Where is the best place to buy property in France as a Scandinavian in 2026?
If you're a Scandinavian buyer looking for a second home in France, the best location depends largely on direct flight access from your home country. In 2026, Paris and Nice offer the best year-round accessibility, while cities such as Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse become attractive options thanks to seasonal routes.
It can be daunting to look for a second home in an unknown country: unfamiliar cities, foreign language, unpredictable flights… If you're looking to buy a place in France but don't know where to start, this guide was built for you. With Scandinavians in mind, we looked at where there are direct flights between France and Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Some flights only fly during the summer, which works great if you're looking for a summer home. If you want to access your second home anytime, you might be looking for year round direct flights, which are a little more rare.
While this information is true as of July 2026, airlines can be unpredictable and flight routes can change.
Key points to remember:
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Paris and Nice are accessible year round from all 3 Scandinavian capitals: Paris gives you access to pretty much any city in France, and Nice is on the French Riviera, a highly sought after region.
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Copenhagen is a central hub from which you can access 5 cities year-round (Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon and Strasbourg). If you're willing to have a layover on your route to your second property, consider neighboring countries as well: you can get to the south of France from Spain or Italy, the east from Switzerland, and the north from Germany and Belgium.
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You won't get the same France everywhere you go. When looking for a second home, it's essential to understand what you're looking for, whether it's sun and beach, wine and hills or architecture and mountain access.
1️⃣ I'm looking for a second home that's accessible year-round
Now that you know you need your property accessible year-round, let's categorize different cities based on your country of departure.
Best French cities for buyers from Norway and Sweden
Oslo and Stockholm have flight routes leading to two cities in France: Paris and Nice. Paris is also accessible from Bergen and Gothenburg.
2️⃣ I am only looking for a summer residence
If you don't mind that your second home may be harder to reach during the off-season, or if you plan to rent it out while you're away, these itineraries allow you to explore more of France, even though direct flights aren't available year-round. The same rule applies as above: listings are sorted by country of departure.
Best places in France for Norwegian buyers
In addition to Paris and Nice, three other cities are accessible during the summer months. Please note that Nice is also accessible only in the summer from Bergen and Stavanger if you do not live in Oslo.
Best places in France for Swedish buyers
There are two other cities you can reach from Sweden for summer vacations, as well as a Gothenburg-Nice route available only during the summer season if you don’t live in Stockholm but would like to purchase a second home on the French Riviera.
How much can I borrow before buying property in France?
Choosing where to buy is the exciting part. Knowing how much you can actually borrow should come first. What trips non-resident buyers up is financing: French banks size down payments and loan terms around a French taxpayer's file, which means a bigger deposit than you may be used to at home, no French credit history to lean on, and paperwork that doesn't know what to do with income in NOK, SEK, or DKK. That's true whether you decide on Nice or Lyon, and whether your place is open twelve months a year or just for the summer. In addition, understanding your borrowing capacity ahead of time means knowing what options are available to you. This maze is what a broker helps you navigate, and Opeongo works specifically with non-resident and expatriate buyers, dealing with French lenders on your behalf so the flight schedule stays the hardest part of your planning, not the mortgage.
For non-resident buyers and expatriates, obtaining a mortgage in France may differ from what you’re used to in your home country. French banks evaluate each application based on specific criteria: income level, currency of earnings (NOK, SEK, DKK, etc.), tax status, available down payment, and financial stability. They do not always have access to the same information as a local bank, particularly when there is no established banking or credit history in France.
Can I buy a second home in a French city with direct flights only during the summer?
Yes. Many non-resident buyers choose a second home in a French city served by direct flights only during the summer season. This can be an excellent option if you plan to use the property mainly during the warmer months or rent it out when you're not there.
Keep in mind, however, that traveling outside the summer season may require a connecting flight, often through Paris or another major European hub. If you want to access your property easily year-round, choosing a destination with permanent direct flights is usually the better option.
Can a French mortgage broker help me choose where to buy in France?
A French mortgage broker's primary role is to help you secure financing, not to recommend a specific city or property. However, speaking with a broker before you begin your search offers an important advantage: understanding your borrowing capacity before you start visiting homes.
Knowing how much you can borrow allows you to set a realistic budget, focus on properties you can comfortably finance, and avoid wasting time on homes that fall outside your financing range. For non-resident buyers, a broker like Opeongo Finance can also explain how French banks assess income earned in NOK, SEK or DKK and identify lenders that are comfortable working with international borrowers.
Do non-resident buyers need a larger down payment to buy property in France?
Yes. French banks generally require non-resident buyers to make a larger down payment than French tax residents. The exact amount depends on several factors, including your income, the currency you are paid in, your overall financial profile and each lender's lending policy.
Rather than estimating your budget on your own, it's best to discuss your financing options with a mortgage broker like Opeongo Finance before you begin your property search. This will give you a clear understanding of your borrowing capacity and the financing options available for your specific situation. For more information, read our article “Can a Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish resident get a mortgage in France?”
Should I check my borrowing capacity before looking for a second home in France?
Yes. In fact, understanding your borrowing capacity should be one of the very first steps when buying property in France as a non-resident. Knowing how much you can borrow before you start searching helps you set a realistic budget, focus on properties within your price range and make an offer with greater confidence when you find the right home. A mortgage broker specializing in international buyers like Opeongo Finance can assess your financing options and help you approach French banks with a strong, well-prepared application.
Updated on July 31, 2026, by Paul Desjardins, mortgage broker specializing in international clients (ORIAS No. 25 010 121).
Paul Desjardins assists expatriate buyers, non-residents, and international investors with their real estate financing projects in France. More than 60% of his clients live abroad: he advises them in French and English, from the initial review of their application through to the signing at the notary’s office. He writes practical guides for Opeongo Finance aimed at international clients who want to understand the rules of French mortgage lending and secure financing from abroad.
