Giving proof of home purchase

It is not essential to be a homeowner in France to apply for a visa

I am buying a house in France but have only signed the pre-sale contract – promesse de vente. Is that acceptable for a visa application as proof of my address in France?

Yes, a promesse, or compromis de vente, is acceptable as proof of address – it is not essential to have signed the final acte de vente at this stage.

It is also not essential to be a homeowner in France to apply for a visa, though it will carry more weight than if, say, a person states they plan to stay with someone else.