La Rochelle Bans Overnight Stays on Pleasure Boats Starting June 2025
La Rochelle Bans Airbnb Boat Rentals in Port
Unique overnight stays on the water in La Rochelle will soon be a thing of the past. Starting June 1, 2025, it will no longer be possible to sleep aboard a boat rented on Airbnb, or other similar platforms within the marina. The administrative court of Poitiers has upheld the legality of this decision, initially made last November by the public body responsible for Europe’s largest marina.
Gone are the mornings lulled by gentle waves, the sunsets from the cockpit, and the illusion of owning a sailboat for a weekend. This alternative form of accommodation, permitted since 2015, had gained popularity, with up to 20,000 overnight stays recorded annually, contributing to the accommodation options in a city regularly under pressure during peak season.
However, the port authorities have reached their limit. Premature wear and tear on infrastructure, repeated neighbor disputes, and overused sanitary facilities and docks have exposed the model’s limitations. “The facilities are simply not designed to accommodate so many people permanently,” the port management stated, indicating they will not reverse their decision.
Nautical Professionals Voice Concerns
Faced with this setback, affected professionals, some of whom own multiple boats exclusively for tourist rentals, denounce the measure as “brutal” and “economically unsustainable.” “We are not talking about charters or navigation, but accommodation at the dock. It makes sense, especially in a city like La Rochelle where demand is exploding,” argues Florent Foucher, manager of La Rochelle sur l’eau. He and five other local stakeholders have taken the matter to the Council of State, hoping for a reprieve before the summer.
As they await further legal action, anxiety is growing among renters. Adapting their model would require, among other things, the presence of a captain on board, which would significantly increase prices. This shift risks sinking a portion of the sector.
La Rochelle will retain its port, sailboats, and tides, but on land, a chapter is closing for floating tourism.
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