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.

2789 properties

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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

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

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

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

Stunning, bright and spacious architect designed villa, ideally situated within a quiet setting with stunning and unique 270 degree panoramic views over the bay of Cannes, the Lerins Islands, the s......

4,950,000 EURREF: 234545

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

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

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

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

New luxury Penthouse apartment with 4 bedrooms in the heart of Courchevel Moriond, with easy access to its many shops and prestigious restaurants, as well as direct access to the slopes of Les Troi......

4,895,000 EURREF: 245764

- 4 bedroom Duplex for sale in Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Elysee, Paris-Ile-de-France

Outstanding corner Haussman apartment in a prestigious and central location in the 8th arrondissement of Paris in the highly sought after area of Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This 310m2 du......

4,800,000 EURREF: 208326

7 bedroom Manor House for sale in Normandy, Normandy

PRICE REDUCED - Stunning and completely restored, this substantial mansion, which dates from 1838, is located in the north of Burgundy, within a beautiful landscaped garden of 7,845m2 which is com......

Enquire For PriceREF: 196482

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

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

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

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

Authentic 3 bedroom Apartment for sale with panoramic view in Val d'Isere, Rhone-Alpes

Beautifully nestled in a quiet green setting in Val d'Isere, this delightful 143.5m2, 3 bedroom apartment is situated on the second floor of a beautiful residence. This traditional property is fi......

4,790,000 EURREF: 245714

Majestic 7 bedroom bastide nestling in over 2 hectares of glorious land with beautiful gardens, olive trees and pool, while enjoying panoramic views from its peaceful location near Grasse. With i......

4,775,000 EURREF: 252890

- 6 bedroom Chalet for sale in Saint Martin de Belleville, Rhone-Alpes

Exceptional 6 bedroom ski chalet, which is part of a new development of 5 chalets and 4 apartments, which are ideally situated in a highly sought after area right in the heart of Saint Martin de Be......

4,760,000 EURREF: 241195

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

Superb 4 bedroom villa, which is ideally situated in a quiet setting, yet right in the hearth of Cannes city centre, set within a manicured plot of 1,005m2 with a swimming pool. Totally refurbishe......

4,750,000 EURREF: 239955

Immaculate 4 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside view in Saint Tropez, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Grand and spacious recently built 5 bedroom villa, situated within a quiet area with stunning views overlooking the sea and the Gulf of Saint Tropez. With a total living area of 330m2, which is se......

4,750,000 EURREF: 223543

Bright 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cavalaire sur Mer, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Unique in Cavalaire, this architect-designed villa is close to the city centre and beaches in a sought-after domain. It develops 350m2 of living space in beautiful volumes with bright rooms, open t......

4,750,000 EURREF: 241669

Absolutely exceptional 6 bedroom modern luxury villa with 1 bedroom guest house, nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool, ideally located in Antibes. Situ......

4,750,000 EURREF: 251412

Absolutely exceptional 14 bedroom luxury villa set in beautiful mature gardens with pool, ideally located near the beach and all amenities in La Couarde sur Mer. This hidden gem, a timeless place......

4,725,000 EURREF: 253171

Enjoying uninterrupted sea views from its sought after location in Villefranche sur Mer, is this exceptional 4 bedroom luxury villa with separate studio apartment, surrounded by lush gardens with s......

4,700,000 EURREF: 251555

Stylish 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Roquebrune Cap Martin, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Spacious and luxurious 3 storey, 5 bedroom villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool while enjoying panoramic sea views from its ideal location near the beach and all amenities in a peace......

4,700,000 EURREF: 240323

Stunning 4 bedroom luxury villa set in half an acre of gardens with pool, located near all amenities in Antibes. This superb property of 208m2 features an entrance hall opening onto a spacious rec......

4,700,000 EURREF: 248721

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

Superb 3 bedroom rooftop apartment, which is ideally situated within a luxurious, safe and guarded residence in Cannes With stunning views towards Port Canto and the entire bay of Cannes, this bea......

4,700,000 EURREF: 240027

Rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional 6 bedroom luxury house with annex and outbuilding, set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool while enjoying breathtaking sea views from its idyllic be......

4,680,000 EURREF: 251646

Exceptional, bright and spacious 5 bedroom luxury Provencal style villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool, ideally located in the heart of the Cap Ferrat peninsula. Situated in Saint J......

4,650,000 EURREF: 252992

Impressive luxury property set in over an acre of land with outstanding panoramic views all the way to the sea. This exceptional and spacious 370m2 home combines elegance and comfort, with top-q......

4,600,000 EURREF: 252657

Spacious 7 bedroom character property in the area of Ville d'Hiver in Archachon, just a few minutes' walk from the beach and shops. This light-filled house has been perfectly maintained, combinin......

4,575,000 EURREF: 252241

Superb 4 bedroom duplex apartment, situated within an intimate residence with just 23 upmarket apartments, which range from 2 to 6 bedrooms, located in a quiet setting alongside the lake in Val d'I......

4,574,000 EURREF: 246587

Nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool, is this absolutely exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa enjoying panoramic sea views from its elevated location in C......

4,520,000 EURREF: 251497

Desirable four bedroom property located in a quiet, south-facing and mature plot in a closed domain on the heights of Villefranche-sur-Mer with a large swimming pool and shaded terraces. The be......

4,515,000 EURREF: 245777

Located in a quiet and dominant position, this superb newly built Provencal yet modern property, is built on around 11,000m2 of land and was completed in 2022. Boasting superb panoramic views of ......

4,500,000 EURREF: 251484

Spacious 3 bedroom Apartment for sale in Passy, Paris-Ile-de-France

Bright and spacious apartment in a sought-after area of the 16th Arondissement with easy access to the Bois de Boulogne and high quality shops and amenities Large entrance ("entree") - Large livin......

4,500,000 EURREF: 179772

Luxury 3 bedroom Penthouse for sale with panoramic view and sea view views in Cap d'Antibes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Ideally situated at the highest point of Cap d'Antibes, and benefiting from stunning double sea views and gorgeous sunset and sunrise views. This unique 3 bedroom penthouse apartment has a large ......

4,500,000 EURREF: 245543

- 2 bedroom Apartment for sale in Palais Bourbon, Paris-Ile-de-France

Spacious 2 bedroom apartment in the Bd Saint Germain / Rue du Bac area of Paris, in a beautiful residence dating back to the Eighteenth Century. Situated in a quiet charming courtyard, this sunny......

4,500,000 EURREF: 200765

Superb newly built 5 bedroom stone built home, which is ideally located in Gordes, which is a commune that has been awarded one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France'. This little architectura......

4,500,000 EURREF: 249556

4 bedroom Penthouse for sale with sea view in Parc du Cap, Cap d'Antibes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Superb 4 bedroom penthouse apartment situated within walking distance of the popular local beaches and restaurants of Cap d'Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, which is renowned for its long sandy beach and......

4,500,000 EURREF: 225290

- 5 bedroom Duplex for sale in Neuilly sur Seine, Paris-Ile-de-France

This apartment in Neuilly sur Seine, Argenson is presented in perfect condition. It is a ground floor duplex apartment of 280m2 facing west: entrance, living room, dining room, kitchen, 5 bedrooms......

Enquire For PriceREF: 162405

Enjoying breathtaking sea views from its highly sought after location in La Basse Californie, is this luxuriously renovated 6 bedroom Art Deco style villa with pool and garden. The total area of ......

4,500,000 EURREF: 252278

Absolutely exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with amazing infinity pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its sought after location in Le Cannet. Tucked......

4,490,000 EURREF: 249822

7 bedroom Villa for sale with sea and panoramic views in Cap d'Antibes, Cote d'Azur French Riviera

Totally and beautifully refurbished in 2011, this superb bright and spacious villa, which dates from the 60s, is ideally situated on the sea front of Cap d'Antibes, with stunning panoramic views of......

4,490,000 EURREF: 232586

- 3 bedroom Duplex for sale in Hotel de Ville, Paris-Ile-de-France

Beautiful luxury duplex apartment in a prestigious Eighteenth Century Building. This spacious property comes with an area of 205m2, (188m2 Carrez) - on the 4th and 5th floors with an internal lif......

Enquire For PriceREF: 166802

Outstanding 6 bedroom Provencal-inspired property offering modern comfort and style in an ideal living environment with numerous amenities and a well-thought-out layout. Set in an estate of almos......

4,490,000 EURREF: 253212

In excellent condition is this outstanding 7 bedroom luxury villa nestling in over half an acre of beautiful lush gardens with pool, while enjoying panoramic sea and mountain views from its locatio......

4,490,000 EURREF: 253025

Absolutely exceptional new 3 bedroom luxury villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool and fruit trees, enjoying panoramic sea views from its exclusive location in Plateau du Cap Martin. ......

4,480,000 EURREF: 247381

Wonderful opportunity to acquire 3 beautiful houses with gardens and moorings enjoying panoramic canal views from their peaceful and secure location in Port Grimaud. The properties are in excellen......

4,475,000 EURREF: 249577

Luxurious 4 bedroom duplex apartment located in Courchevel. Full of character and charm, fully furnished and with a living area of 139m2, features include, on the lower floor: cosy living area fea......

4,475,000 EURREF: 248101

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French Property

Full Personal Service

Entire Market

Free Service

Included Extras

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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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