Rents fell in around 30% of the major towns and cities of France last year, while elsewhere increases were moderated by the fall-out from the economic crisis.

Each year the housing rental observatory ‘Clameur’ (Connaître les Loyers et Analyser les Marchés sur les Espaces Urbains et Rurau), based at the University of Paris, publishes an annual round up of the housing rental market in France.

It covers over 90% of the lettings in France for unfurnished properties let on an annual basis. Holiday and furnished lettings are not part of the survey.

The following table shows the average rents per m² for properties of 1 bed to 4 bed in the major towns and cities of France. The number in brackets is the department number.

Rents within these towns and cities will vary by geographic area, so the information should only be used as a general guide.

According to Clameur, most notable above inflation increases in the year, of between 1% to 4.6% were in Villeurbanne, Reims, Saint Etienne, Nice, Lyon, Paris, Dijon and Grenoble, whilst largest falls of between 0.3% to 2% were in Le Mans, Rennes, Marseille, Angers, Le Havre and Lille.

We have not listed the percentage movements in the year for each town or city, as they are very variable by size/type of property and area.

However, if you wish any further particular information on the changes, or rent levels in a town not listed, then drop us a line at [email protected].