France’s reputation as the ideal place for UK citizens looking to buy property abroad is well deserved. Its cities are sophisticated and vibrant, while its countryside regions have inspired artists from Monet to Van Gogh. The French coastline is ruggedly beautiful in the north and oozes Mediterranean chic in the sun-drenched Côte d’Azur. But where to buy property in France will depend on your goals and your budget.
- France is our nearest continental neighbour, whether you’re travelling from England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, it’s easy to reach destinations such as Paris and Lille by train, or Toulouse, Nice, and Bordeaux by short direct flights.
- Younger people might need the work opportunities and infrastructure provided by cities, while retirees may be looking for rural peace (whether that’s a sun-kissed vineyard or a snow-capped Alpine peak).
- If you’re looking for picture-postcard seaside living, France has it in bucketloads. The Côte d’Azur oozes glamour, while regions like Brittany and Normandy are likely to offer more bricks for your buck. Or, for a completely different landscape, the Alps deliver snowcapped peaks and year-round charm.
- France is also very popular with those looking to buy homes to rent out – not surprising when you consider that it remains the most visited country in the world.1
- Remember, you’ll need an easy and cost-effective way to send money to France if you choose to buy property and live in the country. Lumon can help.
We’ve already covered the process of buying property in France. In this guide, we’ll look more closely at where to buy property in France, covering ten of its most popular regions.
Of course, your own “best” region will depend on what you want from property and from life. Whatever your reason for buying a house in France, this guide should give you plenty of food for thought.
Popular locations to buy a property in France
The Alps: spectacular scenery & year-round appeal
Stretching across south-eastern France, the Alps are a landscape of snowcapped peaks, alpine meadows, and sparkling lakes. It’s one of the few regions that offers true four-season living: world-class skiing in winter, hiking and cycling in summer, and stunning scenery all year round.
Who’s it for?
The Alps are ideal for those who love the outdoors but still want access to comfort and community. Buyers range from ski enthusiasts and nature lovers to investors seeking dual-season rental potential. Resort towns such as Chamonix, Annecy, and Megève combine mountain charm with modern amenities and easy access to Geneva airport.
Average property prices
According to Notaires de France (immobilier.notaires.fr), the average price per square metre in Haute-Savoie is around €4,900 for apartments and €4,300–€4,400 for houses, though properties in premier resorts can far exceed this.2
Any drawbacks?
Accessibility and seasonality can be challenges. Some mountain passes close in winter, and life in higher-altitude villages can feel remote. However, for those seeking fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and strong investment potential, the Alps are hard to beat.
Brittany: stunning landscapes at an affordable price
Brittany appears to have it all, from rugged coastal cliffs and lively seaside towns to tranquil countryside and ancient forests. You’re never far from the sea, and while Brittany gets its fair share of summer visitors, it never feels overwhelmed. Its mild climate may not be as sun-drenched as France’s south, but summers tend to be hot, even with a cooling Atlantic breeze.
Who’s it for?
Brittany’s slower pace of life and rich cultural heritage tend to draw those looking for authenticity and a real slice of French life. Its excellent transport links – you can get to Brittany by train, plane, car and ferry – add to its appeal for UK residents.
Average property prices
According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre is €2,105 for a house and €2,844 for an apartment.3 Inland properties can be significantly cheaper than coastal equivalents.
Any drawbacks?
Brittany lacks the pizazz of Paris or the French Riviera, and while it contains expat hotspots, it maintains a quintessentially French feel. In other words, be prepared to mix with the locals.
Burgundy: fine wine & stunning countryside
If your criteria for the best place to buy a property in France is good wine and great food, welcome to Burgundy. Wonderful produce is sourced from rolling green hills and medieval villages, while capital Dijon is an architectural and cultural gem. Affordable property is generally brimming with character – and often comes complete with a vaulted wine cellar!
Who’s it for?
Like Brittany, Burgundy is not overrun with tourists and maintains its French character. Villages can appear ancient and unchanged. The countryside – a sea of vineyards in some places – is often spectacular. With no major metropolis in the region, Burgundy suits those looking for tranquility over excitement, though Paris can be reached by high speed train in under an hour and a half.
Average property prices
According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre is €1,360 for a house and €1,769 for an apartment. It’s a very affordable region, though some level of renovation is often necessary.4
Any drawbacks?
Dijon, Burgundy’s capital is gorgeous and thriving, but small. Those looking for buzzy city living should probably look elsewhere. Burgundy is also landlocked, which is part of the reason property prices remain low.
Côte d’Azur: glamour, sunshine, & sea views
The Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera, is one of the most sought-after stretches of coastline in the world. Think turquoise waters, palm-lined promenades, and Provençal villages backed by lavender fields and olive groves. From Nice to Saint-Tropez, the Riviera offers a seductive mix of cosmopolitan living, cultural prestige, and Mediterranean calm.
Who’s it for?
Those drawn to the Riviera tend to value lifestyle and prestige as much as property. Its year-round sunshine, world-class cuisine, and excellent transport links make it popular with international buyers and retirees alike. For investors, the region’s enduring popularity ensures strong rental demand, particularly in the coastal towns and nearby hilltop villages.
Average property prices
According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre in the Alpes-Maritimes department is around €5,700 for apartments and €5,600 for houses.5 Prices rise significantly in prime areas such as Saint-Tropez and Cap-Ferrat.
Any drawbacks?
Cost is the most obvious hurdle, followed by the summer crowds that flock to the Riviera each year. Inland villages like Mougins and Valbonne offer more space and tranquillity, but even there, prices remain above the national average.
Loire Valley: historic castles & ancient landscapes
The Loire Valley is home to some of the most postcard-perfect scenery anywhere in France – a proud boast indeed. It offers rich history, fairytale châteaus and towns that ooze gallic charm from every cobbled street and picturesque square. Property is more affordable than in some more southerly regions, and the high speed train will have you in central Paris in just 90 minutes.
Who’s it for?
The Loire Valley’s temperate climate brings warm but rarely scorching summers alongside mild winters, making it easy to explore the region’s many natural and historic highlights. Chic city living is possible in Tours and Angers, but buyers moving to France from the UK are usually drawn to old stone cottages in sleepy towns and villages.
Average property prices
According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre is €2,105 for a house and €2,844 for an apartment, though prices vary significantly between regions.6
Any drawbacks?
There’s little Loire doesn’t offer as long as you don’t hanker for the buzz of very big cities. The property market is diverse, but good houses in sought after villages like Crissay-sur-Manse and Chédigny are quickly snapped up.
Le Nord and Picardy: unspoilt beauty & fascinating history
Le Nord and Picardy may not be renowned as the best place to buy a property in France, but it should be on your list if you value affordability, diverse and eyecatching landscapes and an easy hop back across the channel. Rugged coastlines and sandy beaches give way to fertile farmland and rolling hills as you move inland. Pretty villages nestle in river valleys, while the city of Lille, close to the Belgian border, is a bustling cultural hub and university centre.
Who’s it for?
Le Nord and Picardy offer the classic French combination of good living in picture-perfect surroundings. In the summer, cultural events and local celebrations fill the calendar. If you live near a station you can be in London in three hours, and you’re also close to the Channel ferry ports. History seeps from a landscape that has been fought over for centuries, from Agincourt to the Battle of the Somme.
Average property prices
Stone cottages and farmhouses are popular with foreign buyers. According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre in the Hauts-de-France region, which includes Nord and Pas-de-Calais, is €1,688 for a house and €2,364 for an apartment, though prices vary significantly between regions.7
Any drawbacks
If you’re after guaranteed sunshine, you may want to look further south. The climate is similar to that of Devon or Cornwall in the UK.
Languedoc-Roussillon: Provence without the price tag
Languedoc-Roussillon is the largest wine-producing region in the world, a fact that speaks to its rich soils and warm Mediterranean sunshine. Ancient villages and vineyards are one element of a diverse region that also boasts handsome and historic towns like Montpellier and Nimes. Further north, medieval castles cling to rugged hillsides.
Who’s it for?
If you dream of a life in Provence but can’t quite afford it, Languedoc-Roussillon may be the perfect alternative. The region shares the same geography and climate as its more famous neighbour, but not its property prices. Getting there from the UK is straightforward by air, and a visit to neighbouring Spain is just a short trip by road or rail.
Average property prices
There are few apartments for sale in the region, while single storey cottages are common. According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre for a house in the Roussillon region is €2,184.8
Any drawbacks?
Summers can be hot and, with Paris over four hours away by train, UK citizens going back and forth across the Channel are likely to be spending a lot of time in airports.
Paris: Culture, community & romance
Paris is a bustling city of romance, history, gastronomy, culture and commerce. If you’re buying property in Paris as an investment, you can expect high rental income and good value retention. If you’re buying it for lifestyle, you can expect world renowned urban living in an iconic location.
Who’s it for?
If you love vibrant city neighbourhoods, excellent food and wine, world class museums and art galleries and just being at the heart of things, Paris is for you. Wandering through the streets of central Paris can be like strolling through a film set. Enjoying coffee and croissants at a streetside cafe will quickly become your new favourite thing.
Average property prices
Needless to say, Paris is expensive. According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre for an apartment in the central 6th Arrondissement is €14,462. In the 19th Arrondissement, some way from the centre, it is €7,756.9
Any drawbacks?
As well as cost, the drawbacks of Paris are the same as those of any other major city. It’s busy and fast-paced. Property can be small. It’s not for those seeking peace and quiet.
Massif Central: a real slice of French life
Massif Central is a huge area of highlands that covers about 15% of the French mainland. The landscape is rugged and often spectacular, while villages and towns maintain an unspoilt charm. It is a largely rural area, with a love for fine food and drink bordering on the obsessive.
Who’s it for?
Lovers of outdoor life will feel right at home in the Massif Central, especially hikers and, in the most mountainous areas, skiers. The region also offers a rich history and boasts perhaps the best preserved Roman heritage in France. All this at an affordable price.
Average property prices
Massif Central is a huge area with a diverse property market but one popular region is the Puy-de-Dome. According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre for a house in the region is €1,639, and for an apartment €2,023.10
Any drawbacks?
There are large cities within the Massif Central like Lyon and Saint-Etienne, but this huge region is generally rural and feels far from the beaten track. That can be a benefit or a drawback, depending on your outlook.
The Pyrenees: French charm with Spanish influence
The high peaks of the Pyrenees are famous for skiing in winter and outdoor activities like hiking and cycling are popular all year round. Its dramatic mountain scenery is well known, but the region is also home to lush farmland, deep green forests and delightful river valleys.
Who’s it for?
You don’t need to love the great outdoors to enjoy the Pyrenees but it helps. The scenery is spectacular and simply exploring the region’s many ancient trails and historic villages is a joy. The pace of life is slow, but the region is also well connected to busier tourist hotspots on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Spain, too, is just a stone’s throw away.
Average property prices
According to Notaires de France, the average price per square metre for a house in the Hautes-Pyrénées region is €1,500, and for an apartment €1,646.11
Any drawbacks?
Coastal towns at the fringes of the Pyrenees can be busy in summer, while the more mountainous regions require a certain amount of stamina to enjoy fully.
Understanding the French property market
In all the regions you’ll find diverse property types, from old stone cottages in rural villages to modern apartments in towns. You can keep costs down when buying a house in France by considering property in need of modernisation, if you’re happy to take on the project. There are plenty of “doer uppers” in rural regions, but in most areas you’ll also find a good choice of property that is already refurbished to a high standard.
With French real estate there can be significant differences in price even within the same region. The cheapest places to buy property in France tend to be rural villages far from the madding crowd, and especially those away from tourist hotspots like Provence and the Côte d’Azur. Prices rise as you get nearer to major cities and popular seaside resorts.
It’s also worth noting that the buying process in France comes with different fees and taxes than in the UK. For example, you’ll need to factor in notaire fees and other legal costs when budgeting for your purchase.
Even so, buyers used to UK prices might be pleasantly surprised at how far their money will go when buying a house in France. Much of the country is still affordable and a stable property market in France means property tends to keep its value. For those looking for a slice of the good life, France remains a hugely attractive option.
To make the most of your budget, it’s also important to consider the currency exchange rate and how that can impact your buying power. We can help you see how far your budget will go and protect your property budget from currency fluctuations to manage your transfers with confidence.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Lumon or its subsidiaries, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from the relevant professional services. We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
- French tourism – top destination for visitors
- Real estate notaries – Alps
- Real estate notaries – Brittany
- Real estate notaries – Burgundy
- Real estate notaries – Côte d’Azur
- Real estate notaries – Loire Valley
- Real estate notaries – Le Nord and Picardy
- Real estate notaries – Languedoc-Roussillon
- Real estate notaries – Paris
- Real estate notaries – Massif Central
- Real estate notaries – Pyrenees
Sources last checked on: 03.11.2025
