sign in sign up
<<
Home , Cantal, Le Lioran, Picardy, Plomb du Cantal, Puy Mary, Roussillon

LOCATION Choosing an area Money hotspots on a budget and keen to invest wisely? karen tait discovers the five safest places in to put your property pounds at the moment

hen you buy a The landscape is all mountain peaks, rivers and lakes, property in great for outdoor pursuits – WFrance, whether shown here are the Truyère gorges for holidays or a full-time move, you’re investing in a way of life, in your personal happiness. It’s not all about money. But having said that, it is good to know you’re making a sound financial investment too. Unlike the UK, where the property market is stuck in the doldrums, France is performing well. In the last year, falling prices have been reversed, and the Notaires de France, who

record house prices across FRANCE/R-Cast © ATOUT the country, report a national increase in CANTAL Super Lioran take over. of the new inhabitants to the average house prices of The department with the Panoramic views can be Cantal are predicted to be 7.9% in 2010-11. 1highest price rise is enjoyed from and the Parisians and also from Outside of the capital, Cantal (department number 15) , and the , the and 11 regions saw a higher- in the region, with an Truyère gorges are also Côte d’Azur. than-average increase: astounding 18% increase over popular. Manmade attractions “Another factor to be - the past year. The average include the Garabit viaduct investigated is the change in (12.6%), -Pas de house price in this mountainous (created by someone you may climate – could it be that global (10.1%), Rhône- and peaceful location is have heard of: Gustav Eiffel) warming is contributing Alpes (9.7%), €121,000, considerably under and Plus Beaux Villages towards an even warmer and (9.2%), Provence-Alpes- the national average of and Tournemire. more attractive Cantal?” Côte d’Azur (9.2%), €165,000, so a home here won’t “There are perhaps a variety Jon Robinson of French Auvergne (9%), break the bank either. of factors as to why property Country Homes (www. (8.9%), Franche-Comté Named after the Cantal prices have risen in the Cantal,” frenchcountryhomes.com) (8.4%), - mountain range, a group of comments Jean-Stephane comments that easier (8.3%), - extinct, eroded volcanic peaks, Vilain of Selection Habitat accessibility has also boosted Ardenne (8%) and the department is sparsely (www.selectionhabitat.com). “It the area’s appeal: “With the (8%). populated and rural. Even its is one of the last remaining introduction of the new low-cost But some of the main towns – , St-Flour, departments where one can still flights from Southampton to individual departments and Mauriac – are relatively find untouched, character Clermont Ferrand in 2011, the have seen even more small. It’s the perfect place to properties in a preserved whole of the Auvergne has striking rises and it is the get away from it all, in fact environment so this has become more accessible. The top five of these high Aurillac is said to be the farthest increased demand, together airport has been working performers that I’m going removed departmental capital with the fact that property intently on increasing the to concentrate on here. from a major motorway. There prices were much lower to number of destinations over the Because if they continue are airports not too far away begin with compared with last couple of years. the way they’ve been though, at , and other departments. “Cantal is one of the only going, any money you , and also TGV services to “What may also have where invest in property there the latter two cities. contributed towards the price you can still pick up a bargain will be very safe indeed – In summer, the peaks of the rise is a recent article in the to renovate,” he adds. “Plus the and certainly better off Parc Regional des Volcans French newspaper Le Monde skiing area in the Auvergne is than in a savings account d’Auvergne are perfect for a where it stated that by 2020, becoming more popular and the in the UK. range of activities, including Cantal will become one of the number of enquiries for second hiking, horse-riding, mountain departments with the highest homes close to Le Mont Dore biking and watersports on the population increase thanks to and Super Besse has grown many lakes, while in winter, the its quality of life and the steadily over the last couple ski resorts of and reasons mentioned earlier. Most of years.” 36 French Property News February 2012 www.french-property-news.com Territoire eastern bank and the de commercial new town to the 3Hands up who’s never west. Elsewhere, the heard of ? department is made up of Well you won’t be alone, as countryside and villages. this Franche-Comté Basel/ is the department (number 90) is department’s closest airport, little known by Brits either with and Geneva holidaying in France or also within reach. However, it buying property there. But is the new - with a house price hike of TGV rail line that has really 13.6% over the past year, put Belfort on the map as the perhaps it’s time househunters high-speed trains will now paid it a little attention. It’s not stop in the city. This will the cheapest area though, reduce travelling times from with an average house price Belfort to the capital from of €165,400. around three and a half hours Territoire de Belfort is the to two and a quarter hours. smallest department in France The ‘TGV effect’ is well outside of the /Ile de documented in France, with France area. Bordering mini property booms almost , more than a always accompanying the © ATOUT FRANCE/Catherine Bibollet FRANCE/Catherine © ATOUT third of its population live in opening of a new line or The medieval citadel of was restored in the 19th century, the departmental capital, station. Indeed, the whole and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site Belfort, which is known for its area experiences a boost. Vauban citadel and sandstone With over 2.4 million Nîmes and Béziers), and lion statue by Frederic- passengers a year expected Languedoc-Roussillon TGV stations at all these Auguste Bartholdi, who also to arrive at the two new 2has seen the highest main towns too. designed the Statue of Liberty stations of Belfort-Montbéliard regional price rises over the “Rising prices in the Aude in New York. Every July, the and Besançon, the Franche- past year, so it’s no surprise could be due to the fact that town attracts thousands of Comté region is gearing itself that two of its departments it is generally cheaper there rock fans for the up for increased economic feature here. Aude than in other Mediterranean Eurockéennes festival. and tourist activity. No (department number 11) departments and you get Belfort is divided by the wonder then that property comes in at second place, more ‘bang for your buck’,” Savoureuse river, with the old prices have already started with an increase of 17.8% – comments Annelise town and château on the to rise. good news for the many Bosshard of AB Real Estate Brits who have already (www.ab-real-estate.com). Languedoc-Roussillon has bought property here. “The more people cotton The average house price onto this, the more prices the highest regional price currently sits at €141,000, will be gradually driven up. rises from the past year, so less than the national Freddy Rueda of Real average, so another area Estate Languedoc (www. it’s no surprise that some of that represents value realestatelanguedoc.com) its departments feature here for money. adds: “People from northern The administrative capital France and outside France is Carcassonne, famous for are still coming to the south, its awe-inspiring medieval even if there is an citadel, although Narbonne international crisis. The is bigger in terms of Aude is the perfect place – population; Narbonne has an properties are not too highly impressive cathedral and the priced, there’s a good Canal de la Robine runs climate, landscapes, old through the town centre. villages, good food and The department has wine, and low-cost airlines. mountains (Pyrénées and “Clients who are coming Montagne Noir) and coast less, for example, from the (Gruissan and Port-la- UK, are being replaced by Nouvelle resorts), as well as buyers from northern Cathar castles and important countries (Swedish, winemaking areas such as Norwegians) and by Minervois, Corbières and Americans and Australians. Fitou. Then there’s the So there is still demand and UNESCO World Heritage it is unlikely that prices will listed Canal du Midi and decrease in the future. Prices Plus Beaux Village Lagrasse fell after the subprime crisis with its abbey. and are now near or at The area is easy to reach bottom so it’s a good time by air, with Aude having its to buy. Once debt problems own international airport at in the eurozone are sorted Carcassonne as well as out, prices will rise again as

others close by (, they are still low compared FRANCE/R-Cast © ATOUT , , with Provence.” On the border of Burgundy and Alsace, Belfort occupied a strategic position – its citadel is the best preserved of the many fortifications built by Vauban www.french-property-news.com February 2012 French Property News 37 Note the distinctive Comté-style bell tower on the church in Chancey, a typical village in rural Haute-Saône modern industry. With young people moving away and old people staying behind, properties started to be abandoned. And there you have it: beautiful, big, cheap properties in hilly countryside with lots of woods and pastures. An excellent situation for buyers looking for value for money. A big farmhouse here will cost 10 times less than in the UK. And there are plenty for sale. “You can compare the area to the Ardèche and in the 1960s and 1970s. This is

© ATOUT FRANCE/CRT Franche-Comté/H. Hugues Franche-Comté/H. FRANCE/CRT © ATOUT one reason why I think prices are rising: buyers from Britain, Holland and , Haute-Saône the department is made up of blowing can still be seen searching for stability and a It appears that the agricultural land and forests, there today. slow pace of life, are starting 4new TGV line is already with many lakes. The main The closest airports are at to discover the area and working its magic on Haute- town, , enjoys a lovely Strasbourg and Geneva, or properties that can’t easily be Saône (70), also in Franche- valley setting and has an old you could, of course, catch the found in their native countries Comté, as the department town with attractive Gothic TGV to Belfort-Montbéliard, and if so would cost a fortune. saw a house price increase of buildings. Haute-Saône’s wine Besançon or . “Prices are really low in 13.6% in 2010-11. The average industry centres on the pretty “In the 20th century many comparison with other price in this rural, sparsely town of Champlitte, while young people moved from regions, and they may now be populated department is just Pesmes is one of France’s Plus Haute-Saône, a mostly rural catching up with other areas. €124,900, so it would be a good Beaux Villages. area, to the cities,” comments The financial crisis might also place for anyone seeking a Although quiet now, in the Dick Goosen of Franimo be a reason for the price rises; peaceful country home on a 19th century Haute-Saône was (www.franimo.com). “There people are searching for limited budget. one of France’s most industrial wasn’t a of work in the bargains – and they can find Named after the Saône river, areas; lace-making and glass- region because of the lack of them here.”

Gard Back to the sunny south, 5and (department number 30) in Languedoc- Roussillon, where house prices have risen by 13.5% over the past year. At €200,000, the average price reflects the popularity of this southern, Mediterranean location. Long popular with overseas property buyers, the Romans were some of the first foreign househunters to arrive in the area! You can see evidence of this in the arena at Nîmes (the departmental capital) and the spectacular Pont du Gard aqueduct. Gard divides into three fairly distinct geographical areas: the

mountainous north-west, part of FRANCE/Jean Malburet © ATOUT the Cevennes National Park; Ramparts of the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes in Gard – it was built in the 13th century on the orders of Louis IX the garrigues through the centre, with olive groves and airport and TGV stations, plus “The region remains one more people are getting wise to vineyards; and the coastal easy access to the other airports of the most desirable, by that, and there is a ripple effect portion to the south. On the and rail links listed in the French and expats alike, of rising house prices running border with the Provence-Côte Aude section. due to its warmer climate, down the coast from Italy d’Azur region, parts have a “Both Aude and Gard are easy accessibility, sandy toward Spain. distinctly Provençal feel, and historically the cheapest along beaches, beautiful countryside “The population in there are attractive towns such the French Mediterranean coast and relaxed pace of life. Languedoc-Roussillon increases as Uzès, Alès, Remoulins, and therefore house prices may It is a popular location for about 10% each year as is Aigues-Mortes and Bagnols- be gradually aligning buying property for these evidenced by the expanding sur-Cèze, as well as Plus themselves with the other reasons and also because villages and lotissements. There Beaux Villages La Roque-sur- departments,” comments prices are competitive are projections that the Cèze and Aiguèze. Annelise Bosshard of AB compared with other areas in population will double over the Nîmes has an international Real Estate. the south of France. More and next 20 years.” 38 French Property News February 2012 www.french-property-news.com