Country: France
In these credit-crunch times, it’s good to know that there are still pockets of France where cash-strapped property buyers can get value for money. You may have to travel that little bit further, or sacrifice the sea view, but step off the beaten track and there are some amazing property deals to be done. Prepare to be pleasantly surprised.
With direct, low-cost flights into Biarritz and Pau (plus Bilbao, across the Spanish border), the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département is easily reached from the UK. Most visitors are familiar with bourgeois Biarritz and its chic, art deco architecture, but beyond the cosmopolitan town is a less-populated landscape of palm-fringed coast, rolling green countryside, white-water rivers, forests and mountain peaks, where the thermometer rarely dips below six degrees Celsius.
To the north of the county, the Landes area encompasses pine forests and vast, deserted beaches; one of France’s least-populated areas, it is perfect for property hunters craving unspoilt scenery. “Properties for sale on the coast will always command high prices, but head half an hour inland and there are vast farms with land starting from €550,000,” says Julia Troccaz of Beyond Biarritz. “Basque farmsteads traditionally housed both family and livestock, so this kind of property comes with huge amounts of living space; villages like Sare, Ascain and Espelette are attractive, well-kept, and still relatively near the Atlantic.”
Farms to be renovated cost from €300,000 (£240,000), but remember to factor in the work needed to render the property habitable; materials and labour are expensive here, according to Troccaz, who suggests that the best buys to be had in Landes are directly inland from the popular resorts of Capbreton and Hossegor: “Prices of Landes property are lower than around Biarritz, because there’s more available land, yet the access is still incredibly good; you can be 15 minutes inland but only 20 minutes from Biarritz airport, five minutes from the motorway, and 25 minutes from Saint-Jean-de-Luz.” Budget upwards of €500,000 (£397,000) for a renovated Landaise farm with around 6,000 square metres of land.
Down on the Mediterranean coast, the region of Languedoc-Roussillon is made up of five administrative départements, of which only one – Lozère – lacks a coastline. This hilly, land-locked area of long, winding roads has low visitor numbers and an even lower profile, particularly when it comes to British property buyers (figures released last year classified Lozère as the French département with the lowest number of overseas-property owners, qualifying the presence of Johnny Foreigner as “insignificant.”)
This authentically French spot is also very quiet: French news magazine L’Express and its 2007 “Best Places to Live in France” survey voted Lozère the ideal retirement destination, by dint of its unspoilt landscapes, quiet roads, and low pollution and crime rates. It has a small population (around 73,500, which works out as 14 locals per square metre), and arguably not much in the way of cultural infrastructure (the area is ranked 94th out of 96 on this particular point), but Lozère is undeniably well suited to those in search of a quiet, safe base, and property in Lozere comes cheap.
The L’Express survey ranks Lozère as the seventh least-expensive area to buy property in. Alex Charles of Crème de Languedoc comments: “You won’t find much opportunity for capital growth or rental potential, but Lozère’s property market offers great value, and its large, stone-built properties are perfect for self-sufficient types with the necessary know-how. Your money will go further here than in the Languedoc’s busier southern areas of Gard and Hérault. A budget of €242,000 (£192,000) buys a two-bedroom stone property set in 1.5 acres [over half a hectare] of land in the Cévennes national park, which would be ideal for nature lovers; or, for twice the price we’re selling a vast, five-bedroom, renovated farmhouse with outbuildings, with an acre [just under half a hectare] of ground near the village of Florac.”
The Charente area sits amid the undulating countryside and forests of western France’s oitou-Charentes region, and has been in the spotlight recently for two reasons.Firstly, some of the world’s most famous brandy is produced in the Charente town of Cognac, and sales of this precious tipple reached a new all-time high in 2007. With business booming, the cherry on the cake for locals was the opening, in spring this year, of the new Angoulême-Cognac airport, with direct flights to London Stansted.
"It’s bound to have a positive effect on the property market in and around Cognac and Jarnac," says Graham Downie, a property search agent who tips this part of western France to soar. “There are several reasons that make the Cognac area worth a look: it has a very convenient location, within striking distance of four airports, and only five and a half hours by train from London; the cognac industry makes it an affluent area popular with tourists, who come to visit Rémy Martin, Hennessy, Martell and Courvoisier, which means it’s lively year-round; and the thriving local economy spells good news for property owners and investors alike.” Figures released in June 2008 show that of the nine areas that make up Poitou-Charentes, property in Charente has the most accessibly priced dwellings, and its traditional stone properties will appeal to property buyers with a penchant for character property. According to Downie, a two-bedroom townhouse within five minutes’ walk of Cognac’s main square can be picked up for around €120,000 (£95,000), while €200,000 (£159,000) bags a three-bedroom stone property in a nearby village, with a small garden and easy access to shops and restaurants. For an imposing four- to six-bedroom property with pool, walled garden and vineyard views (the kind coveted by many UK property buyers), allow €300,000 to €450,000 (£240,000 to £355,000); in the lively market town of Jarnac (home to the house of Courvoisier), a three-bedroom property in immaculate condition, with pool and garden, is selling for just under €400,000 (£318,000).First published in October 2008. 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.
Price: £6,793
Type: Apartment
Exceptional low risk investment with low entry costs and government backed Leaseback for 11 years and 19.6% VAT rebate from the developer making the initial investment only €10,400
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Exceptional low risk investment with low entry costs and government backed Leaseback for 11 years and 19.
Price: £12,137
Type: House
Bedrooms: 2
Nearly 1ha of Oak woodland, with road access. - Large flat plot of mainly Oak woodland, with some good size trees. Accessed from the road and chemins. Will keep you in firewood for years..
Price: £13,587
Little pied--terre to renovate in a peaceful hamlet - In a quiet hamlet about two miles from the nearest village, this property has the potential to be something special.
Price: £20,833
15 min in the South of La Chatre, this country house is with retaured. It is composed of 2 rooms, lime pit foot, with beams, stone slabs on the ground and chimney. Suitable attic above. The walls and roof are in good condition.
Price: £23,550
Superb Building Plot of 4704 m² With Valid CU & Beautiful Open Views in Dordogne Hamlet - This very attractive building plot of more than an acre of land has recently been granted an outline planning permission, with water, electricity and
Building plot in a pretty village with outline planning permission in Alloue in the Charente - This plot of land is set in a very pretty village in the Charente near to Confolens.
Price: £23,731
20 minutes South-East of La Chatre, this barn of approximately 60 m on the ground is to be rehabilitated. It offers a beautiful potential of installation to you. Outbuilding in bad condition on a side, boxroom and baker s oven of the other.
Price: £25,697
10 min of La Chatre, this building, which is to be restored, offers a beautiful potential of installation to you. It is currently composed of a room, barn, stable and attic above. Courtyard in front.
Price: £26,902
Property Description: Great little apartment in Grimaud with fantastic views.Newly refurbished and direct from the owner.For more information please ring French Office or Berlin Office.
Prices from: £216,209
Bedrooms: 1 & 2
Belle Plagne, Savoie. Ski-in, ski-out. Fully furnished, fitted kitchens, spacious lounge area, ski locker.
Prices from: €232,000
Bedrooms: 2, 3 & 4
Apartments & townhouses on Severiano Ballesteros designed Pont Royal Golf Course between Aix-en-Provence & Avignon.
Prices from: €179,000
Bedrooms: 1
Domaine de Cramphore: 400m from 9km of sandy beach. Near to golf, tennis, horse riding and water sports.
Price: €220,000
Place de Republique: Magnificant! Tile floors, chimney, mouldings & rosettes in an exceptional location.
Price: €795,000
3 Beds. 1 bath, 1 shower
Exquisitely restored. 13 ha of private grounds. Sweeping lawns edged by woodland. Children’s play area, heated pool.
Prices from: €156,000
Bedrooms: 1, 2, 3, 4
Cohennoz: Great year round location. Mountain lifestyle, easy access to one of the best Alpine skiing areas.
