Investing in rural land, and more specifically in forests, is a strong asset-building strategy that is attracting more and more private individuals and professionals. Whether to secure capital, produce timber, hunt, or simply enjoy a natural setting, the forest market in France is dynamic and diverse. Ma-Propriete.fr supports you in your production forest purchase project thanks to a wide range of offers and tailored buying guides.
France has the fourth largest forest area in Europe. With nearly 17 million hectares, forests cover around 31% of mainland territory. This genuine green heritage is three-quarters owned by private landowners, ensuring an active and varied transaction market.
Acquiring a production forest is not limited to buying land. It is an investment in the real economy: the timber industry. This sector, which carries significant weight in the French economy, requires specific infrastructure and equipment. A structured forest holding often includes storage areas for cubic metres of timber awaiting transport, forest tracks laid out to allow the passage of felling and skidding machinery, and sometimes even sheds or technical buildings for silvicultural equipment. The proximity of a sawmill or processing plant is also a major logistical asset for timber sales.
The diversity of tree species in France makes it possible to find properties suited to all projects. Two main categories can be distinguished:
Geographically, supply is spread across the entire country, but some regions stand out for their forestry vocation. Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Grand Est and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are key areas where the supply of forest holdings for sale is particularly dense.
Buying a forest is a complex act that requires analysing several technical, economic and tax parameters.
The value of a forest intrinsically depends on the quality of its stand. It is important to distinguish between different types of management: high forest (trees grown from seed, intended to become large trees), coppice (trees grown from stool shoots), or coppice with standards (a mixture of the two).
For properties larger than 25 hectares, an approved Simple Management Plan (or PSG) from the Regional Center for Forest Ownership is mandatory. This document plans sustainable forest management: fellings, reforestation work and stand improvement for the next 10 to 20 years. It is an essential roadmap for estimating future financial returns.
Estimating the timber stock, or standing volume, is crucial for determining the market value of the property. Beyond the timber itself, the quality of forest infrastructure (roads, log landings) directly affects net profitability by reducing operating costs. Increasingly, PEFC certification is a sought-after criterion, guaranteeing that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
The price per hectare of forests is highly variable, ranging from a few thousand euros for wasteland to over 15,000 euros for high-quality high forests. In addition to buying in your own name, it is possible to invest through a Forest Group (GF), which allows costs and risks to be pooled.
Forest taxation is an attractive lever for investors: partial exemption from real estate wealth tax (IFI), income tax reduction (DEFI scheme) and preferential treatment for inheritance tax (Monichon law), subject to sustainable management.
While timber investment remains the primary motivation (income from timber harvesting), other uses add value to the property. Hunting is a decisive factor for many buyers, influencing land prices, particularly in Sologne or in eastern France.
Lastly, the environmental dimension is gaining importance. A forest rich in biodiversity can now generate additional income through the carbon credit mechanism, by monetising the CO2 sequestration capacity of trees as they grow.
To bring your purchase project to fruition, Ma-Propriete.fr provides powerful tools designed to make it easier to search for a forest estate or a simple plot.
Our multi-criteria search engine allows you to target listings precisely. You can filter by:
To avoid missing any opportunities, we invite you to create personalised e-mail alerts. You will then be notified as soon as a new wooded parcel matching your criteria goes online.
For each listing, you benefit from direct contact with the seller, whether a private individual or a specialised rural property professional. The geolocation of listings (depending on the seller’s choice) also allows you to place the property in its environment (proximity to major roads, surrounding forest area).
For owners wishing to sell a forest holding, Ma-Propriete.fr is the benchmark portal for the rural world.
Beyond simply publishing listings, we have developed a complete ecosystem to support you at every stage of your forestry project.
Buying or selling a forest often requires expert advice. We make it easier for you to connect with rural property professionals (forest experts, specialised estate agents, notaries) via our dedicated form. These partners can help you review a management plan or assess tree quality.
Wondering about the price of your plots? Discover our tools and services for land valuation studies. They will enable you to position your property at the right price in the current market.
Forest investment is technical. To help you build your knowledge, read our blog articles. You will find market analyses, legal insights and, in particular, our comprehensive buying guides, such as the one on acquiring rural holdings.
To go even further, feel free to download our thematic white papers available in our dedicated section. They are a valuable resource for understanding today’s rural challenges.
Whether you are looking to invest in a tangible asset, preserve biodiversity or produce timber, Ma-Propriete.fr is your preferred partner for the success of your forestry project.
