PART 4


COMMUNE LIFE


As anyone reading this will probably know, notaires oversee property transactions in France – but you might be surprised what else they can help with, says Leah Rottier


A legal helping hand A


fter scouring dozens of quaint villages and idyllic communes in


France, you’ve finally found the house of your dreams. But what are the next steps to make the fantasy a reality? Whether you’ve fallen in love with a derelict property in Dijon, a charming cottage in Concarneau or a sprawling villa in St-Tropez, your house purchase is likely to be the first contact you have with your local notaire. These legal professionals


English-speaking Maître Hébras


are employed by the state and oversee all property and land transactions in France. That’s


64 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: March/April 2025


not all they do though. Indeed, the role of the notaire in France can never be underestimated. Head to your nearest étude notariale (notarial office) and you’ll discover a treasure trove of information on everything from property transactions and wills to marriage contracts and leasing land. In short, it’s often the first port of call in your commune for legal assistance.


THE EARLY BIRD Most housebuyers wait until the initial ‘compromis de vente’ stage of a property purchase before visiting the notaire’s office. However, Maître Hébras, an English-speaking notaire in


the lively town of Confolens in the Charente department recommends booking an appointment right at the start of your househunting journey. “Notaires can give you


invaluable information on the local area,” she explains. “In Charente, for example, there are many factors to consider when choosing a commune to call home. These include flood-risk zones, wind turbine projects and the presence of radon in the ground.” These elements will be


present in the compulsory diagnostics report, but having access to this useful information early in your


© MAÎTRE HÉBRAS, SHUTTERSTOCK, DOMFRONT MAIRIE


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