Six months late, after intensive pressure from the media, INSEE have finally released the latest trends in rental prices in France. See the rental value chart 1995-2005 here Despite the much heralded rises in property prices rental the reality is that in general prices remained flat in 2004, see property price 1995-2004 chart here. If France follows the pattern of the UK and German property market, and last year's BNP survey showed Paris as 24-36 months behind the London property trend, then 2005 looks like the year that property prices could fall in France. However the effect looks very regional, the latest FNAIM survey shows the wide disparity in prices increases both across the country and the differences between apartments and houses.
The Aude property market did experience a slow down in terms of number of transactions year on year 2003-2004, hwoever the average price continued to increase as supply remained well behind demand.
INSEE claim that the delay in releasing the report was due to internal issues, however whatever the issue is it does not seem to have affected the production of the other stat reports. This lack of visible justification for the delay has lead to accusation in the press that the report was delayed for political reasons, certainly the government, as it heads into what looks like a defeat in the European Consitiution Referendum, needs this report like it needs a hole in the head. It's wavering middle-class support will not be delighted to hear their property is heading for a devaluation.

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