After months of stagnation and uncertainty, France’s real estate sector is showing promising signs of revival, especially in the market for second-hand homes. According to the 2025 real estate market report by French notaries, exclusively revealed by franceinfo, sales of old properties have surged by 11% over the past year.
Key Regions Powering the Recovery
The hottest spots for this rebound are Gironde, Haute-Garonne, Rhône, and Seine-Maritime. Gironde leads the pack with an impressive 18% jump in second-hand property transactions, closely followed by Haute-Garonne (+17%) and Rhône and Seine-et-Marne (+16%). Nationally, about 921,000 transactions have been recorded over the last 12 months, with experts optimistic that the total could reach 930,000 by year-end.
Why Are Sales Booming?
The report attributes the sector’s revival to two main factors:
- Falling Bank Lending Rates: Lower mortgage rates are making property purchases more accessible, giving buyers much-needed breathing room.
- Stronger Household Savings and Rising Wages: Years of French households saving up, combined with modest wage growth, are providing more financial firepower for homebuyers.
Prices Still Rising, Paris Remains Most Expensive
While the uptick in transactions is good news, it comes with rising prices—both for houses and apartments. Paris remains by far the most expensive city, with a median price per square meter at a staggering €9,570. Nice trails behind (€4,750), followed by Lyon, Bordeaux, and Lille. On the other end of the spectrum, Saint-Étienne stands out as the most affordable city with a median price of €1,150 per square meter.
Shifting Trends in Home Ownership
Another sign of renewed dynamism: the average time owners hold onto their property is dropping once again, after previously trending longer. Now, properties are held for an average of 12 years and 5 months—a sign that the market is becoming more fluid.
A Cautious Optimism
Despite the positive momentum, the market hasn’t yet reached the symbolic milestone of one million transactions in a year. Some regions, like Creuse, Martinique, and French Guiana, saw little to no increase in activity. Experts caution that while the latest numbers are encouraging, ongoing economic uncertainties still require close monitoring.
Bottom Line
The French second-hand real estate market is rebounding, thanks to better access to credit and household savings. While hot spots like Gironde and the Rhône valley shine, housing remains expensive in major cities, posing challenges for first-time buyers. Still, the steady increase in sales and market mobility bring a welcome breath of optimism to a sector hungry for good news.
