Buying Property in Bordeaux and Beaujolais
Country: France
The ongoing problems faced by the French wine industry (a drastic decline in domestic wine consumption, coupled with fierce competition from New World wine producers) means that in some parts of France, winemakers are opting to sell up. Richard Edds of Leisure and Land (a company specialising in the sale of French commercial property) comments: “Vineyard prices have dropped by an average of 15 per cent from 2004 to the present day, and in some areas, like the Beaujolais, tenants are leaving the vines because they simply can’t afford to maintain them.” While this is undoubtedly a sorry state of affairs, what it means is that sharp-eyed buyers can bag themselves vintage properties at bargain prices: if you are a wannabe winemaker, then perhaps now is the time for action. Don’t have the bottle (pun intended) to join the winemaking set? There are plenty of attractive residential properties on the market in winemaking regions across the Channel. To narrow down the choice, we’ve chosen a golden oldie – Bordeaux – and a younger contender, Beaujolais. Both are famous for their wines, and offer interesting opportunities for holidaymakers and investors alike. Property in BordeauxThis is the place to find a dream domaine, complete with family home, vines, winery and outbuildings – but the prestige of the Bordeaux brand commands a premium. Vignobles Investissement is selling a seven-bed manor house with new winery, equipment, outbuildings and almost 20 hectares of AOC-producing vines for a cool €2 million (£1.35 million); for a slightly more modest price, Leisure and Land is marketing an 1850 stone-built house with nine hectares of vines, a short drive from Bordeaux airport, for €954,000 (£647,000). Period properties sans vineyards but with land are popular with foreign buyers. Mags Deniaud of Live Bordeaux observes: “We get lots of enquiries from Brits who really like the region – understandably, they’re keen to invest in an area with such amazing wine heritage. Most are looking for holiday homes, and for a two- or three-bedroom property in habitable condition, €300,000 to €400,000 [£203,000 to £271,000] is a reasonable budget.” Currently on Live Bordeaux’s books is a detached, renovated village house 30 minutes’ drive north of the city of Bordeaux: for €325,000 (£220,000) you get exposed stone work, three bedrooms, a large lounge, and a 1,000-square-metre garden with pool. According to Deniaud, most British buyers prefer character properties with open fireplaces, wood-beam ceilings, exposed interior walls and period staircases, and the typical pale stone houses of the Gironde département really hit the spot. Deniaud suggests choosing a home that needs a little TLC: “obviously it’ll be cheaper than something that’s already renovated, and you’ll be able to put your own stamp on it” – and offers some advice about land: “If you’re buying a holiday home, by all means choose one with a garden so you can enjoy the weather, but don’t go overboard or you’ll spend all your time battling with the weeds.” Happily, travelling to the heart of French wine country from the UK is child’s play: at the time of writing, four carriers offer direct flights to Bordeaux from no less than seven different UK destinations. Property in BeaujolaisSome 30 kilometres north of Lyon, the Beaujolais area has been largely overlooked by foreign house hunters – which is surprising, given the comparatively low property prices, and the fact that the area is easily accessed from the UK (fly direct to Lyon and pick up a hire car, and the delights of this hidden gem are 40 minutes away; from Paris, hop on the high-speed TGV train and reach Lyon in just under two hours). Part of the Rhône-Alpes region, bordering Burgundy to the north and the Loire to the west, Beaujolais is essentially green, hilly, and for the most part, covered in vines of ever-changing hues; the lack of overseas homeowners also makes it ideal for anyone seeking that authentically French experience. There are three distinct areas, interspersed with medieval châteaux and churches. At the southernmost tip, the Golden Stone (Pierres Dorées) sector takes its name from the local ferrous stone, and is reminiscent of Tuscany. Carefully renovated character properties ooze cachet and make this location highly sought-after. According to British property search agent Amanda Bouet-Cook of Home Attitudes, Lyon-based families are flocking here in increasing numbers, sending house prices skywards. Particularly picturesque are the medieval hilltop village of Oingt, Jarnioux (famous for its fairytale château), and Bagnols, with its stunning 13th century château-cum-luxury hotel. To the north lies the Beaujolais appellation, home of light, fruity, easy drinking wines, and further north are the villages producing top Beaujolais crus such as Juliénas, Morgon and Moulin à Vent. Head west, and the countryside changes from vines to pines. In the Beaujolais Vert, the conifer is king. Dubbed Little Switzerland by the locals, Green Beaujolais has an alpine feel, and as there are no major tourist attractions, coachloads of visitors are rare. Sweeping views across pine-clad hillsides can be admired in peace, and the chocolate-box charm of the Pierres Dorées remains relatively undisturbed, even in peak holiday season. Bouet-Cook, who is based in the Golden Stone village of Ville-sur-Jarnioux, remarks: “People who live in the Beaujolais appreciate its convenient location. Alpine ski resorts are a couple of hours away by car, or you can drive to Switzerland in the same time. It’s easy to live in the countryside and pop into Lyon when you need a city fix.” Real estate in Beaujolais is as varied as the landscape. In the south, the button-cuteness of the Golden Stone villages and proximity to Lyon means buyers should allow €350,000 (£237,000) for a renovated, two-bedroom holiday home with a small garden. “Wine growers’ properties are attractive but they’re large homes that usually need some renovation, so budget for €280,000 to €340,000 [£190,000 to £230,000] and factor in the cost of the work, too,” advises Bouet-Cook. To the north, homes in the crus area are built in a more traditional coloured stone. Bouet-Cook estimates that a renovated three- to four-bedroom house with large garden will cost €325,000 to €450,000 (£220,000 to £305,000), depending on size, location, amount of land and quality of renovation, while manor houses and large family homes are priced from around €460,000 (£312,000). In the Beaujolais Vert – the least populated part – prices are at their most reasonable. Houses with land can be found from €160,000 (£108,000), and homes in need of total renovation will sell for even less – ideal for buyers who want accessibly-priced property, with outbuildings for conversion and a substantial amount of land. First published in October 2007.
Some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published. Homes Overseas strongly advises you to seek current legal and financial advise from a qualified professional.
Some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published. Homes Overseas strongly advises you to seek current legal and financial advise from a qualified professional.
Some properties in France
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Price: £15,293
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Type: House
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Bedrooms: 3
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NEW PRICE!!
Total renovation required of this cottage which is ideally situated near to Josselin, in fact it is possible to walk to Josselin from this little hamlet. Also near to the Nantes -Brest canal.
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Price: £16,098
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Type: Apartment
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Flat leisure land of 10 000 m2 located 500 m of a village with all amenities. No water or connexion to electricity. Ideal for gardenning or leisure for the week-end. Land along a country road with an easy access. Lovely views.
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Price: £23,342
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Type: House
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Village house to fully renovate with 80 m2 of possible living space and an interior terrace that could be uncovered (plastic roof). Non habitable as it is, electricity and plombing to foresee. The roof needs to be checked . The floors are sound.
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Price: £25,756
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Type: Apartment
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Flat leisure land of 18 000 m2 located 500 m of a village with alla amenities. No water or connexion to electricity. Ideal for gardening or leisure for the WE. Land along a country road with an easy access. Lovely views. Peaceful location!
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Price: £28,000
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Type: Apartment
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Bedrooms: 1
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Chateau de la Cazine is situated within the heart of the French Lake District of Limousin. The Chateau has undergone a massive refurbishment and is opening in April 2012.
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Price: £28,171
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Type: House
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In a hamlet at 5 minutes from Lamalou les Bains, stone house to renovate with possibility to make 90 m2 of living space on a plot of about 100 m2.
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Price: £28,332
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Type: Apartment
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Flat leisure land of 20.135 m2 located 500 m of a village with alla amenities. No water or connexion to electricity. Ideal for gardening or leisure for the WE. Land with an L shape along a country road with an easy access. Lovely views.
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Price: £30,586
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Type: House
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Bedrooms: 1
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This town house is ideally situated in a quiet residential street, only 2 minutes walk from the town centre. The dwelling of -47 m2 h.s.a., comprises 1 bedroom, bathroom, living room with kitchenette, storeroom and shower room.
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Price: £32,187
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Type: House
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Village house to renovate completely (roof, floors) with 90 m2 inside space and small terrace of around 6 m2 in front of the first floor entrance, located in an authentic village surrounded by lovely nature.
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