Printing a plan cadastral online

Here is the link to a web site where you can find and print a Plan Cadastral. It is the official web site from the French government.

You can either enter the Cadastral References if you know them or the full address.
If you don't know them, look for your deeds and you will find them on page 2 or 3. You are looking for a letter and one/or several numbers, ie Section A, No 123).

You will need a Plan Cadastral if you apply for planning (for renovation or new builds) or if you sell your property in France.

Parc de la Higourdais

Yesterday, after visiting Epiniac mairie to drop round a planning permission for some clients, I noticed a sign for "Parc de la Higourdais".

Having some spare time, I followed the signs! I am always keen to discover new areas.

About 5 minutes later, I found the spot, a very peaceful corner of Brittany!
It was very easy to find. We just followed the main road.

Signs were showing a choice of 2 walks. One of 4km (1 hour) and one of 7km (1h45min).

Chris and I had a quick visit and took a few photos. We will be back wearing adapted shoes rather than flip-flops!

Epiniac is about 30 minutes from our gite.

The circuit is for walkers and cyclists.

Plan / extrait cadastral

When buying a house or a building plot in France, you will come across a document called ‘plan cadastral’. This document is issued by the “Cadastre” (Land Registry) which is part of the local tax office.

The section where the house or building plot is located is called ‘extrait cadastral’. This document shows the plots (parcelles) in question and the surrounding plots. Each plot is numbered.

The boundaries are not précised so if you want to know the exact limits you will have to employ a géomètre (land surveyor).

If needed, the mairie can print an ‘extrait cadastral’ if you give them the name of the hamlet or even better the section and plot number. The section is always a letter and the plot a number. Ie Section B, No 123.

The “extrait cadastral” is needed when applying for planning permission (for renovation or new builds) in France.

See my other post about Finding and Printing a plan cadastral online here.

Demolitions permits in France

If you wish to demolish a building in France – even if it is hidden from the main road - you need to apply for a demolitions permit (permis de démolir). It has to be submitted before you demolish!! Visit your local mairie and they will provide you with the right forms. If you require assistance with the forms and paperwork, contact me here and I will be pleased to help.

You have to be aware that once a building in France is demolished, a new building permit will be required for any new building to be erected in its place.

As after the demolition, the land will be considered "without construction" if the land is in a zone non-constructible, even though it held a building before the demolition, new permission for a building will not be granted.

Renovating a house in France – pick the right area according to your project!

When buying a property in France with the intention to renovate it is important to check the PLU (Plan Local d'Urbanisme). Visit the local Mairie to check it out. In some areas the development permitted might be restricted so you might not be able to go ahead with your project.

I recently visited the planning office (DDE) in Dinan (Brittany) with a client who was hoping to convert the outbuilding into a gîte to earn some extra cash. As the property was about 40 m away from a farm, he was disappointed to be told he could not go ahead with his project. The change of use (Changement de destination) was refused. The outbuilding although rather large (10 x 5 m) had to stay in its present condition. As he could not renovate this property he decided to put it back on the market and buy another. This was time consuming and cost him a lot of money as he had to pay the French estate agent’s and the notaire’s fees twice.

The same would apply if a house is within 500 meters of a listed site, building or historic monument. Indeed renovation projects are very restricted. Once you apply for planning, the application gets sent off to the Architectes des Bâtiments de France who are very strict about the architecture and the materials used. Even if you know the local Maire very well, he or she cannot overrule any refusal or condition stipulated by the Architectes des Bâtiments.

My advice about planning:

Don’t assume your application will pass because your neighbour had the same job done (for example: building a conservatory) as he might be in a different ‘zone’ as you.

Don’t start any renovation which needs a planning consent before you get the official go-ahead from the mairie. If you get caught doing some work without permit you may get highly fined and will have to put the building back in its original state.

If you have an unusual project in mind, ensure the French property in not near a historic centre, in a conservation area, or a national park!