How a French property auction works.
From spotting an auction to sale day: the steps, who does what, and the French terms you will come across.
BIDY brings together court, notarial and public sales. Each page shows the starting price, the deposit, the date, viewings and the official source.
I read the conditions of sale and the description report, I view the property, I check whether it is occupied. The simple analysis (€5.99) sums up the essentials.
Maximum bid, sale costs, works, financing with no loan condition: the strategic study (€99) helps me decide how high to go.
For a court sale I instruct a lawyer registered with that court’s bar and give them the deposit before the hearing.
On the day of the hearing, the lawyer places the bids for me. BIDY never bids on your behalf.
10-day period for a higher bid (surenchère), payment of the price and costs on time, formalities with the lawyer.
In a court sale, only a lawyer registered with that court’s bar can place bids. They check your file, receive the deposit and bid up to the maximum you set in writing. Their fees are agreed with them. Notarial and online sales follow the organiser’s rules.
Lawyer introduction: included in Unlimited →The words you will read.
Official documents are in French: we keep the French term and explain it.
Starting price of the bidding, set in the conditions of sale. The final price is often higher.
Deposit to hand over before the sale (often 10% of the starting price, at least €3,000), by banker’s cheque or bank guarantee. Returned if you do not win.
Official document setting the rules of the sale: description, occupancy, costs, payment deadlines. It prevails over any summary.
Description report drawn up by a court officer (commissaire de justice): condition, floor areas, occupancy.
The creditor’s lawyer who runs the court sale. They hold the file but cannot bid for you.
The award of the property to the highest bidder, who becomes the “adjudicataire”.
Within 10 days of a court sale, anyone may offer at least 10% more, triggering a new hearing.
Procedure costs paid by the buyer on top of the price, announced at the hearing, plus taxes and fees.
Want support from start to finish?
I delegate the coordination of my project. For an auction in Paris or Île-de-France, even from far away or abroad, BIDY coordinates your project up to the sale — kick-off call, strategic study included, viewing and report, sale file review, coordination with the lawyer or notary, deposit and deadline tracking.
Get BIDY Conciergerie — €490BIDY coordinates; bidding and legal representation remain with the lawyer, notary or competent professional.