The top 10 things buyers want most in their dream French home

A view is high on most buyer’s wish-list

Ask anyone what first draws them to France and the answers are almost always the same: quality of life, space, sunshine, food, wine, and a gentler pace. But when it comes to actually buying a home here, those romantic daydreams quickly take on more practical form. After years of helping international buyers find their dream property in France, certain themes appear again and again, a shared wish list that speaks volumes about what buyers are looking for when buying a home in France. Here are some of the top criteria:

1.Character and authenticity
Very few people move to France looking for something modern and shiny. The dream usually involves stone walls, blue shutters, terracotta tiles and a big old fireplace; a home with history and soul. Whether it is a farmhouse tucked away in the hills, a village house with a courtyard, or a converted barn, buyers are looking for properties that feel distinctly French, with a sense of timelessness and belonging.

2. Space and privacy
For many people, France means space, physical and mental. After years of cramped living, buyers want gardens, orchards, meadows and views, not crowds or traffic. They are seeking somewhere peaceful, but not remote; private, yet connected to a community. A place with room to breathe and the freedom to live life outdoors.

3. A view to fall in love with
Ask buyers their top priority and a large number will say simply ‘a view’. Whether that is mountains, vineyards, rolling green hills or endless sunflower fields, a beautiful view is what anchors so many French property dreams. The house can be modest, but if it looks out over something wonderful, it becomes exceptional.

4. The right climate
The weather plays a huge part in the decision as to where to live in France. Many buyers are drawn to the south and southwest, to places that enjoy sunshine for most of the year but remain green and lush unlike much of the southeast of the country which is becoming too hot and dry creating an increasing problem with wildfires. Regions like the Ariège, the Haute-Garonne, the Gers, and the Hautes-Pyrénées have become particularly sought-after for their perfect balance of warm summers, mild winters, along with adequate rainfall.

5. Lifestyle and local flavour
Eating, drinking and outside living are a huge part of what buyers are looking for when choosing a property in France. This is the country after all, where food, wine and markets are part of the rhythm of life. Many buyers choose a region not only for its scenery but also for its gastronomy; the Armagnac and duck of the Gers, the mountain cheeses of the Pyrenees, the wines of Madiran. The promise of buying fresh produce from local markets and eating meals on a sunny terrace is, for many, irresistible.

6. Ease of access
While the dream might be rural, practicality still matters. Most buyers want to be within easy reach of an international airport, a railway station or the motorway network. Toulouse, for example, is a major international hub, easily accessible from all of the regions around it and the gateway to much of the southwest of France.

7. A manageable project
Gone are the days when everyone wanted a complete ruin to restore. These days, most people prefer something habitable with scope for improvement rather than a total renovation. A house they can enjoy immediately but still make their own over time.

8. Value for money
France remains one of the few European countries where you can still buy an old stone farmhouse with land, barns and a view, for incredible value. While Provence and the Dordogne remain popular, many buyers are discovering the exceptional value as well as the beauty of less well-known regions in the southwest.

9. Space to work and to be creative
With more people working remotely than ever before, good internet, quiet surroundings and space for a home office or some kind of creative studio have become key considerations. France lends itself perfectly to a balanced lifestyle that blends work with nature, family and community and French countryside property is often similarly flexible.

10. A home that fits a way of life
Ultimately, buying in France is about more than property, it is about living differently. People are looking for a home that supports the kind of life they want, cycling through quiet lanes, walking in the mountains, riding horses, tending gardens, shopping in local markets, cooking, eating, drinking and sharing.

Why using a property finder makes sense
Finding that perfect property, however, can be challenging. Houses are often sold quietly or privately, websites can be incomplete or out of date, and the best properties sometimes never even make it to the open market. That is where an experienced property finder comes in. A good property finder not only tracks down the homes that match your wish list but also guides you through every stage of the buying process, from pre-viewings and written reports with photos to a short-list, accompanied viewings and negotiations right through to final signature, helping you navigate language, paperwork, and local complexities with confidence.
Buying a home in France is one of life’s great adventures as long as you get it right. And, with knowledgable support, it can also be one of the most rewarding.

If you would like help finding the perfect property, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com