Buying a Property in France

Areas Suggested Searches Legal Process Latest Properties

Areas of France

The Rhone Alpes is a diverse land of mountains, vineyards, rivers and prosperous cities.

Annecy is a popular and chic town with highly sought-after properties, especially those with lake frontage.

The beautiful region of Aquitaine lies to the southwest of France, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Pyrenees Mountains to the south, along the border with Spain.

France's capital is a global centre for food, art and culture.

Long the playground of the rich and famous.

One of the most popular areas, the Dordogne has history and beauty in abundance.

In the French Alps, the magnificent Three Valleys area consists of major ski resorts: Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens.

Legal Process

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.

Latest Properties in France

Authentic 3 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255174
Exceptional 3 bedroom villa with mature garden, enjoying breathtaking sea views from its sought after location on the west side of Cap d'Antibes. This magnificent property is situated in a closed...
4,990,000 EUR
Authentic 4 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255173
Rare opportunity to acquire a beautiful 4 bedroom villa with pool and garden, enjoying breathtaking sea views from its sought after location in Cap d'Antibes. This spacious property with lift is ...
4,900,000 EUR
Unique 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255172
Enjoying breathtaking uninterrupted sea views from its sought after location in Cap d'Antibes, is this exquisite 3 storey, 5 bedroom belle epoque villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool...
4,850,000 EUR
Immaculate 5 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255171
Absolutely exceptional 4 bedroom luxuriously refurbished villa with one bedroom guest house, nestling in 1,000m2 of glorious mature gardens with pool, enjoying panoramic views from its prestigious ...
5,900,000 EUR
Immaculate 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255170
Enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious location in Cap d'Antibes, is this luxuriously renovated 5 bedroom villa set in beautiful landscaped gardens with pool. Situated close to the beac...
6,750,000 EUR
Immaculate 10 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255169
Absolutely exceptional luxurious villa with separate apartments, all nestling in nearly 2 acres of glorious gardens with pool and tennis court, enjoying panoramic views from its prestigious locatio...
7,000,000 EUR
Immaculate 6 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255168
Luxuriously renovated 3 storey, 6 bedroom exceptional villa nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool and tennis court, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its pre...
7,500,000 EUR
Stunning Villa for sale with sea and panoramic views in Mougins, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255167
Absolutely exceptional stone country house with separate apartment, nestling in over half an acre of beautiful mature gardens with pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its sought after loc...
4,100,000 EUR
Beautiful 7 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside view in Font de Lorme, Mougins, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255166
Absolutely exceptional 7 bedroom historical house with separate apartment, nestling in nearly 3/4 acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool and tennis court, while enjoying panoramic views fr...
5,900,000 EUR
Authentic 4 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside view in Pigranel, Mougins, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255165
Enjoying panoramic views over the picturesque village of Mougins, is this charming 4 bedroom house nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool. Situated in the sought-a...
2,860,000 EUR
Income Potential 9 bedroom Villa for sale with sea and panoramic views in Valbonne, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255164
Sumptuous 6 bedroom luxury villa with two separate apartments nestling in over one acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool, enjoying panoramic sea views from its ideal location near all amen...
3,950,000 EUR
Luxury Apartment for sale in Valbonne, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255163
Stunning luxurious villa with pool and garden, ideally located in the serene Ile Verte neighbourhood of Valbonne. This exquisite property offers a perfect blend of luxury and comfort. It features ...
3,700,000 EUR
Income Potential 10 bedroom House for sale with panoramic view in Valbonne, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255162
Exceptional opportunity to acquire a beautifully renovated 3 storey, 10 bedroom Bed and Breakfast property with pool and garden, ideally located near all amenities in Valbonne. This exquisite pro...
3,700,000 EUR
Stunning 5 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside view in Valbonne, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255161
Exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa nestling in over half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool while enjoying far reaching countryside views from its ideal location near the picturesque...
3,190,000 EUR
Luxury 5 bedroom House for sale with countryside view in Valbonne, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255160
Absolutely exceptional 5 bedroom luxury stone house nestling in half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool, ideally located near all amenities in Valbonne. This 18th-century property ...
4,950,000 EUR
Unique 3 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic and sea views in Nice, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255159
Absolutely exceptional 3 bedroom luxury villa with pool and garden enjoying an iconic setting in front of the Chateau de l'Anglais with extraordinary front row views directly over Coco beach, the P...
5,900,000 EUR
Immaculate 5 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic view in Grimaud, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255158
Enjoying panoramic sea views from its elevated location in Grimaud is this exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa set in a beautiful landscaped garden with pool. Perched in a dominant position at the ...
3,990,000 EUR
Stunning 4 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Le Cannet, Cannes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255157
Superb 4 bedroom luxury bastide full of character, set in beautiful mature garden with pool and fruit trees, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its sought after location in Le Cannet. South-...
2,300,000 EUR
Authentic 4 bedroom House for sale with panoramic and sea views in Eze, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 255156
Authentic 4 bedroom villa with garden, offering panoramic sea views from its peaceful, exceptional and rare location near Eze. Situated just behind the prestigious Cap Estel Palace, and just a 3 m...
3,300,000 EUR
Immaculate 5 bedroom Chateau for sale with countryside view in Marmande, Nouvelle Aquitaine
Ref 255153
Rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully restored historical Chateau with guest house, nestling in 4 acres of beautiful mature gardens with pool, while enjoying far reaching countryside views from...
1,049,725 EUR