Best places to buy a buy-to-let property in France

Enjoy the best of both worlds with a city pad that offers a vibrant lifestyle plus the option of an attractive rental return. Here are 10 of the best cities to invest in a home and a potential buy-to-let

1. Paris, Ile-de-France

Average apartment price: €8,529/m2

Average monthly rent: €26/m2

Paris comes top of this list as the most sought-after place to rent and therefore is always going to be an interesting place to invest in. According to Locservice.fr, 21% of rentals across France in 2016 were in the Ile-de-France region, mainly concentrated in the French capital, where the average monthly rent for a T2 apartment between 30m2 and 55m2 is €1,257. Life in Paris is a wonderful whirlwind of activity involving cafés, exhibitions (many free and not just for students), concerts, cultural events, Métro rides and strolls by the Seine. As the most visited city in the world, Paris has a very popular property market for residents as well as investors.

2. Lyon, Rhône

Average apartment price: €3,443/m2

Average monthly rent: €11.9/m2

France’s second largest city and celebrated gastronomic capital, Lyon is a highly attractive city to live in, offering a wide range of opportunities and an excellent quality of life. With its beautiful buildings lining the banks of the Rhône and Saône rivers, abundant green spaces and a charming old town, Lyon is also a dynamic and innovative city with exciting projects like the Cité de la Gastronomie, a new cultural centre for gastronomy to be housed in the former Grand Hotel Dieu on the banks of the Rhône, promising a bright future. It comes second on the list of popular places to rent with an average of €663 per month for a T2.

3. Bordeaux, Gironde

Average apartment price: €3,276/m2

Average monthly rent: €12.1/m2

Following a dynamic regeneration, Bordeaux’s property market has soared, even outperforming the Parisian market between 2015 and 2016. With a current average monthly rent of €631 for a T2, this city is well-worth looking into. The popularity of the city with travellers also makes it a great location to invest in as the market for seasonal rentals is on the rise.

4. Montpellier, Hérault

Average apartment price: €2,681/m2

Average monthly rent: €12.3/m2

Founded in the 10th century, Montpellier is a diverse and dynamic city. The proximity to the sea, excellent public transport, thriving local economy and vibrant nightlife are obvious draws for both people and businesses, which explains why it is one of France’s fastest-growing cities. With an average monthly rent of €640 for a T2 in Montpellier, the property market is a interesting to look into, particularly as there is high demand of student accommodation.

5. Toulouse, Haute-Garonne

Average apartment price: €2,638/m2

Average monthly rent: €11.3/m2

With the Canal du Midi and the Garonne slicing through the city centre, Toulouse has a fascinating history and locals full of joie de vivre. Latin influences and a culture of outside-living and late dining provide a perpetual sense of holidays, but the city is also a thriving educational and economic centre. Home to Europe’s space and aeronautics hubs, Toulouse attracts a cosmopolitan population of workers who not only prefer renting, and thus provide a steady flow of tenants, but also tend to integrate well. The average monthly rentfor a T2 in Toulouse is €596.

___________________________________________________________________________

Related articles

Where to buy a bargain city apartment in France

Which French cities offer the best investment for property buyers?

How to decide where to buy in France

___________________________________________________________________________

6. Nantes, Loire-Atlantique

Average apartment price: €2,646/m2

Average monthly rent: €10.9/m2

Capital of the former duchy of Brittany (and now part of the Pays de la Loire region), Nantes is a welcoming and lively city that is proud of its heritage while facing the future head on. Home to the Château des Ducs de Bretagne and pretty 18th-century architecture, it has also seen unique cultural projects, such as the famous Machines de l’Ile, an artistic project comprising a giant mechanical elephant, striking a perfect balance between history and modern life, economy and culture. It comes as no surprise that Nantes is an attractive city for tenants and with an average monthly rent of €596 for a T2, you could also ride that wave as an owner.

7. Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône

Average apartment price: €2,414/m2

Average monthly rent: €11.6/m2

Marseille is an iconic city known for its beautiful Old Port, delicious seafood and passionate locals embodying French Mediterranean life at its finest. Days evolve around the fish market, pastis and siestes, but Marseille has moved with the times and proved, especially after being named European cultural capital in 2013, that it was more than a pretty face and a bowl of bouillabaisse. Property here offers a good return on investment, with monthly rents averaging €661 for a T2.

8. Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin

Average apartment price: €2,547/m2

Average monthly rent: €11/m2

At the crossroads of Europe, the Alsatian capital, Strasbourg, offers good investment opportunities too, with average monthly rents of €627 for a T2. Often overlooked as a seasonal destination to see the Christmas market, Strasbourg is vibrant all year round and a very pleasant city to live in, owing to its beautiful half-timbered houses, mouth-watering gastronomy, interesting heritage and ease of access.

9. Nice, Alpes-Maritimes

Average apartment price: €3,800/m2

Average monthly rent: €14.7/m2

The Riviera capital has always been a favourite with the British (as the Promenade des Anglais testifies), offering an appealing climate and a unique location set between mountains and the Med. Add to that excellent food, full of Provencal herbs and spices, friendly locals and a dynamic industrial sector, and Nice might just have it all. The average monthly rent for a T2 in Nice is €770.

10. Lille, Nord

Average apartment price: €2,551/m2

Average monthly rent: €12.6/m2

Lille has long been a central European hub, from its medieval past as a major commercial centre to today’s influence of Euralille, France’s third business district. Because of this, Lille is a cosmopolitan city. It is also said to be ideal for families since the city introduced a wealth of cultural initiatives for young children.

*all apartment and rent prices are averages and come from Meilleurs Agents as of 1 March 2017 and the rental market report for 2016 by Locservice.fr