French Homes for Sale In Paris and Nice

Paris is a city that has long been the setting for romance and adventure. Whatever time of year you visit, there is always something to do. Paris is the capital of France and of the historic Ile De France region. The centre of Paris is known as Intra Muros or ‘within the walls’ and is split neatly in two by the River Seine.
Understandably, Paris is France’s most expensive place in which to buy French homes for sale.

French homes for sale in Le Marais or the Jewish quarter and Montmartre, an artists' quarter, are both up and coming places where you can still buy reasonably priced French homes for sale. The thriving 9éme and the less desirable, rather grubby 14éme are also packed with affordable French homes for sale. The most expensive French homes for sale tend to be around Saint Germain where a square meter of property usually fetches around 6,500 euros. The 16éme is dominated by a number of classic Haussmann-style buildings waiting to be snapped up. In fact, this arrondissement is where you are most likely to find the best value French homes for sale.

French homes for sale in Paris are valued per square metre. As a guide, an average flat size in Paris is 20 to 30 sq m for a studio and costs around £100,000 to £170,000; one-bedroom French homes for sale are 50 sq m and cost from £170,000 to £340,000, while two and three bedroomed French homes for sale start at 70 sq m and are in high demand, starting around £585,000.

Medieval Style French Homes for Sale

In the centre of Paris, the older arrondissements of the 3rd 4th and 5th, feel like a real step back in time and offer some of the most charming French homes for sale. Beautiful buildings with exposed wooden beams, low ceilings and traditional fireplaces. These French homes for sale are normally in, or close to some of the liveliest areas as the charm of the districts lend themselves to tourism.

Practically you need to consider that the narrow streets, low ceilings and structure of the buildings often make them quite dark and space is generally limited. These French homes for sale are generally poorly insulated, communal areas are often in a poor state of repair (stairways, courtyards etc.) and they rarely have lifts. Many suffer from damp and will not have been built with modern safety standards in mind.

Haussmann Style French Homes for Sale

Baron Haussmann was the town planner who created the buildings that conjure the traditional images of Paris. These buildings are also known as 'pierre de taille' or cut stone. They were designed to accommodate several families of varying class. They usually have from 5-7 floors (étages) of French homes for sale.

The ground floor (rez-de-chaussée) was designed with commerce in mind and the first floor to house those who ran the commerce. The second floor or étage noble was for the wealthiest families (high enough from the road to avoid noise and dirt but not too many stairs to climb! – there were no elevators in those days). The highest ceilings and balconies are found in French homes for sale at this level.

As you climb the ceilings get lower and the presence of balconies and other luxuries depend on the architect who designed the building. The top floor was reserved for servant staff and is a warren of small independent rooms.

Today these Haussmann French homes for sale have been dramatically altered. Many have had elevators installed, and as such the higher French homes for sale have become the most sought after - less noise pollution and more natural light being the principal reasons.

Some of these French homes for sale have kept their original charm with decorative finishes, wooden floors, and fireplaces. Others have been given a total make over internally to make them more appropriate to modern lifestyles.

The variety of buildings is huge and quality depends on the time and money invested in the upkeep over the years. The trend these days has been to bring these French homes for sale into the modern era without loosing their traditional charm.

Modern Parisian French Homes for Sale

This includes buildings that were constructed in the post war period of the 50’s 60’s and 70’s up to the present. These buildings tend to lack charm and offer the basics of practical living. Their age and mediocre construction often shows, but more and more they are being given a make over to compete in the French homes for sale market. More recently, modern architecture has developed on the sites of old industry and replaced older residential buildings. They offer very comfortable modern French homes for sale and are designed in a way, which is harmonious with the local environment.

FRENCH HOMES FOR SALE IN NICE

The stunning and fun city of Nice has long been the 'capital' of the Riviera. It has a population fast approaching 350,000 people and is very multi-cultural. Nice itself is a by-word for glamour, charisma and that certain French sense of style that translates into a fantastic life.

The majority of Nice's beaches are pebbled, but don't let that put you off. The sea is very tempting, being warm and clean. Unlike its more elderly neighbours of Menton and Cannes, Nice is a very youthful and energetic town.
Nice is an expensive and affluent town [Nice is the most expensive city in France, after Paris ] and so expect French homes for sale prices to be high at around 2000 euros per sq m. On the Promenade des Anglais, this is likely to be tripled!

The best value French homes for sale in Nice are to be found north of the railway station. Brand new French homes for sale are in demand and there is a lot of land in the west of the town awaiting development. In a large number of modern blocks of French homes for sale in the suburbs, properties will have a swimming pool.

The coolest French homes for sale in Nice are situated in the 'Old Town'. This is incredibly picturesque with its narrow winding streets and tall Italianate apartment buildings. It’s still a little bohemian and very urban. But it’s the life and vibrancy of the Old Town with its many restaurants, shops and services, just a 3 minute walk from the beach that entrances.

Resale of properties has risen steadily by about 8% each year.