France: Luxury Real Estate & Lifestyle

Real Estate in France remains one of the world’s top destinations for both holiday makers and property investors seeking culture, climate, and investment potential. France is much more than a property market—it's an enduring beacon of culture, gastronomy, and refined living. Whether you're captivated by luxury real estate in France, enchanted by a dreamlike French castle, or searching for villa rentals in France, this country offers a spectrum of lifestyle experiences that few others can match.

Why France Attracts Global Property Buyers

Heritage & Lifestyle: With world-renowned cuisine, iconic regions, and exceptional architecture, France offers a lifestyle as compelling as its real estate.

• Second-Home Appeal: Nearly 4 million second homes dot the landscape, 40% situated along coastal areas — a testament to enduring domestic and international demand.
• Diversified Geography: From the Mediterranean coast to Parisian boulevards and Provencal hills, France offers landscapes to suit every dream, with property in the French Riviera seeing a 4% increase in 2024, even though there was a 10% drop in property transactions.

Regional Highlights

• Nice – A cosmopolitan hub blending historic charm with modern amenities. Properties for sale in Nice range from old-town apartments to contemporary penthouses overlooking the Mediterranean.
• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – Exclusive estates and private villas dominate this peninsula, offering breathtaking sea views. Informally known as “Billionaire’s Peninsular” - a top choice for the most exclusive luxury villas in France.
• Antibes & Cap d’Antibes – Known for beaches, historic charm, and high-end villas. French Riviera properties for sale often include private gardens and pools..
• Villefranche-sur-Mer – A picture-perfect harbour town with colourful waterfront homes, ideal for buyers seeking properties for sale in France by the sea.
• Cannes & Saint-Tropez – Glamourous coastal towns famous for festivals, nightlife, and luxury living, perfect for exclusive French properties for sale.
• Paris – Iconic boulevards, historic architecture, and luxury apartments make Paris a top destination for buyers seeking properties for sale in France. Prestigious districts like the 7th, 16th, and Saint-Germain offer timeless elegance and strong investment potential.
• Provence - A countryside oasis known for its lavender fields, vineyards, and timeless charm. Buyers find secluded villas with private pools and rustic estates amidst rolling landscapes.

Why Buyers Choose Polarius as Property Search Agents

Most clients sign a search mandate ( mandat de recherche ), authorising Polarius as their exclusive property search agent. This allows us to:

• Scan the entire local property market, including from both Polarius and other agencies, ensuring no opportunity is missed.
• Shortlist properties matching your requirements, saving time and avoiding the hassle of contacting multiple agents.
• Represent you as fluent French speakers, negotiating directly with sellers and agents.

This service is at no extra cost to the buyer – we do not charge our buyers for the process. Instead, we take our commission from the partnering agent/sellers, providing a seamless, stress-free and cost-free buying experience for you the buyer.

Luxury Villa Summer Rentals – The Côte d’Azur Lifestyle

For many of our clients, the journey begins with a French Riviera holiday rental. We offer an extensive portfolio of luxury villas to rent in Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and many other holiday hotspots on the Côte d’Azur.

These properties often include:

• Infinity pools overlooking the Mediterranean
• Private chefs and concierge services
• Walking access to beaches and ports
• Exclusive security and privacy

A summer rental in the south of France can serve as both a holiday and an informal “test drive” of the French Riviera lifestyle. Many of our rental clients later transition into buyers, having fallen in love with the region.

Côte d’Azur Market Insights

• National Price Equality Gained
  For all of France in Q1 2025, the INSEE-notary second-hand dwellings price index showed a modest rebound: +1.0% quarter-on-quarter (seasonally adjusted) and +0.5% year-on-year, signalling stabilisation after six straight quarters of declines.
• Côte d’Azur Price Growth
  The PACA region, including the Côte d’Azur, continues to outperform others. From January to April 2024, average property prices increased by 6.1%, reaching approximately €5,382/m²—almost rivalling those of Île-de-France (~€5,655/m²).
• According to Investopedia’s June 2025 report, average house prices in Nice and overall property prices in the French Riviera rose, while top locations experienced even greater growth — Antibes: +20.8%, Cannes: +12%, St Tropez: +8-12% and apartments in Nice: +9.5%.