French Property Vocabulary List
Looking to Buy Property in France? Learn the Vocabulary First!
Whether you’re dreaming of a countryside cottage or actively searching for a pied-à-terre in Provence, understanding French property terms is essential. Real estate listings and conversations with agents can be full of unfamiliar words—some of which don’t translate exactly how you might expect. That’s why I’ve put together this practical vocabulary list to help you navigate the world of French property with more confidence. From le grenier to la toiture, and from un devis to une maison sans vis-à-vis, you’ll find the key terms you need to understand what you’re buying—and what condition it’s in!
You can download a free PDF of this vocabulary list in my private French Grammar Library.
| un abri | a shelter |
| un acompte | a deposit |
| une agence immobilière | a real estate agent |
| l’ancien propriétaire | the former owner |
| un ascenseur | an elevator |
| un atelier | a workshop |
| une tuile en ardoise | a slate tile |
| un bâtiment | a building |
| le carrelage | tiling |
| la cave | the cellar |
| une chambre | a bedroom |
| un charpentier | a carpenter |
| le chauffage | the heating |
| le chauffage central | central heating |
| une cheminée | a fireplace |
| le grenier | the attic |
| une cuisine américaine | an open-plan kitchen |
| une cuisine d’été | an outdoors kitchen |
| déménager | to move house |
| un devis | a work estimate |
| le double vitrage | double glazing |
| entièrement rénové | renovated throughout |
| un expert comptable | an accountant |
| la fosse septique | the septic tank |
| les frais | the fees |
| les impôts | taxes |
| un maçon | a builder |
| la menuiserie | carpentry |
| des meubles | furniture |
| un permis de construire | a building permit |
| une pièce | a room |
| la pièce principale | the main room |
| une piscine | a pool |
| le premier étage | the first floor |
| une propriété | a property |
| la plomberie | the plumbing |
| un puit | a well |
| à rafraîchir | in need of decoration |
| à rénover | in need of renovation |
| le rez-de-chaussée | the ground floor |
| la salle de bain | the bathroom |
| les toilettes | the restroom |
| le salon – le séjour | the living room |
| la salle à manger | the dining room |
| une maison sans vis-à-vis | a house that is not overlooked |
| un terrain | a plot of land |
| le toit | the roof |
| la toiture | the roofing |
