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France is a premier destination for both lifestyle and investment. Whether it is luxury villas in France with private pools, gîtes for sale in Provence as an investment opportunity, or a sea-view apartment for sale in Nice, the country offers a unique combination of culture, natural beauty, gastronomy and strong real estate opportunities.
Seeking a serene countryside retreat, a luxury villa on the French Riviera, a villa rental in Saint Tropez or a pied-a-terre in Paris? Buying a property in France offers diverse opportunities for both lifestyle and investment. With careful planning and guidance, buying property in France can be a rewarding journey into one of the world’s most prestigious real estate markets.
Most of our clients entrust us to manage their entire search by signing a mandat de recherche — a French agreement appointing us as their exclusive buying agent. This allows us to scan the entire market (including listings from other agents), shortlist the best options, and negotiate on your behalf.
As fluent French speakers, we handle all communication, saving you the hassle of dealing with countless agents. Best of all, this service is at no extra cost to the buyer, making it a genuine win-win.
Buying in France is straightforward for foreign buyers, with no restrictions on property ownership. Key steps include:
1. Define Your Requirements
We begin with a detailed discussion of your preferences—location, property type, size, budget, and amenities.
2. Market Search
Once you sign a mandat de recherche, Polarius acts as your exclusive buying agent across the entire market, using our extensive network, internal system which can access all properties on the French market as well as other external platforms, streamlining and simplifying your search process.
3. Viewings & Shortlist
We arrange and conduct property visits, presenting only the top options tailored to your criteria shortlisted with your assistance.
4. Choose a notary
In France, all property sales must go through a notaire (notary). While the seller has one, you're legally allowed to appoint your own independent notary. This helps protect your interests throughout the process. Polarius can help with the selection of a notaire.
5. Offer & Signing of Compromis de Vente
When you find the right property, you submit an offer. If accepted, a preliminary contract (compromis de vente) is signed—a firm, legally-binding agreement that commits both parties under agreed terms.
6. Conditions Suspensives (If Applicable)
The contract may include conditions—such as obtaining a mortgage or finance, obtaining planning permission, etc—that must be met for the sale to proceed. If any condition is not met within the defined period (usually ~30–60 days), the buyer can legally withdraw, and the deposit is refunded in full.
7. 10-Day Cooling-Off Period
After signing, you have a guaranteed 10-day cooling-off periodstarting the day after the seller delivers the contract or acknowledges receipt. During this time, you can withdraw from the purchase for any reason, and any deposit is fully refunded
8. Deposit Payment (Dépôt de Garantie)
Once the 10-day period has passed, you proceed with a deposit—typically 5% to 10% of the purchase price—held in escrow by the notaire. This amount is credited against the final price at completion. Details:
9. Completion & Notarial Finalisation
Within 2–3 months, the notaire finalizes the sale, collects the balance, and registers the new ownership with French authorities.
France’s luxury real estate market combines stability, lifestyle appeal, and investment potential. Prime regions like the French Riviera have demonstrated resilient price growth even during wider market fluctuations with property prices in the South of France rising annually. Property prices in the South of France are expected to rise by at least 3% in 2025 according to Investropa, driven by favorable interest rate trends and rising disposable income. Between 2019 and 2023, prime residential properties along the French Riviera appreciated significantly—by 15% to 20%—highlighting strong returns in top-tier markets.
Yes. Non-residents can purchase without restriction, though tax implications and notary fees should be considered. For Brits for example, whilst buying property in France after Brexit has changed the scope for some buyers, it is still possible and advantageous for many looking to buy a home in France for personal or investment purposes. Whether you are buying property in France as an American or from another international destination, investment on the continent offers not only access to a stable and prestigious estate market, but also the opportunity to enjoy lifestyle, rental, and long-term investment benefits in one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. EU citizens can buy and reside in the property with no restrictions.
The French Riviera real estate is a prime market which remains strong. With 300 days of blue sky and sunshine, prime coastal towns such as Nice, Villefranche-Sur-Met Saint-Tropez, and Antibes, real estate saw an average 4% price rise in 2024, even as overall transaction volumes fell 10%. Close to the beach for summer holidays, and within short distance of the ski stations and mountains during the winter – over 9 ski stations within a 2hr drive - , demand from international buyers, combined with limited availability of quality homes, keeps prices resilient — particularly in the ultra-luxury bracket above €5 million.
Yes — many property owners earn strong seasonal income by renting through platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com or through dedicated property managers. Holiday apartment rentals or Villa rentals on the Côte D’Azur peak from May to September, especially during events like the Cannes Film Festival. In most towns, you’ll need to register your property as a meublé de tourisme with the town hall (mairie), and some cities have caps on the number of rental days. Polarius can advise on the rules, connect you with managers, and help you maximise your rental returns.
With deep market knowledge, full access to listings, and a managed buying process, Polarius ensures buyers find the perfect home. From a dreamlike French château to a modern apartment in Paris, villas in the French Riviera or Provençal country estates, we make finding your ideal property effortless and enjoyable.
We have a number of properties listed on our website, as well as access to many exclusive properties which are off-market and hidden from public view, so please contact us for more information.
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