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Popular neighbourhoods to buy a townhouse in France

Mahaut Fauquet
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Modified on
2/28/2025
Luxury
Summary

In which French cities can you buy a house in the city centre?

Buying a town house means combining a pleasant living environment with urban life, with quick access to cultural activities and everyday amenities. Some towns such as Nogent-sur-Marne, Bry-sur-Marne and Saint-Maur-des-Fossés offer great opportunities for those looking for a property with land or a more generous surface area than a conventional flat.

In Île-de-France, areas such as Versailles, Sceaux and Perreux-sur-Marne attract buyers looking for a green environment, while remaining connected to Greater Paris and its infrastructure. In the provinces, cities such as Angers, Bourges or those in Poitou-Charentes and Aquitaine offer townhouses with building land, sometimes even a barn to be converted for an ambitious property project.

The city of Marseille

Marseille is an ideal city for purchasing a penthouse, particularly in prestigious neighbourhoods such as Le Roucas-Blanc, Les Goudes or La Corniche, which offer panoramic terraces overlooking the sea. These exclusive properties combine modernity with a Mediterranean setting, often with a private swimming pool and a furnished rooftop. With its sunny coastline, creeks and lively Old Port, Marseille offers a dynamic and cosmopolitan lifestyle. The average price per square metre for a penthouse varies between €7,000 and €15,000, depending on the location. With a population of over 870,000, the city is a major hub with a TGV station connecting it to Paris in 3 hours and an international airport.

Marseille

Marseille offers magnificent seaside villas, particularly in the districts of Malmousque, Roucas-Blanc and Les Goudes, with spectacular views of the Mediterranean.

Between creeks, ports and hills, the city offers a unique contrast between nature and urbanisation. The average price per square metre for a seafront villa is between €6,000 and €10,000. With a population of over 870,000, Marseille has a TGV station and an international airport, as well as quick access to the A7 and A50 motorways.

The Phocaean city

Marseille offers a wide variety of exceptional properties, combining modernity and Mediterranean charm.

  • Contemporary houses: Clean-lined villas, often perched on the hills with sea views and infinity pools, in neighbourhoods such as Roucas-Blanc or Les Goudes.
  • Townhouses: Le Panier, Endoume or Vauban are home to renovated houses with terraces and patios, combining authenticity and urban dynamism.
  • Architect-designed houses: Avant-garde creations with raw materials, plays of light and integration into the landscape, often close to the coast or the Calanques.
  • Luxury houses: Provençal country houses or ultra-modern villas, nestled in exclusive neighbourhoods such as Malpassé, Bompard or the Corniche Kennedy.
  • Luxury apartments: From penthouses with rooftop terraces to Haussmann-style residences, Marseille offers rare properties with panoramic terraces overlooking the Vieux-Port or the Mediterranean.

The City of Light

Paris, the capital of elegance and prestige, offers a variety of exceptional properties, ranging from contemporary lofts to refined townhouses and penthouses with spectacular views.

The lofts, located mainly in former artists' studios or renovated industrial buildings, are highly sought-after in neighbourhoods such as the Marais, Montmartre and Bastille. With their large open spaces, glass roofs and exposed beams, they offer an atypical and luminous living environment.

The mansions of Neuilly-sur-Seine, a chic residential enclave on the outskirts of Paris, are distinguished by their elegant facades, private gardens and majestic interiors. Nestled in discreet streets, these unique properties are prized by a clientele in search of tranquillity and prestige.

The penthouses, perched on the top floors of Haussmann-style buildings or contemporary residences, offer furnished rooftops, panoramic terraces and breathtaking views of the Seine or the Eiffel Tower. Areas such as the 16th arrondissement, the Golden Triangle or the Left Bank are particularly sought-after for these rare and exclusive properties.

The French capital

Paris offers a rare and exclusive market for townhouses and luxury residences, located in emblematic neighbourhoods. Opt for a townhouse in Montmartre, Butte-aux-Cailles or in the 16th arrondissement, these houses offer an inner courtyard, terrace and a privileged setting in the heart of the capital.

For luxury homes: Townhouses and exceptional residences can be found in the Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Neuilly-sur-Seine, with impressive volumes, private gardens and exceptional finishes.

Aix-en-Provence

In Aix-en-Provence, the 17th and 18th century mansions are exceptional properties, often located in the historic centre or on the Cours Mirabeau. With their freestone façades, high ceilings and interior gardens, these residences offer a prestigious setting.

Nestled between the hills of Provence and fields of olive trees, Aix charms with its elegant and sunny atmosphere. The average price per square metre for a townhouse varies between €7,000 and €12,000. With a population of 150,000, the city is well served by the A8 motorway, the TGV station (Paris in 3 hours) and Marseille-Provence airport.

The jewel of the Pays d'Aix

Aix-en-Provence is a popular destination for its refined art de vivre, elegant neighbourhoods and exceptional properties, combining Provençal heritage and modernity.

  • Contemporary houses: Designer villas with clean lines and large openings, often located on the hills or in residential areas such as Celony and Les Pinchinats. Townhouses: In the historic centre and the Mazarin district, these houses offer interior patios and elegant stone facades, perfect for a typically Aix-style living environment. Luxury homes: Exceptional properties with wooded parks, swimming pools and panoramic views, particularly around Montaiguet or Tholonet.
  • Luxury apartments: Renovated town houses, Haussmann-style apartments or modern lofts, often located on Cours Mirabeau or near the Sextius Baths.

La ville de Bordeaux

Bordeaux est un haut lieu du marché des lofts, avec de nombreuses rénovations dans les anciens chais et entrepôts des Bassins à Flot ou des Chartrons. Avec ses quais aménagés, son architecture en pierre et ses vignobles alentour, Bordeaux offre un cadre de vie privilégié.

Le prix moyen au m² varie entre 5 000 et 9 000 €/m², selon l’emplacement. Avec 270 000 habitants, la ville est un hub majeur avec une gare TGV (2h de Paris) et un aéroport international.

Entre marchés couverts, vie culturelle et gastronomie, Bordeaux est une destination idéale pour un loft de prestige.

The Bordeaux metropolis

Bordeaux, a dynamic and elegant city, will charm you with its varied architecture and its popular living environment, where historical heritage and contemporary achievements coexist.

  • Contemporary houses: Modern villas with clean lines and bay windows, often located in Caudéran, Le Bouscat or Talence.
  • Town houses: In historic districts such as Chartrons, Saint-Seurin or Nansouty, these Bordeaux stone houses offer private gardens and high-end amenities.
  • Mansions: Prestigious residences with pale stone façades, wooded parks and refined interiors, typical of Bordeaux's residential neighbourhoods.
  • Architect-designed houses: Bold constructions combining noble materials and open spaces, found in particular on the banks of the Garonne or in leafy suburbs.
  • Luxury houses: Exceptional villas with swimming pools and panoramic terraces, often nestled on the right bank or in the Bordeaux vineyards.
  • Luxury apartments: Penthouses with rooftop terraces or Haussmann-style apartments in the heart of the Golden Triangle, offering exceptional amenities.

The heart of Occitania

With its emblematic pink brick architecture, Toulouse is full of old houses of character, often with inner courtyards and façades typical of the South-West. Nestled between the Garonne and the Canal du Midi, the city offers a dynamic setting combining historical heritage and green spaces.

The average price per square metre is around €4,000/m², but can be higher in sought-after areas such as Capitole or Saint-Étienne. With more than 500,000 inhabitants, Toulouse is well served: TGV station, Blagnac international airport 15 minutes from the centre, and quick access to the A61 and A62 motorways.

In terms of local life, Toulouse seduces with its lively atmosphere, its markets, its Cité de l'Espace, and of course, its Stade Toulousain matches.

The metropolis of Toulouse

Toulouse is a dynamic city where you can find superb penthouses in contemporary buildings, particularly around the Capitole, Carmes or Saint-Cyprien district. These exclusive properties have spacious terraces with views of the Garonne or the city skyline.

With its canals, lively squares and green spaces, the city combines historical heritage and modernity. The average price per square metre for a penthouse varies between €5,500 and €9,500, depending on the location.

With gourmet markets, aeronautical industries and festivals, Toulouse is an ideal destination for a penthouse combining prestige and quality of life.

The pink city

Toulouse, the Pink City, offers a wide range of exceptional properties, from townhouses steeped in history to ultra-modern contemporary residences.

  • Contemporary houses: Designer villas with clean lines and large openings, located on the outskirts in neighbourhoods such as Balma or Lardenne.
  • Townhouses: In the popular neighbourhoods of Saint-Cyprien, Les Carmes or Côte Pavée, these houses combine the charm of Toulouse brick with modern comfort.
  • Mansions: Elegant residences with high ceilings, monumental staircases and landscaped gardens, often found in and around the historic centre.
  • Architect-designed houses: Unique constructions combining noble materials and plays of light, particularly in the sought-after residential neighbourhoods.
  • Luxury houses: Prestigious properties with private parks, swimming pools and views of the Garonne, popular with an upmarket clientele.
  • Luxury apartments: Penthouses and Haussmann-style apartments in the city centre, with terraces and high-end amenities.

Narbonne

Narbonne is a charming town with a lively town centre, where you can find beautiful stone or renovated town houses with patios and terraces, offering an authentic living environment a stone's throw from the Mediterranean. The most sought-after neighbourhoods are the historic centre and the Cité and Révolution neighbourhoods, which combine old-world charm with modernity. With its canal, famous market halls and proximity to the beaches, Narbonne offers a pleasant setting between the sea and vineyards. The average price per square metre varies between €2,500 and €4,500, with exceptional properties reaching €5,500 per square metre. With a population of 55,000, the city is well served by the A9 motorway, the TGV station (Paris in 4 hours) and Béziers airport, 30 minutes away.

With hiking in the Massif de la Clape, water sports and gourmet markets, Narbonne is a popular destination for a town house combining culture and the good life.

The city of Nice

Nice offers an exceptional property market, ideal for the purchase of a townhouse or penthouse with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.

The townhouses, located mainly in historic districts such as Cimiez, Mont Boron or the Carré d'Or, display Belle Époque or Art Deco architecture, with elegant facades, vast private gardens and interiors adorned with mouldings and period parquet flooring. These prestigious residences are sought-after for their timeless charm and their privileged location.

The penthouses, truly exceptional properties, are located on the top floor of high-end residences, offering large terraces, private swimming pools and breathtaking views of the Baie des Anges. These ultra-luxurious apartments are particularly popular on the Promenade des Anglais, the Colline du Château and in Fabron.

The capital of the French Riviera

Nice offers exceptional villas with panoramic views, particularly over the Promenade des Anglais, Mont-Boron or Cimiez, combining elegant architecture and proximity to the beach.

With its azure coastline and sunny climate, the city appeals to seaside lovers. The average price per square metre for a villa is between €7,000 and €15,000. Nice, with its 340,000 inhabitants, benefits from a TGV station, an international airport and quick access to the A8 motorway. Between old Nice, beaches and cultural life, the city combines luxury and the good life.

Nice

Nice seduces with its varied architecture and prestigious setting, with luxury properties in the city centre and on the hillsides.

  • Townhouses: In sought-after neighbourhoods such as Mont Boron, Cimiez and Gairaut, townhouses offer private gardens, panoramic terraces and proximity to the sea. Luxury houses: Contemporary villas or Belle Époque mansions, often located on the hills, with swimming pools and breathtaking views of the Baie des Anges. Luxury apartments: penthouses with rooftop terraces, Haussmann-style or modern apartments, offering high-end amenities and a prime location on the Promenade des Anglais or in the Carré d'Or.
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Living in a house in the heart of the city

Whether you are looking for a property in Brittany, Lower Normandy, Limousin or Rhône-Alpes, each region has neighbourhoods suited to the dreams and needs of its inhabitants. Whether you are looking for somewhere close to public transport to make your daily commute easier or a house with a quality of life that is conducive to teleworking, the choice depends on your priorities.

Property market listings regularly reveal houses in cities with high potential. With prices still reasonable in some regions, properties with a beautiful roof, a pleasant setting and a good range of services are up for grabs. All that remains is to explore the top cities and realise your dream of living in the heart of the urban bustle.

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