Intergenerational Cohabitation: A Fast-Growing Lifestyle in France

Renting a room to a student in exchange for a bit of company, sharing a large apartment among young professionals rather than paying alone for an overpriced studio: these practices, long marginal, are becoming a real lifestyle in France. Two distinct movements, intergenerational cohabitation and coliving, point to the same conclusion: shared housing is growing fast, but its potential remains largely untapped.

Intergenerational cohabitation: rapid growth, enormous potential

The nonprofit network Cohabilis now brings together 28 local organizations and reports more than 1,500 pairings made each year between seniors and young people looking for housing. More broadly, France had 350 intergenerational residences in 2026, compared with just 120 in 2020. A study conducted jointly by the Cnav (the French national old-age insurance fund) and Cohabilis also shows that seniors involved in this type of cohabitation report a 45% reduction in their sense of isolation. A striking figure: the pool of seniors potentially willing to host someone is estimated at more than 900,000 people, including 400,000 in university towns alone. In other words, the pairings actually formed each year represent only a tiny fraction of the identified potential.

Coliving, another side of the same movement

Among younger working adults, it's coliving that's booming: around 21,000 spots recorded in France in 2025, a 74.7% increase in four years, and the consulting firm Xerfi expects the number of beds to double by the end of 2026, reaching roughly 30,000 units. The typical resident profile has also changed: 62% are now salaried workers between 25 and 35, far ahead of international exchange students. This shift is partly explained by the economic pressure weighing on young graduates, even as the rise of artificial intelligence reshuffles the job market and makes it harder to land the stable positions needed to rent on one's own.

Why this type of housing is so appealing

Beyond the financial aspect, this shift reflects a broader search for meaning, at a time when the cost of energy-efficient home renovation weighs increasingly heavily on household decisions. Sharing a roof makes it possible to pool expenses, but it also responds to a stronger desire for social connection, in the same spirit as the approach of slowing down one's pace of life to refocus on what matters most.

Key takeaways

• 350 intergenerational residences in France in 2026, compared with 120 in 2020.
• A 45% reduction in the sense of isolation among seniors involved, according to the Cnav-Cohabilis study.
• An identified potential of 900,000 host seniors, far beyond the actual number of pairings.
• Around 30,000 coliving spots expected by the end of 2026, up from 21,000 in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is intergenerational cohabitation?

It's when an older person with a spare room rents it out at a reduced rate to a student or young working adult, in exchange for modest rent and sometimes a bit of company or small favors.

Is coliving only for young people?

No, but working adults aged 25 to 35 now make up the majority of residents, ahead of international students and digital nomads.

Why are there so few intergenerational pairings compared with the potential?

The main obstacle remains seniors' and families' lack of awareness of the program, despite free support offered by nonprofit networks present in most major French cities.

Sources

• Cohabilis
• L'Info Durable
• BNP Paribas Real Estate

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy