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Completion
In France, completion virtually always comes about at a formal meeting in the Notary’s office with all parties present.
The parties would include not only the vendor and the purchaser but very often the Estate Agent and sometimes other intermediaries such as the representative of the lending bank etc.
The Notary will often physically hand a cheque drawn on his client account for the amount of the purchase price (less the agent’s commission) to the vendor and the vendor will then hand the keys to the purchaser.
The Estate Agent’s fee will also usually be paid by the Notary at the completion meeting directly to the Estate Agent from the funds on his client account.
It is strongly recommended that you attempt to obtain a draft of the “acte authentique” (being the formal deed of completion or conveyance) well prior to the signing.
It is not the habit of a French Notary to give a copy of the signed document to the parties and the original is held permanently in his archives.
It is possible, if unusual, for the purchaser to obtain a photocopy after the event and for a fee or even (albeit some months later) an “expedition” being a notarised copy of the original.
It is advisable to ensure that all sums necessary for the purchase, including all fees and costs, should be in the Notary’s hands (or rather on his client account to your order) at least 5 days prior to completion
It is also respectfully mentioned that you should not pay part of the purchase in cash – no matter how many times intermediaries will tell it is the ‘done thing’ - it is a criminal offence and you as a purchaser would become an accomplice.
It should also be noted that the completion agreement will usually contain a declaration by the purchaser that he or she has had the fullest opportunity to visit and inspect the property and thus to identify any apparent defects (which thus may not be raised after the purchase either to invalidate the sale or to seek a reduction in price).
Post completion
After the completion meeting by which the property is legally conveyed to you as the new owner, you should think about ensuring that the local Utilities have been advised of the change, especially the local tax authority, EDF/GDF, telephone, water etc.
Moreover, and above all, you must (as from the moment of purchase) ensure that the property is fully insured in your name.
Finally, France does not have bearer title deeds for real property – but instead a record of the “acte authentique” or authentic deed of conveyance is held by permanently by the Notary.
As mentioned above, she will issue formal copies against a relatively moderate charge, but proof of title of ownership would generally be held to flow from the National Land Registry and National Mortgage Registry entries.
For further information relating to the completion of the conveyance of real property in France, please click here 
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