France
Western & Southern Europe11 independent articlesThe world's benchmark second-home country — Riviera, Provence, Alps and vineyards.
France is arguably the archetypal vacation-home nation, with the world's most-visited tourism economy and unmatched regional variety: the Côte d'Azur, Provence, the French Alps, the Dordogne and the wine regions. Ownership is fully open and legally secure (notaire system), though rental yields are modest and tenancy/tax rules favour lifestyle over pure income.
Can foreigners buy?
Fully open to foreign buyers via the notaire system. No restriction; mortgages available to non- residents.
Taxes & buying costs
Notaire/registration ~7–8% on resale; annual taxe foncière + taxe d'habitation on second homes; wealth tax (IFI) above €1.3m of French property; rental income taxed.
What makes it unique
Unrivalled variety and prestige — but a low-yield, high-tax, high- lifestyle market.
1
Most prestigious places to own
Cap-Ferrat & Saint-Tropez (Côte d'Azur)
The Riviera's trophy peninsulas; among Europe's priciest.
€3m–€50m+
Riviera villa
Courchevel 1850 & Megève (Alps)
The world's most exclusive ski real estate.
€3m–€30m+
Ski chalet
Luberon, Provence
Lavender-country mas and hilltop villages.
€1.5m–€8m
Restored stone mas
2
Best income potential from vacation renting
Nice & Antibes (Riviera)
Deep year-round + summer STR demand.
€350k–€1.5m
4–6% gross
Belle-époque apartment
French Alps (Morzine, Chamonix)
Dual-season ski + summer rental income.
€500k–€2m
4–6% gross
Ski apartment / chalet
Biarritz & the Basque coast
Surf-and-chic Atlantic STR market.
€500k–€2m
4–6% gross
Coastal apartment
3
Picturesque farms & rural tourism properties
Dordogne / Périgord
Château and farmhouse country; the 'Brit belt'; gîte income.
€400k–€3m
Gîte / agritourism
Farmhouse with gîtes
Bordeaux & Burgundy vineyards
Working wine estates with cellar tourism.
€1.5m–€20m+
Wine / agritourism
Vineyard château
Provence vineyard estates
Rosé country domaines with events and tastings.
€2m–€15m
Wine / events
Vineyard domaine
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Indicative 2025–26 planning bands for screening only, not quotes and not advice. Holiday-let licensing, tax and foreign-buyer rules change frequently — confirm locally with a lawyer and tax adviser before buying.