How a dispute over a stain at an Airbnb went viral on social media in France

A row over a stain in the bathroom cabinet of an Airbnb property in Marseille is continuing to attract widespread interest on social media. 

A student from Rennes, known only as Ewen, who was asked to pay €290 to the owner of his holiday accommodation after his shower gel left a mark in the drawer.

Ewen's subsequent post on X went viral, garnering 22.8 million views and shares between August and October.

The 21-year-old was told the €290 fee would cover the cost of removing the stain by a qualified tradesperson. 

However,  Ewen slammed the demand as “dishonest and unjustified”, insisting a lick of paint would suffice, if wiping the area with a damp sponge did not get rid of the stain first.

He formally contested the claim with Airbnb and, when he did not hear back, published the dispute on social media, gaining 14 million views in just three days.

Is tourist tax collected when staying in a French Airbnb?

Airbnb said they had closed the matter, only for the property owner to reveal she was not satisfied and to threaten further action.

Many comments underneath the post told of similar disputes. One claimed to have been charged €400 for a hole in an umbrella which they only discovered when they opened it, and for the replacement of a deckchair, which collapsed the first time they sat on it.

Advice from users to avoid similar disputes was for renters to take photos of the property as soon as they arrive, or even to write a detailed description, down to the exact numbers of knives and forks.

Read more: Is tourist tax collected when staying in a French Airbnb?

Airbnb responds

AirBnB confirmed the student from Rennes would not have to pay, and said it took time to study claims from hosts to determine if they were reasonable.

Airbnb is also facing problems in France from residents of flats, who claim their lives are being disrupted by neighbouring apartments being rented out on the platform.

Under the rules of many copropriétés is an exclusivement bourgeoise clause, which bans professional or commercial activities in residential parts of the building.

Earlier this year, however, France’s highest civil court ruled it depended on associated services offered, and did not apply when these are “minor” and not para-hotelier.

Nevertheless, opponents have seized on part of the judgement, which said appeals should be considered on a case by case basis, and it is likely residents will continue to challenge owners who use Airbnb.