This private mansion has fallen under controversy in the last five years as its new owner, a brother of the Emir of Qatar, has embarked upon restoring it.  Located on the tip of Île Saint-Louis, in the 4th arrondissement, the Hotel Lambert, designed by architect Louis Le Vau was originally built between 1640 and 1644 for the financier […]

It’s that time of the year again, the rentrée.  Each September marks a new work season, highlighted by predictions of the financial and real estate markets for the coming year.

With the publication last Friday of the Amended Finance Law (Loi de Finance Rectificative 2012), the French government instituted an “extraordinary wealth contribution” retroactively effective as of January 1, 2012.

Rental income and sales of investment property or second homes by French residents have always been subject to social security contributions (payroll taxes). The previous rate of 13.5% was raised to to 15.5% on July 1st of this year. Unlike in the United States, gains realized from the sale of a primary residence are not […]

Mayor Delanoë continues to press his position that rentals of under one year (9 months to students) are unlawful unless the apartment in question has “commercial”, rather than “residential”, status. Like minds disagree as to whether this position is correct and sustainable in the courts, but either way there are some things that can be […]

As part of our YouTube video series, “Ask Miranda,” PPG Founder and President Miranda Bothe explains how to maximize the investment value of your vacation home in Paris.

President Hollande’s proposed income and wealth tax changes have caused at least some wealthy French residents to start looking for greener pastures with less burdensome taxes.

Question: Why can’t I just search for an apartment to buy in Paris on my own? Is it necessary to use an agent?

Paris and New York are often compared for their sought-after real estate and interesting market characteristics.  But there are some startling differences as well.  Navigating the real estate market as a foreign buyer can be stressful if you don’t know the ropes.

History may be repeating itself in the Paris real estate market today.  At the peak of the market turmoil in 2008-2009, following the global credit crunch, sellers and buyers took a wait-and-see attitude, hoping that prices would see a marked decline. That didn’t happen,