A House in France for €1

Photo: ville-ambert.fr

The authorities of Ambert, a town in the Puy-de-Dôme department of France, have launched a five-year initiative to sell vacant houses for a symbolic price of €1. The goal is to halt population decline and revitalize the small town, according to Forbes.

Ambert is a picturesque town of about 6,500 people, located in central France, roughly 134 km west of Lyon and 475 km from the Atlantic coast. Known for its medieval streets and cheese-making tradition, the town is now struggling with a high rate of housing vacancy — up to 60% in some neighborhoods. The local government hopes this initiative will attract new residents and boost the local economy.

You don’t need to be a French citizen to participate. However, applicants must genuinely intend to live in the town. While French language proficiency isn’t officially required, it would help when communicating with contractors and local officials.

Interested buyers can contact the Ambert municipality for more information. The city’s official website lists two vacant homes available in the Chazeaux district (3 and 5 rue Michel Rolle). Applications are open until September 30, 2025.

Applicants must meet income thresholds and commit to carrying out renovations in accordance with an approved construction plan. The selected applicant may receive financial support for the renovation. The published financial plan outlines estimated costs, potential subsidies, and the amount the buyer must pay personally. A preliminary technical specification is available, and minor changes are allowed as long as they comply with the permit.

The €1 house program is part of a broader urban renewal strategy. Ambert’s case reflects a wider issue in central France, often referred to as the “diagonale du vide” (diagonal of emptiness) — a swath of sparsely populated land stretching from northeast to southwest. These areas face limited infrastructure, weaker economies, and significant population outflows to major cities. As a result, many small towns and villages are launching incentives to attract new residents.

Ambert is not the first French town to try this approach. Similar programs have been implemented in northern regions like Picardy, where in 2019 local authorities offered €1 homes and €5,000 grants to new residents. The €1 home model is also popular in other European countries. In Spain’s Ambros region, buyers were offered housing plus relocation grants of up to $16,000. Italy has widely adopted this model, especially in Sicily, where demographic decline meets high housing abandonment rates.

Sardinia attracts buyers with its coastal proximity and emphasis on agritourism and historic restoration. In Apulia, authorities offer both restored and derelict properties, drawing interest from retirees and investors. Abruzzo focuses on preserving rural architecture, while Piedmont addresses legal and administrative hurdles with vacant properties. Tuscany offers subsidies for renovation, and similar programs exist in Calabria, Marche, Aosta Valley, and Molise.

In reality, €1 homes never actually cost €1. Buyers must fully restore the property — including the facade — which can significantly raise the actual price. According to The Independent, Italian buyers often spend €20,000 to €50,000 depending on the building. While these figures refer to Italy, the logic in Ambert is similar: the buyer assumes full restoration costs, often under strict timelines.

See also:

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