The selling price of forests in the Pays de la Loire region

Pays de la Loire has approximately 360,000 hectares of forest, representing 10% of the regional territory — one of the lowest afforestation rates in mainland France. This low forest cover contrasts with the region's agricultural wealth: the bocages of Vendée and Mayenne, the maritime pine massifs in Vendée, and the deciduous forests of Sarthe constitute the bulk of the wooded heritage. Between July 2020 and June 2025, the region accounted for 4.1% of national forest transactions with 1,289 sales. The Pays de la Loire market is characterized by strong inter-departmental heterogeneity: Mayenne and Loire-Atlantique show prices significantly higher than the regional median, while Maine-et-Loire remains the most accessible department. This article analyzes forest sales prices based on DVF data, supplemented by SAFER statistics. As the 2025 data only covers the 1st half of the year, it is presented for information purposes only.

Forest prices in Pays de la 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 Pays de la Loire stood at €4,860/ha, slightly down compared to the reference year 2024. For the whole of 2024, the median price was €5,123/ha for 277 filtered transactions. The trend over full years is clearly upward, rising from €4,505/ha in 2021 to €5,123/ha in 2024 (+14%), which places the region in a positive dynamic consistent with the national trend.

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

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

The steady increase in prices — +14% between 2021 and 2024 — illustrates a growing demand for Loire forests, driven by the residential attractiveness of the Nantes-Le Mans region and the growing interest in natural investments. The slight dip in the first half of 2025 (€4,860/ha) does not call this trend into question and may reflect seasonal variations.

Ministry of Agriculture statistics (SAFER source)

Pays de la Loire is grouped by SAFER into the "West" forest region, which also covers Normandy and Brittany. In 2024, this forest region showed an average price of €6,910/ha — significantly higher than the national average (€4,850/ha), largely driven by the high prices in Normandy. Pays de la Loire constitutes the more moderate component of this SAFER forest region.

Source: Safer Group, Le Prix des Terres (2019–2024). "West" forest region.

Average forest prices — SAFER West Region vs national average (2016–2024) — Source: Safer Group, Le Prix des Terres

Forest prices by department in Pays de la Loire

Median forest price by department — Pays de la Loire, 2024 and 2025* — Source: DVF, ma-propriete.fr processing

Forest sales prices in Loire-Atlantique (44)

Loire-Atlantique showed a median price of €7,638/ha in 2024 — the highest in the region. This premium positioning is explained by the strong attractiveness of the Nantes area, the sustained demand from wealthy residents seeking natural heritage near the metropolis, and the relative scarcity of forests in a department dominated by agriculture and the coast. In the 1st half of 2025, the median price returned to €4,533/ha (partial data to be interpreted with caution, only 9 transactions). This variation highlights the low liquidity of the market (116 transactions over 5 years).

* Partial data 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Maine-et-Loire (49)

Maine-et-Loire is the most accessible department in the region with a median price of €3,920/ha in 2024. With 382 transactions over the period, it is also the most liquid market in the region. Anjou forests, dominated by deciduous trees (oak, hornbeam) on plateaus and in valleys, offer an entry point to the Loire forest market at prices below the national median. In the 1st half of 2025, the median price was €4,000/ha (partial data to be interpreted with caution), confirming the market's stability.

* Partial data 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Mayenne (53)

Mayenne presents a forest market with low liquidity (100 transactions over the period) but with high prices: €7,558/ha median in 2024. This bocage department, with scattered and difficult-to-access forest, sees its woodlands fiercely contested. Buyers often look for hunting-oriented properties in a green and uncrowded territory. In the 1st half of 2025, the median price was €4,748/ha (partial data to be interpreted with caution, 8 transactions — limited sample).

⚠ Small sample size. * Partial data 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Sarthe (72)

Sarthe is the benchmark forest department in Pays de la Loire, with 574 transactions over the period — the most active in the region. In 2024, the median price reached €5,123/ha, confirmed in the 1st half of 2025 (€5,072/ha, partial data to be interpreted with caution). The Le Mans forest, dominated by oaks and pines, feeds an active timber industry. Sarthe benefits from good accessibility from Paris (2 hours by TGV) which stimulates demand for heritage properties. The median surface area of 2.33 ha reflects a market of small units, accessible to a wide clientele.

* Partial data 1st half of 2025.

Forest sales prices in Vendée (85)

Vendée presents a forest market modest in volume (117 transactions) but dynamic in price: €6,420/ha median in 2024, increasing in the 1st half of 2025 (€7,564/ha, partial data to be interpreted with caution). Vendée forests — maritime pine massifs of the Plain, deciduous woodlands of the bocage — are sought after by buyers attracted by the economic and tourist dynamism of Vendée. The median surface area of 2.82 ha reflects a market of small properties.

* Partial data 1st half of 2025.

Analysis methods and limits of statistics

DVF transaction analysis method used

DVF data covers forest and woodland transactions in Pays de la Loire between July 2020 and June 2025. An IQR filter is applied. The median price is the central indicator selected.

Limits of DVF data

DVF data excludes transfers of shares in Forestry Groups. The small sample sizes in Mayenne, Loire-Atlantique, and Vendée make annual statistics less robust than for Sarthe or Maine-et-Loire. The years 2020 (H2) and 2025 (H1) are partial.

Differences with SAFER statistics

The SAFER West region includes Normandy, Brittany, and Pays de la Loire. Normandy, being much more expensive, pulls the SAFER regional average well above the level of Pays de la Loire. Regional DVF data provides a more faithful image of the specific Loire market.

Conclusion

Pays de la Loire offers a growing forest market, positioned slightly above the national median (€5,123/ha in 2024 compared to €4,846/ha nationally). Sarthe constitutes the most liquid and balanced market, while Loire-Atlantique and Mayenne show higher prices but on narrow markets. Maine-et-Loire remains the most accessible entry point in the region, with prices below the national median. The upward dynamic of the region should be confirmed under the effect of the attractiveness of the Great West and the upscale move of Loire forest properties.

Consult our observatory of forest prices in France and our forest listings in Pays de la Loire.

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