In Marseille, tension is crystallizing around Airbnb rentals, which are very present in certain neighborhoods, such as Le Panier. Recently, an anti-Airbnb “commando” defaced key boxes to protest against big landlords who are driving up rents.
In the Panier district, near the Old Port, tourists of all nationalities stroll and enjoy the charm of the narrow streets, the long colorful frescoes and the plants falling from the balconies…
“ It’s a very pretty neighborhood! “. Lucile and her friend came to spend the weekend and are enjoying their walk. Even if everything seems a little frozen to them. “ Are there still real Marseille residents in this area, or are most of the apartments Airbnbs? We booked through Airbnb, and there was lots and lots of choice on the basket. But I have the impression that it remains a district which continues to live with its inhabitants and which is not only touristy “, she tells us.
Constrained premises faced with increasing costs
Robert, 73, has lived in the neighborhood for 16 years and is not entirely of this opinion: “ The neighborhood is losing its soul, it was very family-oriented, and that is disappearing. It’s a little sad. »
Beyond the atmosphere, the consequences on housing are considerable for the neighborhood. The number of Airbnbs has increased by 20% in one year. And the price per m2 has increased by 15% in two years. “ For now, I’m lucky to have a lovely owner who allows me to live here. But for example, the rent for my studio, I am a painter, has almost doubled in two years. I am forced to leave my workshop because I cannot assume the expenses » laments Robert.
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To protest against this situation, a collective recently kidnapped 40 key boxes and damaged 21 others. The collective is calling for a ban on tourist rentals to allow locals to find accommodation. Sandrine has lived in Le Panier since 1997 and has already sublet her apartment, but outside of Airbnb: “ I did it so I can’t cast stones, but everyone needs to come to their senses. Each time I rented, I was careful: I rented three summers to the same couple with their child. »
“ It’s becoming professional! »
In the neighborhood, we do not protest against owner-residents who occasionally sublet to make money, but against those who make a business out of it, like Sandrine’s neighbor. “ These are owners who do not live in Marseille, she explains, so in fact, they are far from the problems that it can create. We don’t know them, they are people who bought apartments for seasonal rentals, they distribute the profits from these rentals… It’s becoming more professional! »
According to Patrick Amico, deputy mayor in charge of housing, 3,000 new homes were built in 2022. Over the same period, 1,500 homes left the market in favor of seasonal rental platforms. Enough to worry the locals, while Marseille is expecting two million tourists for the Olympic Games.
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