Prestige Property Group

French Property

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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.

2503 properties

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Enjoying breathtaking uninterrupted sea views from its ideal location near the beach and all amenities in Sainte Maxime, is this stunning 3 bedroom luxury villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens ......

1,590,000 EURREF: 248810

Very well presented 3 bedroom Provencal style villa nestling in a beautiful landscaped garden with pool, ideally located near the beach and all amenities in Mougins Saint Basile. Situated in the h......

1,590,000 EURREF: 249089

Situated just a few minutes from Valbonne, in absolute calm and in a little corner of paradise, this pretty 4 bedroom villa, with a sunny living area of around 220m2, is full of charm and situated ......

1,590,000 EURREF: 248247

Charming and beautifully presented 3 bedroom townhouse, which is ideally situated just a 2 minute walk from the heart of Cannes. Well protected from noise and with great views over the town, port......

1,590,000 EURREF: 247519

Superb Nineteenth Century Chateau, rich in history and set in a 25 acre estate offering income generating potential in a grand setting. Dating back inparts to the 16th century, when it was used a......

1,590,000 EURREF: 253493

Character 10 bedroom Farmhouse for sale with countryside view in Le Bugue, Dordogne, Aquitaine

Excellent opportunity to purchase a charming 17th/18th Century hamlet, which is ideally situated within a quiet rural setting in the Dordogne Valley. The estate comprises of an exceptional Chartr......

1,590,000 EURREF: 242825

5 bedroom House for sale with Income Potential in Cagnes sur Mer, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

EXCLUSIVE - Work required An ideal family home located close to all amenities and the centre of Cagnes sur Mer. The property retains its original features including wooden floors and a wonderful ch......

1,590,000 EURREF: 238673

9 bedroom House for sale with Income Potential in St Laurent du Var, Nice, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Stylishly renovated 3 storey, 9 bedroom house made up of three apartments, set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool and Jacuzzi, located in a peaceful area of St Laurent du Var. This charming......

1,590,000 EURREF: 245619

Quiet 5 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside view in Valbonne, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Lovely 5 bedroom villa, which is set within flat south facing landscaped gardens of 5,000m2, with a swimming pool, equipped summer kitchen/pool house, double garage, large living room terrace and b......

1,590,000 EURREF: 245402

Bright 3 bedroom Duplex for sale with panoramic view in Nice, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Rarely available in this area, this superb 3 bedroom duplex apartment, with a 22m2 terrace, is set on the top floor of a beautiful building with a lift, with a sought-after address near the well-kn......

1,590,000 EURREF: 244962

Renovated 7 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Mauvezin, Midi-Pyrenees

Exceptional 13th century 4 bedroom French Chateau with separate 3 bedroom cottage, expansive pool and lake, set in 11.5 acres of glorious land in a peaceful location near Mauvezin. It is in excel......

1,590,000 EURREF: 230529

Great opportunity to own a well maintained manor house, plus a separate house that can also be used as 5 self-contained gites, if required and subject to necessary permissions, set within a vast pl......

1,588,000 EURREF: 246070

Enjoying far reaching countryside views across its 7 hectares of land, is this exceptional 2 bedroom renovated house with two separate guest houses, beautiful landscaped gardens, barn and expansive......

1,587,302 EURREF: 251628

Charming wooden chalet just 701m from Herbe beach, located in the Vallons du Ferret, surrounded by lush greenery and pines, offering a peaceful and pleasant living environment. The 125m2 property......

1,587,000 EURREF: 251578

Beautiful 5 bedroom farmhouse, which is beautifully nestled within its own park of 35,000m2 with its own carp pond, 2 ancient basins with trout and canals for distributing the water from the forest......

1,585,000 EURREF: 249205

Ideally located in a ski in/ski out area near the Chalets Pointus, is this luxury chalet with separate apartment and garden, enjoying spectacular mountain views. An exceptional location for this i......

1,581,500 EURREF: 252123

Attractive 2 bedroom apartment in a renowned residence on the Croisette, in the heart of Cannes This 70m2 three-room property comes with a pleasant living room with an open kitchen, as well as two......

1,580,000 EURREF: 252244

Set within the prestigious La Californie district of Cannes, this superb 3 bedroom apartment is nestled in a luxury residence with a swimming pool. With a living area of 104m2 and breathtaking sea......

1,580,000 EURREF: 249196

Ideally situated right in the heart of the La Croisette area of Cannes, set within one of the most emblematic buildings in the area, this very beautiful 2 bedroom apartment is located on a high flo......

1,580,000 EURREF: 247525

Immaculate 3 bedroom apartment, which is ideally situated within a highly sought-after neighbourhood in the California area of Cannes, offering high-quality amenities and set in a prestigious resid......

1,580,000 EURREF: 247733

In immaculate condition throughout, this delightful 2 bedroom apartment, with a living area of 70m2, is located on the 4th floor of a prestigious residence on the Croisette. Features include an en......

1,580,000 EURREF: 248109

Character 5 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Grasse, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Superbly presented character property with 5 bedrooms and fabulous panoramic views, with even a glimpse of the sea in the distance. This beautiful Nineteenth Century property of 548m2 is in very ......

1,580,000 EURREF: 237773

Elegant Nineteeth Century Carthusian monastery in a pretty situation on the peaceful banks of the Dordogne, embodying all the charm of traditional architecture combined with an exceptional natural ......

1,579,000 EURREF: 253495

Extensive building of almost 400m2 consisting of two semi-detached apartments, four garages, and a studio apartment, on an enclosed plot. Description: Apartment No. 1: On the ground floor: - a ......

1,575,000 EURREF: 253770

Delightful 4 bedroom house in Pringy Ferrieres, offering space and comfort in a very quiet setting with beautiful unobstructed views of the lake and mountains. The 165m2 property (195 m2 usable) ......

1,575,000 EURREF: 250988

Beautifully renovated 2 bedroom house enjoying glorious countryside and mountain views from its location near Meribel. This charming, completely secluded mountain cottage on the heights of the ha......

1,575,000 EURREF: 251542

Enjoying panoramic countryside views from its ideal location near the beach and all amenities in a peaceful and secure area of Sainte Maxime, is this luxurious 5 bedroom spacious villa with pool an......

1,575,000 EURREF: 251782

Charming 4 bedroom house in Veyrier du Lac, in need of renovation and offering an excellent opportunity for development and improvement, with lovely views of the lake. This 164 m2 house (with 27......

1,575,000 EURREF: 251752

Beautifully renovated 4 bedroom villa nestling in lush mature gardens, ideally located near the beach and all amenities in a peaceful area on the edge of Cap d'Antibes. The 130m2 comprises of a br......

1,575,000 EURREF: 252962

Historical 8 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Coulaures, Aquitaine

Enjoying far reaching countryside views from its peaceful location near Coulaures, is this impressive 8 bedroom historical French Chateau with substantial outbuildings and equestrian facilities, ne......

1,575,000 EURREF: 237895

Stunning new modern 4 bedroom house with garden and pool, enjoying countryside views from its ideal location near beaches and all amenities in Les Portes en Re. Situated less than a 5 minute bike ......

1,560,000 EURREF: 253313

Nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool, is this exquisite 3 bedroom villa with separate one bedroom apartment, located near all amenities in a peaceful area of Roqu......

1,560,000 EURREF: 251523

Surrounded by 3 hectares of glorious land with mature gardens and pool, is this impressive 3 bedroom stone villa enjoying panoramic countryside views from its elevated location in Grasse Saint-Fran......

1,560,000 EURREF: 253800

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

This is a delightful villa In a quiet area, overlooking the countryside and with a superb panoramic vista to the beautiful coastal bays of the Mediterranean. Located just 30 minutes from Marseill......

1,550,000 EURREF: 173204

Bright 3 bedroom Penthouse for sale with sea view in Californie, Cannes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Situated within a high standing residence in the Basse Californie district of Cannes, this magnificent 3 bedroom penthouse apartment has a spacious living area of around 134m2, plus a spacious terr......

Enquire for priceREF: 244978

Lovingly Maintained 6 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Fayence, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Bright, spacious and beautifully presented 6 bedroom villa, which is ideally situated in a quiet area yet just 300m from shops in Fayence village. With simply stunning panoramic countryside views,......

1,550,000 EURREF: 238535

Stylish 4 bedroom Chalet for sale in Les Gets, Rhone-Alpes

Charming newly built 4 bedroom ski chalet, which is ideally situated right in the heart of a quiet, well established and preserved area with just a few new chalets. South facing and situated on th......

1,550,000 EURREF: 239312

Rare opportunity to acquire a stylishly renovated 5 bedroom house with pool and garden, ideally located near all amenities in Bordeaux. This spacious 200m2 property offers exceptional living spac......

1,539,000 EURREF: 247869

New Build 4 bedroom Chalet for sale in Les Bossons, Chamonix, Rhone-Alpes

A four bedroom chalet, in a desirable new development of just 3 ski chalets with great views of the Mont Blanc chain in the desirable area of Les Bossons, and providing easy access to the centre of......

1,535,000 EURREF: 237670

Ideally located near all amenities in the heart of Les Portes en Re, is this very well presented 5 bedroom house with courtyard. This beautiful house combines the charm of the Ile de Re with mode......

1,525,000 EURREF: 252740

Authentic 4 bedroom House for sale in Annecy Le Vieux, Annecy, Rhone-Alpes

Beautiful, well presented 4 bedroom wooden frame house, set in lush mature gardens with pool, located in a peaceful area near all amenities in Annecy le Vieux. Enjoying quick access to the motorwa......

1,522,000 EURREF: 244807

Stylishly renovated 4 bedroom spacious house with lush garden and pool, ideally located in Ars-en-Re with direct access to the beach and forest. This stunning property comprises of a spacious an......

1,520,000 EURREF: 253670

Enjoying superb views of the surrounding hills from its prestigious and peaceful location in the Super Cannes area, is this very well presented 4 bedroom Provencal style villa with studio, nestling......

1,518,000 EURREF: 252541

Desirable 3 bedroom duplex apartment in an enviable location in the heart of Saint-Tropez, close to the Place des Lices and the port. This stunning 78m2 property is found in a residence of just f......

1,510,000 EURREF: 252077

Magnificent Eighteenth Century Chateau, superbly renovated and featuring a seven-bedroom main residence, three gites, each with two bedrooms, and a one bed pigeonnier, set in an estate of over 13 a......

1,508,000 EURREF: 253593

Opportunity to own a chateau named vineyard with residence and gite, just 20 minutes from Bordeaux and 5 minutes from all amenities - magnificent 3.21ha vineyard property in Cotes de Bordeaux - b......

1,500,000 EURREF: 253471

Delightful two bedroom apartment close to the famous Places des Lices, with terrace. The living room, entrance and terrace are all very spacious. The bright and well-designed second floor proper......

1,500,000 EURREF: 253448

An elegant and desirable Country Estate For Sale by Private Auction on the 27th March 2025 at 16:00 hrs. Original List Price - EUR 5,000,000 Presale Estimates - EUR1,500,000 to EUR3,000,000. Wo......

1,500,000 EURREF: 252536

Nestling in 13 hectares of glorious land with outbuildings is this beautifully renovated 7 bedroom historical Chateau located near Bourges. Situated In the heart of France, Berry, 280 km from Pari......

1,500,000 EURREF: 251594

Wonderful opportunity to acquire a beautifully restored Manor House with two guest houses nestling in 11 hectares of glorious land with equestrian facilities, pools and gardens, while enjoying far ......

1,500,000 EURREF: 253186

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French Property

Full Personal Service

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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

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