In depth · Property
Buying property in France: how it works on the Riviera
What the official French sources say about buying a home. It is general information, not legal or tax advice.
Updated October 2026
The notaire
In France a notaire, a public official, draws up the deed of sale, checks the title and registers the transfer. Notaires de France publishes its guidance for buyers on notaires.fr.
The steps of a purchase
Buyer and seller usually sign a preliminary contract, a compromis or a promesse de vente. The buyer then has a legal cooling-off period, after which the sale proceeds to the final deed, signed before the notaire (service-public.gouv.fr). Check the current rules and timings on the official sites.
Before you sign
Take independent legal and tax advice in your own country and in France, and use an agency with a professional licence. Our property guide compares the Riviera’s towns; we never publish prices.
Questions and answers
What does a notaire do?
A notaire is a public official who prepares and registers the sale (notaires.fr).
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Sources: notaires.fr and service-public.gouv.fr (checked 22 October 2026). Confirm with a notaire.