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Airbnb regulations in Tours: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025

At the heart of the UNESCO-listed Loire Valley, Tours is the gateway to the Loire castles and a dynamic university city with 30,000 students. The Touraine capital, renowned for its art of living, markets, and gastronomy, has implemented progressive short-term rental regulations with compensation starting from the second property.

120 days

Annual limit

50 000 €

Maximum fine

From the 2nd property

Compensation

Rental day limit in Tours

In Tours, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. Tours applies the national cap of 120 days per year for primary residences rented as furnished tourist accommodation. The city has not lowered this threshold despite significant tourist pressure linked to the Loire castles. The Tours rental market is supported by student demand and the presence of the university hospital, but remains less strained than in top-tier metropolitan areas.

Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Tours beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.

Usage change and compensation in Tours

To convert a property into a vacation rental in Tours, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: From the 2nd property.

Tours requires compensation starting from the second property operated as furnished tourist accommodation by the same owner. The owner must convert an equivalent surface area back to residential use to offset what is removed from the rental market. This measure targets multi-property investors who concentrate their rentals in the old Tours area, particularly around Place Plumereau, rue Colbert, and the Saint-Gatien cathedral district.

Quotas and restrictions in Tours

No quota

Tours does not apply an overall quota for furnished tourist accommodations. However, the municipality monitors the growth of short-term rental listings in the historic center, particularly within the old Tours perimeter where the concentration of Airbnb listings has sharply increased in recent years, to the detriment of local shops and residential life.

Fines and enforcement in Tours

In Tours, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.

Fines can reach up to €10,000 for failure to register and €50,000 for unauthorized change of use. The City of Tours has intensified its checks since 2024, cross-referencing platform data with tax records and the registration database. The old Tours area and the train station district receive particular attention.

Specific rules in Tours

  • Mandatory city hall registration with a 13-character number
  • Compensation required from the second furnished tourist accommodation owned by the same person
  • Enhanced inspections in old Tours and the cathedral district
  • Tourist tax collected by platforms and remitted to Tours Metropole Val de Loire
  • Compliance with conservation area requirements for any modifications in the historic center

Energy rating (DPE): Tours boasts remarkable tuffeau white stone architecture, the cut stone of the Loire Valley. The old town features half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries and Renaissance townhouses. These buildings, often in protected conservation areas, require energy renovations compatible with heritage requirements. Tuffeau, a soft and porous stone, requires specific treatments against humidity.

Welcome book

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.

Read the full guide

See also: regulations in nearby cities

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent an apartment on Place Plumereau in Tours on Airbnb?

Yes, rental is possible provided you respect the 120-day limit per year for the primary residence and complete city hall registration. If it is your second tourist rental property, compensation is mandatory. Place Plumereau apartments are highly sought-after but subject to conservation area constraints.

Do the Loire castles boost Airbnb demand in Tours?

Yes, Tours is the ideal starting point for visiting Chenonceau, Amboise, Villandry, and Chambord. Demand is strong from April to October, with peaks during school holidays and long weekends. Many visitors prefer staying in downtown Tours rather than in towns near the castles.

Do I need authorization to rent a second Airbnb in Tours?

Yes, from the second property used for tourist rental, a change-of-use authorization with compensation is required in Tours. You must convert an equivalent surface area back to residential use in the municipality. The application is reviewed by the city planning department.

Is the energy performance certificate an issue for Airbnb rentals in Tours?

Yes, the older housing stock in Tours built with tuffeau stone often has inadequate energy performance. Properties rated G can no longer be rented as furnished tourist accommodation since 2025. In the conservation area, insulation work is constrained by heritage rules, which can make compliance more costly.

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