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

Immaculate 6 bedroom for sale with sea and panoramic views in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254091
Rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa with separate apartment, nestling in nearly half an acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with pool, while enjoying breathtaking sea...
3,800,000 EUR
Waterfront 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Cap d'Antibes, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254090
Amazing 5 bedroom luxury villa with pool and terraced gardens, enjoying breathtaking sea views from its idyllic waterfront location in Cap d'Antibes. This magnificent property of approximately 303...
15,950,000 EUR
Beautiful 4 bedroom Villa for sale in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254087
Ideally located near the beach and all amenities at the gates of Saint-Tropez, is this charming fully furnished 4 bedroom villa set in a beautiful garden with pool. Situated in a very quiet priva...
2,890,000 EUR
Character 5 bedroom Villa for sale in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254086
Ideally located near the beach and all amenities in Saint Tropez, is this very well presented 5 bedroom villa with pool and garden. This superb property of 163 m2 on a plot of 900 m2 is situated...
4,500,000 EUR
Luxury 5 bedroom Villa for sale in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254085
Ideally located near the beaches and all amenities in the highly sought-after area of La Moutte, Saint Tropez, is this exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa set in nearly an acre of glorious landscape...
10,500,000 EUR
Unique 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea and countryside views in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254084
Absolutely exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa nestling in over one acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool and vines, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious locati...
10,500,000 EUR
Immaculate 5 bedroom Villa for sale with countryside view in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254083
Luxurious 5 bedroom villa completely renovated from an old farmhouse, set in lush mature gardens with pool, while enjoying far reaching countryside views from its prestigious location in Saint-Trop...
10,500,000 EUR
Immaculate 5 bedroom for sale with sea and panoramic views in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254082
Absolutely stunning new 3 storey, 5 bedroom luxury villa set in over half an acre of gardens with pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its peaceful location in the secure Valfere area of S...
10,500,000 EUR
Project Villa for sale with panoramic view in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254081
Wonderful opportunity to acquire a set of four existing villas for renovation, set on nearly 1.5 acres of land with pool, enjoying panoramic sea views from their prestigious location in Saint-Trop...
11,500,000 EUR
Wow factor 7 bedroom Villa for sale with sea and countryside views in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254079
Absolutely magical 7 bedroom architect designed luxury villa set in over one acre of glorious landscaped gardens with pool and boules court, while enjoying panoramic views across the vineyards to t...
13,600,000 EUR
Stunning 6 bedroom Villa for sale with panoramic and sea views in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254078
Enjoying panoramic views to the sea beyond from its prestigious location in the heart of Domaine des Parcs in Saint-Tropez, is this exceptional 6 bedroom villa with three separate apartments, all ...
14,000,000 EUR
Wow factor 5 bedroom Villa for sale with sea and countryside views in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254077
Enjoying panoramic sea views from its enchanting setting near the beaches and all amenities in Saint Tropez, is this exceptional 5 bedroom luxury villa nestling in over an acre of glorious mature g...
15,900,000 EUR
Immaculate 8 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254076
Magnificent 7 bedroom luxury villa with studio, nestling in over one acre of beautiful landscaped gardens with expansive pool, while enjoying panoramic sea views from its prestigious and peaceful l...
16,500,000 EUR
Wow factor 9 bedroom Villa for sale with sea view in Saint Tropez, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254075
Absolutely exceptional 9 bedroom modern and luxurious villa nestling in nearly 4 acres of glorious landscaped gardens with expansive pool, while enjoying outstanding sea views from its prestigious ...
40,000,000 EUR
Historical 8 bedroom Castle for sale with countryside view in Valbonne, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254073
Majestic 5 bedroom historical Bastide with 3 bedroom apartment surrounded by 1.5 hectares of glorious land with natural pool/lake and gardens, enjoying far reaching countryside views from its peace...
7,750,000 EUR
Wow factor 8 bedroom House for sale with countryside view in L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur
Ref 254072
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 EUR
Immaculate 6 bedroom House for sale with countryside view in Duras, Nouvelle Aquitaine
Ref 254070
Exceptional 6 bedroom beautifully renovated house with outbuilding,nestling in 1.5 acres of glorious land with pool and gardens, while enjoying far reaching countryside views from its ideal locatio...
839,000 EUR
Immaculate 4 bedroom Appartement for sale in Hauteluce, Auvergne Rhone Alpes
Ref 254069
Stunning new 4 bedroom triplex apartment enjoying spectacular mountain views from its ideal location near the slopes and all amenities in the charming village of Hauteluce. Situated just 350 metr...
880,000 EUR
Immaculate 6 bedroom Maison for sale with lake or river view in Le Raffort, Meribel, Auvergne Rhone Alpes
Ref 254068
Wonderful opportunity to acquire a luxurious new 3 storey, 6 bedroom chalet with pool, enjoying scenic mountain and river views from its location near the slopes and all amenities in Meribel. Sit...
5,450,000 EUR
Authentic 6 bedroom Maison for sale in Les Allues, Meribel, Auvergne Rhone Alpes
Ref 254067
Charming 4 storey, 6 bedroom chalet with garden and Jacuzzi, enjoying scenic mountain views from its ideal location near the slopes and all amenities in Les Allues, Meribel. Situated in a quiet, ...
1,450,000 EUR