How to invest in France using ETFs
How do I invest in French stocks?
The easiest way to invest in the French stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs.
On the French stock market you'll find 2 indices which are tracked by ETFs.
Alternatively, you may invest in indices on the Eurozone.
Performance of French stocks (CAC 40®)
Indices in comparison
The best indices for ETFs on France
For an investment in the French stock market, there are 2 indices available which are tracked by 3 ETFs. On the CAC 40® index there are 2 ETFs. On the MSCI France index there is 1 ETF. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on these indices is between 0,20% p.a. and 0,25% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CAC 40® | Frankrijk | 2 ETFs | 40 | The CAC 40® index tracks the largest and most traded French stocks listed on Euronext in Paris. Index factsheet |
MSCI France | Frankrijk | 1 ETF | 60 (29-11-2024) | The MSCI France index tracks the leading French stocks. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28-02-2025; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
The best France ETFs
by 1 year return
| 1 | iShares MSCI France UCITS ETF | +6,03% |
| 2 | Amundi CAC 40 UCITS ETF Dist | +4,90% |
| 3 | Xtrackers CAC 40 UCITS ETF 1D | +4,87% |
The cheapest France ETFs
by total expense ratio (TER)
| 1 | Xtrackers CAC 40 UCITS ETF 1D | +0,20% p.a. |
| 2 | Amundi CAC 40 UCITS ETF Dist | +0,25% p.a. |
| 3 | iShares MSCI France UCITS ETF | +0,25% p.a. |
Eurozone indices with a large share of France
Besides France ETFs you may consider ETFs on the European stock markets. In total, you can invest in 4 indices on the Eurozone tracked by 23 ETFs. The total expense ratio (TER) of ETFs on the Eurozone is between 0,05% p.a. and 0,20% p.a..
| Index | Investment focus | Number of ETFs | Number of constituents | Short description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EURO STOXX® | Europa France: 34.60% (30/11/2022) | 1 ETF | 299 (28-06-2024) | The EURO STOXX® index tracks stocks from eurozone countries included in the STOXX® Europe 600 Index. The STOXX® Europe 600 index tracks large, mid and small capitalisation stocks from European developed countries. Index factsheet |
| EURO STOXX® 50 | Europa France: 40.10% (30/11/2022) | 14 ETFs | 50 | The EURO STOXX® 50 index tracks the 50 largest companies in the eurozone. Index factsheet |
| MSCI EMU | Europa France: 36.82% (30/11/2022) | 6 ETFs | 222 (29-11-2024) | The MSCI EMU index tracks large and mid cap stocks from countries in the European Economic and Monetary Union. Index factsheet |
| Solactive GBS Developed Markets Eurozone Large & Mid Cap | Europa France: 31.90% (30/11/2022) | 2 ETFs | 195 (28-06-2024) | The Solactive GBS Developed Markets Eurozone Large & Mid Cap index tracks large and mid cap securities from Eurozone countries. Index factsheet |
Source: justETF.com; As of 28-02-2025; Calculations in EUR based on the largest ETF of the respective index.
