LOCATION Choosing an area Money hotspots ON A BUDGET AND KEEN TO INVEST WISELY? KAREN tait DISCOVERS THE FIVE SAFEST PLACES IN FRANCE TO PUT YOUR PROPERTY POUNDS AT THE MOMENT hen you buy a The Cantal 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 Puy Mary and the Parisians and also from Outside of the capital, Cantal (department number 15) Plomb du Cantal, and the Provence, the Alps and 11 regions saw a higher- in the Auvergne region, with an Truyère gorges are also Côte d’Azur. than-average increase: astounding 18% increase over popular. Manmade attractions “Another factor to be Languedoc-Roussillon the past year. The average include the Garabit viaduct investigated is the change in (12.6%), Nord-Pas de house price in this mountainous (created by someone you may climate – could it be that global Calais (10.1%), Rhône- and peaceful location is have heard of: Gustav Eiffel) warming is contributing Alpes (9.7%), Aquitaine €121,000, considerably under and Plus Beaux Villages Salers 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%), Picardy 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%), Poitou-Charentes mountain range, a group of comments Jean-Stephane comments that easier (8.3%), Champagne- 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 Limousin (8%). populated and rural. Even its is one of the last remaining introduction of the new low-cost But some of the main towns – Aurillac, 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 Rodez, Limoges and other departments. “Cantal is one of the only going, any money you Lyon, and also TGV services to “What may also have departments of France 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 Le Lioran and reasons mentioned earlier. Most of years.” 36 French Property News February 2012 www.french-property-news.com TERRITOIRE eastern bank and the DE BELFORT commercial new town to the 3Hands up who’s never west. Elsewhere, the heard of Territoire de Belfort? department is made up of Well you won’t be alone, as countryside and villages. this Franche-Comté Basel/Mulhouse is the department (number 90) is department’s closest airport, little known by Brits either with Strasbourg and Geneva holidaying in France or also within reach. However, it buying property there. But is the new Burgundy-Alsace 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 Paris/Ile de documented in France, with France area. Bordering mini property booms almost Switzerland, 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 Carcassonne 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 AUDE 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, nice 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 (Toulouse, they are still low compared FRANCE/R-Cast © ATOUT Montpellier, Perpignan, 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.