It can be intimidating for a foreigner to navigate the ins and outs of the administrative process of buying a property in Provence. France is known for its lifestyle, yet also for its maze of paperwork, complex rules, and tax regulations.
What could feel like a daunting process becomes a pleasure when working with the knowledgeable team at Provence Life, who have first-hand experience buying, renovating and seasonally renting their properties in Provence.
If you are thinking of purchasing a new home in Provence, here are a few helpful criteria to consider at the outset of your search:
Many of Provence’s most fabulous properties are rented or occupied by owners during the peak summer weeks between May and September. We suggest carving out a few dedicated days in the low season, outside these dates, when the houses are easily viewed and we can take our time exploring all of the available options for sale with you.
Since many of the properties for sale also function as income-producing vacation rentals, options to stay in the home offer an invaluable opportunity to experience a property first-hand prior to buying.
It is helpful to have an understanding of the general lay of the land and the most notable corners of the region. Inland Provence, exclusive of the French Riviera, can typically be divided into four main regions: Aix-en-Provence and surrounding areas, the Luberon Mountains, the Alpilles region & Avignon and surrounding areas.
Each area within this very popular region of France has its own unique spirit and personality. With decades of combined experience working, living and managing properties in Provence, we can help you narrow down your criteria, identify the right blend of country vs. village settings with proximity to what is most important to you - be it the quieter lifestyle found near Lourmarin or Goult, or a more lively scene near the popular towns of Aix, Avignon or Saint Rémy.
For many, the dream of owning in Provence involves experiencing some of what Peter Mayle describes with such candor as he moves into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in the Luberon. It can be viewed almost as a right of passage when purchasing in Provence. But for others, the priorities involve bypassing the time and patience required to navigate renovation - to get on with the beauty of simply living here.
Provence Life has a vast network of architects, general contractors and builders who have had years of success in the region. We guide our clients to the artisans best suited to their individual projects and have trusted contacts who can be liaisons between you and your general contractor - providing photo and video updates and asking challenging questions along the way.
