The selling price of forests in the Centre-Val de Loire region

Centre-Val de Loire is one of France's most forested regions in proportion, with nearly 890,000 hectares of forest covering approximately 34% of the regional territory. The Orléans forest, the largest state-owned forest in mainland France, and the massifs of Sologne, Chambord, and the Berry Gascogne Landes compose a high-value forest landscape, dominated by oaks, Scots pines, and chestnuts. This region is also an active forest market: it represents 5.3% of French forest transactions recorded between July 2020 and June 2025. Renowned for its large hunting estates and quality production forests, the region attracts buyers from the Paris region as well as institutional investors. This article analyzes forest sale prices in Centre-Val de Loire based on DVF (Demandes de Valeurs Foncières) data, supplemented by SAFER statistics. As the 2025 data only covers the 1st half of the year, it is provided for information purposes and should be interpreted with caution.

Forest prices in Centre-Val de Loire

ma-propriete.fr statistics (DVF source)

In the 1st half of 2025 (partial data, to be interpreted with caution), the median price of forests in Centre-Val de Loire stood at €5,785/ha, a slight decrease compared to the reference year 2024. Over the full year 2024 — a complete and statistically robust year — the median price reached €5,935/ha for 340 filtered transactions. This is one of the regions that experienced the most marked growth over the period, rising from €5,106/ha in 2021 to €5,935/ha in 2024, an increase of nearly 16% over the full years. Over the entire 2020–2025 period, the region recorded 1,669 transactions for a total volume of 19,173 hectares exchanged, with a median surface area of 3.16 ha per transaction.

* Partial data for the 1st half of 2025, to be interpreted with caution. Source: DVF, processing by ma-propriete.fr

Evolution of the median price of forests in Centre-Val de Loire (2021–2025) — Source: DVF, processing by ma-propriete.fr

The trend over the full years reveals steady progress, with a plateau between 2021 and 2022 (around €5,000–€5,100/ha), followed by a notable acceleration in 2023 (+14%) and consolidation in 2024. This upward trajectory is driven by sustained demand from buyers from the Paris region, the valuation of quality production forests (Sologne oak, Scots pine), and the heritage appeal of large estates with hunting plans. Centre-Val de Loire is positioned well above the national median (€4,846/ha in 2024).

Ministry of Agriculture statistics (SAFER source)

SAFER data places Centre-Val de Loire in the "North-Paris Basin" forest region, which also covers Île-de-France, eastern Normandy, Champagne, and Picardy. This forest region historically records the highest prices in France, driven by its proximity to Paris and the quality of production forests.

Source: Safer Group, Le Prix des Terres (2016–2024). "North-Paris Basin" forest region.

Average forest prices — SAFER North-Paris Basin vs national average (2016–2024) — Source: Safer Group, Le Prix des Terres

The gap between the North-Paris Basin and the national average is particularly marked and has widened since 2020: in 2024, the regional SAFER average price (€7,670/ha) exceeded the national average (€4,850/ha) by 58%. The DVF median price for Centre-Val de Loire (€5,935/ha in 2024) remains lower than this SAFER average price, which is explained by the broader composition of the SAFER forest region and the ripple effect of the Paris region and Normandy forests on the average. Nevertheless, the consistency between the two sources confirms the premium positioning of this region.

Forest prices by department in Centre-Val de Loire

Median price of forests by department — Centre-Val de Loire, 2024 and 2025* — Source: DVF, processing by ma-propriete.fr

Forest sales prices in Cher (18)

The Cher, with the Boischaut and Berry Sologne massifs, presents a steady forest market. In 2024, the median price reached €5,748/ha, with a clear increase in the 1st half of 2025 (€7,552/ha, partial data to be interpreted with caution). The median area of 5.12 ha indicates a market of good-sized properties, suitable for heritage investors. The 188 transactions recorded over the period testify to an active market.

* Partial data for the 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Eure-et-Loir (28)

Eure-et-Loir was the most expensive department in the region in 2024 with a median price of €7,240/ha. Its geographical position, at the immediate gates of the Île-de-France and the Paris metropolis, explains this valuation. The forests of Perche, renowned for the quality of their oak and their hunting interest, attract a wealthy clientele. In the 1st half of 2025, the median price was €5,865/ha (partial data to be interpreted with caution). The median area of 2.26 ha indicates a market of small units, often resulting from successions.

* Partial data for the 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Indre (36)

Indre is the most accessible department in the region with a median price of €4,673/ha in 2024, slightly down in the 1st half of 2025 (€4,457/ha, partial data to be interpreted with caution). The forest massifs of Brenne and Boischaut Sud, predominantly deciduous, are appreciated for their hunting and fishing qualities. Indre represents an opportunity to enter the regional forest market for more modest budgets. The median area of 3.83 ha remains within the regional norm.

* Partial data for the 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Indre-et-Loire (37)

Indre-et-Loire shows the most moderate median price in the region in 2024 with €4,419/ha. This price level, below the regional median, may be surprising for a tourist department. In reality, it reflects a forest market distinct from the Touraine wine and tourist market: the forests there are mainly softwood plantations or low-value coppice on inaccessible terrain. The 1st half of 2025 confirms this trend with €4,049/ha (partial data to be interpreted with caution). With 401 transactions, it is the most liquid department in the region.

* Partial data for the 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Loir-et-Cher (41)

Loir-et-Cher hosts part of the Sologne forest, one of the most renowned hunting grounds in France. In 2024, the median price reached €6,625/ha, with a slight increase in the 1st half of 2025 (€7,104/ha, partial data to be interpreted with caution). This department benefits from the valuation of exceptional hunting properties — ponds, mixed woodlands, fenced properties — which drive prices upward. The Russy forest (state-owned) and the private massifs of Sologne constitute a niche market with high demand.

* Partial data for the 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Loiret (45)

Loiret is home to the Orléans forest — 35,000 hectares, the largest state-owned forest in mainland France — as well as the North Sologne massifs. The median price in 2024 was €6,687/ha, stable in the 1st half of 2025 (€7,163/ha, partial data to be interpreted with caution). The market is supported by proximity to Orléans and Paris. The maximum price recorded over the period (€25,406/ha) testifies to a few exceptional transactions on large properties.

* Partial data for the 1st half of 2025.

Analysis methods and statistical limits

DVF transaction analysis method used

The data presented is derived from the analysis of DVF transactions exclusively concerning forest and woodland sales in Centre-Val de Loire between July 2020 and June 2025. An interquartile range (IQR) filter is applied to each calculation to eliminate outliers. The median price is the central indicator chosen, as it is less sensitive to atypical transactions than the average price.

Limits of DVF data

DVF data does not cover the transfers of shares in Forestry Groups (GF) or Investment Forestry Groups (GFI), corporate vehicles frequently used for large properties with a Simple Management Plan. These structures are particularly widespread in Sologne, where many large private estates are held in corporate form. This leads to an under-representation of large properties in the DVF data. The years 2020 (H2 only) and 2025 (H1 only) are partial and identified as such in all graphs.

Differences with SAFER statistics

SAFER publishes average prices by major forest regions that do not coincide with administrative regions. Centre-Val de Loire is included in the "North-Paris Basin" region along with other more expensive territories (Île-de-France, eastern Normandy), which explains why the regional SAFER average price (€7,670/ha in 2024) is higher than the DVF median price for Centre-Val de Loire alone (€5,935/ha). The two sources are complementary for a complete reading of the market.

Conclusion

Centre-Val de Loire confirms its status as a benchmark forest region for buyers looking for quality forests at intermediate prices. With a median price of €5,935/ha in 2024, the region is positioned above the national median, driven by demand from the Paris region and the valuation of the Sologne and Perche massifs. Intra-departmental disparities remain marked — Eure-et-Loir and Loir-et-Cher reach or exceed €6,600/ha, while Indre and Indre-et-Loire offer more accessible prices. For the buyer, the region presents excellent value for money compared to Normandy or Paris region forests.

Consult our forest price observatory in France and our listings of forests for sale in Centre-Val de Loire.

Find all our articles on forest prices by region