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Country Properties in France
French Country Renovation Projects
Northern France: Country Property Prices
Gites Complexes
Country Properties in France
The beautiful character properties that France has to offer from small country cottages to imposing maison de maitre, country estates and chateaux are one of the main attractions to those looking to own a property in France.
Prices vary considerably even for country properties as outside influences have a very definite effect as well as the property’s position within the area.
For instance a country house in the Gironde which is not too far from the sea on the West coast of France, and is also within easy access of Bordeaux is going to be much higher priced than one in the Cantal where a beautiful water mill with half an acre will cost only 220.000 Euros – because it is in central France, a long way from the coast and major city.
French Country Renovation Projects
It is in the most rural areas that you will find the lowest priced properties, often in need of some work. They are ideal low priced purchases – costing less than 100,000 Euros and will be ideal to enjoy the countryside, and provide a superb family holiday home to get away from it all – and most people are more than happy to potter about their home making various adjustments gradually.
If you do buy a property in need of a substantial amount of work then either be prepared to spend most of your time working on your property or have the extra money available for the work to be completed for you. Buying a property that requires work without the funds or wherewithal to do it will result in owning an unusable and unsaleable property.
For instance an ensemble of buildings to completely renovate in the Charente priced at 38,500 Euros is only ideal if you have enough money to restore it. A property at a higher price such as a small stone built cottage with 2 outbuildings, set in over quarter of an acre priced at 89,675 Euros in
Normandy might prove a better buy if your budget is limited and your DIY capability is not superb.
Northern France: Country Property Prices
As well as these outside influences there are areas that have a certain ‘cache’ which over the years have become more popular and this demand brings higher prices. However if you look carefully at the areas there is usually a good reason for the popularity and higher price – as already mentioned closeness to sea and cities, easy accessible by road, rail and air from other major cities, particularly Paris will increase demand.
Northern France has always been a little less expensive than the South but there are pockets within the regions that command extremely high prices, notably Le Touquet, Deauville plus a few others. As well as sandy beaches these two resorts are easily accessible to the Parisiens who have bought weekend homes there and over the last 100 years have made sure that they offer everything they could want from race tracks and superb stabling, indoor and outdoor tennis, a selection of golf courses within easy reach, sailing and sand surfing clubs, casino and superb hotels and restaurants.
Gites Complexes
But once you go a little inland from these resorts to the more rural areas you will find wonderful properties at superb prices. In rural areas you will find that some properties have been made into gite complexes, ie a home with some rental units on site and usually a communal pool. The gite complexes were originally on farms where the farmers’ wives rented out small units to supplement their income – more recently they have become extremely popular providing home and income to many UK buyers who perhaps are taking early retirement and still want something to do plus need to supplement their income. A gite complex should be reasonably rural but still be within reasonable reach of amenities, perhaps a few pretty villages, or a tourist attraction – there has to be a reason that people will want to come and spend their holidays there so something that is really inaccessible is not such a good idea.
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Country Property in France | Gites | Houses & Farmhouses |
