Three Montmartre Lots Failed to Sell at Auction Last Week

Three properties failed to sell at the July 6 auction held by the Paris Chambre des Notaires in Montmartre, with a total of 18 lots offered and a clearance rate of 67 percent.

Interest rates on French home loans have held above 3.4 percent since April, pushing some owners to list while leaving others without enough active bidders on the day.

One apartment at 14 Rue Lepic passed in after the highest bid reached 1.05 million euros, short of its 1.25 million euro reserve. Another at 27 Rue des Abbesses attracted no bids above 780,000 euros. A third lot near Place du Tertre also stalled. The local Montmartre Heritage Society has tracked 12 similar pass-ins in the quartier since January.

Buyer hesitation on specific streets

Agents at the event cited uncertainty over maintenance costs for older buildings along Rue Lepic, where many structures date to the 1880s. One bidder noted that recent works on the nearby Sacré-Cœur forecourt have added traffic and noise that some families now factor into offers.

Clearance rates for Montmartre auctions averaged 81 percent in the first half of 2025, according to figures released by the Chambre des Notaires on 2 July. This week’s drop aligns with a 9 percent rise in unsold stock reported across the 18th arrondissement in the same period.

Next steps for owners and buyers

Sellers whose lots passed in can relist privately through agencies on Rue Caulaincourt within 30 days or wait for the next scheduled auction on 3 August. Prospective buyers are advised to review the full reserve list published on the Chambre des Notaires website before the next round and to obtain pre-approval letters from Crédit Agricole or BNP Paribas branches in the area.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.