According to a recent survey, rent levels in France averaged €12.70m2 last year, with smaller properties attracting the highest yields.

The housing rental observatory ‘Clameur’ (Connaître les Loyers et Analyser les Marchés sur les Espaces Urbains et Ruraux), based at the University of Paris, each year publishes a review of the housing rental market in France.

The review covers over 90% of the private lettings for unfurnished properties let on an annual basis, a market of nearly 6 million properties, accounting for around 20% of the housing stock. Holiday and furnished lettings are not part of the survey.

In their most recent review Clameur report that rents fell last year by an average of 0.1%, after having risen by 1% in 2016. They have remained broady stable since 2013.

Over a longer period, since 1998 rents have risen on average by only 2.2%, and in real terms (inflation adjusted) they had actually fallen.

Although the average rent of a property last year was €12.70m2, smaller properties obtained a higher rent value per m2. Thus, a studio averaged €17.10m2, whilst a property of at least 5 rooms (excluding kitchen and toilet) averaged €9.60m2.

The table below shows the average rents per m2 for 1 to 4 roomed properties in a cross-section of towns and cities of the country. The definition of a 'room' (pièce) excludes bathroom and kitchen. The number in brackets is the administrative number for the department.

Rent levels within each town will vary by geographic area, so the information should only be used as a general guide.

Department Averages