Don’t let anyone convince you that your dream of moving to France to live a simple life filled with freshly baked bread, cheese, and buttery pastries is nothing but a pie in the sky. Moving abroad is possible, especially now that many of us can work remotely. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. While finding an affordable apartment with views of the Eiffel Tower isn’t going to happen, there are plenty of reasonably priced and charming properties throughout France’s countryside that will cost you less than $165,000. Whether you want a permanent residence or a vacation home, there are affordable houses for sale in France that can make your dreams of baguettes, camembert, and pains au chocolat become a reality.
Photo: Leggett Immobilier
9 Cheap Houses in France That Even You Can Afford
1. Two-bedroom chalet in Mauroux, Lot: €125,350 ($131,524)
This small chalet consists of a sitting room/living room, a small but fully equipped kitchen, two good-sized bedrooms, and a shaded porch for enjoying meals. Being a chalet, everything inside and out is made of wood, creating a rustic and cozy atmosphere.
The chalet is located on a three-star resort aptly named “Village du Soleil” (Sunny Village). The resort houses 72 chalets and offers amenities such as a restaurant, swimming pool, tennis court, and children’s playground. The annual resort fees of €2,000 ($2,099), or €167 ($175) per month, cover the maintenance of the premises and equipment.
Mauroux is a small village with fewer than 600 inhabitants in the Lot Valley. Sunny Village is close to the region’s famous vineyards, historical sites, and the Lot River, where visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, and other activities.
2. Characterful stone house in Cruzy, Hérault: €109,000 ($114,366)
This small stone house, located on a quiet village street, has a unique three-level layout. A staircase from the street leads to the living space, which includes an eat-in kitchen and a sitting room that opens onto a small patio. The two bedrooms, shower room, and restroom are located on the top floor. The ground floor, at street level, serves as a storage and laundry room.
While updated to modern standards, the house maintains its traditional character with colorful vintage-patterned tiles, slanted ceilings, wooden beams, a fireplace, a wood stove, and retro built-ins that contribute to its comfortable atmosphere.
The village of Cruzy is situated 16 miles from the city of Béziers (with daily bus service), 22 miles from the beach, and just 75 minutes by car from the Spanish border. Despite its small size, Cruzy offers a bakery, deli, pharmacy, small grocery store, and café. The nearby town of Quarante, less than two miles away, provides additional amenities.
3. Small house with a huge yard and a pond in Chavin, Indre: €133,750 ($140,353)
While this very small house could use some cosmetic updates, it has all the essentials: one bedroom, one bathroom, one kitchen, and one living room/sitting room, all in good condition. What makes this property exceptional isn’t so much the house but the land it sits on. At 3.7 acres, including a wooded area and a nearly two-acre pond teeming with various fish species, the property resembles a nature reserve more than a private yard. It’s the ideal spot for a single person or couple who wants to be immersed in nature — especially if they enjoy fishing.
This one-bedroom house features a fireplace and is off-grid, powered by a gas generator. It’s possible to install solar panels for a more sustainable power supply.
The village of Chavin is extremely small, with fewer than 300 inhabitants, guaranteeing peaceful surroundings. Despite its remote feel, the house is only a three-hour drive from Paris.
4. Three-bedroom, blue-shuttered house in Asnières-la-Giraud, Charente-Maritime: €149,875 ($157,254)
If the blue shutters on this lovely house located on a quiet street don’t capture your heart, the large sitting room with its painted wood beams and original fireplace surely will. With three bedrooms, two large living spaces, two bathrooms, and a generously sized kitchen, this charming house offers ample room for a family.
The property features two wood stoves and electric radiators throughout to keep you warm during winter. In summer, you can take advantage of the kitchen’s French doors that open to the yard, perfect for outdoor dining and sunbathing. While the yard needs some attention, it has significant potential.
Asnières-la-Giraud is a small village with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, but the beautiful town of Saint-Jean-d’Angely is just 10 minutes away by car. Saint-Jean-d’Angely boasts the magnificent Royal Abbaye and is vibrant with numerous businesses, markets, fairs, and restaurants.
5. One-bedroom stone house in a remote village in Riols, Hérault: €70,000 ($73,446)
This incredibly affordable one-bedroom stone house, located in a remote hamlet, is undeniably small but incredibly charming. The traditional stone walls, wood beams, and wood stove in the living room give the home a cozy and rustic character.
The property’s location in the heart of the Haut Languedoc Regional Nature Park is its true selling point. The breathtaking views of mountains and forests more than compensate for any indoor space limitations.
While the property is situated in the small historic village of Riols and feels remote, the town of Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, with its variety of cafés, bars, and restaurants, is just a 15-minute drive away.
6. Fully renovated three-bedroom stone house in Saint-Junien-la-Bregère, Creuse: €149,950 ($157,354)
This fully renovated three-bedroom house comes with a small pool, two large fields, two barns, and six horse stables — offering plenty of space for a family with ambitious projects. Every room inside the house is spacious, and the patio provides spectacular rural views. Multiple outdoor spaces are perfect for setting up patio furniture and enjoying al fresco meals.
While the interior has been beautifully modernized, the stunning traditional stone exterior remains intact. The property is located in a quiet, rural setting but is conveniently close to several small towns (ranging from five to 20 minutes away by car) that offer all necessary amenities.
7. Former farmhouse with two bedrooms and a large yard in Guesnes, Vienne: €89,000 ($93,411)
Though small and squat from the outside, this former farmhouse is expertly laid out to welcome a family. Two bedrooms are located below the eaves on a mezzanine, while the ground floor features a kitchen, living room/sitting room, bathroom, and an additional room that could be converted into a third bedroom. Despite modernizations, the house retains its historical charm with clay tiles throughout the main floor, wood beams, a fireplace, a wood kitchen stove, and even a traditional bread oven in the yard.
The large, fenced yard is planted with diverse species, including fig trees, grapevines, pine trees, and rose bushes. An outbuilding provides storage, and a covered terrace is annexed to the house.
While Guesnes is a small village with fewer than 300 inhabitants, nearby towns offer all necessary conveniences.
8. Small, two-bedroom stone farmhouse in Chamberet, Corrèze: €129,990 ($136,432)
With its stone facade, green shutters, and slate roof, this picturesque farmhouse is immediately eye-catching, and its interior is equally charming. The renovation maintains the home’s quaint character, featuring wooden floors, stone walls, wood beams, and bedrooms nestled beneath the eaves.
The large yard includes a swimming pool, and the former bread oven has been cleverly transformed into a charming vacation rental.
Chamberet’s village center is less than 10 minutes away and provides everything you might need, including a bustling market, bakery, bars, restaurants, supermarket, and gas station. Bariousses Lake, just six miles away, offers swimming opportunities during the summer months.
9. 17th-century, eight-bedroom house in Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, Hérault: €165,000 ($173,178)
This 17th-century house boasts a total of 16 rooms, including eight bedrooms and four bathrooms, while preserving all its traditional features: high ceilings, a mix of beautiful vintage flooring, a majestic staircase, and a glass roof. The kitchen opens to a terrace perfect for outdoor dining, and the dining room features a grand fireplace — one of many in the house.
While some renovations are still needed, significant work has already been completed. For those not intimidated by ongoing improvements, this could be an ideal property. With its numerous bedrooms, the house also presents an opportunity to create a bed and breakfast and generate additional income.
Saint-Pons-de-Thomières is a small town of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants but offers all necessary daily businesses, including grocery stores, a café, bakery, and florist. 