Paris, synonymous with cuisine and culture, is the hook upon which the rest of France hangs. As its capital, Paris naturally attracts a cosmopolitan mix of the world's tourists, students, artisans and connoisseurs who come to soak up the history, stunning architecture and world-renowned cultural attractions.
Paris is divided into 20 numbered arrondissements, with surrounding suburbs (banlieue). The numbers increment in a spiral pattern from the centre.
We offer a wide choice of Paris apartments in many of the arrondissements.
Centre of Paris
The centre of Paris includes Wards 1 to 4 (1eme to 4eme) which offer are a mixture of business and pleasure, being home to a major business district and the Stock Market and exalted locations such as the Louvre and Palais Royal. 3eme and 4eme comprise the area known as the Marais with its mansions and vibrant lifestyle. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in wards 1eme, 2eme, 3eme and 4eme.
Centre South
Across the River Seine are the more intellectual- and multinational-flavoured 5eme to 7eme Wards, including the Sorbonne, St Germain (full of chic restaurants and galleries) and the Eiffel Tower. 7eme is very exclusive. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in wards 5eme, 6eme and 7eme.
Centre North
Surrounding the northern edges of the centre of Paris, Wards 8eme to 12eme include sights such as the Champs Elysee, Paris Opera, Moulin Rouge, the Place de la Bastille, and the two large main train stations of the Gare l'Est and the Gare du Nord. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in wards 8eme, 9eme, 10eme, 11eme and 12eme.
Southern Paris
Wards 13eme, 14eme and 15eme are mainly residential and include Paris' Chinatown and two Universities: Montparnasse and the Cité. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in wards 13eme, 14eme and 15eme.
West Paris Ward 16eme border the Bois de Boulogne, a large park nestling amongst the suburbs of Neuilly and Boulogne. For the wealthy, this is the place to be. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in ward 16eme.
North West Paris
Bordering the desirable suburbs of Levallois, Neuilly and Boulogne, Ward 17eme offers more diverse and sophisticated surroundings in which to live. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in ward 17eme.
North Paris
Popular with artisans and tourists, Ward 18eme (Montmartre) is more like a village and was once the home of Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso. It is the highest hill in Paris and still has a number of windmills. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in wards 18eme.
North East Paris
Ward 19eme, a more ethnic area which is full of shops and restaurants. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in ward 19eme.
East Paris
Ward 20eme is a more suburban residential area. We have a wide choice of Paris apartments in ward 20eme.
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.
Close