Moving to France is a big adventure for many foreigners, but finding the right property can involve a number of steps. Renting a property in France follows certain rules that a newcomer must know before signing a French rental contract.
If you are moving to France and need to find accommodation, renting is a classic and often unavoidable option.
About 36% of the French population rents their accommodation , which corresponds to the European average.
This figure includes many expats who choose to rent, especially during the initial period of their stay.
Just over half of people who rent in France rent their accommodation on the private market , and there are many websites, agencies and brokers through which you can search and find accommodation.
As in many countries, the types and prices of accommodation can vary considerably.
It is understandable that big cities like Paris are more expensive than other parts of the country.
As elsewhere in Europe, the housing market slowed after the global financial crash of 2008, but has been steadily rising since 2015.
The Ministry of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities is the French Ministry currently responsible for housing.
The most popular places to rent in France:
France is a diverse country with distinct regional variations.
Where you choose to live can be based on many factors such as the lifestyle offered, job opportunities, cost of living, or how the expat community lives.
Some of the most popular places in France include:
Paris :
Capital and economic center of France, it is naturally popular with foreigners of working age.
Like many capitals, Paris is cosmopolitan , culturally rich and has a vibrant nightlife.
It is a multicultural city with just over 20% of the population born abroad , according to the 2011 census.
However, it is the most expensive city in France . Renting a three-bedroom apartment can cost upwards of €2,500.
Montpelier:
Located in the south of France, Montpellier offers a gentler pace of life than Paris while remaining culturally interesting, dynamic and with plenty to offer expats.
It's a popular spot with British expats; between 15 and 20% of the British population in France live in the city.
The city is also more affordable than Paris, with one-bedroom accommodation costing between €600 and €650 per month.
Nice:
Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Nice is a southern coastal city on the iconic French Riviera that offers a warm climate and stunning scenery.
It is another French city very popular with expatriates , especially retirees attracted by its slower pace of life.
It is more expensive than Montpellier but you can still find one-bed apartments for around €750 per month.
Dordogne:
This French department located just next to Bordeaux in southwestern France is full of rural villages and picturesque landscapes.
As such, it is perfect for expats looking to escape the hectic city life.
It hosts many expatriate retirees who come for the climate, the cuisine and the idyllic views.
The cost of housing varies, but in general it is cheaper to live in the Dordogne than in the big cities.
Other regions of France popular with expats:
La Drôme , in the south-east of France, is very popular with Dutch and British expats (and tourists during the summer months…). Life in the French countryside is peaceful and less expensive or bureaucratically heavy than in the big cities.
Lyon , the third largest city in France, is famous for its gastronomy and rich cultural life, but its bourgeois traditions can make it a little more socially rigid.
Marseille , on the Mediterranean coast, is a huge bustling metropolis with a large foreign population (mostly from North Africa). The diversity has sparked some social tension, but Marseille's colorful personality has plenty of fans nonetheless.