Buying property in Hérault

International buyers find property in the Hérault attractive as the department has a pleasant climate, lively cities and lies on the Mediterranean coast.

So if you’re dreaming of a southern French lifestyle with a mix of mountains, seaside and countryside, Hérault is an excellent choice.

Named after the Hérault River, this department within the region of Occitanie offers sandy beaches along the Mediterranean coast. But it also offers mountains reaching nearly 2,000 metres and a national park and countryside between.

It has the city of Montpellier, plus the smaller city of Béziers, one of France’s oldest. Whether you’re seeking a city apartment, a beachside retreat or a rural escape, here’s everything you need to know about buying property in Hérault.

Sete, a seaside resort in the Herault, France

Why buy property in the Hérault?

Hérault is a charming department with one foot in the Mediterranean and another in the mountains. It’s easy to get to, via Montpellier International Airport or by train – on a route between Paris and Barcelona.

The department enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild, sunny winters.

Due to the pleasant weather, residents can appreciate the outdoors, be that by relaxing at the beach, hiking in the mountains or al fresco dining.

Speaking of resorts, the coastal commune La Grande Motte is a favourite among international buyers for its 1970s pyramid-like architecture and marina. The area welcomes over two million tourists a year and is renowned worldwide[i].

On the southern side of Étang de Thau, the large “sea lake”, you’ll find Sete, an ancient port town that exudes historic charm. Other towns that are particularly popular include Marseillan and Meze.

Overall, Hérault embraces a traditional Mediterranean way of life. Expect leisurely meals, local produce and a clear focus on wellbeing above all else. If you’re a foodie, the various lagoons and salt marshes provide a haven for fish and shellfish, adding to the department’s gastronomic delights.

The gorges of the Hérault, and the Devil’s Bridge I Image: Begir via Shutterstock

What can you buy for your money in the Hérault?

Hérault offers a choice of sea, city and mountain. Taking them in order, property in seaside resorts such as Sete starts below €100,000 for studios but rapidly increases to €150,000 for one bedroom on a complex and over €250,000 for something special. Expect to pay a little more in La Grande Motte, with a sea-view apartment in its characteristic pyramid design likely to cost from €300,000.

City property in Hérault usually means Montpellier, with its handsome Haussmann apartment blocks, like Paris. Apartments average €3,500 per square metre but you will pay more for the fashionable central districts of the city. An attractive Hausmann-style apartment is likely to cost €600,000. The average resale house goes for €450,000.

Béziers looks ravishing, with warm yellow buildings, pale blue shutters and thick walls to protect from the summer sun. A budget of €200,000 will give you a good choice of two-bedroom property here.

In the north of the department, you start coming into the mountains of the Massif Central range. Hérault features three villages named on the coveted list, Les Plus Belles Villages en France (most beautiful villages). They are Minerve, Olargues and St-Guilhem-le-Desert.

The eastern area around Montpellier and Pays de l’Or tends to be pricier – averaging around €300,000 – while in the hinterland, south and west, homes are more affordable.

Renovation properties can be picked up for as little as €60,000, village homes from €100,000, while if it’s a detached home or villa you’re after, expect to pay around €240,000.

Steps to buying property in the Hérault

1. Define your criteria: Determine what you’re looking for in terms of property type, location, budget and must-have features.
2. Research: Use online resources, visit local real estate agencies and explore the area to find properties that match your criteria. Book your place at the Your Overseas Home Virtual Event.
3. Speak to a currency expert: Moving exchange rates are a risk in international property purchases, so discuss managing that risk with a forward contract that fixes your exchange rate.
4. Legal considerations: Familiarise yourself with the French property buying process, including the role of the notaire , who handles the legal aspects of the sale. Contact an independent lawyer at this stage.
5. Financing: Investigate mortgage options if required. French banks offer loans to non-residents, but it’s advisable to compare rates and terms.
6. Book your viewing/scouting trip: Download the guide, contact estate agents an book your tickets.
7. Making an offer: Once you find a property you like, you can make an offer. If accepted, you’ll sign a preliminary contract (compromis de vente or a promesse de vente) and pay a deposit.
8. Completion: The final sale is completed when the acte de vente is signed at the notaire’s office, and the balance of the purchase price is paid.

Costs of buying property in Hérault

When buying property in Hérault, the buyer is responsible for notaire fees, which average 7-8% of the property price (or 2-3% for new homes) and will have to also consider estate agent fees (although often included in the property price) and homeowner taxes.

You might also like:

• The appeal of the Hérault in the south of France
• 5 of the best towns & villages in the Hérault
• Bling or budget: Visit Hérault , south of France