Top regions of France for property investment in 2026

France is one of the oldest property markets in Europe and the world. Being the second economy in the Eurozone, it provides stability and security for property investors. Buying a house in France is the first step of integration into traditional European society and investing in a long-term connection with its culture and values.

Price Dynamics by Region

According to the latest data from FNAIM (Fédération nationale de l’immobilier), France’s real estate market in 2025 shows clear signs of recovery after the correction observed in 2023–2024. The organization forecasts a total of around 940,000 transactions for the year — 11% more than the previous year. In its January report, FNAIM noted that the market is emerging from crisis and entering a phase of gradual stabilization: prices have stopped falling in most regions, and a slight increase of about 1% is expected in the second half of the year.

However, the dynamics remain highly uneven. In major cities where prices had surged in previous years, the decline is still continuing. According to the president of FNAIM, over a three-year period property prices fell by roughly 13% in Nantes, 12% in Lyon, and 8% in Bordeaux. Nice is an exception, showing a growth of around 7%.

In Île-de-France and Paris, the trend remains mildly negative, though the decline is slowing. According to the regional branch FNAIM Grand Paris, as of January 2025 prices for resale properties in the capital had dropped by less than 1%, while transaction volumes began to rise. This indicates the beginning of market stabilization after a prolonged downturn caused by higher interest rates and reduced mortgage affordability in 2023–2024.

FNAIM emphasizes that a full recovery is possible only if the trend toward lower mortgage rates and improved access to credit continues. In its publication «Marché du logement: la reprise sous conditions», the organization reports that during the first months of 2025, the volume of property sales increased by 2.5% year-on-year, confirming that buyers are returning to the market.

Average property prices in France, September 2025

Paris

Paris is the symbol of French culture, art and luxury. The capital of France attracts the largest business representatives as investors, including in the real estate market. Buying a residential or commercial property in Paris means becoming part of one of the strongest business communities in Europe.

Paris’ contribution to the economy through tourism has reached 35.65 billion dollars. There is no seasonality in Paris, and it is popular with travelers at any time of the year. Moreover, Paris is a major academic center in Europe, where more than 100 thousand foreign students and young scientists come annually for study and internships. Due to this, one of the best strategies in Paris is investing in property for short-term rental for tourists or students. Most often investors buy studios in Paris in the city center, or close to the metro station.

The gross rental yield in Paris is about 3.53%. Foreign investors who are already French tax residents have the opportunity to invest in rental property and receive tax benefits from the French government under the same conditions as French residents. The PINEL law, aimed at increasing rental housing in cities, provides an opportunity to return up to 21% of the cost of new apartments in apartment buildings.

In 2024, the Olympic Games were held in Paris, which stimulated infrastructure development and led to an increase in property prices. As a result, investing in projects launched before the Games proved to be highly profitable — many of them were completed by 2024 and are now in high demand.

Natalya Emelyanenko Tranio real estate expert in France

According to Meilleurs Agents, in 2025 the average rent in Paris amounts to €32.4 per square metre, while purchasing a 30-square-metre studio costs on average €302,000.

Côte d'Azur

Recently, interest in the property market on the Côte d’Azur has been taken by representatives of business in the field of information technology. Remote work has become one of the key factors in the popularity of relocation, and a comfortable climate and weather conditions play a key role in choosing the Côte d’Azur when buying a house.

​​​​An important factor influencing this region’s property market is the limited offer due to the local authorities’ policy and Southern France geographical conditions. Therefore, prices remain consistently high even during crises. In 2025, the average price per square metre for houses is €6,279 in Nice, €7,470 in Cannes, €23,218 in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and €20,583 in Saint-Tropez.

Investing in rental property on the Côte d’Azur continues to be popular. About 11 million tourists come to the Mediterranean coast of France every year. The region is popular among wealthy tourists from the USA, Great Britain and other European countries. A particularly profitable investment is an investment in new buildings, because under French law there are a number of tax benefits for primary housing. Thus, notary fees will be only 2.5% of the cost, as opposed to 7.5% for the secondary property.

​​​​The Côte d’Azur has always attracted people to live by its wonderful geographical location, the beauty of nature, mild climate, developed infrastructure. From here, you can reach anywhere in Europe, thanks to the second largest airport in France located in Nice. From an investment point of view, the airport guarantees not only stable profitability, but also an increase in the value of property.

Pensioners from Northern Europe are very fond of the French Riviera for its mild climate. As in all countries of the world, the number of customers from China, as well as Japan and the USA, is growing.
Investing in new buildings now — you will receive a guaranteed income of around 6% or a capital gain of 25–30%. Natalya Emelyanenko Tranio real estate expert in France

New buildings for residents of France are also subject to the PINEL tax Law, thanks to which it is possible to return up to 21% of the cost of purchased housing for rent.

According to Meilleurs Agents, the average rental rate on the French Riviera is €20.1 per square metre in Nice, €18.5 in Cannes, €17.8 in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and €16.6 in Saint-Tropez. With a conservative forecast for this market, rental income for homeowners can act as a stable source of passive income, which is also one of the key requirements when preparing documents for relocation under the residence permit program for financially independent persons.

French Alps

The territory of France includes 35 thousand square kilometres of the Alps, including their highest peak — Mont Blanc. The French Alpine resorts of Courchevel, Val d’Isere, Chamonix, Megeve and Meribel are among the oldest ski resorts in Europe.

The main investment strategy in the French Alps region is the purchase of resort property for rent. Winter and summer periods are considered high tourist seasons, the last one is gaining more and more popularity over the years due to the popularisation of recreation in rural areas (rural tourism) and the flow of foreign tourists. According to The Guardian research, about 120 million tourists from all over the world visit the Alps every year.  

The high demand has led to the situation that property is sold out within a few weeks (and sometimes days) from the moment they appear on the market.

Aleksandra Borisova Tranio real estate expert in France

In 2025, the average purchase price of an apartment in the French Alps is €12,812 per square metre in Courchevel and €8,679 in Chamonix. During the same period, the average rental rate is €15 per square metre in Courchevel and €16.1 in Chamonix.