France continues to enchant affluent foreign buyers, particularly Americans, with its unmatched combination of history, craftsmanship, and art de vivre. Despite shifting global dynamics, the French luxury market remains a coveted destination for those seeking exceptional real estate.
2025 began with a standout sale in Paris: a 490 sqm apartment located in a former 19th-century hôtel particulier on Rue Saint-Honoré, near the Elysée Palace, sold for €33.85 million. The property, previously owned by the Grimaldi family, features a 50 sqm terrace leading to a 400 sqm landscaped garden, ornate woodwork adorned with gold-leaf medallions, a 4.5-meter Patagonian marble dining table, and nearly 4.3-meter-high ceilings. It was acquired by an American tech entrepreneur in his thirties who made his fortune in cryptocurrency.
On the Left Bank, international buyers have already secured several of the 23 high-end residences being developed within a historic site formerly occupied by the French Ministry of Defense. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the complex will offer private residences with access to a future luxury hotel, complete with a spa, six restaurants, and three swimming pools—including a 30-meter rooftop pool. Prices start at €60,000 per sqm for apartments ranging from 100 to 250 sqm, with the possibility to combine units.
In central Paris, demand for premium real estate remains strong. Luxury apartments sell for between €18,000 and €25,000 per sqm, while ultra-prime properties can exceed €25,000 per sqm. Some American buyers are taking advantage of the favorable euro-to-dollar exchange rate to acquire residences in the €1M to €2M range. Others are following their hearts: one couple recently paid €37,000 per sqm for a turnkey 230 sqm pied-à-terre with views over the Seine.
There are currently multiple active negotiations on properties priced above €10 million, reflecting the continued confidence in the French luxury market.
A Safe Haven Across Regions
Beyond Paris, the French Riviera, the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Deauville in Normandy, and the Alpine resorts of Courchevel, Méribel, and Megève remain highly sought-after. Buyers come from across Europe, the Middle East, and increasingly the United States, seeking refined homes that combine lifestyle with long-term value.
Even for top-tier properties, many owners are choosing to rent them out seasonally to help offset operating costs—without compromising on elegance or privacy.
Whether it’s a historic Parisian residence or a waterfront villa on the Riviera, French luxury real estate continues to offer global buyers a rare blend of stability, beauty, and timeless prestige.
