Homes in France under $500K

$500,000 in France buys well outside Paris. Lyon central arrondissements, Bordeaux city center, Montpellier's prime neighborhoods, Nice outer fringes, and large village mansions in Provence or the Dordogne. Paris becomes possible for a one or two-bed in arrondissements 11-13 or 18-20. Expect elevator buildings, modernized plumbing and electric, often Haussmann-era facades. Notaire fees run 7-8% on older properties (lower on new-builds), so budget $35-40K in closing costs on top.