How to go About Buying Property in France
Get Familiar with the Terms Used to Describe French Properties
Sep 10, 2008
Searching for homes for sale in France can be made a lot easier if one is familiar with the terms used to describe the different types of French properties available. This will make the search less confusing.
French Chateaux for Sale
A chateau (Plural chateaux) is a large, impressive French property or castle. Usually the residence of the nobility or gentry, a chateau usually comes with land and may or may not be fortified with a gatehouse. It usually comes with outbuildings such as stables, bakehouses and servants quarters.
French Farmhouses (Fermette)
A fermette is a small farmhouse in France, usually built of stone. There are an abundance of these properties all over France in the rural countryside, many dating back hundreds of years. Many have been renovated, keeping their original features where possible, others need renovation or perhaps just re-decoration. The fermette would have a small main house with a large functional kitchen, come with land and a few outbuildings, like a barn.
Villas in France
Originally an upper-class, luxurious French property in its own grounds, larger and more expensive than the average home in France.
French Properties for Sale Would Include:
- Bastide - A Bastide was originally a mediaeval town built in the 13 and 14th centuries, strategically located in the countryside in the south of France. These days a bastide French property is typically square or rectangular, built out of stone and tiled throughout with unique design features such as round archways and flat roofs. Many bastide homes in the south of France have been renovated into large, expensive country dwellings.
- Mas - This is a French term used to describe medium to large properties usually in the South of France. A Mas can be either a bastide or traditional farmhouse property or even an estate located in the French Provence region.
- Domaine - Domaine translates into English as 'estate'. This would be a large plot of land for a specific purpose such as grape farming, golfing or hunting in France.
- Longere - Translated as 'Longhouse'. A longere is a rectangular rural property found all over France but more common in the north, it would commonly be built with materials available in the region, such as granite.
- Maison de Maitre - This term literally means 'Master's house'. Typically this would be a large French property with high ceilings, four main rooms on each floor and be built with ornate decorative features.
- Maison a Colombages - This would be a half timbered house with exposed wooden framework, reminiscent of English Tudor architecture.
- Gite - This is a French holiday home which is inexpensive, usually self-catering and comes furnished and equipped. Gites are generally converted outbuildings which are found close to the owner's residence. It is quite common to see a farmhouse for sale with one or two gites on the property.
General Guidelines for Buying Property in France
- Prices of homes are generally more expensive in the South of France (Provence, Rhone-Alpes, Langeudoc-Roussillon) and cheaper in the North and East of France (Franche-Comte, Champagne-Ardenne, Limousin, Picardy).
- Coastal properties tend to be more expensive.
- Properties near cities and budget airlines are more expensive.
Information on the legal process of buying property in France is found in the article Legal Process when Buying Property in France. Making a move to France? Information on the immigration process and more helpful tips are found in the article Making a Move to France.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
