What does a French notaire do?

A Notaire is the most qualified solicitor (lawyer) in the French legal system, studying seven years to obtain their degree. The notaire is both a Public Officer and a legal counselor in specific areas of the law, including real estate, family, tax and corporate law.

The notaire has the power to authenticate certain agreements, such as real estate sales, which cannot be enforced by any other means. French law imposes a broad personal liability on the notaire to ensure that transactions are executed correctly and legally.

Notaires also subscribe to a common insurance, which provides an immediate financial guarantee to the client in case of an error. Thus you have the security of working with a specialized lawyer to ensure that your transaction is properly completed.

Do note that the French notaire does not ordinarily provide proactive legal advice on the transaction. Rather, their role is to ensure the legal act is correctly carried out and to answer your specific questions.

France Home Finance will be happy to put you in contact with an English speaking notaire in France that has received a positive recommendation from our clients.

All of the intermediaries we will introduce you to have been tested and recommended by previous France Home Finance clients.