Apartments in Paris...what's with the agency fees?

Agency fees are normal, and everybody hates them. They used to equal to about a month's rent, but an honest agent won't charge more than about 75% these days.

People who are allergic to agency fees try to go through things like PAP.

There is also craig's list for Paris.

i've used pap.fr and lucked out getting one.
The problem with rent through pap.fr is that the competitions a lot fierce. And i mean fierce.
The proprietors can/will try to impose deposits above norm. Like 3 months deposit.

Unless the rent is in excess of EUR 2000 monthly, an EUR 2000 fee is quite unreasonable, so I assume that you have contacted an agency that specialises in foreigners, most of whom are not paying this type of money themselves.

It is so difficult to find a flat to rent in Paris that even though everybody resists at first, most people finally go to an agency just because they are tired of looking. You can find some exceptional deals by renting directly from owners, but all of the good deals are through word of mouth. Anybody who already is living in a good cheap flat usually knows about 2 or 3 people who are willing to jump right in if they say they are leaving.

People who rent to foreigners are so afraid that you will leave the country without paying that they charge you an enormous deposit. Agencies offer owners rent payment insurance (normally about 5% of the rent) to allay these fears.

I am looking for a place to rent in Lyon. I understood that an agency fee is different from a deposit, or I am wrong? If you pay a deposit do you get it back when you leave?
Thanks for the help

Yes, a deposit is returned when you move out if you have paid your rent and not destroyed the dwelling. The deposit is normally 2 months rent.

Thanks a lot for the explanation. One more, what is "loyer"?

Loyer = rent

My wife and I own three appartments in Lyon which we rent out privately. After a nasty experience with a group of foreign tenants (young English teachers) we ask 3 months deposit now, 2 months for people we like the look of.