Types of Property for sale in France
Appartement dans immeuble. Flat in block, perhaps in urban area without private grounds.
Appartement dans résidence. Flat in block of flats, normally with private grounds.
Appartement dans villa. Flat conversion in old or new house, with or without garden. Low maintenance charges, if any.
Architect-planned villas (villa d'architecte). All houses built since 1979 exceeding 170 m-squared living space are architect-designed. Often with large, open-plan living areas and kitchens and if, in addition, initially owned by an architect, particularly well built. Size means they are often detached (individuelle) on plots over 1,000 m-squared and not in private estates with small plots. Style respects regional regulations.
Bastide. Substantial, stone-built, traditional Mediterranean house, usually in an inland village or rural situation. May feature outside open-stone work (pierres apparentes).
Chalets. The most prestigious alpine ski-resorts have new and recent chalets of all sizes, some of which are immaculate replicas, with wood throughout, of authentic old gems.
Château. Renaissance, or later, stately house, best translated as 'château'!
Château féodal/château fort. Castle (mainly medieval), which sometimes comes with water-filled moats (douves en eau).
Chaumières. Thatched houses, cottages, fermettes (small farmhouses).
Duplex. Self-contained two-floor flat in block or, like a maisonette, in a larger house or building.
Gentilhommière. Small manor (manoir). Should have its own grounds ( parc).
Hôtel particulier. A period town mansion with several floors and usually garret rooms (chambres de bonne).
Loft. Not a low-ceilinged attic conversion. The loft , a 1990s creation, is a spacious, open, high-ceilinged, contemporary, top floor or sometimes top two floors appartement or former office conversion.
Longère. Long-roofed traditional property predominant in Britanny. Period longères have hand-cut slate tile roofs, sometimes with dormer windows, and are granite built.
Mas. Provençal farmhouse or farmhouse buildings with rustic kitchen and perhaps traditional exposed beam (poutres apparentes) ceilings.
Maison à colombage . Half-timbered character properties. ANormandy speciality but not exclusive to that region.
Maison de maître. Large old country house or large bourgeois style town house (possibly with garret rooms), with elegant interior decorative features.
Maison de village. An old village house, usually terraced or semi-detached (mitoyenne), with at least ground and upper floor.
Pavillon. A small house with a garden or old lodges in country estates.
Villa club. Small house designed as a holiday home.
