Town v Country – we help you decide which is best for you
So you want to buy a house in France. You have made the decision on which region, you have your
financing in place and it’s time to start looking. But where do you begin?
Leggetts alone have over 7,500 properties for sale across France and sometimes the task of finalising
your brief to give to the estate agent can seem bewildering.
Well, a great place to start is by answering the second question* that you need to ask yourself when
looking for a home in France.
“Do I want town or country”?
Both choices have plenty going for them and in this article I’m going to try and help you decide
which is best for you.
Before I do though it’s probably right for me to point out that a recent INSEE (National Institute of
Statistics and Economic Studies) report highlights the fact that there is a new wave of Britons buying
in France. The study shows that for the first time expat Britons now make up the highest number of
"foreigners" in SW France. There are now 16,000 Britons in Aquitaine, a number that could be
doubled if you add in the neighbouring departments of Gers, Charente and Charente Maritime.
What is pertinent to this article is the fact that these are not necessarily the wealthy retirees that
one associates with the heart of the Dordogne. The report shows that many of these buyers are
younger families who are looking to work in France and forge strong roots in the community. They
need to find housing close to commerce, schools and businesses and are not necessarily looking to
“get away from it all”…..quite the opposite in fact.
This change in buyer profile will naturally effect demand and maybe even have a subtle, long term,
effect on pricing. The old favourite of a house to renovate with loads of land isn’t practical if you
don’t have the time or inclination to be up a ladder sorting out the roof or to be out on your sit on
mower each day keeping the lawn in check. Similarly if you are coming to France with children then
having schools, friends, skate-parks & cinemas on your door step will be a huge attraction.
So, which is right for you?
Buying in a town – the pro’s & con’s
As in the UK, French townhouses tend to hold their value better than those in the country and will
be easier to sell if needs arise. Schools tend to be better funded and, of course, there will be no
need for children to endure often long and winding bus journeys. The ability to walk to the local
bars and restaurants gives you a good excuse to break bread with the locals and to make new friends
and fully integrate into the community. Similarly if you want to join the local golf, boules or tennis
club you will be surrounded by familiar faces and neighbours. Most town also have some kind of
French lessons for newbies which is another great place for making friends and adding to your social
life.
Townhouses are usually on mains drains (no problem with the new fosse septique laws) and mains
gas with manageable sized gardens and close neighbours to keep an eye on the place when you are
away.
If you need to earn money whilst living in France then doing so from a town or populated area will
be far easier than trying to do so remotely. Whether looking for customers or suppliers they’ll
probably be close at hand and easy to find.
The downsides can include the fact that your house will probably not be detached and you may not
have the peace & quiet that you would enjoy in the countryside. Local taxes will probably be higher
(although still low compared to council taxes in the UK) and in major towns and cities you will pay a
hefty premium to be in the centre – particularly on the Cote d’Azur and in the more expensive
regions.
Buying in the country – the pro’s and con’s.
Some people have always dreamed of having loads of land – be it for horses, gardening or simply
kicking a ball around. Land prices in the country will be well below those of more urban areas
making this kind of property more affordable.
Similarly it’s easy to find detached country houses where you have total privacy and you may well
find more relaxed planning restrictions. If you’re looking for “chocolate box” pretty then rural
houses are the place to look and you’ll have the chance to shape the garden into something truly
special.
Be warned though that a little ray of sunshine can be most seductive. Houses tend to look quite
different in the winter, particularly if it’s grey and raining. You’ll also find that many small villages
and hamlets can seem pretty remote in the winter evenings – your “local” bar may well close at
8.00pm leaving a hefty drive into the nearest town. Make sure you do your research and don’t take
things for granted!
So what kind of properties are available and what do I get for my money I hear you ask. Well, it’s a
difficult question to answer as prices, architecture and land values fluctuate greatly across the
country. Three hundred thousand euros would buy you a pretty grand townhouse in, say,
Angouleme but wouldn’t run to much in Nice. Never the less I have chosen half a dozen properties
from our portfolio of below €200,000 that should give you some decent comparisons.
We’ll kick off with the townhouses:
The first is a 19th century townhouse just opposite the simply beautiful church in the historic town of
St Meme les Carrieres close to Cognac in the Charente. It’s in immaculate condition with a new roof,
oil central heating, mains drains and exposed beams throughout. It has four bedrooms, two
bathrooms, south facing courtyard and even has its own orchard behind the church. The owners are
asking €199,999 and the town has a lovely bar/restaurant, all commerce and even a world class
water-skiing lake and facility (26970ET16).
Next up is a pretty, two bed, riverside house in a village that boasts four chateaux in the Aude. On
the market for €84,700 the house is on the main street of the village yet has beautiful views over the
river with use of a terrace and its own bijoux garden which is planted with roses, irises and a fig tree
(27091LHS11).
My final choice of townhouse is in Brittany and comes with its own Creperie! Yes – situated in
Moncontour’s lovely main square this property has a restaurant with 50 covers (70 in summer with
outside seating) as well as accommodation which includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The
restaurant is well supported by locals and tourists alike. The business and home are currently rented
out providing a useful income opportunity – the asking price is €199,800 (14351LG22).
Next up are the country houses:
We are marketing a lovely, restored, three bedroom house with two barns, gardens and views over
the Creuse countryside for €141,700. Situated in a small hamlet and on top of a hill with 180 degree
views across the valley this is rural living at its best. The house has 85m2 of habitable space and is
around 20 minutes away from the chateau town of Bourganeuf (27267HP23).
Alternatively we are offering an ideal, stone, holiday cottage in the Morbihan for €130,800. It sits in
an idyllic and quiet spot down a country lane within the wonderful Breton countryside. It certainly
isn’t large space but it’s full of character with a lovely, traditional fireplace in the main lounge and
wonderful gardens of 4,350m2. It would make an excellent holiday home and the coast is only
around 40 minutes away (27181JC56).
Finally, for €199,800 you could buy a beautiful three bedroom house, with room for expansion, in
the Dordogne countryside around St pPriest les Fougeres. This lovely country house is set within an
exceptional, rural, location with views over the surrounding countryside. Approached from a small
lane, the house has three bedrooms and a whopping 5,918m2 of land which includes a field, an
orchard and an above ground pool (21584MC24).
I hope that these details have helped give some comparisons between town and country living.
There are, of course, no “rights” or “wrongs” as it’s a matter of personal taste – and the beauty of
buying a property in the largest country in western Europe is that your choice is pretty much
limitless.
Bon courage!
*The first question is always “who should I trust to guide me through the process?” to which the
answer, of course, is Leggett Immobilier.
Trevor Leggett is Chief Executive of Leggett Immobilier.
To view Leggetts’ full portfolio of properties visit www.frenchestateagents.com