Renting or buying a house in France

Rented accommodation

Perhaps the best place to find short and long term rentals in France is in local newspapers or the Paris dailies such as "Le Figaro", "De Particulier à Particulier". Estate Agents (Agents Immobiliers) also provide accommodation to rent, as indeed does the local property solicitor (le notaire). Look in "Les pages jaunes" directory (The French yellow pages) for their addresses.

For rented accommodation you will often have to pay 2 to 3 months rent in advance plus a security deposit refundable only when you leave, as you would in the UK.

Buying property

French Property laws are in many ways different from the British ones. For that reason you must make sure to get yourself a good solicitor (Notaire) - it is usually possible to find one who speaks English if your French is not up to much.

Additionally, it often pays to research the subject yourself (you may save yourself a lot of time and money later!). See, for example: Buying a Home in France 2006.

Please see our France property section for links to websites which offer French property for sale or to let.

Or, for holiday rentals, have a look at France for You. Book direct with private owners of holiday homes throughout France including ferries, travel insurance, breakdown cover and much more.