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Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Le Havre: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its reconstruction architecture by Auguste Perret, Le Havre is a major English Channel port developing its tourist appeal. The city applies light regulations on short-term rentals, with no compensation or quotas, while requiring registration of furnished tourist accommodation.
120 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Not required
Compensation
Rental day limit in Le Havre
In Le Havre, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. Le Havre retains the national cap of 120 days per year for a primary residence rented as furnished tourist accommodation. The municipality has not activated the option to reduce this threshold, considering that the local rental market is not tight enough to justify an additional restriction. The city instead seeks to develop its tourist accommodation supply.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Le Havre beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Le Havre
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Le Havre, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Not required.
Le Havre does not require compensation for changing the use of a dwelling to furnished tourist accommodation. The Le Havre property market, with moderate prices per square meter compared to major metropolises, does not face the same pressure as Mediterranean coastal tourist cities. The municipality favors the development of accommodation supply.
Quotas and restrictions in Le Havre
No quota
No quota system is applied in Le Havre. The city encourages diverse tourist accommodation to support the development of its cultural and maritime tourism. Cruise ship stopovers, which bring several hundred thousand passengers per year, generate occasional accommodation demand that furnished tourist rentals help absorb.
Fines and enforcement in Le Havre
In Le Havre, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
The penalties provided by law apply: up to €10,000 for failure to register and €50,000 for a proven violation. Le Havre has not set up a team specifically dedicated to controlling furnished tourist accommodation, but checks are carried out as part of the community housing policy.
Specific rules in Le Havre
- Mandatory city hall registration with a number to display on listings
- No compensation or quotas for furnished tourist accommodation
- Compliance with heritage requirements for work within the UNESCO Perret perimeter
- Tourist tax automatically collected by online platforms
- Recommended verification of fire safety compliance in Perret buildings
Energy rating (DPE): The city center rebuilt by Auguste Perret in the 1950s features reinforced concrete buildings whose thermal insulation is often insufficient. These buildings, protected as a World Heritage Site, pose a particular challenge: insulation work must comply with the requirements of the Architecte des Batiments de France while improving energy performance.
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
Le Havre applies a flexible framework: 120 days per year for the primary residence, no compensation, no quotas. The only obligation is city hall registration. Owners of properties in the Perret perimeter must, however, respect architectural constraints for any modifications.
The apartments in the center rebuilt by Perret are highly sought after by tourists for their unique architecture. However, their UNESCO listing imposes restrictions on exterior modifications. Thermal insulation may also be problematic for the energy performance certificate, requiring heritage-compatible solutions.
Demand peaks coincide with cruise ship stopovers at the cruise port, maritime events like the Transat Jacques Vabre, the Grandes Marees and the summer season on the beach. The Un Ete au Havre festival also generates sustained tourist activity from June to September.
Yes, city hall registration is mandatory for all furnished tourist accommodation in Le Havre. You receive a 13-character registration number that must appear on your online listings. This process is free and can be done via the national online service or at city hall.
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