The South is Getting More Expensive, the Center is Getting Cheaper: Notaries with an Analysis of the Real Estate Market in France

Notaries in France are reporting the first signs of a revival in the housing market after a two-year decline.

According to the latest data, several regions of the country are experiencing an increase in secondary housing prices at the end of 2024 – for the first time since the beginning of the post-Covid crisis. However, the recovery remains uneven: while some cities are reporting a noticeable increase in prices, others continue to lose value.

First signs of recovery

According to the latest report by notaries covering all real estate transactions in France, several cities outside the Paris region recorded an increase in average prices for second homes in the fourth quarter of 2024. Among the leaders are:

• Montauban (+6.2%)

• Metz (+3.4%)

• Cannes (+3.2%)

• Orleans (+3.1%)

However, not all regions share this positive trend. In Châteauroux, prices have fallen by 16.2%, in Southern Corsica by 14% and in Reims by 11%.

The South remains without competition

Traditionally, the highest prices are maintained in the southern and coastal regions, where demand is stimulated by the mild climate and limited supply. The most expensive houses are in:

• Toulon (average €450,600)

• Southern Corsica (€446,100)

• Montpellier (€380,500)

Meanwhile, the central and northern regions remain the most affordable. In Châteauroux, the average house price is just €116,100, while in Amiens and Troyes it is around €170,000.

Paris – a special case

The Ile-de-France region is not among the most expensive due to the calculation methodology, which also includes the suburbs. However, Parisian apartments themselves remain record-breakingly expensive - the price per square meter is double that of other major French cities.

Cautious optimism

Preliminary data for early 2025 point to continued slow growth, but notaries emphasize the fragility of this trend. The recovery is still localized and its stability will depend on the overall economic situation in the country.

Conclusion:
The French property market is taking the first steps towards recovery, but it is too early to speak of a sustainable upturn. Buyers should carefully assess regional differences and sellers should prepare for uneven demand.

Based on materials from prianproperty.com