Paris Property, Where to Look? What to Expect?

Paris has an enduring appeal for expats from around the world seeking a sophisticated location and a smart investment opportunity. Its tree-lined boulevards, designer boutiques, world-class arts venues and events, pavement cafés and plentiful fine dining options tick all the boxes for culture and coffee addicts.

Add to this the fact that property prices have risen by 37% in the last decade and are predicted to increase by 6% in the year ahead, and it is easy to see why Paris has been named one of the top 3 cities in the world for property investors in 2019.  In fact, the average price is now 9,796€ per sq. meter – an increase of around 1,000€ per sq. metre in two years – with 40% of Paris apartments selling at more than 10,000€ / sq. meter compared to 28% in the same period of 2017.

Find the Ideal Home in Paris

Property hunting in Paris can be a challenge, partly because of the city’s scale and diversity.  One of the questions we are asked most frequently by prospective buyers is which areas of the city they should invest in. We can also help them understand the buying process in this most stylish of French cities.

Where to Look? Which Quarter?

The answer to this will depend on who is looking, the reason, and, naturally, the budget. When it comes to finding suitable properties in Paris, the needs of a family moving into an area to bring up their children will differ from those of an investor looking for the best returns, who may only be spending occasional weekends in their property.

Where are the Luxury Homes?

Wealthier expats will naturally be drawn to the beautifully restored apartments in older properties in Paris’s chicest neighbourhoods. Top of the list will be the premium 1st arrondissement, where an apartment in an elegant Renaissance building near the Place Vendome, for example, will set you back several million Euros. Paris’s Golden Triangle lies between the Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne and Avenue George V where there are some stunning examples of Rennaisance, Haussmann and Art Deco architecture.  

For a wider selection of prices and styles, there are some highly desirable apartments in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, particularly around rue Vieille-du-Temple and the Pompidou Centre. There are also many up-and-coming and recently gentrified areas, like the Buttes-aux-Cailles.

Family Friendly for Expats

Quieter neighbourhoods for families looking to settle in Paris include the airy 12th arrondissement, an oasis of calm in this busy city. Explore the Promenade Plantée, which, like New York’s Highline, was created on a stretch of elevated railway track and is now a beautiful recreational space.

There are also many independent shops and restaurants, which add to the area’s character and make it popular with young professionals and couples with children. Another favourite spot for families is Montparnasse and the area around the Bois de Boulogne park.

The City of Light and Love

Paris is often called the City of Love; others call it the City of Lights. The truth is, Paris is one of those rare places that has something for everyone; each district has its own stories, style and personality. See our selection of properties in Paris and in Île-de-France. If you’re looking for inspiration, take a tour around with Emily in Paris.

In a Hurry with Your Search?

Are you too busy to keep up with the pace of this fast-moving city, and confused about the real estate market in Paris? Tell us about your requirements, and we will get back to you with details about our bespoke Paris property-hunting service.