Updated April 8, 2026: Find the most recent data on land prices on our Land Price Observatory (DVF data 2020-2025) which presents average and median prices and transaction ranges for your region and each department.
Getting started in agriculture is an ambitious project that attracts many candidates in France every year. With approximately 15,000 installations annually, this sector offers varied and diverse opportunities.
However, the path to acquiring a farm and creating an agricultural activity is full of obstacles. This article explores the different steps and resources necessary to succeed in this project.
Land pressure is one of the main obstacles to starting an agricultural business.
In fact, half of the heads of agricultural holdings in France are over 55 years old. However, not all of these holdings will be for sale in the coming years. The replacement of these farm managers may be carried out by a younger spouse, a child, or a partner. Two-thirds of installations are thus carried out within a family framework.
Furthermore, faced with the decrease in the number of farmers, there is a constant increase in the average size of agricultural holdings, which rose from 55 to 69 hectares between 2010 and 2020.
Access to land is therefore often difficult due to high demand and competition between farmers for available land.
The Control of Structures and the Société d'Aménagement Foncier et d'Établissement Rural (SAFER) play a crucial role in regulating the agricultural land market in France. They intervene to facilitate access to land for new farmers and ensure that transactions respect the priorities of the Rural Code, such as the installation of young farmers rather than the expansion of existing holdings.
Before looking for a farm, it is essential to clearly define your agricultural project: the geographical area, the size of the holding, the planned production, the presence of a residential house, etc.
This project must be built from your training and your various agricultural experiences to ensure that it is coherent and feasible.
You must then clearly list the mandatory and secondary criteria of your project. These elements will then guide you in selecting the properties to visit.
The budget is the definition of your maximum purchase price in relation to financing methods. It will necessarily be very theoretical at first.
It must include the assessment of the costs of purchasing land, buildings, agricultural equipment, as well as working capital requirements for the first years of activity. A well-structured business plan is crucial for obtaining financing and aid.
However, this budget should not serve as a hard maximum threshold when selecting holdings to visit.
Indeed, the price displayed in an advertisement at the time of sale may be negotiable. It might be possible to lease land rather than buy it, or to call upon a land investor or a land carrying company.
The displayed price may also not include all the items to be taken over: equipment, livestock, and stocks are not always included in the sale price.
To anticipate the cost of land acquisition, consult our land price observatory. Prices vary from single to triple depending on the region: from €2,904/ha in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté to €8,749/ha in Hauts-de-France.
Many resources, such as our practical guides and articles on financing tools, are available to help future farmers estimate the cost of their project and secure the necessary funding.
The Point Accueil Installation (PAI) is an essential service for future farmers. It offers personalized support and advice on administrative procedures, available aid, and land opportunities.
PAIs are present in the Chambers of Agriculture of each department and constitute an ideal starting point for anyone wishing to start farming. They also guide candidates toward holdings to be taken over and technical and financial partners.
Personal networks are a valuable resource when searching for a farm.
Relationships with other farmers, professional associations, and agricultural cooperatives can offer valuable opportunities and advice. Participating in local events and agricultural shows also allows you to meet potential sellers and make yourself known in the agricultural community.
Many installations are carried out following a work contract or an internship completed on a farm. You should therefore not hesitate to share your project widely.
To find a farm, many online resources are available:
The Répertoire Départ Installation (RDI) is an online tool managed by the Chamber of Agriculture, which lists offers of agricultural holdings to be taken over. It allows for searches by region, type of production, surface area, and price, thus facilitating the connection between sellers and buyers.
The SAFER website proprietes-rurales.com offers listings of agricultural land for sale and lease. It is a key player in land market regulation and provides information on the steps to follow for the acquisition of agricultural land.
Listing portals group real estate advertisements. These can be general portals like leboncoin.fr or specialized ones like ma-propriete.fr.
They feature advertisements from real estate professionals or private owners that are not always present on the previous sites. They offer a wide selection of listings and allow you to filter searches according to specific criteria.
You will also find advertisements for farms for sale on sites like FEVE, ELOI, Terres-de-liens, etc.
Specialized real estate agencies and notaries can also offer farms for sale. They often possess exclusive information on upcoming sales and can provide valuable legal advice during the purchase.
Once potential farms have been identified, it is crucial to visit them to assess their condition, production potential, and the necessary investments. These visits allow for a better understanding of the constraints and opportunities of each holding.
The first visit should allow you to validate your main selection criteria, which explains why it is necessary to have meticulously defined your project.
During a subsequent visit, we advise you to be accompanied by an expert or an agricultural advisor to obtain a professional opinion on the project's feasibility.
Beware of falling "head over heels" for a property, as it can make you forget your selection criteria and work against you in negotiations. While your future agricultural holding will be your place of life, it will above all be the headquarters of your future business: it must meet your needs and be profitable.
After finding the ideal farm, the next step is to make a purchase offer.
This offer must be well-considered and based on a precise evaluation of the property's value. It is important to negotiate the conditions of sale and ensure that all legal and financial aspects are clear before signing a preliminary sales agreement (compromis de vente).
Support from a real estate professional is highly recommended to secure the transaction.
Finding a farm to start in agriculture is a complex process that requires thorough preparation and the use of multiple resources.
From defining the project to finalizing the purchase, each step is crucial to ensure the success of the installation.
By surrounding themselves with the right advisors and using the available tools, future farmers can turn their dream into reality and contribute to the renewal of the agricultural sector in France.
