A retired couple based in Lausanne wanted to purchase a pied-a-terre in Paris for their regular cultural visits. The Home Select property hunter found a 35 sqm 2-room apartment in the Notre-Dame-des-Champs neighborhood of the 6th arrondissement, purchased at 430,000 euros on an initial budget of 450,000 euros, in a mission conducted entirely remotely.
Mission summary
- Property hunter: Home Select
- Area: Paris 6th arrondissement (Notre-Dame-des-Champs)
- Property type: 2-room apartment, 35 sqm, 3rd floor
- Initial budget: 450,000 euros
- Listed price: 449,000 euros
- Negotiated price: 430,000 euros (minus 4.2%)
- Search duration: 5 weeks
- Buyer profile: Retired Swiss couple, ages 67 and 64
The project
Eric and Martine, retired for two years, visited Paris five to six times a year for exhibitions, shows and family reunions (their daughter lives in the 15th arrondissement). Until then staying in hotels, they wanted a pied-a-terre in a central, culturally rich neighborhood. Their budget, made up of available savings without any borrowing, amounted to 450,000 euros including notaire fees.
The couple was unfamiliar with the specifics of the Parisian property market and could not make repeated trips between Lausanne and Paris for viewings. They needed a trusted, French-speaking and responsive contact who could conduct the search on their behalf.
The search strategy
The Home Select property hunter targeted two neighborhoods in the 6th arrondissement: Notre-Dame-des-Champs for its residential calm and proximity to the Luxembourg Gardens, and the Vavin-Raspail area for its cultural vibrancy. The secondary perimeter included the northern 14th (Denfert-Rochereau) and the southern 5th (Port-Royal), adjacent areas offering a better price-to-surface ratio.
The brief was precise: a 2-room apartment of at least 30 sqm, bright, in a period building with character (moldings, parquet, fireplace), quiet on a courtyard or on a high floor. The absence of any bank financing constraint was a considerable advantage for moving quickly on properties.
The property found
After 6 viewings over five weeks, the property hunter identified a 35 sqm 2-room apartment on rue de Fleurus, on the 3rd floor of an 1890 building without elevator. The apartment, south-facing onto a tree-lined courtyard, offered an 18 sqm living room with a marble fireplace and Hungarian point parquet, a 10 sqm bedroom, a fitted kitchenette and a shower room. The moldings and 3.10-meter ceiling heights gave the property an authentically Parisian charm.
The property was in a healthy condominium, with charges of 150 euros per month and a facade renovation scheduled in two years (provision already set aside). The DPE indicated an E rating, a point of vigilance that was also used in the negotiation.
The negotiation
Listed at 449,000 euros (12,829 euros per sqm), the property was at the high end of the neighborhood for a DPE E rating. The property hunter compiled recent sales in adjacent streets and found that E-rated properties sold on average 8 to 12% cheaper than C or D-rated properties in the same area.
The offer at 425,000 euros, supported by the DPE argument and the estimated cost of replacing the windows (6,000 euros), was counter-proposed at 435,000 euros. The final agreement at 430,000 euros, or 12,286 euros per sqm, was accepted by the seller, convinced by a file with no mortgage condition, a decisive advantage.
What this mission illustrates
Buying without a mortgage is a powerful negotiation lever. By removing the mortgage condition, Eric and Martine’s file offered maximum security to the seller, which facilitated the acceptance of a price below the listed amount. Our guide to buying in Paris as a foreigner details the specifics of this type of transaction.
Remote management requires a rigorous protocol. Each viewing was the subject of a 10 to 15-minute video report, accompanied by a technical sheet with annotated photos and commented diagnostics. Contractual exchanges were conducted via notarized power of attorney. This service is detailed on our expat page.
The DPE has become an essential negotiation argument. Since the 2023 reform, the energy performance label directly influences the sale price. A property hunter systematically integrates this data into the analysis to calibrate the offer. The 6th arrondissement page presents price statistics by DPE class in this area.
Living in Switzerland and looking to buy a pied-a-terre in Paris? Describe your project: your property hunter manages the entire search and all procedures remotely.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Swiss resident buy property in Paris without any restrictions?
Yes, Swiss nationals can freely purchase real estate in France without any restriction. The process is identical to that of a French buyer. However, financing may require a higher deposit (30 to 40%) as French banks apply specific criteria to non-residents. The Franco-Swiss tax treaty governs the applicable taxation.
What are the prices for a studio or 2-room apartment in the 6th arrondissement of Paris?
In the 6th arrondissement, a studio of 25 to 30 sqm sells between 300,000 and 400,000 euros in 2026. A 2-room apartment of 35 to 45 sqm is listed between 400,000 and 600,000 euros depending on the micro-neighborhood. The Saint-Germain-des-Pres and Odeon area is the most expensive (14,000 to 16,000 euros per sqm), while the Notre-Dame-des-Champs area remains slightly more accessible.
How does a 100% remote property purchase work with a property hunter?
The property hunter conducts all viewings and sends detailed video reports. Contractual exchanges (offer, preliminary contract) are handled electronically. The notarized power of attorney allows the final deed to be signed remotely. At Home Select, approximately 25% of missions are conducted entirely remotely, primarily for expat clients or those based in Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
