The average price of a building plot in France in 2012 was €67m², an increase of 8.1% over 2011, although rural land prices remained relatively static.

Largest price increases occurred in Paris, with building land rises by 21% to reach an average of €323m² in the capital, falling to €210m² in the wider Ile de France.

By contrast, building land in rural areas changed hands for an average of €44m², an increase of 1% over 2011.

Accompanying the increase in land prices was a reduction in the average size of the plots, down from 1,107m² in 2011 to 1,070m² in 2012. Perhaps not surprisingly the smallest plots were in the Ile de France (averaging 725m²), with the largest in the Limousin (averaging 1,948m²).

The costs of the homes built on these plots averaged €1,186m², with Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur the highest cost at €1,349m², and the lowest in the Centre region at €1,063m².

The figures come from the annual review of building land prices carried out by the statistical service of the French government.

The table below shows the average prices for building land in each region of France for the past three years.

Although the figures are a useful benchmark, within each region there are substantial variations in prices, and those in the table reflect the majority of sales based in urban areas.

Accordingly, you might expect to pay less for plots in rural areas, although, as always, the price will depend upon scarcity and location.