Real estate prices in France: What can you buy on the coast with €150,000?

Real estate prices vary greatly between the French Riviera, Brittany or Normandy. With a budget of €150,000, the range of available properties changes drastically depending on the region.

Buying a seaside property is a dream shared by many French people. But with a limited budget, the question often arises: what can you really afford on the French coast with €150,000? Between northern France, Brittany, the Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean, property prices differ widely depending on the region, proximity to the beach and the tourist appeal of seaside resorts.

The good news: even with a modest budget, it is possible to find interesting opportunities, whether it’s a studio facing the sea, a small apartment as a holiday home or a village house a few kilometres inland.

This article reviews the most affordable areas, the types of properties available and tips for making a successful coastal property purchase with €150,000.

1. Why choose the French coast for a property investment?
2. What size can you buy by the sea with €150,000?
3. What type of property to target with €150,000?
4. Tips for buying on the coast with a small budget
5. FAQ

pourquoi choisir d'investir sur le bord de mer en France

1. Why choose the French coast for a property investment?

The French coast remains one of the most sought-after destinations for buying property, whether for a second home or a rental investment. In 2025, there are almost one million second homes. Buying a house or an apartment by the sea offers a privileged lifestyle. Sunny climate on the French Riviera, wild Atlantic beaches, family resorts in Normandy: each region has its advantages.

The diversity of the coastline, from Normandy to the Mediterranean, makes it possible to meet different profiles: from small affordable houses in Brittany to the highly prized studios on the French Riviera. Real estate prices determine the type of project but do not prevent opportunities from being found. Seaside areas attract millions of visitors every year, guaranteeing high rental potential, especially in the high season.

A seaside property retains its value over time and may even benefit from revaluation. Betting on the French coast therefore means combining personal pleasure with wealth investment, with the security of a dynamic market despite fluctuations in real estate prices.

Property by the sea in France

2. What size can you buy by the sea with €150,000?

With €150,000 you can become the owner of anything from a small studio to a 100 sqm house. Prices vary depending on whether you look directly by the sea, inland, near a major city, in a famous resort or in a small town.

Here are examples of median surfaces accessible with €150,000 in France’s coastal departments in 2025 (source: Notaires de France, calculation: €150,000 / median €/sqm).

Nord: Apartment 55 sqm; House 87 sqm. An apartment of 72 sqm in Dunkirk.
Pas-de-Calais: Apartment 67 sqm; House 100 sqm. Studio of 17 sqm in Le Touquet–Paris–Plage.
Somme: Apartment 60 sqm; House 97 sqm.
Seine-Maritime: Apartment 69 sqm; House 78 sqm. An apartment of 70 sqm in Le Havre.
Calvados: Apartment 48 sqm; House 66 sqm. Studio of 22 sqm in Deauville.
Manche: Apartment 70 sqm; House 85 sqm. An apartment of 70 sqm in Cherbourg.
Ille-et-Vilaine: Apartment 44 sqm; House 65 sqm. An apartment of 33 sqm in Saint-Malo, 37 sqm in Cancale and 27 sqm in Dinard.
Côtes-d’Armor: Apartment 68 sqm; House 83 sqm. An Apartment of 38 sqm in Perros-Guirec.
Finistère: Apartment 69 sqm; House 74 sqm. An apartment of 71 sqm in Brest.
Morbihan: Apartment 46 sqm; House 62 sqm. An apartment of 25 sqm in Carnac, 26 sqm in Carnac.
Loire-Atlantique: Apartment 45 sqm; House 55 sqm. Apartment of 23 sqm in La Baule-Escoublac and 30 sqm in Pornic.
Vendée: Apartment 47 sqm; House 67 sqm. Apartment of 30 sqm in Les Sables-d’Olonne.
Charente-Maritime: Apartment 39 sqm; House 63 sqm. Apartment of 30 sqm in La Rochelle.
Gironde: Apartment 42 sqm; House 51 sqm. Studio of 14 sqm in Lège-Cap-Ferret and apartment of 64 sqm in Verdon-sur-Mer.
Landes: Apartment 50 sqm; House 64 sqm. An apartment of 29 sqm in Seignosse and 44 sqm in Biscarrosse.
Pyrénées-Atlantiques: Apartment 46 sqm; House 67 sqm. An apartment of 20 sqm in Biarritz and 30 sqm in Anglet.
Pyrénées-Orientales: Apartment 66 sqm; House 64 sqm. An apartment of 46 sqm in Le Barcarès.
Aude: Apartment 70 sqm; House 91 sqm. Apartment of 74 sqm in Narbonne.
Hérault: Apartment 46 sqm; House 54 sqm. Apartment of 46 sqm in Montpellier and 29 sqm in La Grande-Motte.
Gard: Apartment 72 sqm; House 64 sqm. Apartment of 75 sqm in Nîmes.
Bouches-du-Rhône: Apartment 47 sqm; House 41 sqm. Apartment of 50 sqm in Marseille.
Var: Apartment 42 sqm; House 39 sqm. Apartment of 24 sqm in Sanary-sur-Mer and a studio of 13 sqm in Saint-Tropez.
Alpes-Maritimes: Apartment 32 sqm; House 30 sqm. An apartment of 27 sqm in Cannes and 32 sqm in Nice.

Real estate under €150,000 in France

3. What type of property to target with €150,000?

A studio or one-bedroom apartment by the sea in the most sought-after and therefore more expensive areas. Though smaller, it is often a good option for rental investment.

A village house slightly inland with an authentic atmosphere. This type of property often offers more space for the same budget.

Older properties to renovate, the alternative for buying cheaper: opportunities to add value if you can manage the renovation works.

Properties to renovate starting at €20,000 in France

4. Tips for buying on the coast with a small budget

Target satellite towns rather than ultra-popular seaside resorts. In a lesser-known town just a few minutes’ drive from the sea, prices can drop by up to 50%.

Study local taxes and charges. Co-ownership fees, maintenance, property tax… Don’t leave anything to chance. Sometimes it is better to buy slightly more expensive with lower property tax or without exorbitant condominium charges.

Check natural risks. If prices are particularly low, there may be a reason: erosion, flood zones… Don’t hesitate to consult the government site Georisque.gouv.fr to know the property’s situation.

Increase your property’s value through seasonal rental or energy renovation. You buy at low cost, but you can turn it into a real gem. Don’t hesitate to invest a little more so your property brings you income and becomes more energy-efficient.

5. FAQ

Is it still possible to find a house by the sea with €150,000?

Yes, especially in the West and North (Hauts-de-France, Normandy, Brittany, Pays de la Loire). In Brittany, you can get up to 80 sqm for this budget.

Which are the cheapest coastal departments in France?

According to Notaires de France, the cheapest coastal departments are Seine-Maritime, Manche, Côtes-d’Armor, Finistère, Aude and Gard. The median price per sqm for an apartment does not exceed €2,200.

Is it better to buy a new studio or an old house to renovate?

An old house to renovate can offer more space and potential appreciation, if renovation costs are under control.

What additional costs should be expected when buying coastal real estate?

Local taxation, condominium charges, maintenance costs (salt, humidity), possible renovation works, insurance and risk of natural disasters.

Real estate prices by the sea vary considerably depending on the region. With €150,000, the buyer can hope for a studio in the most in-demand cities of the French Riviera, a two-room flat on the Atlantic coast, or a family house in Brittany or Normandy. These differences reflect the tourist and economic attractiveness of the regions, but also prove that it is still possible to make a purchase on the French coast without having an unlimited budget.

Find houses and apartments under €150,000 on the French coast on Meretdemeures.com:

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Real estate in France