4. Appointing an Architect in France

1. 4.1. Obligatory Use of Architect
2. 4.2. Finding an Architect
3. 4.3. Architect Contracts
4. 4.4. Fees

4.1. Obligatory Use of Architect

Architects are one of the ‘regulated’ professions in France, with access restricted to those with an appropriate qualification.

So, if you want to engage a bona fide architect, make sure they are a member of the l’Ordre des Architects. Anyone who is not a member is not a qualified architect.

The quality of French architects is generally very high, but their services come at a price, and there is no easy formula to ensuring your appointment is a successful one.

Many have a rather high opinion of themselves, like many professionals in France!

If you do not comply with this rule your planning application will be determined as inadmissible.

Below 170m2 you can use someone who may not be qualified as an architect, such as a maitre d’oeuvre (contracts manager) but you need to be careful about selection and professional competence.

At a minimum, the architect will need to provide you with floor, site and elevation plans.

Once planning permission has been obtained you will then need to decide if you also want production drawings, for all architectural, structural, civil engineering, electrical and plumbing work. The cost of second stage architectural drawings will be high, and you need to consider if it is really worthwhile.

Some major builders offer a 'turn-key' service, in which they also take care of getting planning consent. In most cases, this will involve a dwelling constructed for you from a design catalogue - a process called contrat de construction avec fourniture de plan, about which we say more later.

Whilst this will remove the need for you to appoint your own architect to prepare plans, you would be wise to have a professional on board to keep an eye on the construction phase.