French Real Estate Glossary
Posted on April 24, 2014 by Susie Hollands
ANCIEN: older building
APPARTEMENT: apartment
ASCENSEUR: elevator/lift
ASSEMBLÉE DES COPROPRIÉTAIRES: general meeting of owners
BALCON: balcony
BUANDERIE: laundry room
BONNE DISTRIBUTION: well laid-out floor plan
BOX: parking
BUREAU: study/office
CARACTÈRE: character, something unusual…
CARRELAGE: ceramic tile
CAVE: cellar
CC – CHARGES COMPRISES: charges included, usually refers to the agency’s fee
CHEMINÉE: fireplace
CONFORT: comfortable
COPROPRIÉTÉ: co-ownership group
CHAMBRE: bedroom
CHAUFFAGE: heating
CONGÉLATEUR: freezer
COULOIR: hallway
CUISINE: kitchen
CUISINE AMÉRICAINE: open kitchen
DIGICODE: entry code system to building
DOUBLE EXPOSITION: double exposure
DOUBLE SÉJOUR: large living room
MOULURES: mouldings on the ceilings of classic French apartments
OCCUPÉ: occupied, someone is living there, sold with a tenant
PARKING: parking
PARQUET: hardwood floors
PARTICULIER: owner listing
PARTIES COMMUNES: common areas
PIÈCE: room (not kitchen or bath)
PLACARDS: closets
PDT, PIERRE DE TAILLE: cut stone building
POUTRES: wood beams
RANGEMENTS: storage, cabinets, shelving
RAVALÉ: restored, cleaned
RDC, REZ-DE-CHAUSSÉE: ground floor, street level
RÉAMÉNAGER: to be renovated
RÉCENT: recently constructed building
REFAIT NEUF: newly remodeled
RÉFRIGÉRATEUR: refrigerator
SALLE D’EAU: bathroom with shower and sink
DOUBLE VITRAGE: double-paned windows
DOUCHE: shower
DRESSING: walk-in closet
ENSOLEILLÉ: sunny, lots of light
ENVIRON: approximately
ÉQUIPÉE: fully equipped
ÉTAGE: floor
FOUR: oven
GARAGE: garage
GARDIEN: concierge/caretaker
HAUSMANNIAN: building from Haussmann era – 19th/20th century
HONORAIRES: fees
HORS CHARGES: charges not included
HOTTE: ventilation hood
HSP, HAUTEUR SOUS PLAFOND: high ceilings
IMMEUBLE: building
INDEPENDENT: separate
INTERPHONE: intercom system
LAVE-LINGE: clothes washer
LAVE-SÉCHAGE: clothes dryer
LAVE-VAISSELLE: dishwasher
LOCATION: rental
MEUBLÉ: furnished
MOQUETTE: carpet
SDB, SALLE DE BAINS: bathroom
SERVICE: maid’s room
SOUS-SOL: below ground
SOLEIL: sunny
STANDING: luxurious, grand standing building
SUR COUR: overlooking courtyard
SUR JARDIN: overlooking garden
SYNDICAT DES CORPROPRIÉTAIRES: collective body of owners of common property
TABLE DE CUISSON: range
TAPIS: area rug
TAXE FONCIÈRE: annual real estate tax
TAXE D’HABITATION: annual occupancy tax
TERRASSE: terrace
TOMETTE: red clay tile flooring
TRAVAUX À PRÉVOIR: work to be done
VIDE: empty
VITRÉE BAIE: bay window
WC: toilet
