Practical guides
What to know before hiring an architect in France: budget, rules, permits and choosing a practice.
Budget and fees
Architect fees in France in 2026: percentages and fixed feesHow much does an architect cost in France? Fees are not regulated: typical percentages of the works, fixed fees for a building permit, hourly rates and worked examples for 2026.
Architect fee calculator for FranceEstimate the fees of an architect or interior architect in France for your project (new house, extension, renovation) and the mission you choose. Free, instant, 2026 figures.
Rules and permits
When is an architect required in France? The 150 m² ruleWhen must you use an architect in France? The 150 m² floor-area threshold, extensions, companies and SCIs, farm buildings and housing estates: the rules in force in 2026.
Building permit or prior declaration in France: thresholds, delays, appealsDéclaration préalable or permis de construire? The 20 m² and 40 m² thresholds, processing times, validity, site posting and neighbours' appeals: the French rules in force in late 2026.
Extending a house in France: permits, architect and budgetExtension, extra storey or conservatory in France: which authorisation for which size, when an architect becomes compulsory (150 m²), local plan rules to check and the fee budget.
Choosing and working with an architect
Building a house in France with an architect: steps, timing and budgetFrom brief to handover: the steps of building a house in France with an architect, permit timings, the fee budget, compulsory insurance and the builders' guarantees.
How to choose an architect in France: 8 checksRegistration with the Ordre des architectes, insurance, references, a written mission and fees: the 8 things to check before hiring an architect in France.
The architect contract in France: missions, stages and clausesA compulsory written contract, the Ordre's model contracts, the stages of a mission (sketch, APS, APD, permit, tender, works, handover) and the clauses to check before signing.
Architect, maître d'œuvre or house builder in France: which to choose?Architect, maître d'œuvre or house builder under a CCMI contract: differences in title, guarantees, price and design freedom in France, and when each makes sense.
The CAUE: free advice from an architect in FranceThe CAUE (conseil d'architecture, d'urbanisme et de l'environnement) gives free advice to people who want to build or renovate in France. What it does, appointments and how to find yours.