By 2026, 85% of French people dream even more of owning their own property.

Stone still holds a certain allure for the French.

Next year, as was already the case in 2025, the dream of homeownership remains widespread and even slightly on the rise: more than 8 out of 10 French people envision themselves as homeowners (85%), with 58% of them already planning to become so by 2026. The proportion of those who see homeownership as a short- or long-term project is increasing (from 24% in 2025 to 27% in 2026), a sign that the desire remains strong despite the current circumstances. Conversely, the number of people who say they are "detached" from this dream is declining, from 11% this year to 8% next year. And only 7% of respondents still believe they will never be able to afford it, a significant figure, but one that has decreased slightly.

Many real estate dreams

Houses, or rather houses, remain the ultimate real estate dream for the French: 45% dream of owning a house as their primary residence by 2026 (up 3 points compared to 2025), and 36% dream of owning a house as a secondary residence. Apartments are declining slightly as both primary residences (from 37% to 36% in 2026) and secondary residences (from 22% to 20% in 2026).

On the other hand, the purchase of an apartment as a rental investment is increasing and rising from 29% in 2025 to 31% for 2026. Overall, the trade-off is strengthening between quality of life in a house and the logic of investment via the apartment, while more atypical projects (“other”) remain marginal (1%).

A growing desire for nature

The real estate dreams of the French remain largely focused on nature, for more than 64% of them. 39% favor the countryside, 25% the mountains, and 22% the seaside in 2026. The city continues to lose its appeal, falling from 12% in 2025 to 10% next year.

The cliché of living on an island is ultimately very marginal for only 3% of French people (4% in 2025).

What is preventing the French from investing?

The primary obstacle to buying property remains financial: in 2026, 61% of respondents cited property prices as the main deterrent (58% in 2025), closely followed by lack of funds (54%) and interest rates (52%). Secondary obstacles are also on the rise, including additional costs (33%) and renovation expenses (22%). Even the simple act of searching for a property (+1 point) and administrative procedures (+1 point) are becoming more prominent reasons for abandoning the process. As a result, year after year, all indicators point to the same conclusion – investing in real estate is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive.

Real estate: an act for the future

Property ownership is increasingly seen as an act of inheritance: in 2026, 56% of respondents stated they were buying "solely for their children's future," compared to 52% in 2025. Conversely, self-centered motivations are declining slightly, whether buying solely for oneself (from 21% in 2025 to 19% in 2026) or for oneself and loved ones (from 25% to 24%). Other reasons remain marginal (1%), confirming that real estate is primarily viewed as an asset to be secured for the next generation.

Nevertheless, real estate remains a central pillar of retirement planning: 66% of respondents see it as a lever, including 31% for whom it is "absolutely" a retirement tool. Only 19% completely reject this idea and do not consider real estate a relevant investment for their later years. Finally, 15% of those surveyed remain uncertain, indicating that the question of retirement and the best tools for preparing for it remains unclear for a significant portion of the population.

Desires or actions?

The French desire to grow their money remains primarily focused on security and real estate. Thus, 52% favor secure savings (savings accounts, euro funds, etc.) and 49% traditional real estate (purchase, rental, SCPIs, etc.). The stock market attracts a significant portion (31%), indicating a growing appetite for stocks and ETFs, while participatory real estate is gaining ground and interests nearly 22% of the French. Crypto-assets (17%) and alternative investments (11%) mainly appeal to a minority willing to take more risks, while 12% of respondents are still unsure how they will invest their money in 2026.

In practice, what investment options do the French plan to use in 2026? One option stands out as almost universally popular: secure savings, which 49% of respondents "definitely" envision, far ahead of all other forms of investment. The stock market comes in second, with 30% of people ready to invest confidently and 29% somewhat willing, but a significant number remain resistant (41% "not at all"). Participatory real estate appeals to 21% of the French, while crypto-assets attract only 17%.

* Methodology: This survey was conducted using two polls. One poll was carried out in December 2024 with 5,101 participants, and the other in November 2025 with 5.604 participants aged 18 and over, distributed across France and representative of the French population. The national poll was conducted online using the BuzzPress France proprietary panel (27.700 participants). Responses were then compiled and weighted according to pre-established quotas to ensure the representativeness of the sample and to obtain a representative sample of the target population. All weightings are based on administrative data and data collected by INSEE (the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies).

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.