A practical guide to moving to Montreuil, on the eastern edge of Paris: where to live, what renting costs, the rules that protect tenants and how to plan the move.
Moving to Montreuil means settling in one of the largest towns on the eastern edge of Paris, with 111,934 residents in 2023 according to INSEE. It is a town of tenants: 62.5% of main residences are rented, almost a third of them social housing, and 83.4% of homes are flats. Demand is strong and the best-placed flats go quickly, so the rental search deserves as much planning as the move itself.
Before booking a van, settle three things: which part of town suits your daily commute, what you can afford under the local rent control rules, and how long you can give yourself to find a flat. This guide takes you through each of them, then through the practical steps of the move.
Your commute should shape your choice of area. According to the town council, metro line 9 serves Porte de Montreuil, Robespierre, Croix-de-Chavaux and Mairie de Montreuil, and connects with the RER A at Nation. Since June 2024, line 11 has also served the upper part of town, with two new stations, Montreuil-Hôpital and La Dhuys. The council says Châtelet is now 20 minutes from Montreuil-Hôpital, against 47 minutes before the extension. Several bus routes cross the town, and a tram extension is on the way.
Bordering Vincennes and the 20th arrondissement, Bas-Montreuil is the most sought-after and most expensive part of town. Expect renovated older buildings and former industrial premises converted into lofts, with line 9 at Robespierre and Porte de Montreuil. Listings here can disappear within days.
Around the line 9 station of the same name, Croix-de-Chavaux is central and busy, with shops and services on the doorstep and plenty of studios and one-bedroom flats. A good fit if you want to do everything on foot.
The civic heart of Montreuil, around the town hall and the Mairie de Montreuil terminus of line 9. The rental offer is varied, from studios to larger flats.
In the north-east, the Signac and Murs à Pêches area is quieter and greener, known for its historic walled gardens, with more affordable rents. Further up, Bel Air, Grands Pêchers and Renan form a calmer residential area popular with families. Line 11 has made the upper town far easier to reach from central Paris.
La Noue and Clos Français mix social and private housing, with more accessible rents. Ramenas and Léo Lagrange is an area in transition, with a range of flats at competitive prices. Visit at different times of day before committing.
Typical rents for long-term unfurnished lets in Montreuil, excluding service charges, are:
Add €50 to €200 a month in service charges depending on the building. Furnished flats usually cost 10 to 20% more. Bas-Montreuil sits at the top of these ranges, La Noue and Ramenas towards the bottom.
Allow three to eight weeks of active searching, plus one to two weeks for a landlord or agent to review your application. Landlords usually expect a net income of at least three times the rent; if you fall short, you will need a guarantor or the state-backed Visale guarantee. Prepare your application before the first viewing: ID, your last three payslips, your latest tax notice and guarantor documents.
Budget upfront for the first month's rent, the deposit and any agent fees: roughly €1,500 to €2,500 for a studio, €3,000 to €5,000 or more for a two-bedroom flat or larger.
If you are moving from abroad or another city and cannot attend viewings, a Remoters home finder based in the Paris area can search for you, visit flats, put your application together and check the lease, including the rent control ceiling, before you sign. The first conversation and the quote are free.
Short answers to the questions our readers ask, written to stand on their own.
Sources cited in this article
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