Another year dawns. Will 2026 be the one where you buy your dream home in France?
Your Overseas Home will be here to help you, with inspiring articles, essential information, webinars and virtual events. Our property consultants will be waiting for your call โ although they do get super-busy in January so don’t hang about!
But where will you buy? From year to year, different villages, towns and cities earn their place in the limelight. Whether it’s an industry boom or a cultural milestone, where to buy in France is always changing.
We’ve looked through the headlines and consulted with our experts and picked the ten best places to buy in France in 2026. They’re all primed for good things in the years to come. Whether its upcoming celebrations like the European Capital of Culture or the announcement of major infrastructure projects, these ten destinations are poised to shine for buyers.
Each location on this list has a unique reason for being recognised and, whether you’re looking for a holiday home, a place to retire to or an investment opportunity, you will find somewhere to explore below.
Letโs dive into why these locations are worth considering and why 2026 is the year to buy.
Sรจte
Sรจte is a delightful seaside town on the Mediterranean just a few miles southwest of Montpellier.
Arriving by train, probably from Montpellier Airport, you’re treated to the beauty of its main canal as you arrive. No wonder it is dubbed the “Venice of the Languedoc”. It is surrounded by water, with the Mediterranean on one side, the รtang de Thau, a 21-kilometre-long lagoon, on the other and the canal cutting the town off from the mainland.
The lagoon is the centre of a huge shellfish industry, and you can tuck into some of France’s finest oysters on the waterfront.
Sรจte, was praised by the Guardian early last year, is increasingly popular among buyers who want coastal living without the premium prices of the Cรดte dโAzur. Its port, beaches and culinary scene are charming.
Another option for those wanting a smaller town, Meze is a short drive round the bay. Its coast being on the lagoon, it offers a safer option for watersports but without the drama of the Med. It is extremely friendly and has a great market too.
Check out properties for sale in Meze and Sรจte.
Bayonne
The Bonnat-Helleu Museum reopened in November 2025 and has put Bayonne back on the cultural map. The city of is at the heart of the French Basque Country, where the Adour and Nive rivers meet, with a historic centre, lively markets and strong food culture. The town is known for Basque specialities, local produce and its restaurant scene, as well as summer festivals.
The city of around 50,000 is only minutes from Atlantic beaches at Anglet and Biarritz, giving easy access to surfing and coastal walks and links golf courses. The Pyrenees are also close enough for regular day trips, offering hiking, cycling and winter sports.
Property prices in Bayonne remain more accessible than nearby coastal hotspots. In 2026, the market is expected to be stable, with steady demand from retirees and lifestyle buyers drawn by the areaโs balance of culture, nature and everyday liveability.
Bourges
Bourges is a charming historic city in the Centre-Val de Loire region, known for its cathedral, medieval streets and cultural heritage.
It offers an attractive combination of everyday French life with excellent transport links to Paris, making it appealing for buyers seeking value and character. The restored half-timbered houses, lively market squares and riverside parks give Bourges a distinctive atmosphere that blends history with modern living.
The city hosts a well-regarded music and arts festival each summer, drawing visitors and adding vibrancy to local life. The spotlight will also be on the city on the run up to 2028, when Bourges will become the European Capital of Culture.
Bourges also has a strong sense of community, weekly markets with local produce and good healthcare facilities, which make it particularly appealing to retirees. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy cycling and walking along the nearby canals and in the surrounding countryside.
Property prices in Bourges are notably more affordable than in many French cities, with a range of apartments and period homes available at attractive price points. The market remains stable in 2026, with steady interest from lifestyle buyers and those seeking long-term value.
Pau
The current Broadway hit Oh, Mary, is about Mary Todd Lincoln, Abraham’s wife. She was an unlikely US expat who settled in Pau 150 years ago. But she was far from alone.
Pau is something of a home from home for British and American buyers. Such was the Anglo influence that by the 1880s some 30% of the population was British, living in grand villas on its elegant boulevards. There is even a Pau fox hunt, now a drag hunt.
And why not? Pau (pronounced “po”) is a beautiful town of around 80,000 in the foothills of the Pyrenees. This year it is once again on the route of the Tour de France.
Being so far south, Pau has a generally warm climate, but the mountains bring snow for skiing and rain through its rushing streams and rivers. There is a huge opportunity for exciting adventure activity here in the Pyrรฉnรฉes National Park.
Riquewihr
Found in the Alsace wine region in the north of France, Riquewihr is a fairy-tale village that attracts wine lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Close to the border with Germany, you will find a unique blend of traditional French and German cultures. Its charming half-timbered houses and proximity to vineyards make it an idyllic choice for holiday home buyers.
The Alsace regionโs growing focus on eco-tourism and wine tourism is drawing more visitors to picturesque villages like Riquewihr. In December alone, the town sees 450,000 tourists visit its Christmas market. This popularity rental properties in high demand so prices are likely to rise if you wait.
Rennes
The capital of Brittany, Rennes, combines a rich cultural scene with a youthful energy thanks to its student population. It offers a vibrant lifestyle for holiday home buyers and a high quality of life for retirees. Plus, itโs only 90 minutes from Paris by train.
The newly expanded TGV connections to Paris and other parts of France are boosting Rennesโ accessibility and desirability. With new high-speed trains hitting the rail network in 2028, reducing travelling times and making Rennes even more popular among commuters, 2025 is a strategic moment to invest.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is an iconic destination for wine enthusiasts and a hotspot for luxury real estate. Itโs an excellent choice for holiday home buyers and retirees seeking a sophisticated lifestyle.
Bordeaux is entering a phase of sustainable urban expansion, with eco-friendly developments and transport upgrades planned through 2025. Development is finally beginning on La Jallรจre, a large sustainable housing development, and new park-and-ride facilities will reduce car use in the city. These initiatives will likely drive property appreciation, making now the time to secure value before the market surges.
Locronan
A quaint village in Brittany, Locronan offers timeless charm with its cobblestone streets and historic stone houses. Itโs ideal for those seeking a peaceful countryside retreat. The small village, displays a strong Celt influence, giving it an almost English feel.
Locronanโs increasing visibility in travel media is spotlighting its historic charm. The continued rise in domestic and international tourism, alongside renewed interest in rural French properties, makes 2025 a prime time to buy before demand drives up prices.
Arras
Located in the Hauts-de-France region, Arras is famed for its Flemish-Baroque architecture and historic significance. Itโs a unique destination for holiday home buyers and retirees and offers easy travel to the UK thanks to its proximity to Calais.
In recent years, French development efforts, such as a new transport hub, business park expansion, and tourism initiativeshave laid the groundwork to establish Arras as an affordable alternative to Paris. With more investment on the way, 2026 is a good time to buy in the area before prices potentially increase.
Lalinde
Located in the Dordogne Valley, Lalinde offers picturesque landscapes and a quintessentially French rural lifestyle. Itโs perfect for holiday home buyers seeking serenity and retirees looking for affordability.
Interest in the Dordogne Valley continues to rise, driven by international buyers seeking authentic rural escapes. Demand could see property prices increasing as much as 4% in 2025. As French countryside properties gain traction, Lalindeโs affordability makes 2025 an excellent time to purchase before the market tightens.
Whether youโre planning a move, investing for the future, or searching for the perfect getaway, 2025 offers unique opportunities to enter the French property market. These ten destinations combine timeless charm, strategic location, and promising market dynamics, making them top picks for the year ahead.
