Where to Find Cheap Property in France

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.

Property in The Basque Country

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.

Property in Lozere

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.”

Property in Poitou Charentes

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. 

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Some properties in France

	Ref 360818, Centre, France
	Price: £18,903 Type: House
	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.
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	Ref 2690886, Languedoc-Rousillon, Herault, France
	Price: £23,013 Type: House
	In a hamlet at 2 minutes from Lamalou-les-Bains, stone house to renovate on a 100 m2 plot with view. In a hamlet at 2 minutes from Lamalou-les-Bains, stone house to renovate on a 100 m2 plot with view. Possibility to create 90 m2 of liv
	View details | Enquire further

	Ref 314575, Centre, France
	Price: £23,317 Type: House
	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.
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	Ref 3046103, Midi Pyrenees, Gers, France
	Price: £28,766 Type: House
	This plot of constructible land with expansive views of the countryside, of a surface area of 2,100 m2, has planning permission for the construction of a detached house. It is 5 mins of a small town with amenities.
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	Ref 322516, Centre, France
	Price: £32,136 Type: House
	Between La Chatre and Aigurande, this charming country house is composed of a room in down stairs with chimney, wall cupboard in side, beams and stones apparents. Suitable attic above. Water is served and electricity is in the vicinity.
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	Ref 314599, Centre, France
	Price: £33,862 Type: House
	10 min of La Chatre, this country house needs to be restored. Livingroom with insert and visible beams, other room and boxroom. Suitable attic. Old barn and old house with a room. Well. The whole on 3120 m.
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	Ref 314523, Centre, France
	Price: £36,081 Type: House
	Area of Ste Severe, this barn which is to be rehabilitated offer of beautiful possibilities of installation. A room with existing chimney. Contiguous hangar and garage, hen house.
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	Ref 314564, Centre, France
	Price: £36,163 Type: House Bedrooms: 1
	This beautiful country house, which is to be restored, offers to you a sublime view on the countryside berrichonne. It is composed of 2 parts. The barn with porteau, as well as the stables contiguous to the house, can allow a very big enlarging.
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	Ref 353655, Languedoc-Rousillon, Herault, France
	Price: £37,807 Type: House Bedrooms: 2
	Village house to refresh/modernise, well located in the heart of the village and offering about 45 m² of living space including 2 bedrooms. It also offers a small terrace of 4 m² with nice views.
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	Ref 314609, Centre, France
	Price: £40,437 Type: House Bedrooms: 2
	In the area of Ste Svre, this country house is to be restored. ithas : kitchen, dining room, 2 bedrooms. Convertable attic. Storeroom in lean to. Out building with baker s oven. On 5696 m of ground.
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