Prestige Property Group

French Property

Full Personal Service

Over 20 years experience in the area.

We give Expert Buyers Advice, from Enquiry to Purchase

Entire Market

We offer access to 99.9% of the local property market including off-market options

Free Service

Free advice and property finding service for buyers

Included Extras

Organisation of visits, legal advice, currency guidance, continued support after purchase, and more

Area Guide Contact Us

France, famed for its boulevards, fashion and food, is one of the most popular areas of Europe in which to buy a second home, and offers a great range of typically French property for sale such as pleasant townhouses, rustic farmhouses and magnificent French chateaux. Its location between the temperate climes of Britain and sun-drenched Spain ensure a variety of climates to match your lifestyle. You are bound to find the ideal French property for sale, whether you long for balmy days on a Cote d'Azur terrace, the sparkling clean air of the mountains or the seasonal ebb and flow of Normandy life played out amongst bustling markets and sleepy country lanes.

France is still a largely agricultural country and, away from the towns, the population density is still one of the lowest in Europe. With a long history of countryfolk leaving for a more cosmopolitan urban life, the potential of much French property lies unexploited and waiting for a new owner with ideas and enthusiasm. With prices rising steadily for both non-renovated and renovated properties, now is the time to look for that hidden gem that is both affordable and a great investment for the future.

Buying French Property

A notaire (public notary) is an integral part of buying a property in France. They represent neither buyer nor seller, but the French Government - and their impartiality is an obligation taken seriously. The notaire oversees many legal aspects of the sale, such as whether the seller is legally entitled to sell what he is offering, whether any future nuisance is likely to impinge on the use and enjoyment of the property and the drawing up of contracts. However, as many notaires speak little English, it may be worthwhile engaging the services of an English-speaking legal consultant who is qualified in French law and who has experience in the area of French property sales.

The notaire can also offer advice on how to buy your French property to reduce the tax implication when you sell or will your property.

You will be expected to organise connection to utilities - gas, electricity, water - and to provide a translator (if required) to help you to understand the documentation. A good French-qualified legal consultant may be able to help with these tasks.

Where to buy property in France

We market over 1500 examples of French property situated in most of the departments, from plots of land to the most exclusive chateaux and villas. We work closely with a number of professional local agents, carefully chosen for their service and after-sales support.

Like many countries, France has some distinctive regional building styles that reflect the materials available, the history and wealth of the population and the age of the local settlement. Many older French properties are built from local stone, quarried and brought the few miles to the site. Other more prominent buildings may be built from more durable or more beautiful stone, quarried many miles away, such as the famous, golden Caen stone from the Normandy region.

Whether your dream French property is a little riverside cottage or a farmhouse surrounded by acres of land, our large database of French property will undoubtedly provide a number of options to consider.

The Poitou Charentes region, incorporating the Charente, Charente-Maritime and Vienne, is an enormously popular location to buy a second home benefitting from one of the highest sunshine indexes in France, a beautiful coastline, forests, lakes and gorgeous villages just waiting to be explored. The rural way of life stills grips the Poitou Charentes, with weekly petanque in the village square, fresh produce at the local market and friendly bistros from which to watch the world go by.

Provence and Cote d'Azur is well known as the capital of sunshine and sunflowers, lavender and luxurious villas and includes the departments of Alpes Maritimes, Var and Bouches du Rhone. The region includes glamorous hotspots such as Nice, Cannes, Monaco and St Tropez where beautiful residences cling to the hillsides amid shimmering azure seascapes.

The Loire and its famous valley, full of stunning manors and chateau estates, offers some of the biggest bang per buck of any area of France as well as a down-to-earth but modern French lifestyle.

The Languedoc Roussillon is an area in the south of France, between Provence and the Spanish border, with a coastal plain that is mainly flat and greatly influenced by the Rhone delta. It includes such famous towns as Montpellier and Carcassonne, stunning gorges, lovely nature parks and many beautiful sandy beaches. The departments of Herault, Gard, Pyrenees Orientales, Aude and Lozere are included in the Languedoc.

Income from your French property

While the gite market has slowed as demand begins to be sated by supply, potential for generating income from French properties is still good. As the world's top destination with an average of over 60 million visitors per year, France's position and variety of coastal, rural and city backdrops gives it an enviable holiday and cultural fascination amongst the tourists of the world, particularly in the UK, Germany, Netherlands and the US. Many buyers are now looking for French properties suited to providing activity breaks to generate a summer income, rather than just basic accommodation. We have many such properties in France, from country cottages to a fully-functioning Parisian hotel.

French property with gites are still strong favourites among our clients, who look to casual renting as a means to help pay off the mortgage rather than as a main source of income. Of course, demand has not dropped for gite accommodation among tourists. One cautionary note, however, is that some mortgage lenders are now refusing to offer quotes for gite and leaseback properties due to their perceived risk if this income is relied upon to cover repayment.

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.

The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.

Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.

2. Paying the Deposit

Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.

3. On Completion

Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.

During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.

IMPORTANT - Disclaimer :
All information provided is believed to be current and provided free of charge. No liability can be accepted for the reliability of the information and statements made as this is obtained from 3rd parties. We always recommend you take legal advice from a fully qualified Lawyer or Notary before buying a property overseas.

2484 properties

Search Options

Property type

Max

Exclusive 7 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Grasse, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Magnificent 7 bedroom villa, with a vast total living area of 919m2, ideally situated within a highly sought after residential area of Grasse. Steeped in history, this superb property is set withi......

Enquire For PriceREF: 233977

Stylishly renovated Contemporary property completely renovated south-west facing enjoying a sea view located in a quiet and residential area of Cap-Ferrat near the Grand Hotel. In a flat garden w......

17,850,000 EURREF: 245758

In excellent condition is this exceptional, luxuriously renovated 3 storey, 4 bedroom villa nestling in nearly half an acre of glorious mature gardens with pool, while enjoying breathtaking sea vie......

17,850,000 EURREF: 250287

Remarkable 6 bedroom Belle Epoque style property, which has been recently beautifully renovated, situated in a quiet elevated position in Villefranche sur Mer and with breathtaking sea views overlo......

17,000,000 EURREF: 247147

Majestic 7 bedroom luxury house with separate 2 bedroom guest house and 2 bedroom cottage, all nestling in over 3 acres of glorious land with gardens, tennis court and expansive pool, while enjoyin......

16,960,000 EURREF: 254182

Magnificent family estate combining refinement, privacy, and comfort set in over 3 acres of beautiful grounds. Designed by landscape architect, it boasts a beautifully flat park of approximately 1......

16,960,000 EURREF: 254015

Superb and spacious luxury property in a gated estate, within walking distance of the cenre of Saint-Tropez, offering panoramic views of the sea and the village. Located in a quiet area, facing w......

16,500,000 EURREF: 253110

8 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Mougins, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Gorgeous and substantial villa with a vast living area of 650m2, located in the historic centre of the old village of Mougins, in the heart of the classified area. This outstanding stone built hom......

16,500,000 EURREF: 187355

Magnificent 7 bedroom luxury villa with studio, nestling in over one acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious and peaceful l......

16,500,000 EURREF: 254076

Nestling in over 7 acres of glorious land with beautiful gardens, trees and expansive pool, is this magnificent property enjoying breathtaking sea and mountain views from its elevated location abov......

16,000,000 EURREF: 253875

9 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cannes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

PRICE REDUCED - A stylish classical property dating back to 1865 and situated in a historic quarter of Cannes, built for English nobility who have been attracted to this enviable location of the ......

16,000,000 EURREF: 179771

Amazing 5 bedroom luxury villa with pool and terraced gardens, enjoying breathtaking sea views from its idyllic waterfront location in Cap d'Antibes. This magnificent property of approximately 303......

15,950,000 EURREF: 254090

Luxury 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Saint Tropez, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Magnificent and luxurious 5 bedroom property, which is ideally nestled close to the charming village of Saint Tropez and the famous beaches of Pampelonne. This sumptuous residence is a new constr......

15,900,000 EURREF: 243486

Enjoying panoramic sea views from its enchanting setting near the beaches and all amenities in Saint Tropez, is this exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa nestling in over an acre of glorious mature g......

15,900,000 EURREF: 254077

Character 7 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view and panoramic view views in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Grand and spacious 7 bedroom villa, which was built in 1931 for Louis Le Sidaner, who was the son of the post-impressionist painter Henri Le Sidaner. Built based on the plans of the Grasse archite......

15,500,000 EURREF: 245136

Close to the magnificent chateau of Vaux le Vicomte and less than an hour from Paris, a superb 70 hectare estate with a beautiful 18th century chateau nestled in the first English park in France. ......

Enquire For PriceREF: 248820

Exceptional opportunity to purchase 2 adjoining properties, which offer unmatched potential, situated within one of the most prestigious and highly sought after neighbourhoods of Saint-Tropez. Wi......

15,158,000 EURREF: 246986

Plot of land for sale with countryside view in Le Lavandou, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Exciting opportunity to purchase a property of 95 hectares, just 16 kilometres from Saint-Tropez, and within the commune of Le Lavandou. Suitable for equestrian purposes, falconry & private hunti......

15,000,000 EURREF: 208934

34 bedroom Chateau for sale, Jura, Franche-Comte

PRICE REDUCED - Only a 45 min drive from Geneva (90 km) or 10 mins by helicopter, circled by a mountain chain allowing the sun to shine over the property, an exceptional and historic chateau and it......

Enquire For PriceREF: 120200

6 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside and panoramic views in Cannes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Immaculate and entirely renovated 6 bedroom luxurious villa, with a vast and beautifully presented living area of 600m2, set within 5,700m2 of lovely manicured gardens with a swimming pool and vari......

15,000,000 EURREF: 215865

Absolutely exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa nestling in nearly half an acre of glorious mature gardens with pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its ideal location in the heart of the hi......

15,000,000 EURREF: 254320

Outstanding luxury property set in an estate of 5 acres in an enviable location with panoramic views. This property, fully renovated in 2022, offers beautiful views of the mountains and the Bay o......

15,000,000 EURREF: 251565

Contemporary 4 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cannes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Exceptional, modern and spacious 4 bedroom villa, with a total beautifully presented living area of 466m2, set within a mature landscaped plot with an infinity swimming pool, located in a dominant ......

15,000,000 EURREF: 232948

18 bedroom Hotel for sale with countryside view in Cote d'Or, Burgundy

Exceptional abbey palace in Burgundy which has been converted into a hotel facility of 18 bedrooms and suites, fully furnished. Reception and conference rooms, gourmet restaurant with Michelin st......

15,000,000 EURREF: 170436

In the heart of the gated and secured Parcs de Mougins estate, a magnificent renovation and extension project for a Couelle-inspired villa. Set in level grounds of 2.5 acres, the property come......

14,950,000 EURREF: 252832

Outstanding luxury villa combining modern aesthetics with the charm of Provencal architecture within the sought-after setting of Beaulieu sur-Mer. Clever design has been used to maximum effect wi......

14,900,000 EURREF: 247547

In excellent condition throughout, this sumptuously estate is located in the most prestigious areas of Grasse, set on the "Hill of the Billionaires" which is an excellent neighbourhood. This gran......

14,900,000 EURREF: 251342

Fabulous Belle Epoque villa in the heart of one of Cannes' most prestigious addresses, embodying the luxury and refinement of the French Riviera. This early 20th-century villa combines the charm ......

14,900,000 EURREF: 254279

Rare opportunity to acquire a magnificent estate nestling in nearly 5 acres of glorious land with beautiful gardens, pools and trees, while enjoying panoramic views from its peaceful location near......

14,840,000 EURREF: 253890

Fabulous single-storey Californian villa in an enviable location just 150 metres on foot from the beaches of Pampelonne, in a private situation offering a luxury lifestyle. The spacious accommoda......

14,840,000 EURREF: 248859

Beautiful 6 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cap d'Ail, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Simply stunning Belle Epoque style 3 storey, 6 bedroom villa with a beautifully presented total living area of 400m2, set within wonderful landscaped gardens of 1,600m2 with an infinity swimming po......

14,500,000 EURREF: 238229

Exceptional 7 bedroom villa, which is ideally situated a few hundred metres from the famous Pampelonne beach in Ramatuelle. This superb property, which stands out with its generous spaces and high......

14,500,000 EURREF: 249294

Immaculately presented throughout, this superb 9 bedroom property is situated right in the heart of a landscaped park of 11,729m2, and is ideally located right in the heart of the highly sought-aft......

14,500,000 EURREF: 250304

Fabulous Provencal villa set in a peaceful and privileged setting, at the heart of a magnificent olive grove, this exceptional property is perched in a commanding position on the hills of Antibes, ......

14,200,000 EURREF: 254273

Absolutely exceptional 6 bedroom luxurious villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool, while enjoying breathtaking sea views from its idyllic waterfront location in Cap d'Antibes......

14,000,000 EURREF: 253412

Outstanding 6 bedroom villa in an exceptional location on the peninsula, with superb sea views. The 432m2 property sits in a generous level plot of almost 3,000m2 with tropical gardens. The qual......

14,000,000 EURREF: 253224

Absolutely exceptional 3 storey, 6 bedroom luxurious villa set in beautifully landscaped gardens with pool, while enjoying breathtaking sea views from its location in Antibes. Built to the highes......

14,000,000 EURREF: 253519

Unique opportunity to acquire an exceptional 6 bedroom villa nestling in over one hectares of glorious land, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious location in Villefranche sur Mer......

14,000,000 EURREF: 253378

Enjoying panoramic views to the sea beyond from its prestigious location in the heart of Domaine des Parcs in Saint-Tropez, is this exceptional 6 bedroom villa with three separate apartments, all ......

14,000,000 EURREF: 254078

Renovated 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Agay, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Absolutely outstanding 3 bedroom South facing waterfront villa with separate 2 bedroom guest house, pool, beautiful landscaped gardens, sauna, spa and solarium, enjoying breathtaking sea views from......

13,700,000 EURREF: 230052

Absolutely magical 7 bedroom architect designed luxury villa set in over one acre of glorious landscaped gardens with pool and boules court, while enjoying panoramic views across the vineyards to t......

13,600,000 EURREF: 254079

Approached by a long driveway, this impressive estate offers the utmost in privacy and tranquility in a truly beautiful environment. with almost a thousand square metres of living space, It is c......

13,500,000 EURREF: 252658

Absolutely exceptional 3 storey, 6 bedroom luxuriously renovated villa nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped garden with expansive pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its ......

13,500,000 EURREF: 254314

7 bedroom House for sale with sea view in Golfe Juan, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Fabulous new Architect-designed villa in a Californian style, featuring luxury and exclusive living in every aspect. The villa offers 730m2 spread over 3 floors and includes: automatic gate, inte......

13,000,000 EURREF: 197529

Absolutely exceptional 4 bedroom luxury villa with separate 3 bedroom guest house and apartment, nestling in over 3 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool and tennis court, while enjoying ......

12,900,000 EURREF: 253564

Contemporary 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view and panoramic view views in Super Cannes, Cannes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Visually and architectural beautiful, this stunning newly built villa is ideally situated right in the heart of the most exclusive parts of the Super Cannes area and just a 10 minute drive from Can......

12,900,000 EURREF: 245660

Absolutely exceptional 6 bedroom luxury architect designed villa set in nearly half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with amazing infinity pool, while enjoying breathtaking sea views from it......

12,650,000 EURREF: 253897

Absolutely exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa set in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with amazing infinity pool, while enjoying breathtaking sea views from its elevated location i......

12,500,000 EURREF: 253291

Rare and historic French chateau set in an estate of over 30 acres, just minutes from picturesque villages and close to the prestigious Terre Blanche Golf Club - one of the finest golf courses in ......

12,500,000 EURREF: 252330

Renovated 6 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Grimaud, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Completely renovated and beautifully presented 6 bedroom waterfront home, ideally situated in a quiet residential area of Grimaud and with exceptional breathtaking sea views and direct sea access t......

Enquire For PriceREF: 213006

Over 20 Years experience in
global luxury real estate
Large network of
professional multilingual offices
No fees
We are paid by our agents
to introduce buyers

<123 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 >

Access to Entire Market

Free Service

Full Personal Service

Property Finding

Free Expert Personal Service

Selling Your Property

A Form

French Property

Full Personal Service

Entire Market

Free Service

Included Extras

Contact Us

Business Hours

Buying French Property

Where to buy property in France

Income from your French property

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

2. Paying the Deposit

3. On Completion

Search Options

Why Prestige

Over 20 years experience

Large network of offices

No fees

Prestige in the press

Stay up to date