The Demande de Valeurs Foncières (DVF) is a free public tool listing actual property sale prices in France. For buyers, it helps verify market prices. For sellers, it helps determine a fair property value. Discover how the DVF works, how to access the data, its limitations, and the support offered by Capifrance.
In Summary
- The DVF allows you to consult actual sale prices of real estate properties in France free of charge and analyze transactions from the last five years.
- It is a valuable tool for estimating a property, comparing price per square meter in a given area, and better understanding local real estate market trends.
- However, the database has limitations: semiannual updates, delays between sales and publication, exclusion of certain areas such as Alsace-Moselle and Mayotte, and anonymized data.
- To correctly interpret DVF information and set the right price, start with an online property valuation and, if needed, a local Capifrance advisor can provide a detailed valuation with full support for your selling or buying project.
How Does the DVF Work to Determine the Sale Price of a Property?
The DVF records transfers for consideration (sales, off-plan sales, auctions) over the past five years. The data comes from notarized deeds submitted to the Land Registry and then published by the French Public Finance Directorate in open data format. You can find transaction information such as address, date, sale price, surface area, and property type.
Information Available in the DVF
- Full address of the sold property
- Date of the notarized deed
- Actual sale price
- Property surface area
- Property type (house, apartment, land)
- Cadastral reference
How to Access DVF Data on Official Websites and Interactive Maps
Access Real Estate Transactions Through Government Platforms
Go to app.dvf.etalab.gouv.fr to access the free interactive transaction map. You can search by address, cadastral parcel, or area, and view all sales since 2014. The platform explore.data.gouv.fr also provides downloadable raw DVF files by municipality or department.
Find Real Estate Sales History and Price per Square Meter
The DVF allows you to view the complete history of prices within a neighborhood. By cross-referencing DVF data with cadastral references, you can calculate the average price per square meter in your area. This analysis helps you determine the prices of houses sold in your neighborhood and access local real estate sales history.
How to Use the DVF to Estimate a Property Before Selling
The DVF is a very useful starting point when preparing to sell a property. By reviewing recent transactions around your address, you can identify the actual prices achieved for properties comparable to yours. This analysis provides an initial benchmark before refining the valuation according to the property’s condition, exact location, exposure, amenities, or the presence of outdoor space.
To be relevant, comparisons should focus on properties similar in size, property type, and sale period. A house with a garden or a renovated apartment cannot be too quickly compared with more standard properties. The DVF therefore provides an objective framework but does not replace a detailed property valuation that takes into account the real characteristics of the property.
Why Is the DVF Useful for a Property Purchase?
For buyers, the DVF helps negotiate more effectively by relying on concrete data. It allows you to verify whether the asking price for a house or apartment is aligned with the local market level. By comparing several recent sales in the same neighborhood, you can identify price differences more easily and spot overpriced properties or, conversely, attractive opportunities.
This tool is also useful for understanding the dynamics of an area. A series of sales at rising prices may indicate a sought-after or transforming neighborhood, while stagnant or declining prices may call for greater caution. The DVF therefore becomes a decision-support tool, especially useful for securing a purchase project.
What Precautions Should Be Taken When Interpreting DVF Data?
Although the DVF is based on authentic notarized deeds, its interpretation must remain cautious. The price recorded in the database does not always reflect all the characteristics of the sold property: renovation quality, building condition, view, nuisances, premium amenities, or rental potential. Two properties located on the same street may therefore display significant price differences without this being clearly apparent in the database.
It is also important to take into account the time lag between the sale and its publication, especially in a changing market. Finally, some transfers are incomplete or do not include usable price data. To avoid analysis errors, the DVF should be used as a tool for identification and comparison, complemented by other sources and the expertise of a local professional.
Conclusion
The DVF has become an essential tool for better understanding property sale prices and analyzing the local market using reliable public data. It provides both sellers and buyers with a concrete basis for evaluating a property, comparing transactions, and refining their strategy.
However, to fully leverage this information, it is essential to place it in context and complement it with expert local market analysis. To sell at the right price or buy with greater peace of mind, the support of a Capifrance advisor remains a decisive advantage.
DVF Database Updates, Coverage, and Limitations
The database is updated twice a year at the end of April and the end of October, with a delay of several months between the transaction and its open data publication. The DVF does not cover Alsace-Moselle or Mayotte. Some transfers do not display a price, and anonymization prevents any re-identification. Cross-reference this data with other sources and the expertise of an advisor.
Limitations to Be Aware Of
☐ Semiannual updates with delays
☐ Exclusion of Alsace-Moselle and Mayotte
☐ Some transfers without prices
☐ Strict anonymization
Your Capifrance Advisor Supports You With Your Property Sale or Purchase
The DVF is a useful first step, but the local expertise of a Capifrance advisor makes all the difference. Our real estate professionals understand market trends and interpret the data to optimize your property valuation. With the Capifrance valuation tool, you benefit from informed decision-making. Check out our tips for selling successfully in 2026 and contact an advisor.
FAQ About the DVF
Which Website Allows You to View the Prices of Sold Houses?
The official website app.dvf.etalab.gouv.fr allows you to consult actual property prices in France free of charge. Explore.data.gouv.fr provides the complete DVF file. Private tools enrich this data to refine your land market analysis.
When Is DVF Data Updated?
The DVF database is updated twice a year, in April and October. There is a delay of several months between the signing of deeds and publication. Recent transactions may not yet appear.
How Long Does DVF Data Cover?
The DVF covers the last five years of transfers for consideration. This period makes it possible to analyze price trends and market developments in order to make informed decisions.
Author :
Frédéric Rémy – Director of Commercial Performance
A real estate professional for several years within the Capifrance network, I would like to share with you some essential advice to help you succeed in your real estate project with the support of our advisors.
