Second home: why choose Paris?

The appeal of Paris as a destination for a second home

Paris is not only a vacation destination, it is also a place where you can have a unique life experience. Its rich cultural and historical heritage, sophisticated lifestyle and exceptional transportation network make it a prime choice. In addition, the fiscal and economic advantages offered to owners of second homes in Paris are not negligible.

In this article, we will also review the most popular neighborhoods in Paris for a second home, highlighting what makes each one special and appealing.

Reasons to choose Paris for a second home

The cultural and historical appeal of Paris

Paris, often referred to as world capital of culture, offers a cultural and historical heritage of incomparable wealth. The iconic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre-Dame de Paris embody the history and greatness of the city. These architectural symbols attract millions of visitors every year and represent invaluable treasures for residents, who can enjoy them every day.

Parisian cultural life is remarkable, with an incredibly varied offer of museums, theaters and operas. The Louvre, with its world-famous art collections, the Orsay Museum with his impressionist masterpieces and the Pompidou Center, with its cutting-edge contemporary art, are just a few examples of cultural institutions renowned.

In addition to these major museums, Paris is full of museums offering exciting programs. Some are also exceptional places to spend a moment of tranquility, calm and harmony away from the hustle and bustle of the city of lights. Here are two addresses that we particularly like both for the artistic quality and for the beauty of the place: the Bourdelle Museum and the Quai Branly Museum.

Paris also offers the possibility of visiting a multitude of galleries dedicated to contemporary art, contemporary art fairs such as the FIAC or dedicated to photography like Paris Photo. The French capital also offers exceptional events such as the Nuit Blanche, the National Architecture Day, the Music Day.

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Theater and opera lovers will find happiness in the city's numerous theaters, such as the Opera Garnier, the Bastille Opera or the Champs-Élysées Theater. For the fans of contemporary theater, let's mention the Théâtre du Rond Point and the Théâtre de la Colline. Again, Paris offers an incredibly rich offer of live shows. For music, Paris is no exception, with first-rate programming offered by venues such as the Cité de la Musique, the New Morning, La Cigale and so many other musical scenes.

Paris is also the scene of large-scale annual events that punctuate the cultural life of the city. The Fashion Week, which attracts the biggest names in international fashion, the numerous music festivals such as We Love Green or Solidays.

Paris offers such a rich range of artistic events that it is impossible to describe even a small part of them.

A unique lifestyle that appeals to buyers of second homes

Paris offers a unique lifestyle that seduces second home buyers through its gastronomy, its typical Parisian neighborhoods and its luxury shopping. The city is a real paradise for lovers of good food, home to a multitude of Michelin-starred restaurants where the most talented chefs in the world create extraordinary dining experiences. Renowned establishments such as Le Meurice, L'Astrance or Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée offer unparalleled dining experiences. Our recommendation for Michelin-starred restaurants, the restaurant Kei by three-star chef Kei Kobayashi.

La Parisian gastronomy is not limited to Michelin-starred restaurants; traditional bistros, local markets and artisan bakeries are also part of the The gastronomic daily life of Parisians. We give you some addresses of restaurants that we particularly like:

• Le Cadoret, a creative bistro (100% organic wine list) from the 19th century near the Buttes Chaumont.
• Le Café de Mars, inventive fusion cuisine near the Champs-de-Mars
• Caractère de cochon, the best ham and butter sandwich in the world ;) at 42, rue Charlot in the Haut Marais.

Here too, Paris's gastronomic offering is one of the most extensive, diverse and high-quality in the world. There's no way to do it all.

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The districts of Paris, each with its own distinctive character, create a mosaic of lifestyles:

Montmartre, a tourist hotspot, is also very popular with Parisians for its village style, the atmosphere that emanates from its small winding streets and the breathtaking views it offers of Paris. It is also a festive district where young Parisians like to meet.

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Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Paris, seduced by the architectural quality of its buildings and by the presence of its luxury shops. The Luxembourg Garden, an emblematic place in the center of the left bank of Paris, is an exceptional park both from an artistic point of view because of the quality of its statutes, in particular thanks to the presence of the Senate, and from a landscape point of view.

Le Marais, for its part, combines history and modernity, with its narrow streets dating from the Middle Ages alongside trendy shops.

Owning a second home in Paris, it is also about living and enjoying the small daily joys of each neighborhood: a morning stroll through a neighborhood market, a lunch on the terrace in a bistro or an evening exploring art galleries and small bookstores. Each neighborhood offers a unique experience, contributing to the irresistible appeal of Parisian life.

Shopping in Paris is synonymous with luxury and elegance. Many foreign buyers looking for second homes choose Paris, because the city is a global fashion center, home to the most major luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès. Prestigious avenues such as the Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, and Rue Saint-Honoré are lined with high fashion boutiques and fine jewelry. For those looking for unique pieces, concept stores and Le Marché aux Puces offer new treasures.

This mix of refined gastronomy, picturesque neighborhoods and luxury shopping makes Paris a city where many buyers wish to acquire a second home.

Accessibility and transport: major attraction for second homes

Paris benefits from a transport network exceptionally well developed, facilitating travel both within the city and internationally. The Paris subway, with its sixteen lines covering the entire capital, allows you to quickly get from one point to another, while bus lines complete this network by serving less accessible areas. Train stations, such as the Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon, offer fast connections to the main French and European cities.

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The capital is also a major international hub, with two main airports, Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly, which provide direct flights to major world capitals. This connectivity facilitates business trips and tourist getaways, reinforcing the appeal of Paris for secondary residents.

In terms of urban mobility, Paris is distinguished by its ecological solutions and practical. The self-service bike system Vélib' is very popular, allowing residents and visitors to get around easily by bike. In addition, the self-service electric scooters add a convenient option for longer or less accessible subway trips. This diversity of means of transport contributes to making everyday life in Paris fluid and pleasant, while offering great flexibility to explore the city and its surroundings.

Economic and fiscal advantages for second homes

Investing in a second home in Paris has several economic and fiscal advantages. These benefits contribute to making the purchase of a property in the French capital not only attractive, but also financially sound.

Valorization of heritage

Investing in Parisian real estate is synonymous with the valuation of long-term assets. The constant demand and the scarcity of supply of beautiful apartments contribute to a solid valuation of real estate prices of quality in the capital. The dynamic Paris real estate market means that buying a second home is not just a personal pleasure, but also a sound financial investment. The Parisian real estate market stands out as one of the best in the world thanks to the economic, cultural and tourist attractions of Paris.

Here we draw the attention of buyers who want to buy a second home in Paris : the Parisian real estate market, although it is one of the most resilient in the world, is no exception to fluctuations.

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However, one notable point can help you invest in the best possible way: the portion of beautiful apartments (good location, well-maintained condominium, high floor, elevator, calm and clarity...) is very resistant to crises and sees its prices increase more strongly than other properties when the market is on the rise. We therefore strongly advise you to position yourself on this type of apartment. They are obviously more expensive and require quick decision-making at the time of purchase. The supply in this segment of apartments is still low for strong demand even in times of crisis.

The Parisian real estate is supported by controlled urbanization, preventing market saturation. Urban renewal projects and restrictions on new construction also contribute to the stability of real estate prices.

In addition, the Investment security in Paris is reinforced by the city's reputation as a haven for investors. In times of economic uncertainty, real estate in Paris are often seen as safe havens, attracting national and international investors looking for secure investments.

Tax advantages of second homes

There are opportunities to interesting tax exemptions thanks to devices such as the Malraux law and the benefits associated with historic monuments. The Malraux law allows investors to benefit from tax cuts substantial in exchange for restoration work in protected areas. Owners of classified properties historical monuments can also deduct part of the maintenance and renovation costs from their taxable income, making these investments particularly attractive from a fiscal point of view.

These tax incentives make the acquisition of a second home in Paris not only more affordable, but also more profitable in the long term, while contributing to the preservation of architectural heritage of the city.

Location of second homes in Paris

The distribution of second homes in Paris reveals a high concentration in the central districts of the city. In the first eight arrondissements of Paris, between 14% and 20% of homes are second homes, due to the historical and cultural appeal of these areas, as well as the high tourist demand. In contrast, the peripheral districts like the 19th and 20th account for only 3% and 4% respectively. These peripheral districts have a more developed social housing, more modest real estate values and a slower rise in prices compared to the central and western areas of Paris.

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In terms of volume, the 15th and 16th districts have the largest number of second homes, with more than 10,000 homes each. These two boroughs alone represent a fifth of the park of Paris second homes. Other districts such as the 6th, 7th, 11th, 11th, 17th, and 18th each have between 7,000 and 9,000 second homes.

To conclude on second homes in Paris

In summary, Paris offers numerous advantages for those looking to acquire a second home. Its rich cultural and historical heritage, a unique lifestyle, and a well-developed transport network make Paris an ideal destination. Economic and fiscal advantages, such as the valorization of heritage and tax exemption schemes, add a financially attractive dimension to this investment. In addition, the rental market flourishing can offer you regular income, making the purchase of a second home in Paris even more appealing.

For buyers who do not know Paris well, as well as for those who are not present or who have little time to devote to their search for second home, we strongly recommend that you use a Real estate hunter to advise you and support you in your acquisition.

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