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One million euros is a serious budget anywhere. In Paris or on the Croisette it buys a beautiful pied-à-terre. In Dubai, the same sum — about AED 4.1 million — buys something quite different: more space, newer buildings and resort-style amenities.
For many French and European buyers, the question is no longer whether to own abroad, but where a budget works hardest. Paris and the Côte d’Azur remain timeless. Dubai has become the serious alternative for many of them.
To compare like for like, we took median 2026 prices per square metre for apartments in the most sought-after areas of each market, and converted €1 million at around 4.12 dirhams to the euro (October 2026). The results are indicative — floor, view and condition always move the price — but the gap is striking.
Paris: Prestige by the Square Metre
In Paris, €1 million buys an address more than it buys space. The most prestigious arrondissements cost well above the city average:
- 6th and 7th arrondissements: around €14,200–14,400 per m², so roughly 70 m² — a comfortable two-bedroom near Saint-Germain or the Eiffel Tower.
- 16th arrondissement: around €10,900 per m², or roughly 92 m², often in a classic Haussmann-era building.
- Paris average: apartments averaged €9,630 per m² in October 2026, or about 104 m² for €1 million.
- What to expect: character and location, but usually older buildings, with parking, a pool or a concierge the exception rather than the rule.
Sources: Paris prices by arrondissement from DVF data via Home Select (12 months to mid-2026); Paris and rent averages from MeilleursAgents/SeLoger (October 2026); Cannes from PAP (October 2026); Dubai apartment medians from DXBinteract; purchase costs from Crédit Agricole and Sotheby’s International Realty UAE. Figures are indicative.
The Côte d’Azur: Sea Views at a Premium
On the Croisette
On Cannes’ most famous stretch, Croisette – Palm Beach, apartments average around €10,950 per m². One million euros buys roughly 91 m² — often with a terrace, and a sea view if you are lucky with the floor.
Across Cannes
Step back from the seafront and the average falls to around €5,800 per m², or about 170 m² for €1 million. The trade-off is clear: more space, but further from the beach and the views that define the Riviera’s appeal.
“In Paris, €1 million buys an address. In Dubai, it buys an address, the space and the lifestyle that goes with it.”
Dubai: Where €1 Million Buys Space and Views
In Dubai, AED 4.1 million puts buyers in the upper-middle of the market, with a choice of established waterfront and family communities. Based on recent median apartment prices:
- Dubai Marina — around AED 1,990 per sq ft, or roughly 190 m²: a large three-bedroom with marina or sea views.
- Dubai Hills Estate — around AED 2,340 per sq ft, or roughly 164 m², in a green, family-focused community with a golf course.
- Business Bay — around AED 2,440 per sq ft, or roughly 157 m², minutes from Downtown and the Dubai Canal.
- Dubai Creek Harbour — around AED 2,560 per sq ft, or roughly 150 m², on the waterfront with views towards Downtown.
- Palm Jumeirah — around AED 3,400 per sq ft, or roughly 113 m². Dubai’s most prestigious island still offers about 60% more space than the same budget in the 7th arrondissement.
Most of these buildings come with a pool, gym, security and parking as standard. For investors, the difference continues after purchase: gross rental yields in these communities run at around 7%, compared with roughly 4% in Paris. Browse our ready-to-move homes and off-plan projects, or read our villas vs apartments analysis.
The Cost of Buying and Owning
The purchase price is only part of the comparison. Buying and holding costs differ just as much:
Before You Compare: Four Practical Points
- Compare like for like: a Paris figure often refers to an older building without amenities; a Dubai figure usually includes a pool, gym and parking.
- Square metres and square feet: Dubai prices are quoted per square foot. One square metre equals 10.76 square feet.
- Watch the currency: the dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so the euro–dollar rate changes what €1 million is worth in Dubai.
- Budget the fees and charges: include purchase fees and yearly service charges, which vary widely between buildings and communities.
The through-line is simple: Paris and the Côte d’Azur sell heritage, culture and a timeless address — and they will always have their buyers. Dubai offers something different for the same budget: up to twice the space, newer buildings, lower purchase costs and stronger rental returns. For many buyers, the answer is not one or the other, but knowing exactly what each euro buys.
Frequently Asked Questions
At around 4.12 dirhams to the euro, €1 million is about AED 4.1 million. Based on recent median prices, that buys roughly 150–190 m² in communities such as Dubai Marina, Dubai Hills Estate, Business Bay or Dubai Creek Harbour, or about 113 m² on Palm Jumeirah.
Per square metre, yes in most prime areas. Apartments in Paris’s 6th and 7th arrondissements cost around €14,000 per m², while prime Dubai communities range from roughly €5,200 to €8,900 per m² at current exchange rates.
In Dubai, buyers typically pay a 4% Dubai Land Department fee plus AED 4,000 in registration fees, and an agency fee where applicable. In France, notary fees on an existing property are around 7–8% of the price.
No. Dubai has no annual property tax. Owners pay yearly service charges to maintain their building or community, and a municipality housing fee linked to the home’s rental value is collected through the utility bill.
Luxe Harmony helps French and international buyers compare communities, buildings and costs — so you know exactly what your euros buy before you decide.
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