15 Oct French Property Investment – Top Locations

Whether looking for a property investment in Europe or the UK, you will always want to know where the best places are to invest. Seasoned investors know that there will be hotspots, where prices are low, but growth is significant. Additionally, a variety of property investment opportunities in an area will attract more investors. This is true whether opportunities are sought in France, the UK or Spain. French property investment, however, continues to grow.

French Property Investment – Buyer Enquiries

In France Limousin, Poitou-Charentes and Provence currently are the regions attracting the most buyer and investment enquiries. Recent data suggest that investors overall are looking to invest 8% less than a year ago with an average budget of around €290,000.

The agency French Entrée conducted research that has revealed some interesting trends. Old favourites such as Paris and the Côte d’Azur have been overtaken by rural areas, coastal areas, and the Alps. This trend also indicates that there are a wide variety of homes in demand.

The firm’s property director, Alistair Lockhart, has been quoted as saying that at this time of year British buyers typically come forward with serious property enquiries.

Limousin is popular because it is an area that offers excellent value for money. Located in the hilly southwest of France, since 2016 it has geographically become part of the new Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes region. Its three sparsely populated regions, Corrèze, Creuse and Haute-Vienne, are popular for that very reason.

Value for Money

Stone houses with plenty of land can be picked up for well under  €175,000 which will easily purchase a stone house with plenty of land surrounding it. This includes additional features such as a swimming pool, orchards with fruit trees, and outbuildings. There is one downside, although it does depend on how you look at it – the internet speeds cannot compete with those found in areas with a bigger population.

Poitou-Charentes, a neighbouring region, has always been a popular investment area with British buyers. Known as the home of the vines, sunflowers, and friendly locals, it is easy to see why. Larger towns in the region such as Angoulême, Cognac, and Saintes provide entertainment all year round.

Easily mistaken for its attraction as a coastal area, Poitou-Charentes also boasts a few leisure lakes. These offer opportunities for swimming, water sports, and walking activities. Properties surrounding the lake are impressive and to invest in one of these will cost around the €300,000 mark.  This figure will deliver a beautiful four bedroom home with around 11 acres of land, a stream flowing through the property, stables and land for grazing. Attractive as any French property investment can get.

Variety of Communities

The four areas of Poitou-Charentes offer an abundance of choice. Communities make up a variety of shapes and sizes. This includes pretty hamlets and medieval towns that are simmering with life. These properties are attractive and are priced substantially lower than those found in other parts of France.

Provence, alongside the Côte d’Azur, which is considered to be a pricey region, is far more laid back. It makes an excellent alternative. Property types ranging from coastal homes to Alpine chalets can be found here.

What makes these three hotspots so interesting is the diversity of property. The fact that British buyers continue to invest in this region reflects deeper faith in the French property investment market and the way in which British investors budget for their investment. Despite Brexit looming over the horizon, confidence remains high.