Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of Different French Property Types

If you are considering purchasing property in France then you should be aware of the different property types available.  If you travel around France you will notice that many areas have their own unique properties. The following is just a brief introduction to some of the most popular.

Longère

The Longère type property can be found in many parts of rural France and is considered one of the most distinctive French styles. These houses are rectangular shaped and will most often be built from local materials; this means that the Longère house will vary slightly depending on the part of the country it is located. These are one storey homes, but many have a converted attic which serves as another level.

Pavilion

The Pavilion can be either a modern bungalow or a detached house. This type of housing is most common in Northern France. Many of these will have an attached garage as well as a cellar.

Appartement dans immeuble

These are similar to the flats you see in many inner city areas of the UK. These can be quite modern in nice parts of the city. Most of these will not come with a garden.

Appartement dans residence

These refer to flats that are part of a block; many of these will be high-rise, but some are attractive in handy city locations.

Maison à colombages

The Maison à colombages refers to a mostly wooden house with brick enclosed in a wooden framework. These types of homes are quite similar to the Tudor-type buildings you can find in the UK. This type of building will most often be found in the Normandy area of France.

Maison de maître

Maison de maître translated means “the master’s house”. These are large old rural houses that usually have high ceilings.  These tend to have elegant features that make them very attractive.

Bastide

These homes have a real Mediterranean feel about them and can be found throughout much of France; mostly in rural areas. They are solidly constructed using stone with tiled floors.

Domaine

These are estates which usually come with quite a bit of land. These are on the upper end of the French property market and are not cheap.

Chalets

Anyone who has visited a European Ski resort will likely have seen a chalet. These come in various types and sizes.

Fermette

These are stone farm houses that can be found in rural locations. Most of these will come with a bit of land and some out-buildings. Some of these can require a lot of renovation but have a lot of potential; it can be possible to turn the extra buildings into further accommodation.

Maison de village

You will find these in most villages. They are usually semi-detached or part of a terrace. Most are two storeys.

 

Above are just some of the types of property you will find for sale in France. The best one for you will very much depend on your personal needs and the part of France where you would like to live.