Glossary of popular
Property terms
Buying property in France
can be made a lot easier if one is familiar with the
terms used to describe the different types of French
properties available. This will make the search less
confusing.
Chateaux
A chateau (Plural chateaux) is a large,
impressive French property or castle. Usually the
residence of the nobility or gentry, a chateau usually
comes with land and may or may not be fortified with a
gatehouse. It usually comes with outbuildings such as
stables, bakehouses and servants quarters.
French Farmhouses (Fermette)
A fermette is a small farmhouse in France,
usually built of stone. There are an abundance of these
properties all over France in the rural countryside,
many dating back hundreds of years. Many have been
renovated, keeping their original features where
possible, others need renovation or perhaps just
re-decoration. The fermette would have a small main
house with a large functional kitchen, come with land
and a few outbuildings, like a barn.
Villas in France
Originally an upper-class, luxurious
French property in its own grounds, larger and more
expensive than the average home in France.
Types of Villas
Plein pied - Bungalow
Traditionelle - usually found in a lotissement ( big
colloction of Villas, all built by the same building
company )
Style Bastide - becoming very popular. Usually has a
central tower with a bedroom and bathroom in that
tower. It may also have round oeil de boeuf windows- so
designed with a bit of old style
Style Provençale - usually with olive trees, big rocks,
garrigue style gardens
Hors lotissement - outside a lotissement
Chalet - small, usually wooden, cabin
Maison Bourgeoise
Maison bourgeoise were built for
wealthy businessmen (or officials), with the intention
not only of providing a very comfortable home but also
of displaying the wealth and status of the owner. They
normally have a wide front facing the street and
typically use stone in their construction, reflecting
both the solidity and wealth of the owner. They have
large windows, given the interior a pleasantly well-lit
interior. Inside, the decoration and furnishing
provides both comfort and status. If well-preserved,
they are typically beautiful and have many pleasing
details. They are normally surrounded by a moderate
plot of land with a number of large trees and perhaps a
wall.
French Properties
for Sale Would Include:
- Bastide - A Bastide was originally a mediaeval town built in the 13 and 14th centuries, strategically located in the countryside in the south of France. These days a bastide French property is typically square or rectangular, built out of stone and tiled throughout with unique design features such as round archways and flat roofs. Many bastide homes in the south of France have been renovated into large, expensive country dwellings.
- Mas - This is a French term used to describe medium to large properties usually in the South of France. A Mas can be either a bastide or traditional farmhouse property or even an estate located in the French Provence region.
- Domaine - Domaine translates into English as 'estate'. This would be a large plot of land for a specific purpose such as grape farming, golfing or hunting in France.
- Maison de Maitre - This term literally means 'Master's house'. Typically this would be a large French property with high ceilings, four main rooms on each floor and be built with ornate decorative features.
- Maison a Colombages - This would be a half timbered house with exposed wooden framework, reminiscent of English Tudor architecture.
- Gite - This is a French holiday home which is inexpensive, usually self-catering and comes furnished and equipped. Gites are generally converted outbuildings which are found close to the owner's residence. It is quite common to see a farmhouse for sale with one or two gites on the property.
. Maison de Village - simply a Village house
. Mas - old stone house, maybe a farmhouse
. Maison de Ville - town house - usually just outside the Village
. Moulin - mill or water mill
. Co-propriété - this is where a section of the original house has been split up to create a new section ( like an apartment) There are complex laws about this - take advice.
. Appartement - simply a flat or apartment
. Loft - similar word in English - sometimes open plan flat done in modern style
. Remise - this is a barn - usually found in villages where animals and/or agricultural equipment was stored. It is the fashion to renovate these into a home.
. Batisse - this is usually a large village house that has potential to convert into many apartments
General property terms
2F, 3F, 4F Literally translates as "2 faces (sides)", "3 faces (sides)", "4 faces (sides)". They respectively refer to a terrace house, a semi-detached house, and a detached house. For more explanation, see French Property Sizes.
Abri A shelter. Could also be a small outbuilding (e.g. a shed)
Acompte Deposit
Agence Immobilière Estate Agency
Ancien Propriétaire The previous owner
Ascenseur Lift (or in North American English: elevator)
Atelier Workshop
Bâtiment Building
Bon de Visite A form that estate agents ask you to sign before viewing a house. It is used to prove that they were the first to show you the house, so that in the event of you subsequently buying from another agent or from the owner direct they can still claim their sales commission.
Bon état In good condition. See also "Rafraîchir" and "Rénover". In terms of condition, the terms from best to worst are "très bon état", "bon état", "Rafraîchir" and "Rénover".
Bricolage DIY
Cave Cellar. If you want to store wine, this could be important!!
Chambre Bedroom
Chauffage Heating
Chauffage Central Central Heating - au feul/mazout - is oil heated; GDV is Gas ; électrique - electric ; au sol - underfloor heating
Chéminee Chimney. Also sometime used to mean fireplace.
Certificat d'urbanisme ( CU) This is a document for renovations and building on a plot of land. It sets out what and what not you are allowed to build- with specific details- like in a Barn conversion, it will specify where windows are allowed, what you can do with the facade etc
Cuisine Kitchen
Cuisine Américaine A USA-style kitchen (e.g. large, open-plan, with large modern appliances).
Démenager To move
Devis Estimate for work. It is wise to always obtain a devis before requesting work to be done. Note that this is only an estimate, so in the event of unforeseeable circumstances it is not binding. This is similar to UK and USA law.
Double Vitrage Double glazing
Entièrement Rénové Entirely renovated
F1, F2, F3, F4, etc. A measure of the property size. For details see French Property Sizes.
Fosse Septique Septic tank. Typically found in rural properties that don't have mains sewage.
Foyer Fireplace. Also sometimes used as slang to mean house (e.g. "Each 'foyer' is entitled to an allotment" would mean that there was one allotment per house. Also see "Chéminee" above.
Grange Barn
Grenier Attic
Immobilier Property (in American English: Real Estate)
Lu et Approuvé Translates as "read and approved". When signing a contract, one is sometimes asked to hand-write this above the signature. It is intended to ensure that the person signing cannot claim they did not know what they were signing.
Maçon Builder
Maison House
Mairie Town Hall
Mètres Carrés Square meter. Used to express the size of a property. Properties are measured different in France than in the UK, for explanation click on French Property Sizes.
Meubles Furniture
Mitoyenne Terraced house
Permis de Construire Planning Permission
Pièce A room
Piscine Swimming pool
Plan Cadastral The town plan, which shows properties and parcels of land
Permit de Construire ( PC) Permit to allow you to build, on land or for renovations
Premier étage The first floor (in other words, the floor above the ground floor).
Propriétaire The Owner
Propriété Property
Plomberie Plumbing
Proximité Close to
Rafraîchir To redecorate. Commonly in the form "à rafraîchir ", which means it is in need of redecoration. See entry for "Rénover" and for "Bon état".
Rénover To renovate. Commonly in the form "à rénover ", which means it is in need of renovation. See entry for "Rafraîchir" and for "Bon état".
Rez-de-Chaussée ( RDC) Ground floor
Salle de Bain Bathroom
Salle d'Eau ( SDE) Shower room (or shower with toilet). Also SDB is salle de bain ( bathroom with bath tub)
Salon Lounge (as in living room)
Salle a Manger ( SAM) Dining room
Séjour Living room. Similar to "Salon"
Sous-sol The basement. The literal translation is "under-floor" (which, of course, is where the basement is located).
Surface Habitable The amount of living space in a house. Note that this is calculated differently in France than in the UK (for details, click on French Property Sizes).
T1, T2, T3, T4, etc. A measure of the property size. For details see French Property Sizes.
Taxe d'Habitation A local tax, paid by anyone living in a property (either rented or owned).
Taxe Foncière A tax on property (paid by the owner).
Terrain Land
Toit Roof
Très bon état - abbreviated to TBE Very good condition. See also entry for "bon état".
( thanks to www.france-property-and-information.com for this )
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