Bordeaux Property Market and Real Estate Guide

(Bordeaux, Gironde, Aquitaine, France)

Bordeaux has been an important international city for centuries. Founded by the Romans and heavily influenced by neighbouring England, it's a popular place for expatriates to buy property.

This French city enjoys international fame, but there are few expatriates living in the city centre. Instead, most of the property in the centre of Bordeaux is owned by French citizens who work in the area. This means that it is hard to find short-term rental agreements in the city centre, with most properties requiring a six-month to a year-long commitment.


Property in the city centre dates to the 1700s and is typically built of limestone, with wrought-iron touches. Anyone considering buying one of these historic properties is advised to work through a real estate agent well-versed in English and French. Property values hold, and there is little room for bargains.

Foreigners who buy or rent property in Bordeaux usually look to the outlying resorts of Arcachon and Cap Ferret, where there is a strong international atmosphere. Property values have increased in the past few years with the rise of urban regeneration projects. Better value for money options are far out in the wine country.

Renting Serviced Apartments

Apartment rentals are popular in the city centre of this UNESCO-honoured city. Many are in walking distance of central attractions, though there are just as many in Arcachon and Cap Ferret. As a general rule, these units are well furnished and include a host of basic amenities with the option to add a few premium services.

Serviced apartments in Bordeaux understandably cost much more than regular apartments and most don't enforce a minimum stay. On a daily basis, these units are comparable to a four-star hotel, while savings of up to 50 percent are available for stays of a month or more.

Buying Apartments and Houses

Property values in Bordeaux are perennially high, given the city's historic appeal and excellent infrastructure. There's not much of a foreign market here, though options exist, and foreigners are not restricted in their purchasing of Bordeaux property. The best investment properties are in the suburbs, where neighbourhood beautification projects continue to drive prices higher.

Laws vary depending on the type of property purchased, but there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Bordeaux. A French estate agent will draw up the agreement between buyer and seller. The buyer covers all of the legal fees and taxes, which usually amount to 7.5 percent of the purchase price.

Real Estate Agents

Finding a reliable real estate agent is an important part of purchasing property in Bordeaux, especially for those who do not speak French. There are many to choose from, and it's worth limiting the search to firms with a proven record working with foreigners.

Check out the following Bordeaux real estate agents:

Bordeaux and Beyond
Address: 9 Bis Rue Porte de la Reole, Monsegur, 33580, France, FR
Tel: +33 05 56 61 07 74
Email: info@bordeauxbeyond.co.uk
Website: www.bordeauxbeyond.co.uk
Bordeaux and Beyond specialises in serving English-speaking buyers and renters. The company has an especially good record of matching customers' specifications to existing properties.

Catherine Moulinier Real Estate
Address: 7 Avenue du Baron Haussmann, Cestas, 33610, France, FR
Tel: +33 05 56 78 25 50
Email: mouliniercath@aol.com
Website: www.agencemoulinier.com/real-estate.htm
Catherine Moulinier has more than three decades of real estate experience, and she works with properties across Bordeaux and its environs. Properties for sale, rent and investment purposes are offered.

Bordeaux Transactions Immobilieres
Address: 1 Rue La Tour du Pin, Bordeaux, 33000, France, FR
Tel: +33 05 56 91 78 72
Website: www.bordeaux-transactions-immobilieres.com/en/
Bordeaux Transactions Immobilieres specialises in properties for rent or sale across the greater Bordeaux area.