential depopulation of these iconic neighborhoods, while allowing residents to benefit from the city's tourist attractiveness.
120 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Not required
Compensation
Rental day limit in Carcassonne
In Carcassonne, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. Renting a primary residence as a furnished tourist rental in Carcassonne is permitted up to 120 days per year. This cap applies to properties in the Bastide Saint-Louis as well as those located near the Canal du Midi or in the suburbs such as Trivalle and Barbacane. Reporting the number of overnight stays is mandatory.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Carcassonne beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Carcassonne
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Carcassonne, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Not required.
Carcassonne does not require a compensation mechanism for renting a property as a tourist accommodation. Owners of secondary residences in the medieval Cité or in the Bastide can offer their property as furnished tourist accommodation without the obligation to convert a commercial area into housing. This flexibility reflects the municipality's tourism-friendly policy.
Quotas and restrictions in Carcassonne
No
The city of Carcassonne has not implemented a quota limiting the number of tourist rentals on its territory. The concentration of seasonal rentals in the medieval Cité and around Place Carnot is however closely monitored by municipal services, which publish an annual report on the evolution of the rental housing stock.
Fines and enforcement in Carcassonne
In Carcassonne, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Any violation of tourist rental regulations in Carcassonne is punishable by a civil fine of up to €50,000. This includes failure to register, exceeding the 120-day cap or failure to collect the tourist tax. Municipal officers carry out regular checks in the Cité and the Bastide.
Specific rules in Carcassonne
- Registration with the Carcassonne city hall is mandatory for all tourist rentals, with a declaration number to be displayed on online listings and booking platforms.
- Properties located within the classified perimeter of the medieval Cité are subject to additional architectural constraints for any facade modification or signage installation related to the rental activity.
- The tourist tax, collected by platforms or directly by the host, is remitted to Carcassonne Agglo and contributes to funding heritage preservation and the tourist office.
- Tourist rentals located in the Bastide Saint-Louis must comply with the quiet hours defined by municipal decree, particularly between 10 PM and 7 AM.
- A guest register must be kept up to date by each host, recording the identity of occupants and the dates of stay, in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Security Code.
Energy rating (DPE): Since January 1, 2025, tourist rentals in Carcassonne must present a valid DPE. Properties rated G are excluded from new seasonal rental authorizations. In the medieval Cité, buildings protected as Historic Monuments benefit from specific accommodations for insulation work, subject to approval from the Architecte des Bâtiments de France.
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, short-term rental is permitted in the medieval Cité of Carcassonne, subject to prior registration with the city hall. Primary residences are limited to 120 days per year. Secondary residences within the fortified walls have no duration restriction but must comply with heritage constraints and obtain the required authorizations.
No, Carcassonne does not require compensation for renting a property as a tourist accommodation. Unlike major metropolitan areas, the city has chosen not to require the conversion of an equivalent area into housing. Property owners must nevertheless declare their activity and comply with the overnight stay cap for primary residences.
Income from furnished tourist rental in Carcassonne must be reported to the tax authorities, under the micro-BIC scheme or the actual expense method. The tourist tax, set by Carcassonne Agglo, must be collected from each guest. Platforms like Airbnb or Booking collect it automatically and remit it to the local authority.
Since 2025, a valid DPE is required for any new tourist rental listing. Properties rated G are prohibited from seasonal rental for new applications. In the Cité, energy improvement works are overseen by the Architecte des Bâtiments de France, which may extend the time needed to obtain a better rating.
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