Buying property in France follows a structured notaire-led process. First, a written offer (offre d'achat) is submitted, specifying price and financing conditions. Once accepted, both parties sign the compromis de vente — a binding bilateral pre-contract typically signed within 6 weeks of offer acceptance, detailing price, fixtures, target completion date, conditions suspensives (commonly a mortgage clause), and a deposit (5-10% of price). After signing, the buyer has a mandatory 10-day cooling-off period to withdraw penalty-free; after that, the deposit is paid and both parties are bound. Over roughly the next 3 months, the notaire conducts due diligence (land registry searches, mortgage clearance, urbanism certificates, neighbor pre-emption rights, condo documents). The process concludes with the acte de vente (final deed), signed at the notaire's office, where the balance, legal fees, and taxes are paid.
Offre d'achat (written offer) → compromis de vente (binding pre-contract, signed within ~6 weeks of offer acceptance).
Mandatory 10-day cooling-off period after signing the compromis, during which the buyer can withdraw penalty-free.
Deposit of 5-10% of purchase price is paid after the cooling-off period.
~3 months of notaire-led due diligence follows before the acte de vente (final deed) is signed and the balance/fees/taxes are paid.
Steps
Submit an offre d'achat — Written offer specifying price and financing/survey conditions.
Sign the compromis de vente — Binding pre-contract within ~6 weeks of offer acceptance; includes conditions suspensives (e.g. mortgage clause).
Cooling-off period (10 days) — Buyer can withdraw penalty-free during this window.
Pay the deposit — Typically 5-10% of the purchase price, after the cooling-off period.
Notaire due diligence (~3 months) — Land registry searches, mortgage clearance, urbanism certificates, pre-emption rights, condo documents.
Sign the acte de vente — Final deed; pay balance, legal fees, and taxes at the notaire's office.
Costs
Compromis de vente deposit: 5-10% of purchase price
Timelines
Offer to compromis de vente: ~6 weeks
Cooling-off period: 10 days
Notaire due diligence to acte de vente: ~3 months
Required Documents
Offre d'achat
Compromis de vente
Acte de vente
Common Mistakes
Not including a mortgage clause (condition suspensive) in the compromis de vente — without it, buyers risk losing the deposit if financing falls through.
Missing the 10-day cooling-off period — after it lapses, withdrawal typically forfeits the deposit.