Starting from Zero - Unfurnished Apartments in France
How a bare apartment, an old lamp, and a secondhand sofa taught us the true cost—and charm—of moving abroad.
This is connected to some of my older posts about when we first moved to France. Before we got here, we thought we understood what “unfurnished” meant. We didn’t. What followed was a crash course in French rental culture, a steep learning curve in secondhand shopping, and a slow process of turning a bare apartment into a home, one pre-loved item at a time. Here's what we’ve learned - with some comparisons to other countries.
This is a part of a series I have been working on about our moving here, covering a bunch of the basics.
TL;DR
- Unfurnished in France often means literally nothing: no kitchen, no lights, sometimes not even a sink. In fact, leaving these things or fixing them can cost you.
- Legal and normal, these leases run three years and offer tenant protections, but you're on the hook for everything inside.
- Every country differs: Germany may not even give you cabinets, while the UK might throw in curtains.
- Checklist included for anyone trying to move without going broke or losing their mind.
- Secondhand shopping in France filled in the gaps and gave our home its character—eventually.
What “Unfurnished” Means
We’re not minimalists—far from it—but when we signed our first lease in France, we learned that unfurnished means starting from zero. No appliances, no light fixtures (sometimes just wires), no curtains, and sometimes not even a kitchen sink.
Totally normal here, and totally legal. Although I have heard stories of a few folks flipping out when they see that.
Like anywhere, this has its own logic that is different than the US for its own reasons.
In France, the difference between meublé (furnished) and vide (unfurnished) affects everything: lease length, deposit, taxes, and notice periods from your landlords. Unfurnished leases usually run for three years, and you’re responsible for making the place livable—every last detail.
Living in France. Stories, perspectives, advice.
The French tend to move much less than Americans, on average.
According to INSEE (France's national statistics agency), only about 11% of people in France change residence each year.
In the U.S., about 9–10% of the population moves each year, and more than 1 in 3 Americans relocate at least once every five years. By contrast, over 60% of French adults have never moved out of the region where they were born.
In short: the U.S. is a country of movers & France is a country of stayers. And the housing market—especially leases and unfurnished rentals—reflects that.
Sofa Smuggling, and other finds
We had to find a washer, fridge, lights, curtain rods, towel racks, towels—you name it. It felt overwhelming at first, but it ended up shaping how we explored our new city.
Every item had a story: a lamp from a warehouse on the edge of town, a table from a brocante in the countryside, to the people who sold us a hideous sofa we moved in a much too small car while making up stories of what we would tell the police when they pulled us over.
It took time, but it made the place feel like ours—something IKEA could never quite do.
This is just real life in France for regular folks trying to figure it out.
Charm takes time. And effort.
Or a whole lot of money.
We had time.
I’ve come to love shopping this way. There’s something oddly satisfying about the roughed-up randomness of it all. It’s like an interactive museum full of mystery items, no labels, and questionable lighting.
France has a lot of them. Finding the good ones just takes a little patience (and maybe a flashlight).
Furnished vs. Unfurnished: A Quick Guide to European Rental Basics
France
In France, unfurnished really means unfurnished. You often get bare bulbs, empty walls, and sometimes just plumbing hookups where a kitchen should be. Three-year leases are standard for unfurnished places, while furnished rentals usually run one year.
Germany
Germany takes it even further. It’s not unusual for tenants to install their own kitchens and take them with them when they leave. An “unfurnished” apartment may have no cabinets, sink, or appliances at all. Leases tend to be long and stable, which I guess balances things out.
Italy
Like France, Italy's unfurnished apartments can be strikingly bare. Expect to bring your own appliances and often some fixtures. Furnished rentals exist, but they’re often shorter-term & more expensive, targeted at expats or students.
Spain
Spain is a bit more forgiving. Unfurnished units often include kitchens and basic fixtures, but it still varies widely. Always confirm. Furnished options are common in urban areas, especially near universities or in tourist zones.
UK
In the UK, “unfurnished” often still includes appliances like fridges and ovens (“white goods”) —sometimes even carpets and curtains. You’ll also come across “part-furnished,” which usually means a few key pieces are included. Leases are typically six to twelve months.
USA
In the U.S., “unfurnished” doesn’t mean stripped bare. Apartments always come with a full kitchen, light fixtures, and usually standard appliances. Lease terms are typically one year, but that can vary wildly depending on the market.
Got a favorite secondhand score or a story about furnishing your place from scratch? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear how you made your space yours.
Move-In Basics Checklist (for some of Europe)
- Ask exactly what’s included—don’t assume anything.
- Get photos of kitchen and ceiling (seriously).
- Budget for appliances, fixtures, and curtain rods.
- Check lease length, deposit rules, and notice period.
- Confirm if it's a primary residence lease (bail d’habitation) or something else.
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Keith Christiansen
Keith Christiansen
