Mark Stücklin
Gérard Depardieu is reportedly looking to sell his two homes in France without the help of estate agents, which would save him money in commissions. Is this a course of action open to vendors in Spain?
French cinema legend Gérard Depardieu has reportedly decided to sever his last ties with France, putting his properties up for sale—including his holiday home near Trouville-sur-Mer in Normandy—without using an estate agent. His reasons for leaving France? He feels “undesirable” in his homeland and is fed up with the country’s high taxes, which also might explain why he wants to sell direct and cut out estate agents and their commissions, which might feel like another tax.
A tax exile on the move
Depardieu, who holds French, Russian, and Emirati citizenships, has never been shy about his views on France’s taxation system. He has long criticised what he sees as punitive taxes on success, creativity, and talent. Now, after years of threatening to leave, it seems he’s making good on his word. His Normandy villa in Chemin de Calenville, a sought-after coastal area frequented by Parisian elites, is quietly on the market. His Parisian mansion is also available for the right buyer—just don’t expect to find it in any agency window.
Selling the FSBO way
Depardieu’s approach is what’s known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO), meaning he wants to handle the sale directly, without involving an estate agent. A close friend of the actor confirmed that he wants to avoid traditional listings, preferring to sell privately.
FSBO has its advantages. Sellers avoid agency commissions (which can sometimes be exorbitant), maintain greater control over the sale, and can move things along more efficiently if necessary. But it’s not for the faint-hearted: Getting a property ready for sale, marketing it, managing inquiries, negotiating the sale, and doing the paperwork requires time, effort, and a fair bit of know-how. Presumably, Depardieu has a PA or lawyer handling this for him—unless he fancies fielding calls from curious buyers himself.
The reality of FSBO in Spain
I’ve spoken to foreign property owners in Spain who have gone the FSBO route for different reasons. Some found that local agents weren’t equipped to market their properties to international buyers, so they had no choice but to handle it themselves. Others were put off by high fees for an inadequate service, though that all depends on the quality of the agent you use.
That said, technology is making FSBO more accessible. Owners can list directly on portals like Idealista, reaching buyers just as effectively as estate agents. AI can help generate compelling property descriptions, and good photography is easy to arrange—though this is one area where many estate agents provide value. A professional shoot can make a huge difference in attracting interest.
Selling in Spain? Stay tuned
If you’re considering selling your property in Spain—whether fully FSBO or with a hybrid approach (using agents whilst also doings some of the marketing yourself)—stay tuned. I’ll soon be launching a service that’s perfect for owners who want to market their properties directly while retaining flexibility. SPI is already the top-ranking website for properties for sale directly from owners in Spain, so make sure you’re signed up for my newsletter to stay in the loop.
As for Depardieu, it remains to be seen whether he’ll manage to offload his properties smoothly or if he’ll regret shunning the traditional sales route. But one thing is clear: he’s done with France, and he’s not looking back.
