Catanéo Groupe, a company specializing in real estate investment in Lyon, is reporting exceptional growth. Neither high bank interest rates nor rent control measures, often criticized by real estate professionals, have hindered its development. Pierre François, co-founder of the company, revealed to actu Lyon how the real estate crisis has had little impact on their operations.
18m² Studios Renting for €600 with Ease
“We have a different approach than traditional real estate agencies. We integrate various activities to make life easier for individuals, offering investment advice, renovation and furnishing services, property management, and resale transactions,” explains Pierre François.
With ten years of experience in the Lyon market, Catanéo “knows how to identify” good opportunities in the city. “We know the neighborhoods that are not too expensive and the tricks to rent well. We offer rental investments with good returns.”
He cites La Doua in Villeurbanne as an example. “We develop many 18m² studios. We are below €150,000 all-inclusive (purchase, renovation, and compliance with the latest standards). These are super easy to rent all year round for about €600 per month.”
Rent Supplements: A ‘Legal’ Trick That Works
Rent control is not a significant issue for Catanéo Groupe, which uses furnished rentals to apply a “rent supplement” that they have “implemented with Lyon’s urban planning department.” Pierre François explains his strategy: “We equip the apartment with about forty almost hotel-like amenities. The tenant is happy and willing to pay a €150 monthly rent supplement in exchange for these services.”
He assures, “It’s a win-win situation, and it’s a clever legal trick to secure our clients’ purchases.”
Catanéo Groupe focuses on furnished apartments with numerous amenities, allowing them to apply a “legal” €150 supplement within the context of rent control in Lyon.
Pierre François and his company are also targeting small 35m² one-bedroom apartments in Lyon. According to him, these apartments can achieve high profitability.
“This works very well in Lyon for value appreciation. We can resell a one-bedroom apartment to a young professional or an investor. Profitability can be good with a long-term tenant. All-inclusive, these projects are around €200,000 in Part-Dieu or Debourg in the 7th arrondissement.” – Pierre François, Catanéo Groupe.
€6.5 Million Turnover in 2025
Catanéo shows significant progress in its results:
- €6.5 million turnover in 2025, a growth of +74% (compared to €3.7 million in 2024)
- 34 employees, up from 20 a year ago
- 230 real estate projects completed in 2025
- Over 1,000 tenants in the managed rental portfolio.
Positive Outlook on Changes in Lyon Métropole
With the change in leadership at Lyon Métropole, now headed by the right-wing president Véronique Sarselli, Pierre François openly shares his expectations: “We believe things can only get better for us. Easing the Local Urban Plan (PLU), relaxing standards, reviewing rent control… this could create a favorable dynamic and only be beneficial.” However, like many, he wonders: “Will the City of Lyon and the Métropole clash, or will we get the best of both worlds?”
The abolition of rent control could indeed appeal to investors but would likely be less popular with tenants.
Source: actu.fr
