Your property in France
Wherever you buy a property in France there is something to suit all requirements. Whether it’s a Haussmannian-style apartment, loft or pied-à-terre in Paris, an authentic ‘bastide’ manor house with land or a typical stone-built mas-style farmhouse in Provence, or a chalet in the French Alps, or an apartment or villa with a balcony overlooking the Côte d’Azur, France can cater to your every need.
Inside France
From the self-assured chic of Paris and the boulevards of coastal Cannes through to the quintessential rural idyll of Provence, moving to France simply involves choosing your favourite type of perfection.
The country is the world’s number one tourist destination, with nearly 90 million people visiting in 2018, while the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics are expected to attract 13.5 million spectators.
With world-beating gastronomy, art and culture, buying a property in France offers an unrivalled lifestyle. The country’s international outlook makes it welcoming to expat home buyers, with more than 6.3 million foreign nationals living in France.
Landscape
Iconic cultural landmarks in Paris dominate images of France for many but beyond its emblematic capital, the country offers seaside glamour, breathtaking countryside and wonderous natural beauty.
To the south-east, Provence possesses rustic charm with stone houses, lavender fields and vineyards between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, while its Mediterranean coast features some of Europe’s most sought-after beachside locations in places like St Tropez, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Cannes.
In the east, the Alps stretch along the French border with Switzerland and Italy, providing some of Europe’s premier ski resorts, while in Gascony, in the south-west, the Atlantic laps beaches from Biarritz to Arcachon, and inland, national parks and the Pyrénées offer fresh air and escapism.
Education
More than 40 French universities rank among the top education centres globally, with several world-famous institutions in Paris, including Sorbonne University.
Major cities across the country host international schools, including Bordeaux, Mougins, Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Nice, while Paris offers a wide-variety of top-performing institutions, such as the American School of Paris.
Activities and Entertainment
Coastlines, countryside and snow-capped mountains mean a plethora of outdoor activities for all.
From sunbathing on the island of Ile Sainte Marguerite in view of Cannes, exploring the lavender fields of Provence, or skiing exclusive Alpine slopes in Courchevel, the options for outdoor enthusiasts are almost limitless.
Numerous national and regional parks can be found in or near many of France’s eye-catching cities, making it easy to include green spaces in city explorations.
Art and Culture
France’s richly historic cities fuse medieval architecture with modern developments, making for the ultimate urban experience.
In cities like Paris, Avignon, Toulouse and Nice, agenda-setting museums and galleries, famed cultural monuments, and globally significant festivals ensure a full social calendar.
Across France’s smaller towns, a lively market culture showcases local produce, while the country has a significant passion for music and sport, with several premier football and rugby teams.
Food and Drink
As home to the Michelin Red Guide, Europe’s oldest restaurant guide, it’s no surprise that France excels in all types of cuisine, from fine dining through to pâtisserie.
Whether it’s a simple French onion soup, a classic and hearty cassoulet, or a seafood bouillabaisse, France’s deep culinary heritage has something for all tastes, while those with a sweet tooth will delight in the expansive range of mille feuille, clafoutis and macarons to name but a few.
Hosting leading wine regions, including Provence, the Rhône Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Languedoc, helps make the nation the world’s second largest wine producer, while its distilling excellence has led to the creation of globally revered liquors such as Cognac, Armagnac and pastis.
Accessibility
France has exceptional global and domestic air, rail and sea links.
Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport is the busiest in mainland Europe, offering flights globally to more than 230 destinations, including the USA, the Middle East, Asia, South America and Africa.
Other major airports at Nice, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse also serve a vast array of international destinations, while the country’s high-speed TGV train network provides quick access to major European destinations, with the Eurostar enabling journeys from London to major French cities (via Paris) and direct to Avignon.
By boat, yachts and cruisers can dock at harbours including St Tropez, Port Grimaud, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Cannes in the Côte d’Azur, as well as others along the Mediterranean coast.