A Parisian penthouse, a Riviera retreat or villa in the vineyards: what’s your dream home in France? And how do you get hold of it if you’re living in another country? As with so many things, it’s all about who you know. We share top tips for how to buy property in France and avoid the pitfalls.
If you’re house-hunting in one of the most popular areas in France, knowing the right people puts you in prime position. Working with a property-finding service means that you’ll be alerted the moment a suitable place comes on the market – sometimes before the details are even published. Given that the housing market in certain areas and cities is extremely competitive, who you know can make all the difference.
Leggett Immobillier was founded in 1988 by Trevor Leggett and has a network of more than 650 local agents across the country.
Buying property in Paris
Unsurprisingly, Paris is one of the hardest cities in which to find and buy the property of your dreams. Paris Notaires reports that 5,780 apartments were sold just in the first three months of 2024 and it’s a market where precise negotiation skills can make all the difference. Even if you’re not demanding a view of the Eiffel Tower or a balcony overlooking the Seine, the process of buying a Parisian apartment is frequently described as frustrating, maddening and tedious; the more help you can get, the better for your sanity.
Paris is a notoriously difficult city for securing the property you’re hoping to buy. Many places sell through word of mouth without ever going on the market officially, so it’s vital to have on-the-ground expertise and to respond quickly. Leggett Immobilier have an office in Paris with agents who can source properties for you.
Buying property on The French Riviera
The south of France has it all: dazzling blue seas, long sandy beaches, towns that are the epitome of elegance and property to leave you breathless. Also known as the Côte d’Azur (azure coast), this area includes the glamorous towns of Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Antibes and Nice as well as countless villages with terracotta rooftops and cobbled streets.
The south of France has a lot of sunshine hours and fantastic real estate, from waterfront villas and luxurious penthouse apartments to traditional homes in historic, hill-top villages. The Côte d’Azur is always popular with overseas buyers, thanks to its glamorous image, Mediterranean climate and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Of course, this also means that properties can sell very quickly, particularly if you have specific criteria such as sea views or a pool.
Leggett have offices in Nice with a team of local agents who can help you find the property of your dreams.
Buying property in the Loire Valley
The French are renowned for producing wines of exceptional quality, and the Loire Valley in central France is where you’ll find some of the biggest and best vineyards.
In the Loire Valley, you can find every type of property imaginable, from a modest village home or a city-centre apartment to a genuine Renaissance Château complete with turrets. Brief your local Leggett agents us on what you’re looking for, and they will do the legwork to find it. Even if that’s a château with its own working vineyard because you’ve decided to produce your own vintage!
Thanks to its proximity to Paris with its international travel connections, the Loire Valley is always in high demand with international buyers. From the bustling cities of Orléans and Tours to the pretty villages surrounded by farmland and rolling hills, it’s a region with a truly diverse range of properties that can seem overwhelming if you’re searching from abroad.
Buying property in Bordeaux
Another popular destination for international buyers is southwest France, from Bordeaux to the border with Spain. As well as a warm climate, this part of France offers an authentic character even in its towns and cities, a sense of space in its countryside and stone-built properties whose rooftops extend to offer shade from the summer sun.
Bordeaux is grand and historic with neo-classic style buildings and a vibrant nightlife. This part of France attracts those who appreciate the Atlantic coast, with its and laid-back feel. Brad Turner and Simon Liddiard who manage Leggett’s Bordeaux office and a team of ten agents can conduct tailored searches not just in the city of Bordeaux but stretching out into the surrounding suburbs, countryside, vineyards and the coast to help you find your ideal property.
Being in two places at once
If you’re not already based in France, it can be a huge challenge to respond quickly enough to a property coming on the market. The only way to be in two places at once is to find someone you can trust to look out on your behalf, keeping an ear to the ground so that you are the first to hear about the property that’s just about to come on the market.
Even if you are in France, unless you’re in the know – without help, you’re not going to hear about the properties that come onto the market and get snapped up quickly.
Language and legal issues
It’s impossible to know all the laws of another country, and buying a property inevitably involves a lot of paperwork and legal documentation. Working with someone who can also handle all the legal issues and French administration is worth its weight in gold, especially if your own level of French is less than perfect. Leggett support you through the search and buying process at every level.
Advice from one who knows
American journalist Lisa Anselmo is the author of ‘My Part Time Paris Life’, in which she recounts her experience of buying her own French home, an experience that was far from idyllic.
“I can’t say this enough: do not buy property in Paris or France unaided. It won’t save you money; in fact, it could cost you. You’re plunking down major cash in a foreign land, Lord love you, and you will need the hand-holding.”
As countless other people will tell you from first-hand experience, if you’re not living here or your work commitments mean that you’re not available to react immediately to new real estate offers, buying a property in France can become an obstacle course. Partnering with a trusted agency is the best way to enjoy the process so that you can simply turn up, enjoy the viewings and let your heart choose your future home in France.
Start your search today
Leggett Immobilier have a huge portfolio of properties for sale right across France. From ramshackle barns to convert, up to the finest chateaux, villas and ski properties – there’s something to suit every budget.
Their local agents live and work in their area and can offer expert advice on both the regional property market and the best villages, schools, restaurants and local facilities.
Their bi-lingual contracts team will be by your side throughout the purchase process. They have an in-house notaire to ensure each sale progresses as smoothly as possible.
They’ve been voted “Best Estate Agency in France” more times than any other agency in France.
Find our more at: frenchestateagents.com
