Prestige Property Group

French Property

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Over 20 years experience in the area.

We give Expert Buyers Advice, from Enquiry to Purchase

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

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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.

2484 properties

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Elegant 8 bedroom Manor House for sale in Pers Jussy, Rhone-Alpes

Full of character and charm, this stunning 8 bedroom home is ideally situated in a quiet setting in Pers Jussy and just 20 minutes from the centre of Geneva. This stunning property with historical......

5,250,000 EURREF: 243634

Unique opportunity to acquire two luxuriously renovated fully furnished apartments located near all amenities in Nice. Situated on Cours Saleya, these two stunning properties with a total surface ......

5,250,000 EURREF: 250433

Excellent opportunity to purchase 2 sumptuous apartments, which are ideally situated within one of the finest addresses in Nice and only a few steps from the waterfront. Entirely restored and lux......

5,250,000 EURREF: 247509

Luxuriously renovated 5 bedroom contemporary villa nestling in over half an acre of beautiful mature gardens with pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious location in the heart......

5,250,000 EURREF: 253188

Luxuriously renovated exceptional 8 bedroom fully furnished house with separate apartment, nestling in over 36 acres of glorious land with beautiful gardens and expansive pool, while enjoying far r......

5,200,000 EURREF: 254072

Outstanding 5 bedroom villa combining elegance and eco-responsible innovation in a private residential area of Antibes, in a dominant position set in over an acre of landscaped gardens. Between 2......

5,200,000 EURREF: 253335

Luxuriously renovated 3 storey, 5 bedroom villa with separate 2 bedroom apartment and pool, enjoying panoramic views from its ideal location near the beach and all amenities in the heart of Saint J......

5,200,000 EURREF: 248815

4 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view with Income Potential in Annonciade, Menton, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Delightful and intriguing property with huge potential set in 10 acres of land in the area of Menton Annonciade, with stunning views across the hills to the sea. Set in a dominant East-facing po......

5,200,000 EURREF: 240475

Magnificent and recently renovated Provencal villa, situated in an idyllic setting on the eastern slope of Cap d'Antibes, close to the beaches and offering breathtaking views of the sea and the old......

5,200,000 EURREF: 248589

Luxuriously renovated 3 bedroom apartment enjoying panoramic sea views from its ideal location near the beach and all amenities in a prestigious area of Nice. Set in the heart of a sumptuous Bell......

5,080,000 EURREF: 253242

Immaculate 3 bedroom Apartment for sale with sea view in La Croisette, Cannes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Exceptional 3 bedroom luxury apartment enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious location near the beach and all amenities in La Croisette, Cannes. Set in the most luxurious and secure res......

5,050,000 EURREF: 234652

Wonderful opportunity to acquire a magnificent historical Mas in excellent condition, nestling in 1.5 hectares of glorious landscaped gardens with pool and multiple dwellings, while enjoying far re......

5,000,000 EURREF: 251650

Outstanding Seventeenth Century country chateau and estate near Brantome set in 138 acres. This extraordinary historic and versatile property would make a very fine private residence or hospit......

5,000,000 EURREF: 253463

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

Superb 3 bedroom apartment with stunning sea views, situated within a luxury beach front residence with 24 hour security, a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness room. With a total spacio......

5,000,000 EURREF: 238378

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

Beautifully renovated 5 bedroom luxurious and modern villa with separate apartment, nestling in nearly an acre of glorious landscaped gardens with amazing pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views f......

4,990,000 EURREF: 235103

Luxuriously renovated 4 bedroom spacious apartment with many communal facilities, enjoying breathtaking sea views from its sought after location in the heart of the Californie area of Cannes. , Th......

4,990,000 EURREF: 252984

Nestling in over one acre of beautiful landscaped gardens is this exceptional 6 bedroom luxury villa with pool, enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious location near the beach and all ame......

4,990,000 EURREF: 253277

Elegant 5 bedroom Provencale style villa, with a beautifully presented living area of over 300m2, beautifully nestled on the side of the hills of Super Cannes and with incredible views of the sea, ......

4,990,000 EURREF: 247576

Stunning 5 bedroom luxury villa with independent studio, gardens and pool, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views of the Bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cap Ferrat. Spread over two levels, the vil......

4,990,000 EURREF: 252998

Situated in a prestigious, private residence with caretaker, security service, swimming pool, tennis court and communal gardens, this sumptuous property provides 230m2 of living area in an excepti......

4,990,000 EURREF: 253664

Absolutely exceptional 7 bedroom luxury villa with separate 2 bedroom guest house, set in nearly one acre of beautiful gardens with pool and petanque court, while enjoying panoramic sea views from ......

4,990,000 EURREF: 253569

In the secure residential area of Beauvallon Bartole, Grimaud, a lovely sea view property with swimming pool. In a peaceful and south-facing setting, the spacious 32m2 property is currently under......

4,980,000 EURREF: 254019

Property to complete, yet the major works have already been done, situated in a quiet setting on the heights of Roquebrune Cap Martin, with a spacious living area of approximately 450m2 and a sple......

5,500,000 EURREF: 248215

In excellent condition is this beautiful 5 bedroom Provencal Bastide nestling in 1.5 acres of glorious landscaped gardens with pool, ideally located in the prestigious area of Castellaras, near Mou......

4,950,000 EURREF: 253416

Absolutely exceptional 4 bedroom luxuriously renovated and fully furnished apartment with communal pool and beautiful gardens, enjoying panoramic sea views from its sought after location near the b......

4,950,000 EURREF: 254118

17 bedroom Castle for sale with countryside view in Aubigny sur Nere, Centre

Located 170km South of Paris, not far from Burgundy, in Aubigny sur Nere and close to Bourges, this exceptional historic castle erected in the 15thc (on older bases) and completed with wings in the......

4,950,000 EURREF: 153913

Bright and stylish 5 bedroom contemporary villa nestling in nearly an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with amazing infinity pool, while enjoying fabulous views to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez from......

4,950,000 EURREF: 252663

Rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional 6 bedroom luxuriously renovated villa, nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool, ideally located in one of the mo......

4,950,000 EURREF: 251913

5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea and panoramic views in Theoule sur Mer, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Ideally located in a private estate with direct access to a hidden cove (Calanque), this sumptuous 5 bedroom villa offers stunning panoramic sea views. Entirely redesigned by a renowned local arc......

4,950,000 EURREF: 242764

Authentic, spacious and beautifully presented throughout, this authentic property is ideally situated in a quiet setting between the famous Provencal villages of Gordes and L'Isle sur la Sorgue. T......

4,950,000 EURREF: 246859

Exceptional private estate in a sought-after residential area, offering panoramic sea views and offering stylish luxury accommodation. This fully renovated contemporary property, comes with appr......

4,950,000 EURREF: 252914

Nestling in a beautiful landscaped garden with pool is this absolutely exceptional 5 bedroom villa with apartment, ideally located within 200 m from the beaches of La Garoupe in Cap d'Antibes. Thi......

4,950,000 EURREF: 252891

Delightful stone villa in an exceptional setting with panoramic views stretching all the way to the sea, ideally located within walking distance of the charming old village of Mougins. Set in a re......

4,950,000 EURREF: 254020

Unique opportunity to acquire a beautiful 4 storey, 7 bedroom architect designed house nestling in nearly one acre of glorious mature gardens, while enjoying panoramic lake views from its exception......

4,948,000 EURREF: 251094

Magnificent 5 bedroom villa with separate 2 bedroom guest house and one bedroom apartment, set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool, situated on the best part of the hill, just 600m from the f......

4,900,000 EURREF: 248937

A rare opportunity to acquire a stunning 4 bedroom luxury villa nestling in beautiful lush gardens with pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious and peaceful location in the Ga......

4,900,000 EURREF: 254235

Absolutely exceptional 6 bedroom luxury villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool and outbuildings, ideally located in the heart of a secured domain near the centre of Saint-Tropez. Thi......

4,900,000 EURREF: 252066

Exclusive 4 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Cogolin, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

An unparalleled and rare opportunity to purchase a superb home, which is ideally situated right in the heart of one of Provence's wine regions (Var). With its own vineyard and a 150-year-old, full......

4,900,000 EURREF: 243379

Fabulous and highly desirable 7 bedroom property in the heart of the village of Saint Jean, spread over three levels with swimming pool and sea views. This spacious stone house, unique in its styl......

4,900,000 EURREF: 248964

Rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional property comprising of two luxurious villas nestling in over one acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool, while enjoying panoramic sea vi......

4,850,000 EURREF: 252946

Renovated 4 bedroom Apartment for sale with sea view in Roquebrune Cap Martin, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Rare opportunity to acquire a luxuriously renovated 4 bedroom apartment with beautiful communal gardens, pool and tennis courts, enjoying breathtaking sea views from its ideal location near the pri......

4,800,000 EURREF: 240327

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

Modern 4 bedroom villa with lovely sea views over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, situated in the La Croisette area of Sainte Maxime and within walking distance to the beaches and town centre. Ground f......

4,800,000 EURREF: 242145

Soon to be finished, this exclusive small prestigious condominium, which is intended for the privileged few, will offer total peace and serenity and a communal swimming pool, fitness room, hammam a......

4,800,000 EURREF: 247225

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

Exceptional and unique 6 bedroom villa, with a spacious living area of 520m2, situated in a quiet setting in Mougins, and within walking distance from the golf course. Set on large and mature land......

4,800,000 EURREF: 245365

Stylish new build modern villa with 4 bedrooms, sea views over the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, within walking distance of the beaches and the centre of Sainte-Maxime On the ground floor: hall with gues......

4,800,000 EURREF: 254278

7 bedroom Manor House for sale in Normandy, Normandy

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French Property

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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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