"Island of Oléron takes on giants like Airbnb and Booking: a David versus Goliath battle emerges"
French Court Orders LeBonCoin to Pay 410,000 Euros in Unpaid Tourist Taxes
In a significant ruling, the La Rochelle Tribunal Judiciaire has ordered the popular French classified ads website, LeBonCoin, to pay a total of 410,000 euros to the Île d'Oléron Community of Communes (CDCIO). The dispute centres around LeBonCoin's failure to apply the tourist tax during the summers of 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The tourist tax is a levy imposed on property rentals in certain areas, and its revenue is collected by the CDCIO. The lawsuit involved 384 stays, and the total amount of the dispute was approximately 22,000 euros, based on the rates of a few euros per night.
LeBonCoin argued that they had the right to make a mistake, but the court rejected this argument. The company expressed concern over the fines imposed, stating they seem disproportionate in light of the facts. As of the latest reports, LeBonCoin has not made a decision regarding a possible appeal.
LeBonCoin is a French company that offers classified ads, including services related to property rental, similar to Airbnb or Booking.com. The ruling was announced on Monday, August 4, and the details of the case were published by the French newspaper Liberation.
For those seeking the latest updates on this lawsuit, it is recommended to check official French legal databases, announcements from the Île d'Oléron CDCIO, or credible news sources specialized in legal and tax disputes in France. The current status of the case beyond June 2024 is not available due to the lack of recent search data or official court documents from 2025.
- In light of the ruling, LeBonCoin, a French company specializing in classified ads, similar to Airbnb or Booking.com, will now need to consider the implications of the case on their business and finance, as they were ordered to pay 410,000 euros in unpaid tourist taxes.
- The financial penalty imposed on LeBonCoin due to their failure to apply the tourist tax could potentially impact their business operations, raising questions about their future strategies to ensure compliance and avoid similar disputes in the future.
