Renovating a home in France isn’t just a project — it’s a lifestyle decision involving charm, challenge, and usually a roof that needs replacing. From crumbling châteaux in Provence to stone barns in the Dordogne, these 15 handpicked properties are full of potential and ripe for reinvention. Whether you're dreaming of a peaceful country retreat, a characterful gîte, or a boutique B&B with a backstory, this roundup is for you.
Expect exposed beams, ancient cellars, wild gardens, and a healthy helping of "imagination required." Some are nearly there. Others… aren't. But all promise a slice of French life you can truly make your own.
We update this article every 6–8 weeks with new opportunities — so if you don’t fall in love today, check back soon.
Tucked into a sleepy hamlet, this handsome stone building is begging to become a studio, holiday let, or delightfully small forever home. Arched doorway? Tick. Stonework with gravitas? Absolutely. The roof needs attention, the interiors need… everything — but the septic tank’s sorted, the water’s in, and the possibilities are très jolie.
Price: €35,000 Location:Le Mené, Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany Special features: Traditional stone architecture, arched doorway, stone outbuilding, recent septic tank, water connected, parking for 3 cars Close to: 11 mins to medieval Moncontour; 15 mins to Plessala (shops, restaurants); 27 mins to the north coast; surrounded by walks and pretty historic towns
Two stone buildings, land on both sides of the road, and — because this is France — a tiny cave in the rock behind. This characterful ensemble in popular Groléjac is just a baguette’s throw from local shops and bakeries. Renovation required (obviously), but the bones are good, and the potential? Glorious.
Price: €58,000 Location:Groléjac, Dordogne, Aquitaine Special features: Original barn features, ruin to rebuild, cave in the rocks, land on both sides of the road Close to: 15 mins on foot to bakery, butcher and village shops; short drive to Sarlat and Gourdon; classic Dordogne countryside in every direction
This semi-detached farmhouse near Sauveterre-de-Guyenne is perfectly imperfect: 60m² of living space, a barn ripe for conversion, and a garden just begging for lavender borders. The electrics, glazing and septic tank all need modern love — but the village is peaceful, the wine is fabulous, and the nouvelle vie dream is very doable.
Price: €60,000 Location:Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, Gironde Special features: Garden, barn for conversion, potential to expand upstairs, peaceful village setting Close to: Sauveterre and Monségur for shops, markets and restaurants; Bordeaux wine country; easy drive to the Dordogne and beyond
This stone beauty near Montaigu-de-Quercy is what renovation dreams are made of: perched above a valley, surrounded by oaks, and gloriously unbothered by modern plumbing (yet). Water and electricity are nearby, but the peace and privacy are already built in. A chance to revive a hamlet house with hectares to spare.
Price: €70,850 Location: Montaigu-de-Quercy, Tarn-et-Garonne Special features: 1.4 hectares of land including woodland, valley views, traditional stone structure, water and electricity close by Close to: 5 mins to Montaigu-de-Quercy (shops, cafés, markets); 45 mins to Agen (TGV); 1 hr 15 to Toulouse Airport; surrounded by peaceful countryside
Occupying a truly magical position beneath an ancient château, this ready-to-renovate property offers enchanting riverside tranquility. With electricity and drainage already connected, transform the light-flooded spaces while enjoying nature all around – yet just minutes from Boussac's vibrant markets and welcoming community.
Price: €88,000 Location:Boussac, Creuse Special features: Riverside setting, château views, light-filled spaces, electricity and mains drainage connected Close to: Boussac town centre, weekly markets, restaurants, bars and essential commerce
This handsome stone barn is all timber beams and tall potential — 115m² across two levels, ripe for transformation. Set in a peaceful village near Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, it comes with over 4,000m² of land, fruit trees, and room for a pool. Mains drainage and fibre? Mais oui. Electricity and water? Bring your toolkit.
Price: €89,000 Location: Near Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Corrèze Special features: Traditional Quercy frame, two-level conversion potential, 4140m² plot, fruit trees, mains drainage, fibre internet Close to: Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and Biars; village access on foot and by car; markets, river swims, and a proper slice of Limousin life
This charming hamlet home near Salviac has two bedrooms, two barns and at least four renovation daydreams baked in. The barns are crying out for conversion (subject to planning and bravery), and there’s space to reconfigure the main house too. Think less turnkey, more choose your own adventure — French countryside edition.
Price: €99,900 Location:Salviac, Lot Special features: Two barns with conversion potential, 800m² garden, reworkable interior layout, traditional stone structure Close to: 5 mins to Salviac (shops, bakeries, bustle); 30 mins to Sarlat; 50 mins to Cahors; 2 hrs to Toulouse Airport
Built in 1623 and bursting with atmosphere, this ex-priory in the heart of Argentan is ready for its next chapter — ideally one involving plumbing. There are 240m² to restore, original features to rescue, and shutters so French they practically hum accordion music. A rare chance to live in (and on) history.
Price: €132,000 Location:Argentan, Orne, Lower Normandy Special features: Historic 17th-century priory, original shutters, 240m² to restore, central town location Close to: All amenities in Argentan; under 2 hrs to Paris by train; surrounded by Normandy countryside and history at every turn
This grand old stone house, tucked in a sleepy hamlet near Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, hasn’t seen life in decades — but it’s packed with potential. Think original features, a huge barn, courtyard, and even a separate bread oven just begging to become a rustic rental. It’s a proper project, but the kind that rewards vision, grit, and a very large toolbox.
Price: €191,000 Location: Near Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Corrèze Special features: Three-storey main house, large barn, courtyard, bread oven with potential, original Quercy features Close to: Minutes from Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and Martel; 30 mins to Brive airport; easy access to Lot Valley tourist trails and market towns
This 154m² village house in sunny Espondeilhan has great bones, a pretty walled garden, and mercifully only two floors — rare in a region that loves stairs. The roof’s reportedly sound, the garden’s big enough for a pool, and the fibre internet’s already there. Just add wiring, plumbing, bathrooms, kitchen, decor… and vision.
Price: €250,000 Location: Espondeilhan, Hérault, Occitanie Special features: Stone façade, large walled garden with pool potential, fibre internet, lateral layout over two floors Close to: Village amenities; short drive to Béziers and the Mediterranean coast; surrounded by vineyards and sunshine
Set in a postcard mountain village, this sturdy two-bed home near Naves-Parmelan comes with stables, cellars, a 160m² barn and cross-country ski trails practically on the doorstep. The current setup is liveable, but the real prize is that vast upper floor — ideal for a dramatic open-plan retreat, multiple apartments, or simply storing a lot of cheese.
Price: €253,000 Location: Naves-Parmelan, Haute-Savoie Special features: 160m² barn to convert, two stables, three cellars (including one underground), workshop/garage, mountain setting Close to: Ski trails, hiking paths, and Haute-Savoie villages; Annecy and Geneva both within striking distance
Set just 40 minutes from Beaune — the beating heart of Burgundy’s wine scene — this 750m² château is not for the faint-hearted. Crumbling, yes. But utterly majestic. With 5 hectares of land (some buildable), outbuildings, and a view across Côte d’Or vineyards, this is a once-in-a-lifetime restoration project for anyone bold enough to take it on. Bonus: you’re within striking distance of the legendary wine auction at the Hôtel-Dieu. Santé.
Price: €650,000 Location: Near Beaune, Côte-d'Or, Burgundy Special features: 17th-century château, 750m² to renovate, 5 hectares of land, outbuildings, buildable plot Close to: 40 mins to Beaune; 30 mins to Chalon-sur-Saône; surrounded by vineyards, wine trails, and historic villages
This 1825 château near Pierrelatte isn’t just a home, it’s a statement. With over 1,000m² of living space, restaurant dining rooms, a 130-seat cinema, chapel, caretaker’s house and professional kitchen, the only thing missing is… well, a renovation budget. A dream for those with vision (and probably staff), it’s bursting with high-end rental or boutique hospitality potential. Just imagine the weddings.
Price: €1,435,000 Location:Pierrelatte, Drôme, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Special features: 12 bedrooms, cinema, chapel, restaurant rooms, pool, professional kitchen, separate apartments, 3 hectares of land Close to: The Provençal town of Pierrelatte; vineyards, lavender fields, and Roman towns; easy access to the Rhône Valley and transport links
Yes, it needs work — but when your chateau comes with a Templar-era watchtower, a banquet hall fit for medieval feasts, and 70 hectares of forest near Aix-en-Provence, the to-do list feels almost romantic. With multiple houses, rooftop views, and enough history to impress a UNESCO committee, this is a restoration for the bold. Or the slightly unhinged. Either works.
Price: €2,105,000 Location: Near Aix-en-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône Special features: 19th-century château with Templar origins, banquet hall, rooftop terrace, Provençal farmhouse, guest house, 70 hectares of land Close to: 30 mins to Aix-en-Provence; absolute privacy in the Provençal hills; a dream spot for private retreats or heritage hospitality
Perched in one of the Riviera’s most prestigious spots, this early 20th-century villa is a glorious fixer-upper. With sea views, 3,290m² of lush (but overgrown) gardens, original details, and even a guest house to restore, it’s the stuff of French property fantasies. Add to that the option to extend or build on a detached plot, and you’ve got a rare blend of prestige, potential — and a very chic renovation headache.
Price: €3,800,000 Location:Cap d’Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes Special features: Sea views, Belle Époque architecture, guest/caretaker house, multiple terraces, mature garden, detached building plot, scope for expansion Close to: Beaches within walking distance; Cannes and Nice nearby; all the sparkle and splendour of the Côte d’Azur
Next up:
Our favourite budget properties for sale in France
Updated every six weeks: from stone pigeonniers and bread-oven cottages to medieval tower houses and sauna-equipped mountain hideaways, we’ve cherry-picked France’s freshest bargains—each still cheaper than a Kensington parking bay. Dive into riverside double dwellings, Ventoux-view bungalows and barn-to-gîte playgrounds ready for your grand design. This edition boasts Dordogne bliss.
Waar kom ik in totaal op voor dit perceel te kopen?
Admin
16 May. 2025
Hallo, bedankt voor je reactie! Voor de totale kosten van een perceel (inclusief zaken zoals belastingen en notariskosten) raden we aan om rechtstreeks contact op te nemen met de makelaar via het contactformulier op de advertentie. Zij kunnen je de meest nauwkeurige en actuele informatie geven. Veel succes met je zoektocht!
2 comments
Add your voice12 May. 2025
Waar kom ik in totaal op voor dit perceel te kopen?
16 May. 2025
Hallo, bedankt voor je reactie! Voor de totale kosten van een perceel (inclusief zaken zoals belastingen en notariskosten) raden we aan om rechtstreeks contact op te nemen met de makelaar via het contactformulier op de advertentie. Zij kunnen je de meest nauwkeurige en actuele informatie geven. Veel succes met je zoektocht!