The Hautes-Pyrénées and Pau area is riding high with French property buyers, whether as permanent homes or holiday houses, and here’s why, says Nadia Jordan…

One of the lesser-known departments of southwest France, the Hautes-Pyrénées is also one of the most unspoiled and diverse corners of the country. With its gently rolling hills, vineyards and dramatic mountain peaks, pretty villages and classic food and wine, it encapsulates all that is best about France. Nestled between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, sharing a border with Spain, and with an array of landscapes and architecture, it provides an idyllic backdrop for daily life. The region is characterised by medieval villages with stone houses, historic châteaux, and local markets selling the organic and delicious produce for which this region is famed.

The Hautes-Pyrénées is steeped in history and culture. The department boasts numerous castles, abbeys, medieval and historic towns as well as Lourdes, the second-most-visited pilgrimage site in the world after Mecca. Local festivals, traditional music and regional cuisine also form part of the deep historic roots of this region, and it is known for having a particularly strong sense of community.

The towering peaks of the Pyrénées are the ever-changing backdrop to the region, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. In summer, the mountains are a paradise for walkers, with an extensive network of trails winding through lush valleys, dramatic gorges and picturesque villages. The famous GR10 hiking route crosses the Pyrénées from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, passing through some of the most spectacular landscapes in France.

For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the natural hot springs of Bagnères-de-Bigorre offer the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring, while the traditional mountain villages provide charming spots to stop for a coffee or local delicacies. The Unesco-listed Cirque de Gavarnie and the Pic du Midi observatory are two of the region’s most popular attractions.

In winter, the area transforms into a skier’s haven, with resorts such as La Mongie and Cauterets offering excellent facilities for all levels. La Mongie, part of the Grand Tourmalet ski area, boasts some of the best skiing in the French Pyrénées, while Cauterets combines great slopes with a beautiful historic spa-town atmosphere.

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even dog sledding are also popular activities for those who want to experience the magic of the Pyrénées in winter.

Away from the mountains, the landscape turns into valleys and rolling hills, providing a picturesque background to pretty villages and towns and a patchwork of pasture and vineyards as you travel into the winemaking area of the Madiran. For those with a passion for fine wine, Madiran is a name that resonates. This picturesque village, surrounded by rolling vineyards, is at the heart of one of France’s most distinctive wine-producing regions. Madiran wines are known for their deep, complex flavours, particularly those made from the robust Tannat grape. These wines are rich in procyanidins, a type of antioxidant believed to have cardiovascular benefits, which might explain why people in Madiran, like other parts of southwest France, enjoy remarkable longevity (combined with lifestyle, diet and environment one presumes).

A vineyard visit is a great day out and an opportunity to sample some of the region’s finest vintages, often accompanied by the delicious local cuisine, which includes duck confit, garbure (a hearty regional soup), and foie gras. Beyond its wine, Madiran offers a peaceful rural lifestyle with a strong sense of community; a great location for anyone relocating or looking for a holiday home and family base in southwest France.

Pau, the capital of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is a city of charm, history and breathtaking views. Overlooking the snow-dusted peaks of the Pyrénées, this elegant town has long been a favoured retreat for nobility and intellectuals. The grand Boulevard des Pyrénées, lined with palm trees and offering spectacular panoramas, is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, while the historic Château de Pau, birthplace of Henri IV, provides a fascinating glimpse into the town’s regal past. Pau is also a modern and vibrant city, home to a renowned university, a thriving gastronomy scene, and a lively calendar of cultural and sporting events.
The Pau Grand Prix and the equestrian events at the Hippodrome de Pau attract visitors from far and wide, while its proximity to both mountains and coast makes it an ideal base for exploration.

For homebuyers, the Hautes-Pyrénées presents an attractive mix of affordability, natural beauty, friendly villages, historic towns and accessibility. Compared to the Alps, for example, property prices remain excellent value, with options ranging from charming village homes and vineyard estates to mountain chalets with spectacular views. Many buyers are drawn to the region’s relaxed lifestyle, rich heritage and the promise of an outdoor lifestyle with skiing, hiking, and cycling right on the doorstep.

Transport links are also a major advantage: Pau-Pyrénées Airport and Tarbes/Lourdes Airport offer direct flights to several European destinations, while Toulouse and Bordeaux airports provide further options for international travel. The region is also well connected by road and rail, making it easy to explore both France and northern Spain.

Whether you are drawn by the allure of the mountains, the rich flavours of Madiran wines, or the cultural sophistication of Pau, the Hautes-Pyrénées offers an exceptional quality of life. It is a place where nature and culture intertwine, where adventure meets tranquillity, and where visitors often find themselves dreaming of making a permanent move.

For those seeking an escape from the stresses and general busyness of everyday life, the Hautes-Pyrénées offers a slower pace and a gentler rhythm. The quality of life here is arguably the best you will find anywhere, and the people of this region are also some of the longest-lived in Europe. Whether that is down to the lifestyle, the huge variety and abundance of local, organic produce or whether it is purely down to the local Madiran wine is hotly debated but it might be worth experimenting with some or all of the above.

Whether you’re looking for a tranquil retreat, a place to retire, an opportunity to immerse yourself in typical French country charm, an investment opportunity or a new place to call home, the Hautes-Pyrénées has something for everyone. This remarkable corner of France is waiting to be discovered.

Nadia Jordan runs the frenchpropertyfinders.com, a network covering the most sought-after regions of France, and foothillsoffrance.com, a property search agency in southwest France.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

During the cold winter months, most of us swap salads for warm and nourishing fare – Joanna Leggett takes us on a tour of some of France’s finest comfort foods…

As the days become shorter and A temperatures drop -even here in France we yearn for rich, warming, unctuous food; at least, I do. Walking into a restaurant or coming home to the scent of simmering casseroles or luscious baking is one of the best things about winter, like a big hug And when it comes to ‘comfort food’, does any other country do it better? That said, the notion of ‘comfort’ is not a term commonly used for food in France-after all, every meal is an occasion full of seasonal interest and made using the freshest of ingredients available.

Of course, it’s customary to start every meal with soup here in restaurants, a bowl is often placed on the table so customers can serve themselves. Soup is just the prelude to the plat du jour. One of my favourite memories of Paris was walking along the banks of the Seine on a winter’s day. The sky was blue, the river looked amazing while we remained in a sunny sheltered spot, then we turned a corner into the wind and realised warmth and suitable sustenance were needed.

Off a narrow street, leading up towards St-Germain-des-Prés, we spotted a billboard outside a pretty bistro promoting plats du jour headed by soupe à l’oignon, A couple of minutes later, we were seated by the window and had ordered. Enormous steaming bowls of soup arrived laden with bubbling cheese and croutons-divine. Our waiter assured us the soup was the chef’s own recipe and included copious quantities of white wine. Delicious, memorable, true comfort food!

Other seasonal ‘comfort’ soups include Garbure from Gascony made with beans, cabbage and ham hock; full of seasonal vegetables and intentionally thick, it’s said to be ready when the ladle stands upright in the pot! Classic French lentil soup is hearty, filling and ideal for supper, but it’s soupe paysanne that takes centre stage on many French family tables in winter. Laden with cabbage, leek, carrots and smoked port sausage in broth, it warms the cockles of your heart. Another favourite is watercress soupe de cresson. I’ve fond memories of consuming this when visiting Champagne, its peppery flavour really warms the soul. Watercress is best grown in freshwater streams over limestone, so perhaps it’s small wonder it is grown around here.

An honourable mention has to go to Provençal garlic soup (aïgo boulido). Widely consumed in the south of France to aid digestion or ward off winter ills, it’s also believed to cure hangovers. The broth is made of garlic and sage with eggs. Powerful stuff-just duck when you talk to anyone!

Can there be any better way to discover a country than through its food- or its wine, for that matter-shopping at local markets, where organic seasonal vegetables freshly harvested from the soil are heaped high, while other stalls are laden with every type of seafood artfully arranged in a style befitting the Harrods’ food hall. With vast mountains of ice keeping everything in prime condition, it all smells sweet and of the sea.

Then you spot a patient queue beside a bread stall, another by a van, which opens up to show a display cabinet full of every type of cheese imaginable. It was General de Gaulle who famously lamented in 1962, “how can you govern a country where there are 246 kinds of cheese?”. Well, I’d suggest just try one each day with salad before dessert, as is customary here- after eight or nine months you could be discovering new favourites!

When you visit the butcher, they discuss how you are proposing to cook the meat and ask about recipes not critically, just interested. They ask how large they should cut the pieces for your bourguignon and, best of all, show you exactly what meat they are using before putting any through the mincer for steak haché, then all is wrapped in greaseproof paper -no nasty plastic packaging disguising lumps of gristle or fat underneath here.

As we’ve just mentioned boeuf bourguignon, I have to say, to me, it represents the ultimate comfort food. Rich, unctuous and laden with wine nominally from Burgundy, where wine and cattle ‘grow’ it’s a stalwart of Parisian bistro menus. The secret is to braise the beef and marinade it in copious amounts of wine, before cooking long and slow. I was told “one glass of wine for the pot, with one to drink for the cook” by a suspiciously ruddy-faced chef. Flavourful with good beef stock, carrots, onions and bouquet garni, it’s probably American chef Julia Childs’ best-known dish. It’s sually served with potatoes; if the mash seems very yellow, it’s probably due to the amount of butter that’s been used.

Cassoulet from Toulouse, and served all along the Canal du Midi, right fully deserves its place on any list of comfort food. Full of haricot beans, duck confit, tomatoes and Toulouse sausage, slowly cooked to perfection and served under a dark brown crust, it’s another dish that brings back vivid memories. I recall eating it for supper sat within the walls of the citadel of Carcassonne.

Lyon is, of course, a veritable temple to gastronomy with more Michelin-starred restaurants than you can shake a stick at. Local dish poulet Célestine is more than a sidenote, comprising chicken sautéed with mushrooms and tomatoes then flambéed with cognac and white wine, finished with a sprinkling of parsley and garlic. Chicken from nearby Bresse, Poulet de Bresse, is known as the poultry of kings and has had its own appellation contrôlee status since the 1950s.

I can’t finish this article without mentioning the holy trinity’ of potatoes, cheese and cream, which form the base of so many wonderful comfort dishes – dauphinois naturally, tartiflette when cheese from eastern France is layered with smoked lardons of bacon, potatoes spiced with wine and garlic; the list goes on and is making my mouth water.

Not only is Bordeaux famed for its wine, but also for the seafood caught along the Atlantic coast nearby – I’ve many happy memories of consuming oysters or plateaux des fruits de mer here too. Marseille brings in North African flavours. Brittany and Normandy have crêpes galettes and seafood in abundance.
From cheese fondue to onion soup, croque monsieur to cassoulet, bourguignonne to coq au vin, there’s food to tempt, fill and ‘comfort’ everyone.

Joanna Leggett is the Marketing Director at Leggett Immobilier -see their portfolio of properties for sale at leggettfrance.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Restoring the past with old-school skills, carpenter Mike Dennis has worked on everything from small home projects to the Notre-Dame restoration, as he tells Julia French…

Many of us have watched one of the myriad of property programmes on TV in wonder and delight as a characterful old building is restored. Original oak beams, gorgeous patinated wooden floors, quirky doors and hidden treasures all warm our hearts. Some are brave, lucky or mad enough to undertake such a challenge and are fortunate to live in a piece of history. There is so much to learn and appreciate from these old buildings. They have evolved from dwellings that were may once have been shared between humans and animals to become charming homes with the original craftsmanship positioned front and centre. Working features such as an old stone sink or a bread oven once a necessity-may not be used, but are much admired.

Mike Dennis, a traditional carpenter, is championing heritage crafts to prevent many historical houses and buildings falling into disrepair, or worst-case scenario, being demolished. A former Royal Marine in his previous life, he might seem an unlikely candidate to have more than 100,000 followers on Instagram supporting his cause.

Mike lives in a small hamlet. in the Dordogne, which is steeped in medieval history, buildings and monuments. In seeking a vocation after the Marines, he became disenchanted with the modern carpentry course he was doing and found solace in the world of traditional carpentry where he became an apprentice. Alan Ritchie, a craftsman in Wales, took him under his wing.

With the aid of a National Lottery Heritage Grant, Mike completed his training and has since undertaken many projects, from barn and bridge restorations in Canada, to the construction of a 200m³ yoga retreat in France.

Mike admits to being obsessed with the medieval period and is committed to raising awareness about building preservation far and wide. “Both the younger and the older generation are key. The older generation are generally the ones with the money and we need them to be able to fund the upkeep of their properties or invest in their renovation. Equally as important, we need the young to be trained with the traditional skills necessary so that these centuries-old working methods and knowledge are not lost.”

A good example of this is the rebuilding of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris. Following the fire in 2019, Mike was one of the 25 master carpenters selected to work on the initial project. “As a team, we had to prove that the restoration could be done using traditional methods. We had to show that it was possible to build, using the same tools and by hand. With a fabulous stroke of luck, architect Rémi Fromont had researched Notre-Dame as part of his PhD thesis in 2014, studying the building in depth. His drawings and plans were incredibly detailed, which enabled us to rebuild the monument as near as possible to the original.”

It wasn’t just the timber construction that the team was able to replicate, it was the tools they used too. “We had to study the marks on the timbers. Tool shapes evolve and even the simple axe changes over time.” Using the photos and reference books, the team designed and forged their own ‘tool kit’ including saws, planes and chisels and they’re not the sort of things you would find in your local bricolage! The wood itself wasn’t sawn in a mill, but by cutting it from the round tree to a square timber by hand, in a process known as ‘hewing’.

For this specific project, 60 axes were made of different sizes. “Having these traditional zools allowed every cut and mick to be replicated to provide the look of authenticity. The attention to detail went as far as making sure the timber marks had the exact same indentations. These appear on all timbers to aid the assembly. of the frame. It’s essentially a form of medieval flat pack. Although they seem minor, these details give the structure a personality, a history, which was exactly our aim.”

It isn’t just historic monuments that have these symbols; if you have an old building with exposed timbers you should be able to see the marks that were there to help in the assembly process.

The Notre-Dame fire demonstrated that there was a deep affection for this historical monument, testament to this was that many were prepared to give money to aid the restoration not just in France, but around the world.

Mike was honoured with not only a mention in King Charles address at the State Banquet, but the proud satisfaction. of having played a part in the history of the building. which he wouldn’t have able to do without the skills and knowledge he gained through his apprenticeship in Wales.

“Training and passing knowledge on to the next generation is so important. If not, these precious skills will be lost. One of the biggest threats to our old buildings is water infiltration directly from up above, or on the ground due to ineffective drainage. Once water finds its way, it’s only a matter of time for damage to take hold. This can result in rotting timbers, crumbling masonry and a large repair bill.

“Keeping an eye out for signs like a leaky gutter or a loose tile can save time and money in the long run,” says Mike. “Make sure that the water leaves your gutters effectively. Guttering is a new thing for some old dwellings. Ensure that whatever rainwater goods you have, that they work effectively. The last thing you want are puddles of water building up against the walls of your house.

“In some cases, the surrounding land levels change over the course of time, leaving small dips where water can sit, which could compromise the wall structure.

Many modern products are not conducive to older buildings and can cause damage in the long term. Mike has seen his fair share of mistakes being made. Some simple quick fixes can lead to bigger problems along the line. “Using cement when repointing, for example, can lead to the decay of the brick/stonework. Moisture can’t pass through it and the water has no other choice but to pass through the brick or stone. Traditional non-hydraulic lime mortars are permeable, allowing the moisture to escape.”

Whether you have an old home, or simply have an interest in historic buildings and building practices, you can do your bit. “Being aware of the complex and amazing built environment in which we live is all part of building preservation,” Mike says.

“Questioning and understanding how things work, is a great start. Once there is an understanding of the traditional methods and why they were used, the less likely they are to be forgotten.” “Many of us appreciate the thickness of the stone walls and the small windows that keep us cool in summer and keep out the cold in the winter, but there are so many other valuable practices and techniques that need to be passed from one generation to the next.”

Mike is continuing to broaden his skills and is in the process of studying for an NVQ in traditional plastering. He is learning age-old practices like using wattle and daub and lime render to help restore historical buildings for our future.

“My mission is to build a community, mainly of young people, to show them what they can do and get them interested. This has meant that I have had to join social media, but that is all part of our future too!”

If you’d like to know why there are holes in your door jamb or a trap door in your cellar, follow Mike on: Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube

@mike_dennis_craft

Julia French runs Pristine Pools in southwest France, which offers swimming pool installation and renovation pristinepiscines.fr

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Discover gastronomy, markets, festivals and a slower pace of life in Gascony’s heartland. Victoria Garnham explains why and how the Gers embodies authentic French living…

Tucked away in the heart of southwest France, the Gers department remains one of the country’s lesser-known gems. Far from the bustle of city life and crowded coasts, this idyllic corner of Gascony offers a rhythm of life that seems untouched by time. It’s little wonder more and more people are discovering the Gers as a place to call home.

To live in the Gers is to embrace the art of slowing down. It means markets instead of supermarkets, seasons instead of schedules and neighbours who know your name. For many, this is the authentic French lifestyle they’ve been dreaming of -here, it’s simply everyday life.

Markets in the Gers are much more than places to shop; they are weekly rituals. In villages like Montréal-du-Gers or Lectoure, they spill into squares lined with medieval arcades, filling the air with scents of fresh bread, goat’s cheese, honey and cured meats.

From November to March, the ‘marchés au gras’ (fattened duck and goose markets) bring local producers and buyers together in places like Samatan and Eauze. Here, foie gras, confit and magret de canard change hands in a lively, convivial atmosphere where recipes and stories are shared as freely as the food itself.

Summer evenings come alive with night markets. Tables appear in the streets of villages offering street food, local wine and live music. Visitors and locals alike mingle until late into the warm Gascon night.

Food is a serious affair in the Gers, and rightly so: this is the birthplace of foie gras, home to farmhouse duck and goose dishes and a treasure trove of fresh produce. Melons from Lectoure, garlic from Lomagne, Armagnac prunes, wild mushrooms and free-range poultry fill the seasonal menus of local kitchens.
Wine lovers will find much to enjoy in the local Côtes de Gascogne wines, with vineyards producing crisp whites and characterful reds. Numerous estates offer visits and tastings that showcase the unique terroir of the region.

And then, of course, there is Armagnac, France’s oldest brandy, distilled here for over 700 years by small family producers. Visiting a traditional Armagnac producer, with its centuries-old cellars, is a rite of passage – the continuous distillation process and French oak-barrel ageing mirroring the region’s unhurried lifestyle. A lovely time to visit is during distillation during November when producers open their doors to visitors for traditional meals by the alambic (still) as the eau-de-vie flows. The local Floc de Gascogne is a sweet and fruity aperitif that captures Gascony’s sunshine in a glass.

Driving through the Gers is like wandering through a living postcard. Bastide towns like Fourcès, with its unique circular square and pretty arches, which holds an annual flower festival in April, or Montréal-du-Gers, whose medieval arcades speak of centuries of history. Many are officially listed as Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France). The capital, Auch, has a magnificent cathedral – a Unesco World Heritage Site -and a monumental staircase lined with sculptures, such as the famous statue of swashbuckling hero d’Artagnan. The city blends Gothic and Renaissance architecture with vibrant markets, cafés and a growing arts scene. Other gems include La Romieu, with its collegiate church, also on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, and Larressingle – a medieval fortress nicknamed ‘the little Carcassonne’.

In the Gers, every season brings its own celebration. The most famous is Jazz in Marciac. musical capital every summer. Under the big top or on the main square, world-class musicians perform as locals and visitors fill cafés and wine bars late into the night.

April brings Welcome in Tziganie, a festival of Balkan and gypsy music in Seissan – a riot of colour, rhythm and dance. Autumn sees the Fête de l’Armagnac, a festival to celebrate this noble digestif in Labastide-d’Armagnac, while countless villages host fêtes gourmandes, craft fairs, and cultural events celebrating everything from sunflowers to storytelling. Life here is about the shared joy of coming together. These festivals are never just for tourists; they are woven into the life of the community, offering newcomers a warm invitation to join in.

The Gers embraced slow tourism long before the term became fashionable. With no motorways or high-speed rail lines, travel here follows a gentler rhythm. Although off the beaten track, the area is accessible with the international airport of Toulouse only about an hour’s drive away and Bordeaux’s a little further. Paris is a four-hour train ride away and the Pyrénées are just a couple of hours away, as is the west coast with its sand dunes and beautiful beaches.

Cyclists and walkers can explore the Armagnac voies vertes, old railway lines that have been made accessible; hikers wander along the Santiago de Compostela trails and the recently opened Route d’Artagnan; and families ride the Vélorail de l’Armagnac, a pedal-powered adventure along disused railway tracks through sunflower fields and vineyards. The River Baïse, which runs through Condom and other villages, incorporates locks and so it can be navigated by boat and canoe.
Nature lovers will find lakes for swimming, rolling hills for picnics and dark skies for stargazing – the Gers has some of the clearest night skies in the whole of France. Agritourism is thriving too, with farm stays and vineyard guesthouses offering visitors the chance to connect with local producers and traditions.

For househunters, the Gers offers something increasingly rare in France: affordable rural property with character and space. Prices remain far below those of Provence or the Dordogne, with stone farmhouses, village houses and even small châteaux offering exceptional value. Many come with generous plots, outbuildings and panoramic views of the Pyrénées – perfect for gîtes, B&B projects or simply a slower-paced family life. The climate is another draw: long, warm summers, crisp autumns and mild winters create ideal conditions for gardening, outdoor living and, of course, those long lunches under the plane trees.

Life in the Gers is not about doing less, but about living more fully. More time for neighbours, for markets, for music, for food that has a story, and wine made by people you can meet in person. For those seeking a property in France, the Gers offers more than bricks and mortar. It offers a way of life – one rooted in tradition yet open to newcomers, where every season brings its own pleasures, and where slowing down feels entirely natural. In a world that moves ever faster, the Gers reminds us that sometimes the greatest luxury is time itself.

Victoria Garnham runs Gelas Immobilier in Gers

Tel: 0033 (0)5 62 06 52 91

gelas-immobilier.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Floating above the clouds, Cordes-sur-Ciel is romantic, historic and remarkably liveable, offering more than just picture-postcard good looks – this could be the place your heart and head agree on, says Saskia Vlaskamp…

Some places stop you in your tracks. Cordes-sur-Ciel is one of them. As you approach, your first glimpse of the village – perched high on a hill, its medieval buildings basking in the sunlight – feels almost too cinematic to be real. In early mornings, when mist curls around the base of the hill, the village appears to float above the clouds, hence its poetic name: sur Ciel – ‘above the sky’.

But don’t let the romance distract you from the reality: this is not a museum piece. Cordes is very much alive, with a thriving local community, year-round events, modern amenities, and property options that range from quaint pied-à-terres to elegant manor houses, and bijoux village houses to renovated farmhouses with views you’ll never tire of.

Thinking of buying here? You’re not alone. This is one of southwest France’s most desirable areas for second homes and relocations – and it’s easy to see why.

Cordes-sur-Ciel was founded in 1222 by the Count of Toulouse during the Albigensian Crusade. It was a bastide – a fortified town built as a place of refuge and trade. Today, many of the original buildings remain: grand Gothic houses with ornate façades, intricate stone carvings, and massive wooden doors that hint at lives well lived.

Stroll through its winding cobbled lanes and you’ll find artists’ ateliers, galleries and craft boutiques. Cordes has long drawn creative souls, and it still hosts an active community of painters, potters, glassblowers and writers. There’s a strong cultural calendar, including a prestigious literary festival (Journées du Livre) and the fantastical Fête du Grand Fauconnier, a medieval fair that transforms the village into a time-travel experience every July. Yet Cordes is far more than a tourist destination. There are schools medical facilities a weekly market, good local restaurants, and everything you’d need to settle in and feel at home. You can live comfortably here all year round.

Cordes is located in the Tarn department of Occitanie, one of France’s most charming and diverse areas. Rolling countryside, vineyards, rivers and forests define the landscape. And it’s not just beautiful, it’s practical too. You’re less than 30 minutes from Gaillac, the hub of one of the oldest winemaking regions in France. Here you’ll find bigger supermarkets, an SNCF train station with connections to Toulouse and, of course, plenty of wine-tasting opportunities.

Albi, a Unesco-listed town about 40 minutes away, is your go-to for larger shops, hospitals and a vibrant cultural scene. Albi is famous for its stunning red-brick Ste-Cécile Cathedral, the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum, and riverside cafés with views that rival anything the Dordogne has to offer. Toulouse-Blagnac
International Airport is just over an hour’s drive – ideal for regular visits or quick trips back to the UK. Flights run year-round to multiple destinations. If you’re looking to rent out your property for holidays, good access and stunning views mean high potential returns.

This is where things get exciting. The property market in and around Cordes-sur-Ciel is diverse and full of character.

Expect to find:

• Village houses tucked within the ancient walls – full of charm, exposed beams and jaw-dropping views.
• Renovated barns and farmhouses just outside the village, often with land, pools, and room to host guests or run a business.
• Maison de maître-style homes with elegant proportions, period features and lush gardens.
• Contemporary properties, discreetly integrated into the landscape, offering modern comfort and energy efficiency.

Prices vary depending on location, size and condition -but many buyers are pleasantly surprised. Compared to Provence or the Dordogne, your budget often goes further here.

Living here means embracing a lifestyle that balances tradition with open-minded charm. Mornings start with fresh bread from the boulangerie. Afternoons are for local markets, vineyard visits or simply watching the light shift over the valleys. In summer, village life buzzes with music, art, and celebration. In winter, it’s peaceful and cosy, perfect for fireside reading and hearty local fare.

The area is incredibly welcoming to newcomers. Many residents speak English, and expats often comment on how easy it is to make connections – with both French locals and other internationals. If your French is rusty, no worries; Cordes offers immersion with patience.

Cordes-sur-Ciel makes a perfect base to explore the riches of the Tarn and surrounding departments and towns:

• Najac – Another hilltop stunner with an impressive ruined château and breathtaking views.
• St-Antonin-Noble-Val -A riverside gem great for kayaking, hiking, and Sunday markets.
• Bruniquel and Penne -Dramatic clifftop villages with deep Cathar histories.
• Castelnau-de-Montmiral -Another Plus Beaux Villages designee, perfect for wine tasting and scenic picnics.
• Gorges de l’Aveyron – For dramatic natural scenery and outdoor adventure.

The hiking and cycling trails in the region are superb. History lovers will delight in the area’s Cathar and medieval connections, while foodies will enjoy a cuisine that’s rich, rustic and very regional think duck confit, cassoulet, Roquefort and wines from Gaillac that are still surprisingly under the radar. Cordes-sur-Ciel may sound like a fantasy, but it’s very real, very liveable and very within reach. And really, how could you say no to a village in the sky? By this time next year, you could be sipping Gaillac wine on your terrace, with the tiled rooftops of Cordes at your feet and the clouds below.

Saskia Vlaskamp is the Marketing Director at Beaux Villages Immobilier Tel: 0033 (0)805 69 23 23 (free from France); 0800 270 0101 (free from the UK)
beauxvillages.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

One thing Ellen Alpsten and husband Tobias always had in common was their passion for Provence and châteaux – and, after much hard work, they now have a baroque gem in Vaucluse…

Once upon a time, there was a young woman who moved from sunny Kenya, via Bavaria, to Paris. There was also a young man, who moved to Paris too, from snowy Stockholm. For five years they lived in the same arrondissements, went to the same exhibitions, used the same laundromat and hung out in the same cafés. But they never met. Until one foggy Sunday in November, while waiting to cross Avenue Bousquet, they began to chat.

This is where our love story and also the tale of our love for Provence – began. I was a student at a French Grande École – President Macron was studying a year below me – and Tobias had just secured his first job. Our first trip together was to Arles. It was love at first sight and we decided that one day, we wanted to own a château here, in Provence.

But good things take time we moved to London together. Britannia was cool, but also a tough and exacting mistress. Making dreams come true is backbreaking work. Tobias founded his health-tech company. I first worked in PR and television, pushing gruesome nightshifts as an anchor, before becoming an author of historical novels and a lifestyle journalist full time.

When we bought our first tiny attic apartment in Notting Hill, we could hardly believe our luck, and I cried when we moved in. Life went on, with successes, suffering, growth, shrinkage, three healthy sons and a fat and happy dog. Also, as we thought we’d never be able to buy anything bigger in London and its surroundings, we invested in a tiny maison de village in Cerbère on the beautiful Côte Vermeille, right on the Spanish border. The sea view was stunning, we loved our time there and made good friends, but a château it wasn’t.

However, the dream wouldn’t die. For years we had subscriptions to all the relevant websites: Belles Demeures, Sotheby’s and so on. We often sent each other advertisements for châteaux in the south of France, enjoying a bit of property porn in our lunch breaks. What do you think of this one? Or this? Or that? But somehow, the right house, in the right place – and, Tobias and Ellen in front of the Palais des Papes, Avignon crucially at the right price never came together. We slowly put together a ‘golden list’ of the perfect château for us: not too big, not too small, in the village, but surrounded by a park. It would be okay if it needed some renovation, but some DIY must be possible (we did have a budget, after all).

It was only a few years ago that we dared to visit. Near Toulouse was a beautiful little château: its chapel filled with piles and piles of old journals dating from 1898; frogs, mermaids and possibly Jaws living in the gooey green water in the swimming pool; and its dusty wine collection possibly an oenologist’s dream.
The price was good, and it lay a mere 18km away from Toulouse with its international airport, surrounded by huge fields of sunflowers. Perfect!

Err…no. We had just (finally!) bought a family home in London and were broke (when I say broke, I mean broke: for three months, we ate spaghetti every night). But time passes. Some years later, we visited another château, located smack bang on the Canal du Midi. Its owner was a gun-obsessed Brit. In his entrance hall stood a real guillotine, complete with a Madame Tussauds-style wax head in a basket in front of it, the severed neck smeared with dried ketchup. My youngest son hid in the car and cried. Again, it wasn’t right.

Then, just as George and Amal Clooney moved to Brignoles; and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were fighting over their vineyard, the neighbouring estate came up for sale. But it was a ruin, its delicate beauty driven to destruction as the heirs, a party of 13 people, couldn’t agree on anything. Their legal letters made raging pitbulls look like fluffy puppies. On top of that, the proposed budget to get the house – not including the 14ha now jungle-like park – up and running was several million euros. This meant it was way beyond the scope of DIY. Also, the notoriously difficult French banks said, “Non, Madame, nous sommes desolées”, to our request for a loan.

But persistence pays. We planned to return to Provence for our 25th wedding anniversary. Secretly, sneakily, before setting off, I continued searching the web. One day, I came across a small real estate website that looked more like eBay. It seemed to specialise in two-bedroom apartments. But suddenly I spotted something that made me sit bolt upright: “Château à vendre dans Vaucluse,” I read. The photos showed a unique buttercup-yellow baroque bijou of a château. Ravissant!

Two weeks later, we visited the Château du Jonquier for the first time. The mythical Mont Ventoux rose right behind it, vineyards framed the 5ha park, the medieval market town was welcoming and the day was soaked in golden Provençal light. Marseilles airport was an hour’s drive away, while highlights of the region such as Avignon, Gordes, and Isle-sur-la-Sorgue are less than 30 minutes distant.

Le coup du foudre – it was love at first sight. We visited it for a second time, to be sure. After a hard struggle and fierce negotiations – the château is baroque on the outside, but a 1970s babe on the inside – the moment had finally come: our offer was accepted! The last hurdle was the financing. We enlisted the help of a French mortgage courtier, Christophe Amiand. He phoned on the 19 December: the bank had agreed to our mortgage.

We had a castle for Christmas! But of course, this did not make me a princess – far from it. Before its new life as a beautiful château rental and destination wedding venue, it needed a lot of hard work. Everything had to be replaced and restored: floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, outbuildings, plumbing and electricity. For the latter, we had to earmark the biggest part of our meagre renovation budget. Châteaux and poor plumbing seem to go together like love and marriage, but not if you want to create a luxury venue. Each bedroom needed an ensuite bathroom and air-conditioning. Temperatures hit almost 40 degrees in this area in summer. So we rolled up our sleeves and got going.

But what were we aiming for? For our Château du Jonquier, I created an ‘after/before’ picture to help the dream become a reality. First, though, we needed to get to know the house. At least it wasn’t cold – because a fire-breathing dragon lived in the cellar of the château in the shape of a huge oil heater. The agent had turned up all the radiators, which made the house feel like a sauna. But this was all going to change – we were determined to make the château eco-friendly.

The first evening, we heated up a ready-made quiche for dinner in the old oven of the 1970s kitchen – a huge copper fan was its only redeeming feature. That night we all slept together in one room, piled up like puppies, scared of the blackness outside. An owl hooted in the dark: later, we named it Charles, as its fluffy grey head feathers look like the king’s hairdo. Once Charles had gone to sleep after a successful night’s hunt, the dawn chorus broke out – a myriad of birds greeting the day. They stop singing around St John’s Day, at the end of June, and the cicadas take over, an even crazier cacophony that blends well with the heat of the day. In the maze of canals, bullfrogs and ragondin (large semi-aquatic rodents) splash about.

Inside the château, having two staircases seemed to complicate any task that needed doing, and I’d have to work out the fastest way to accomplish it. I was also constantly forgetting where I’d put things, finding them later, by which time I’d forgotten why I wanted them.

I learnt to keep everything simple – all the bathrooms have the same beautiful marble and black cabochon floor and variations of marble tiles, as well as Grohe fittings in gold. All the is linked, meaning we only need one heat pump, which is hidden down the side of the château. We’re saving up for double-glazing on the second floor, but we’ve already sourced our supplier: quotes we got from French companies were about €120,000, the same windows from Poland cost just €30,000 – which is a shocking difference.

The oil heating had to go, as did the electric water heater. After much haggling, we got a good price to create the solar field in the park and install photovoltaic energy. Finding the right spot was tricky sunny, yet hidden, and without sacrificing any of the fruit trees (we have pomegranate, quince, prunes, cherries and apples). Converting the château to green energy took a weekend and many thousands of euros, but will be worth it in the end.

There were so many new discoveries and fabulous experiences to enjoy. Our three sons were complete troopers: pressure-cleaning the pool, mowing acres of lawn and weeding out kilometres of canals. We loved our togetherness. Here, the outside world retreats into the wings, leaving pastoral peace to take centre stage. Even if the château is part of a medieval market town you can cycle to the baker and get your fill of soft, buttery croissants – the house and its huge, historic 5ha park are an island of beauty and bliss. Here, life continues at its own pace. It offers the best of all worlds. I have never swum in a nicer pool – 12x6m of energetic splashing – and the interiors are stunning, a blend of Provençal meubles, modern classics and inherited antiques.

Also, sitting on the vast patio terrace, straight outside, the marble and copper cuisine with its gorgeous handmade grey-green cupboards is divine. The 300-year-old gentle giants, our plane trees, shade the most delicious lunches – despite climate change – and the Ventoux Rosé is always crisp and cool. Should you wish to withdraw and spend your days relaxing and refreshing yourself, there is no better place in Provence, with plenty of the area’s delights on your doorstep. You can pop to Avignon for lunch – I recommend Le Gout du Jour near the Palais des Papes.

We recruited and fired our first team of builders (we all have our stories!), but then struck gold, which was a good job because suddenly, we had a deadline. A bride-to-be from San Diego, USA, contacted me about hiring the château as a venue, and while we normally do not accept these requests on Airbnb, we made an exception. And so the end of June saw our first, very intimate, wedding at Château du Jonquier. We had to be ready, top to bottom, from cuisine to the Chapelle de St-Andiol, which the Archbishop of Avignon consecrated in 1834.

In less than three months, the fabulous Antony Girardin turned the site around. His assistant, Jean Luc, had incredible knowledge of working with patrimoine and treated every single tomette tile by hand, cleaning, colouring and waxing them.

In the last four days before the wedding, there were still rooms of dusty furniture, broken plastic chairs and an old WC standing in the middle of the Garden Gallery. Two of the builders stayed late, helping us hang mirrors and curtains and painting walls. I had gone wild on eBay, sourcing silks from Sanderson, Colefax & Fowler, Pierre Frey and Lelièvre. One trio of 4.5m-long curtains came from a film set.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the last bucket stashed in a storage room, we stood waiting for the bridal party’s arrival, gracious and smiling, at the grande porte, which we had reinstated as the château’s main entrance. I can’t wait to see their official photos – the first glimpse on social media was heart-stoppingly beautiful. Well done, Michelle and Madi. Perhaps you will visit us next? Soyez les bienvenus welcome to our paradise in the heart of Provence.

Find out more at chateaudujonquier.com.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

An old Empire bed, discovered in a junk shop, provided the inspiration for francophile Wendy Gedney’s first novel – a historic mystery within a love story…

I’ve always been a francophile. Before I’d even visited the country, I was in love with it with no idea why! Luckily, my late husband was as besotted as I was and didn’t mind that I decorated our house in a French fashion – especially our bedroom. It had toile de jouy wallpaper, elaborate mirrors, French-inspired art on the walls and a sumptuous crystal chandelier. We even bought a fabulous Louis XIV commode at an auction in Montreuil-sur-Mer on one of our day trips to the Calais region. Once that was installed, the room looked almost perfect.

Just one important detail was missing – we needed a French bed. Back then we didn’t have much spare money, so although I dreamed of buying the beautiful Louis VI bed I’d spotted in an expensive antique shop, I knew it was out of the question. I’d need to lower my sights and was therefore delighted when I found the perfect bed in a local junk shop. It was hidden behind a pile of other furniture and to begin with I wasn’t even sure it was a bed until we managed to drag out first the footboard and then the headboard.

It turned out to be a shabby old Empire bed, the wood faded and scuffed but it was very cheap. It needed some restoration and a new base; made to measure because French sizes differ from those in the UK. All this took time, so it was a few months before we had our first night’s sleep in it. I sighed with contentment as I leant back against the feather pillows enjoying the sweet scent of the beeswax polish and looking around my now-perfect French bedroom.

As I sat there in my lovely old French bed, I began to muse about the people who might have slept in it before me. The love that had been made, maybe the children that had been born and perhaps a life ending. These didn’t disturb me or my sleep; they intrigued me and gradually an idea for a novel lodged itself in my head and there it stayed for 30 years, percolating and marinading.

Life changed. I was widowed and later moved to France. The bed came with me and one day, about seven years ago, I sat down to write the novel, which of course is now called The French Bed.

Thad never written a novel before and had no real idea of where to begin. Ten years ago I wrote a book ahout wine, The Winet of the Languedoc-Roumifin, which is a great success and still selling well from my website. However, writing on a subject I’m pretty expert in is very different to creating a story Now I’ve finished it I have to say it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

I’m told these are two types of writer, a plotter and a plantser. As the name implies, plotters are swriters who have Hall worked out befuse they begin and that’s what I thought I was, but I turned out to be the other. A plantaeris someone who has some of the plot in place but alleses the creative process to guide them as they write, I didn’t set out to be that sort of writer, it past happened mank and I’m glad it did because at the story flowed out of my head, I found myself writing about characters and time periods I hadn’t planned to when I started. The finished novel has turned out to be one with a dual timeline and with two main protagonists, both strong women living living in different times and, of course, it’s set in France, Both timelines take us to Paris and Languedoc and touch on the 1930s, World War 11 and the ad the present time. Essentially, it’s a love story with a mystery at the heart of it, which begins when one of iny prutagonists, Lizzy, buys an antique French bed. Strange dreams ber begin to haunt her sleep-siviil sormes of a passionate love affair in 19005 Paris that ends in a muander and the cry of a newborn baby. Lizzy wonders if they are just dreams or could they be echoes of a forgotten past? Convinced the people in her dreams once lived, and compelled to uncover the truth, she follows het visions to Paris but the search proves fruitless. She’s rady to give up, but one final clue remains: a posticard of a wallel city. Could it be Carcassonne? When she recrives an unexpected commision to write the memoir of Sahina an American who lived in France during World War II, Lizzy accepts and heads to the south of France. Surrounded by peaceful vineyards, she begins to uncover the truth beneath layers of history and memory – piecing together not only a long-buried mystery, but also the key to her own future.

It took me seven years to type THE END and that’s when I discovered that, in fact, this is only the beginning. There are many routes a new writer can
take. I’m retired now and even though I don’t, I could regard my writing as just a hobby. But I have energy and enthusiasm, and I get bored if I’m not busy, so I’ve decided to self-publish my novel and I’ve created my own business called P.I.P. which stands for Personal Independent Publishing and, of course, my first title is The French Bed.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Do you dream of making wine in the south of France? In this comprehensive guide, Paddy Gibbons explains what’s needed to become a vigneron in Languedoc…

The Languedoc, stretching along France’s sun-drenched Mediterranean coast, has quietly become one of the most exciting wine regions in Europe. Once known mainly for quantity, today it’s a patchwork of ambitious vignerons crafting wines with elegance, character and a clear sense of place. It’s also one of the few regions where an adventurous buyer can still find a vineyard for a fraction of the price of those you’ll find in Bordeaux or Burgundy.

Do you dream of swapping your desk for the vines? But how do you go from romantic daydream to running your own domaine? This guide takes you through the process – from finding your vineyard to surviving your first harvest with insights from those who’ve made the leap.

A working wine estate is more than just rows of vines. When you buy a vineyard, you’re purchasing an entire living, breathing business. The main components usually include:

• The real estate – family home, winery buildings, guest accommodation, vineyards and cave de vente.
• The vineyard itself-consider the age, condition, grape varieties, planting density and potential yields. Vinification equipment -tanks, barrels, bottling line, presses, pumps and filters.
• Agricultural equipment -tractors, sprayers, trailers and cultivation tools.
• The brand and goodwill, ‘fond de commerce’ – the name, reputation and market presence.
• The client list – existing customers, distributors and export contacts.

Some domaines are sold as ‘fonds de commerce’ (business goodwill) with all assets, while others are just land and vines, meaning you’ll have to start the brand from scratch.

While there are specialist vineyard brokers, you may find more choice through mainstream French real estate. Many listings don’t shout ‘vineyard’ in the title – search for ‘propriété viticole’ or ‘maison avec vignes’ or ‘domaine viticole’ to uncover hidden gems.

Buyer’s checklist:

• Last three years’ accounts
• Verify vineyards ‘cépage’, age and general health
• List of equipment and stock
• Understand sales channels
• Confirm zones and agricultural rights

Before buying, decide what sort of winemaker you want to be. Broadly speaking, there are two different paths:

• The cooperative grower
  You cultivate your vines and sell the entire harvest to the local cave coopérative. It makes the wine, markets it and distributes it. Your job is purely agricultural. This option gives a more predictable income, but less creative control.
• The independent winemaker
  You grow, harvest, vinify, bottle and market your own wines. This offers the most creative satisfaction, but it’s also the most demanding. You’ll be farmer, chemist, marketer and salesperson rolled into one.

France takes its wine seriously you can’t just buy a few hectares and declare yourself a vigneron. While there’s no absolute legal requirement for formal training if you are self-funding, having qualifications helps with:

• Accessing subsidies and agricultural loans
• Gaining credibility with suppliers and buyers
• Understanding the technical side of viticulture and winemaking in general

Common pathways include the BPREA Viticulture-Enologie (a professional diploma) or shorter courses at agricultural colleges in places like Montpellier or Béziers. Many new winemakers also apprentice with an established domaine before going solo.

For non-French speakers, some viticulture schools offer bilingual or English-friendly Enologie programmes. Expect to study soil health, pruning, pest control, fermentation science and marketing along with French agricultural law.

Romantic images of winemaking usually feature sunlit terraces and glasses clinking. The reality is a 12-month cycle of physical work, weather worries and constant decision-making. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:

• Winter (December-February) – Pruning season. Each vine is cut back to prepare for next year’s growth. Machinery maintenance and planning for new plantings happen during these months.
• Spring (March-May) -This is when budburst begins. Growers must monitor for frost, protect against pests and manage early growth. Weeding,
  soil work and trellis repairs are key at this time of year.
• Summer (June-August) -Canopy management (leaves), irrigation and disease prevention keep you busy. By mid-August, early ripening varieties are nearly ready.
• Autumn (September-October) – Harvest. Whether picked by hand or machine, grapes are gathered quickly to preserve quality. Cellar work and fermentation take over.
• November – Wines are ageing in tanks or barrels, and you whites or rosés. Winter vineyard work begins again.

It’s physical, repetitive, and weather-dependent – but for many, deeply rewarding.

The Languedoc offers three major benefits for newcomers to the industry:

• Affordability – Compared to famous regions, you can find viable domaines starting from around €300,000, though prime estates reach into the millions.
• Diversity – From crisp Picpoul de Pinet to rich Pézenas reds, the Languedoc region supports a wide range of wine styles and many grape varieties.
• Innovation – The region is less bound by tradition than Bordeaux or Burgundy, giving you room to experiment with organics, biodynamics, or unusual blends in your wines.

Becoming a winemaker in the Languedoc is both an adventure and a business It requires patience, capital, stamina and an appetite for learning. But for those willing to embrace the hard work, the rewards go far beyond the financial. You’re not just producing wine – you’re becoming part of a centuries-old tradition, shaped by sun, soil and human hands.

Paddy Gibbons is the Managing Director of Artaxa in Languedoc Tel: 0033 (0)4 67 28 20 35

artaxa.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Golden sunshine, dazzling blue seas and majestic mountains: the Alpes-Maritimes makes the most of its natural assets. Annaliza Davis outlines how you can find a pad here – whatever your budget…

Who hasn’t heard of the Côte-d’Azur? Almost all of this glorious coastline in southeast France sits in the department of Alpes-Maritimes which, as the name suggests, is dominated by the Alps and the sea. Looking at a map, the region extends inland from Nice and either side, across to Théoule-sur-Mer in the west and the Italian border in the east. Its name conjures up images of glamorous casinos, movie stars and red carpets in Cannes and, of course, year-round sunshine. MétéoFrance reports that in Nice, you can expect 2,760 hours of sun per year, compared to Brest or Rouen in the north, where this figure drops to 1,500.

This is not an area with a single identity. Inland, you have traditional towns such as Gourdon, Èze, Utelle and Peille, many of which are perched on cliffs, where narrow, flagstone streets are lined with stone houses that are centuries old. In rural areas, you find plenty of examples of the regional farmsteads known as mas, situated in acres of ground, built to stay cool and to house livestock as well as families.

Then, of course, you have glitzy coastal resorts dotted with palm trees including Nice, where high-rise apartment blocks are commonplace; or Cannes, with its mix of coastal villas, skinny townhouses and modern architecture. Along this coastline you’ll also find Monaco, a tiny independent state that’s not strictly part of Alpes-Maritimes, but shares its neighbours’ desirability. One of Europe’s most exclusive resorts, Monaco is renowned for its Monte-Carlo casino, sports cars and luxury superyachts.

Whether you’re drawn to the sea-view apartments with tiny balconies, rambling farmsteads with overhanging roofs or stone-built village houses framed by the Alps, the Alpes-Maritimes has an incredibly diverse range of properties and indeed landscapes. You can drive for only 30 minutes and believe you’re in a completely different part of France.

To give you an idea of the region’s diversity, a budget of €300,000 could buy you a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony in either Nice, Antibes, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin or Menton, but it could also buy a four-bedroom house with 1.5 acres in Collongues, a two-bedroom townhouse in Cannes or a stone home with mountain views and Alpine style in Peïra-Cava. From rustic and rural to coastal and contemporary, you’ll find it here.

As you might expect from the ever-popular south of France, property is not cheap. In 2025, the average house price in Alpes-Maritimes stands at €5,218/m²- well above the national average of €3,108/m², but you can still find homes here for less if you know where to focus your search. If you look inland, away from the costly coastal areas, you’ll find a southern location that still offers great value for money. Head northwest towards Le Mas, St-Auban, Andon and Amirat, and you’ll find properties that are priced around €1,900/m². It’s an even better story to the northeast of the region, heading up from Breil-sur-Roya to Tende, with homes here costing as little as €1,425/m².

These inland, mountainous areas are a complete contrast to the Côte-d’Azur, but you’ll find terracotta-topped homes at reasonable prices that often have a breathtaking backdrop of mountains, gorges, rushing rivers and waterfalls.

The most costly areas are those closest to the coast, particularly either side of Monaco. Prices in the highly sought-after seaside resort of St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat are an eye-watering average of €17,754/m², so even a studio apartment the size of a single garage here fetches €500,000. In Cannes, the price per square metre ranges from €3,774 to €9,445, so a 50m² apartment will cost between €188,700 and €472,250, depending on its location.

Nice is France’s fifth-largest city (353,701 residents) and has great transport links including an international airport. It’s not the most expensive spot on the Côte-d’Azur, but it is the most intensely populated, with 4,918 residents per square kilometre, which is about 46 times the national average and almost matches London (5,854/km²).

It does have beaches although these get extremely crowded, and its old town has shady streets of baroque-style buildings whose red and yellow facades add to the warmth, but the abiding image of Nice is one of high-rise apartment buildings. Over 73% of properties here are main residences, and nearly 93% are apartments. If you see a central ‘apartment’ here for €60,000, it’s likely to be a minuscule 9m² room up in the eaves with a sofabed and miniature shower room. That said, these tiny dwellings can rent out for more than €300 a month, as there are about 40,000 students in the city at any given time.

Also a seaside resort, Cannes has fewer than 75,000 residents although it’s still quite densely populated (3,773/km²). Here, one-bedroom apartments start at €80,000, and for €100,000 you could get your own sunny balcony with a sea view – although an apartment with parking, a balcony and a swimming pool is likely to cost more than €225,000.

Antibes Juan-les-Pins became popular with the Americans in the 1930s, drawing writers such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald, as well as great jazz musicians including Sidney Bechet and Count Basie. This is a chic resort with 25km of beaches, seafront promenades, smart dining spots, cocktail bars and nightclubs, plus a large marina. In Antibes, a 25m² studio is likely to fetch over €175,000, houses start at €350,000 and modern villas at €600,000 with a 10-bedroom villa in Le Cap fetching €13m.

If you’d like to be on the Italian border, Menton offers clusters of pretty ochre and pink buildings with mountains behind and a marina or beach in front. It has 30,000 residents (population density of 2,158/km²), and apartments in a period building start at €95,000, while a €150,000 budget will give a wide choice, and houses start at €300,000.

Moving inland, Grasse is 30 minutes north of Cannes, perched in the hills with gardens of jasmine, roses, lavender and mimosa flowers. Famous as the home of perfume, Grasse has some beautiful architecture including mansions from the 1600s and 1700s, and properties here cost an average of €3,712/m² (about half that of Cannes), so you get more for your money. A budget of €80,000 buys you a basic apartment, €250,000 opens up a wide choice of apartments over 65m² (some with a pool), while €350,000 can buy you a house here.

For a traditional mountain town, head about an hour from the coast to Gourdon, Utelle or Peille. These inland towns have a medieval feel and a completely different atmosphere from their glitzy counterparts on the coast: the mountains are much more present and the pace of life much slower. A three-bedroom apartment costs from €90,000, and for €500,000 you can buy a five-bedroom home complete with generous gardens and pool, glorious Alpine views and potential to run a B&B or gîte.

You can still find renovation projects in Alpes-Maritimes, be that an apartment in need of a makeover, a townhouse that requires renovation to reach its full potential or a rural chalet. If you’re flexible on location, you’ll find all these types of properties from €45,000. There are few building plots in Alpes-Maritimes, but €50,000 would buy you a generous 2,400m² plot inland in St-Léger, 90 minutes north of Nice. Beware of terrain de loisirs, as this is ‘leisure land’, and these plots have restrictions on what you can construct there.

By air, Nice Côte-d’Azur airport is an hour-and-a-quarter from Paris, and around two hours from Birmingham or London. The airport has a tram line (ligne 2) that takes you to the centre of Nice in 30 minutes. By car, Nice is nine and a half hours from Paris or 11 and a half hours from Calais – both travelling via toll roads. If you take the train, you can get from Paris to Nice in under six hours, thanks to a direct service from Gare de Lyon.

It’s worth knowing that the regional TER trains link all major towns along the coast, from Hyères to Menton, including Monaco. From 1 June to 30 September, you can also buy a Pass Touristique for €16 per person, and travel all day throughout Alpes-Maritimes on the TER lines.

The region’s Chamber of Commerce states that, based on 2024 figures, Alpes-Maritimes has 153,974 economically active establishments, generating a pre-tax turnover of €78bn (up €3bn on 2023). Tourism and real estate dominate the economy, although 18% of businesses are specialist scientific and technical services, 22% are commercial/retail, 10% are construction and 6% industry, including big technology firms. More and more Americans are visiting the Côte-d’Azur and moving here permanently, particularly New-Yorkers.

The area continues to benefit from investment, notably in the new ‘multimodal’ transport project for Nice airport. Started in June 2025 for a planned opening in 2028, this project has a budget of €271m and aims to provide a single transport hub at the airport to include high-speed trains, regional trains, trams, cars and bikes.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

The buzz of city life or a quiet rural retreat? Gillian Harvey speaks to expats who’ve chosen to live very different lives in France…

Mike and Hayley Gibbon, Madranges, Corrèze

When Mike (56) and Hayley (46) Gibbon moved to Corrèze in 2019, they were attracted to the idea of rural living as well as having a new adventure. “My parents live in France: mum moved to Haute-Vienne with my stepdad over a decade ago, then dad went to live in Dordogne with my stepmum a few years later,” says Hayley. “Every time we visited it got harder to leave. Then Mike turned 50 and that was the catalyst for him. He wanted to try a different way of life.” The pair explored areas close to Hayley’s parents, before setting their sights on running a campsite in Madranges.

“We’d lived in a village before, so thought we knew what to expect. But we soon realised there’s a huge difference,” admits Hayley, a former graphic designer. “You aren’t really ever far from facilities in the UK, and our village there had about 14,000 inhabitants. Madranges has around 200.” Despite its relative remoteness, Madranges ticks all the boxes for Mike and Hayley. “We’re right in the foothills of the Massif des Monédières, a stepping stone up to the Massif Central. We have mountains, rivers, forests, heathland. It still takes me aback when I’m driving home and I take in the scenery. And internet connection is great.”

Since their move in 2019, the couple have spent time getting their campsite, Le Ranch, up and running and adjusting to local life. Living remotely may have been the goal, but the reality comes with its challenges. “There are no shops, so you do rely on the car. If we take a trip to Limoges or Poitiers, the nearest cities, we need to plan ahead to make sure we’re getting the most out of it because of the distance.”

Luckily, what the area lacks in amenities it makes up for with community. “The village is very friendly. We joined the comité des fêtes to help with integration and go to all the meetings, all the events. While language is a barrier at times, our French is improving daily.” Their proximity to Limoges and Poitiers airports means, that despite its rural location, the area is quite well connected to the UK. This is very useful for Mike, who has grown-up children back home.

Meanwhile, Hayley benefits from being closer to her parents, who both live within an-hour-and-a-half’s drive. The lack of amenities locally has also led to more opportunities for the campsite business. “A customer who stayed with us in 2021 said how much he’d like to be able to order a drink and have some food on site, which got us thinking,” says Hayley.

“We now have a drinks licence and serve pizzas. It took a while to organise the right licences and health and safety paperwork, but it’s up and running now and has proven to be very worthwhile. We’ve opened it up so that the villagers can also come and get pizza, which means we aren’t just those crazy English people running a campsite, we’re supplying something to the local community too.

“We’ve realised that living remotely doesn’t mean being isolated,” Hayley says. “You can be as connected as you want to be.”

leranch-camping.com

Kerry-Anne Gilowey, Content Strategist and UX Writer, Caen

Kerry-Anne (49) first visited France on a tourist visa, leaving her native South Africa for an adventure after her marriage ended in 2018 and her beloved cat, William, passed away in 2022. “I’d been living in a quiet suburban area, but it wasn’t what I wanted,” she says. “I realised I was on my own, and it seemed like the perfect time to explore.” The original plan was to tour the country for a year, having taken a sabbatical from work. But life had other plans. “I started in Besançon for six weeks, then travelled around for four months or so. But in late August 2023, a friend suggested I should come to Caen; he’d been there and was sure I’d like it.”

Kerry-Anne originally planned to stay in Caen for two months, but she loved it too much to leave. “I eventually realised I wanted to stay here permanently,” she says.

After a sojourn back to South Africa to apply for an entrepreneur/profession libérale visa, which would enable her to work, Kerry-Anne came back and set up her business in the city centre in July 2024. She hasn’t looked back since. “I’ve never lived in a city before. I had a quiet life with a big house, a garden and a pool. Now I’m in a fifth-floor apartment with a gorgeous view over the city and am loving urban life.”

One thing that appeals to Kerry-Anne about city living is the opportunity to socialise at a moment’s notice. “I’ll have a big WhatsApp group chat with friends, where someone will say ‘who’s keen to get a drink in half an hour?’, and I can say ‘sure, why not?’. I love being spontaneous. I’m so used to having to organise everything two weeks in advance so people can make it. Now I’m just a three-minute walk from the port where we go to drink and dance.” While Kerry-Anne’s business means she can work anywhere, living the country life doesn’t appeal. “Someone I know who lives in rural France recently sent me a picture of her farm with her chickens and cows, and it held zero appeal for me.”

Another advantage of city life has been the opportunity to improve her French fast, just by going out and mingling with locals. “I met many of my friends via a language exchange meet-up here, so we mostly speak English to each other, but now my French is better than some of their English.”

Kerry-Anne is also enjoying the best social life she’s ever had. “I’ve read stories about it taking a while to integrate, or to get people to open up. But my experience has been the opposite. I became friends with people so fast. Most of my friends are French, and we have dinners and parties at each other’s homes.”

So, will she ever try rural living? “Never say never. Maybe when I’m 80. But not for the foreseeable future,” she says. “The countryside looks lovely for a visit, but I need the busyness and pace of life I get here. One of the things I love most is meeting new people. And here it happens all the time – every single weekend. I thrive on that.”

Vanda-Lynn Hughes, Maubourguet, Hautes-Pyrénées

When Vanda-Lynn Hughes (66) moved to France with husband Gareth in 2020, it was in search of a warmer climate, and a step towards retirement. They wanted somewhere they could enjoy an easier pace of life, but where they could generate an income from running a gîte or B&B. Having considered Spain, Portugal and Cyprus, they eventually settled on France as being the best option, moving over in the December to search for their ideal property.

Having lived in rural Wiltshire for 12 years, the couple wanted to find somewhere a little more connected. “I’d experienced isolation, living in a tiny hamlet. I’m a bit of a people person, so I didn’t want to go through that again. In addition, Gareth was diabetic so I wanted us to be near medical facilities,” says Vanda. The couple initially rented a property just outside Perpignan. However, they didn’t settle in the area. “I found it a bit too busy; and it was very windy and dry. We decided to look north and find a more temperate area that was a bit quieter.”

Eventually, they settled on Maubourguet, a small town in the Occitanie region of France with a population of just over 2,000, in August 2021. “It seemed to have exactly the right balance: it wasn’t too isolated, but it wasn’t too busy either. We found a house where the majority of the work had already been done and where we could let out the top floor of the property as a gîte.” The climate was also more to their liking in this area. “The weather was clement, but not too extreme. The agent said to us that they’d been here 20 years and there had only been one day when the snow stuck to the ground, but everyone could still drive around as it was very light,” says Vanda. “I’d experienced being snowed in before and didn’t really want to repeat it!”

While the location proved ideal, the couple’s dream retirement was short lived, as Gareth passed away in August 2022 after complications post-Covid. However, Vanda continues to live in the property, renting out the upper floor to guests. Fortunately, as she and Gareth had chosen a location where there is plenty of village life, Vanda hasn’t been left feeling isolated and makes sure she gets out and about each day. “Every day, I walk into the village in the morning to have a coffee,” she says. “I’m back in the afternoon for a walk. It’s great to have the interaction with locals, and to see people coming and going.”

Having come over knowing very little French, and with much of her initial life in France having been taken up with caring for Gareth, Vanda still has only relatively basic skills in the language. But she puts it to good use in her visits to the café, where she chats with locals about the weather and makes a big fuss of their dogs.

“In Wiltshire, I used to walk the dogs twice a day but I wouldn’t see a living soul. Although things haven’t turned out as we’d planned, in that sense, I have enjoyed living here. It definitely has the right balance.”

What impact can exchange rates have on your property purchase in France? Mar Bonnin Palmer explains…

Buying a property in France is a dream for many, whether it’s a rustic farmhouse in the Dordogne, a chic apartment in Paris or a sun-drenched villa on the Côte d’Azur. But while the allure of French living is undeniable, one crucial factor often overlooked by international buyers is the impact of exchange rates on the final cost of their purchase.

When buying in a foreign currency, even small fluctuations in the exchange rate can significantly affect your budget. This article explores why exchange rates matter, how they can change during the property-buying process, and what tools are available to help you manage this risk effectively.

All property transactions in France are conducted in euros. For buyers holding funds in another currency – such as British pounds or US dollars -this means the real cost of the property is directly tied to the exchange rate at the time of transfer. Let’s say you’re purchasing a property valued at €300,000. If the GBP/EUR exchange rate is 1.21, the cost in pounds would be approximately £247,933. But if the rate drops to 1.14 by the time you complete the purchase, the same property will cost you £263,157 – an increase of over £15,000 due to currency movement alone. This is not a hypothetical scenario. Since January 2025, the GBP/EUR rate has fluctuated between 1.1444 and 1.2133.

It’s wise to start thinking about currency exchange early. Many buyers fall in love with a property on their first visit and want to move quickly. Having an FX account already set up means you’re ready to act without delay. Moreover, understanding how exchange rates work will help you make informed decisions. For example, if you know your budget in pounds, you can calculate how much that equates to in euros at different rates and how much wiggle room you have if the rate shifts. As we just discovered, there can be a substantial amount at stake enough to cover notary fees, legal costs or a renovation project. By using a forward contract, you could have locked in the original rate and avoided this unexpected expense.

The average property transaction in France takes around three months from offer to completion. During this time, the exchange rate can shift dramatically. The rate you saw when your offer was accepted is unlikely to be the same when you sign the final deed (acte de vente). This volatility introduces a laver of financial uncertainty that can complicate budgeting and planning. For example, if you’ve budgeted based on a favourable rate, a sudden drop could leave you scrambling to cover the shortfall – or worse, force you to reconsider the purchase altogether.

Exchange rates are influenced by a wide range of factors, including:

• Interest rate decisions by central banks (e.g. the Bank of England or the European Central Bank)
• Economic indicators such as inflation, employment and GDP growth Political events, including elections, trade negotiations, or geopolitical tensions like the recent US tariff uncertainty
• Market sentiment and investor confidence.

Because these factors are often unpredictable, trying to ‘time the market’ is risky. Instead, buyers can use certain tools to manage the risk of currency volatility, rather than trying to outguess the market.

There are several tools and strategies available to help property buyers mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations.

1. FORWARD CONTRACTS

A forward contract (which may require a deposit) allows you to lock in an exchange rate for a future date helping to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. This means you can still make your transfer at today’s rate for the final payment, even if the market moves against you later.

The benefits include:

• Budget certainty
• Mitigate the impact of adverse movements
• Only a small deposit (often 10%) is required to lock in the rate
  This is particularly useful in the French property market, where the time between signing the compromis de vente (preliminary contract) and the final acte de vente can span several months.

2. MARKET ORDERS

Market orders let you set a target exchange rate. If the market reaches that rate, your funds for your property purchase will be automatically exchanged. This is ideal if you’re optimistic about the rate improving but don’t want to monitor the market constantly.

You can also combine this with a stop-loss order, which sets a minimum acceptable rate to help you manage the risk of significant losses to your property budget if the market moves unfavourably.

3. REGULAR PAYMENT PLANS

If you plan to make ongoing payments such as mortgage instalments, maintenance costs or pension transfers – a regular payment plan can help you manage your exposure.

These plans can be automated and even fixed using forward contracts, giving you peace of mind and consistency.

While high street banks can facilitate currency transfers, they often offer less competitive exchange rates and charge higher fees. In contrast, foreign exchange (FX) specialists typically provide:

• Access to competitive rates through multiple liquidity providers
• Personalised guidance and market insights
• A wider range of currency tools (e.g. forward contracts, market orders)
• No transfer fees

Opening an account with an FX specialist is free and can be done at any stage of your buying journey – even before you’ve found a property. This early step allows you to monitor rates, understand the real cost of your purchase, and set a realistic budget.

Buying a property in France is an exciting venture, but it’s also a significant financial commitment. Exchange rates are a critical part of the equation and ignoring them can lead to costly surprises. By understanding the risks and using the right currency tools, such as forward contracts and market orders, you can manage the risk of your investment and make the most of your money. Whether you’re just starting your property search or already have your eye on a dream home, it’s never too early to start planning your currency strategy. With the right preparation, you can navigate the French property market with confidence and clarity.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

The process for applying for French nationality can be long and arduous, and horror stories abound, but if you fulfil all the criteria and are prepared to tackle the paperwork required, then it is entirely doable, writes Catharine Higginson…

Many people who have been French residents for a number of years and plan to make France their permanent home, take the next logical step and decide to apply for French nationality. For some, gaining French nationality is important on a personal level. It reflects their commitment to life in France and cements their relationship with their adopted country. For others, it may be a more practical decision and certainly, having a French ID card does make many administrative processes much simpler. But whatever your reasons, it is important to understand the process and qualifying criteria before you start.

The first step is the French government website, which has a dedicated portal for those seeking French nationality. Spend some time reading through all the appropriate information before you even start to think about getting the paperwork together; you can find all the information online here: service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/N111.

There are two main ways to obtain French nationality, known as la déclaration de nationalité and naturalisation. The déclaration applies if you are married to a French citizen or have a family relationship with a French national, a sibling, child or grandchild. The procedure of naturalisation is subject to various conditions, in particular, the length of residence in France. Specific rules also apply if you were born in France but your parents were not French nationals, and you can also ‘re-apply’ for French citizenship if for some reason you have ‘lost’ your French nationality – for example, a child born to a French mother who never applied for nationality for the child at the time of birth. In these cases, the exact procedure will vary depending on whether the child was born in France or overseas.

To acquire nationality by reason of marriage you must have been married for four years or more, your spouse must have had (and still have) French nationality on the day of the marriage, and you should ideally have lived in France continuously since the date of the marriage. You can still apply if you have lived overseas since the marriage, however, different conditions apply so check these carefully on the government website.

If you were married overseas, this must be registered with the registres de l’état civil francais to ensure that the marriage is recognised. Unless you have a European passport, you will need a valid residence permit, a clean criminal record, have lived with your spouse continuously and prove that you have the required knowledge of the French language. This is currently B1 but is scheduled to increase to B2 in the very near future.

For those aged 65 and over who have a French child or grandchild, and have lived in France for over 25 years, the language criteria does not apply. However, for the vast majority of people seeking French nationality, naturalisation is the procedure that will apply and this is, unfortunately, probably the most onerous in terms of paperwork to be supplied!

To comply with all the requirements of naturalisation you must be aged 18 or over, although you can apply from the age of 17; if accorded, your nationality will apply from the age of 18. Overseas-born minors can obtain nationality if one of their parents has become French and the child has lived with their parents in France for at least five years.

You must also be a French resident when the application decision is made and France must be the place where your professional and family interests are based. If, for example, you live in France but your spouse and/or children live overseas, the request may be refused. You should have lived in France for at least five years although exceptions can be made. You will need a valid residence permit (unless you are an EU citizen) and clean criminal record.

You will also need to prove what is referred to as your assimilation à la communauté française. In other words, you need to demonstrate that you agree with the essential values and principles of the French Republic and that you have a decent knowledge of French history, culture and society.

It is a really good idea to do some homework where this is concerned as you will be asked specific questions about this during the interview stage. There is a downloadable booklet which contains everything you need to know and you can access it online (immigration.interieur.gouv.fr/content/download/131060/1042292/file/Livret_du_citoyen_V2fev2022.pdf); a copy is also available in the regional préfectures.
In addition to showing that you have a sufficient grasp of the French language (again, currently B1 level), you will also need to prove your insertion professionnelle and this is absolutely key. Essentially, this means being able to demonstrate that you have sufficient regular income to meet the needs of yourself and your family. And last but not least, you need to show that you are of good moral standing or être de bonnes vie et mœurs! This part is generally covered during the police visit to your home; this usually happens shortly after your file or dossier has been accepted. For most people this is absolutely nothing to worry about, but if your neighbours have made repeated complaints about wild parties or domestic disturbances, then these may well affect your application.

Having ensured you fulfil all the criteria, you can start getting the paperwork together. Every situation is slightly different and even once you have sent off everything listed, further documents may be requested; generally you will need to include a timbre fiscale, copies of your ID, residence permit, officially translated copies of your birth certificate, those of your parents, their marriage certificate, proof of address (utility bill), proof of income and tax return, a language certificate, marriage certificate if married, your spouse’s ID and residence permit, divorce papers if you have been previously married, birth certificates if you have children, valid certificats de scolarités if they are of school age and a police ‘record’ certificate if you have lived in France for less than 10 years. It’s important to remember that (other than paying for a timbre fiscal), the procedure is entirely free of charge so beware any third-party sites offering services claiming to speed up the process.

With the paperwork filed, once the dossier has been accepted and the police visit completed, you can concentrate on preparing for the interview at the prefecture. Waiting times vary enormously from region to region but you can expect the response time to be between 12 and 18 months before you hear whether or not your file has been accepted.

Another couple of months may elapse before yo your interview and the final decision may take up to a year to come through. It’s a long process, but this makes the moment when you finally get to attend the ceremony at the local prefecture and receive your official ‘I am now French’ paperwork all the more exciting!

Follow this legal checklist from Fabien Pelissier for a smooth move to France…

Before you settle into your new French life, there’s one unavoidable reality: the paperwork. France is a country that runs on rules, and that means that legal processes, registrations, and formalities are an essential part of any move. This comprehensive checklist breaks the bureaucracy into bite-sized steps, so you can move confidently, one requirement at a time. Whether you’re a retiree, remote worker or relocating family, here’s your guide to navigating the legal path to living in France.

For UK citizens post-Brexit, a long-stay visa (visa de long séjour – VLS-TS) is the first step. Apply online through the France-Visas portal. Choose the ‘visitor’ category if you won’t be working, and demonstrate financial self-sufficiency, at least €1,426.30/month net per person in July 2025. You’ll need a French permanent address and proof of medical coverage until you’re part of French healthcare.

Within three months of arriving, you need to activate your visa online (administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers). You’ll be invited for a medical exam and must pay an activation fee of €225. This validates your stay and triggers future residency rights.

As early as four months before your VLS-TS expires, you can book an appointment at your local préfecture to apply for a carte de séjour (residency permit). You will need to bring documents showing:

• Proof of income
• Proof of address in France
• Valid private health insurance if you don’t have an S1 or even better proof of affiliation with French public healthcare (CPAM)

The card is renewable annually for up to five years, after which you have usually applied for a 10-year residence permit (permanent permit).

If you’re a UK state pensioner, you are probably eligible for an S1 form via NHS Overseas Healthcare. This gives you access to the French public system (CPAM) for free. Early retirees without an S1 must purchase comprehensive private insurance for the first year.

After three months in France, you’re eligible to join French healthcare (CPAM), usually through a process called PUMA, France’s universal healthcare system. Submit your application to CPAM with:

• Passport
• Translated birth certificate
• Proof of address
• Evidence of three months’ residence

The French system covers around 70% of the standard rate of basic medical costs. A mutuelle (top-up insurance) reimburses the remaining 30% and more for dental, vision, and hospital care. Most importantly, the mutuelle avoids you needing to pay upfront in most situations or makes refunds automatic. Since 2020, the mutuelle also gives you an extra benefit called the ‘100% santé’ which basically gives you a free option for dental care, glasses and other potentially cost-intensive medical procedures. While not legally required, a mutuelle significantly reduces out-of-pocket spending.

Contrary to popular belief, spending 183 days in France isn’t the only criterion for becoming a French tax resident. France also considers:

• Where your main home is located
• The country of your primary economic interest
• Where your professional activity is based

Meeting any one of these means you must file taxes in France on worldwide income.

Most UK private and state pensions are taxed only in France. Government service pensions (civil servants, military etc) are taxable in the UK but must still be declared in France, where you receive a full tax credit.

You’ll need a French bank account for SEPA payments, tax bills and healthcare reimbursements. You might start with an online banking solution but may eventually feel the need to have a good old bricks-and-mortar French bank. You will require the following documents to do so:

• Passport
• Proof of address in France
• Valid visa or residence card

• UK licence issued before 2021: Only exchange if it expires or you commit a traffic infraction.
• UK licence issued after 2021: Must be exchanged within one year of receiving your carte de séjour via the ANTS portal.

You must register an imported car within one month of arrival. You’ll need:

• Customs form 846 A
• Certificate of Conformity
• Valid control technique (MOT for vehicles over four years old)

Third-party liability insurance is mandatory in France, even if your car is parked and unused.

Home insurance is legally required for renters and strongly advised for owners. It covers:

• Fire
• Water damage
• Storms
• Civil liability

Most policies also include personal liability outside the home.

Under French law, children are protected heirs, entitled to between 50-75% of the estate. However thanks to the EU Succession Regulation, you can elect UK law in your will to override these rules (especially for non-real estate assets).
Consider drafting:

• A French testament olographe (handwritten will)
• A notarial will in French and English for dual-clarity

The default French regime (communauté réduite aux acquêts) merges post-marriage assets. For international or blended families, a séparation de biens agreement can be more practical. This must be done via a French notaire.

When buying French property, you should budget around 8% of the price for:

• Notaire’s fees
• Stamp duty
• Additional 1% if using a mortgage

Don’t forget annual taxe foncière (ownership tax) and taxe d’habitation (on second homes only in France), which are similar to UK council tax.

From visas and health insurance to taxes and driving, relocating to France requires more than packing your bags. Each step involves paperwork, planning and legal understanding, especially if you want to avoid delays, fines or costly mistakes.

But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Book a consultation with a Fab Expat advisor for guidance through the legal and administrative maze of moving to France -whether you’re still exploring your options or deep into your visa application.

Fabien Pelissier is the founder of FabExpat.com and FabFrenchInsurance.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Set between azure blue sea and the foothills of the Alps, Nice offers a pleasant year-round climate, vibrant lifestyle and varied property, writes Karen Tait…

One of the best-known cities of the Côte d’Azur, Nice has a population of just over 350,000 and is a dynamic, multicultural hub. Set on a wide open bay, with a backdrop of Alpine foothills, Nice offers breathtaking scenery. The Promenade des Anglais, a long seafront boulevard lined with palm trees, is popular for walking, cycling and people-watching.

With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, mild winters and warm summers, the weather encourages a year-round outdoor lifestyle. There’s easy access to open-air activities such as sailing, hiking and even skiing (just a couple of hours away). Nice is also well-connected, with an international airport minutes from the city centre and easy access to Monaco, Cannes and Italy, making it an ideal location for international buyers and tourists alike.

The city is culturally rich, with world-class museums, galleries and festivals. It also boasts excellent restaurants, vibrant markets and a laidback lifestyle that appeals to both retirees and younger professionals.

Nice’s fascinating history stretches back to Greek and Roman times. Over the centuries, it has been influenced by Italian, French and Mediterranean cultures, which can be seen in its architecture and traditions. The old town is a maze of narrow streets filled with Baroque churches and local shops. Along the seafront, grand seaside hotels and Belle Epoque buildings are a reminder of Nice’s 19th-century heyday as a retreat for European aristocracy.

Homebuyers can choose from historic apartments in the old town to modern sea-view villas in the hills. Popular districts include Vieux Nice, the Port, the Promenade des Anglais, Carré d’Or, Musiciens, Cimiez, Fabron, Mont Boron and Libération. The city has a thriving holiday rental market, and long-term lets are also in demand due to the universities and business hubs.

Nowhere on the Riviera is cheap, though. The average apartment price for the Alpes-Maritimes department is €4,725/m²- but Nice is relatively affordable at €4,697/m² compared to destinations such as St-Tropez (€26,294/m²), St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (€11,782/m²), Villefranche-sur-Mer (€8,110/m²), Cannes (€5,656/m²) and Antibes (€5 153/m²).

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

After decades of globetrotting, Justin Wescombe finally settled in Saumur in the Loire Valley. He tells Annaliza Davis why…

When you find yourself unexpectedly in a new town in France, it’s natural to go exploring; it’s a little more unusual to fall in love with an historic home and buy it, but that’s what happened when Justin Wescombe found himself in Saumur in 2019. “I’d been living in Geneva, but after my marriage fell apart, I didn’t want to stay there. I’ve always had an affinity for France and loved the Loire so I started looking in Nantes, although it quickly became clear that the suburbs of a city weren’t for me.

“One Saturday morning, fed up with househunting, I caught a train to have lunch in Chinon. Once on board, I realised that it was quite a trek and I’d have to change trains. Laziness took over and for no particular reason I got off in Saumur. I walked into Place St-Pierre to find that it was market day, and I was hooked. Sitting on the terrace of the old Café St-Amour (now Café de la Ville), I asked the patron if she knew of any property for sale, and she pointed to a house a couple of doors away. I checked into a local hotel, viewed the property and that was that. By Monday, I had started the buying process and was looking forward to moving to Saumur.”

The property that Justin fell for sits just beyond the market square, and dates from at least the 1400s. Built from the pale tuffeau stone quarried locally, it still has countless original features, including ancient oak doors that have been intricately carved by hand and vast oak beams that are centuries old.

In the main living space, there are two fireplaces that seem to date from when the property was built 600 years ago, and Justin has since learned that his home was closely connected to Château de Saumur, a gleaming castle with an iconic silhouette that overlooks the town. “I’ve been told this was originally the greffe de la sénéchaussée, which means it was the property from which the day-to-day management of the nearby château took place,” says Justin. “You can still see parts of the original town walls connected to the house, and the two turrets apparently would have been used as lookout posts for the gates to the town, so it must have played a key role in protecting the château and the town itself.

“Along the staircase, there are several blocked-up entrances and on each floor of the house there are doorways that now lead nowhere but must have connected to other buildings at one point. There’s another house nearby that has wooden walkways attached to the outside walls, and I suspect this house used to have similar outdoor stairs to access the upper floors. There’s a talented architectural artist named Marcus Deakin who has a house in Saumur, and a couple of years ago he gave me a wonderful sketch of what the house might have looked like with its original external walkways. Given that this was a public building back in the day, those outdoor thoroughfares would make sense, as it would have given access to different areas without people being able to get into the living quarters.”

The thick stone walls and high ceilings certainly give the impression of grandeur, while the stone spiral staircase that winds its way up to the turrets lends a fairytale air to the everyday act of going upstairs. “When you live in a place with such a long past, you certainly have a sense of the continuity of history,” says Justin, “and you can’t help wondering about the lives of all the people who have passed through here. Whose hands touched the door that you are opening? Who carved those intricate details into the oak panels? Who scratched their initials in the cellar walls, and why? What was going on in their lives that meant they had the time to scratch on the walls in the deepest cellar?”

It has been many years since Justin’s home was a lookout for the château, and these days it has a practical layout that works well for a modern family. As you come in off the market square, the ground floor leads to a self-contained, three-bedroom flat that is ideal for visits from Justin’s grown-up children and their many friends, giving them independence whenever they come to stay.

Up on the first floor is the main hall – a grand living space with windows overlooking both sides of the town and the kitchen, which is far more modern than its period setting. Finally, on the top floor, there are two more bedrooms, a study, a bathroom and a spacious roof terrace ideal for apéritifs and summer barbecues. “I have to confess that when I first bought the house, I didn’t even realise that it had this outdoor space,” laughs Justin, “so that was a very pleasant surprise when I moved in!”

In addition to the three storeys of living space, there are steps leading down to the cellars, perfect for storage, utilities and laying down the odd bottle of local wine. Saumur is, after all, surrounded by vineyards and produces Bourgueil, Chinon, St-Nicolas de Bourgueil and Saumur-Champigny, as well as the sparkling crémant for which the town is renowned.

“Even though I found the house on a whim, Saumur suits me and I think of it as a Goldilocks town – not too big and not too small. I am a complete townie. The only criteria I have when choosing a house is that I have to be able to walk to get a coffee and here I can take my pick. “At its heart, Saumur is a medieval hub with the requisite market, restaurants and independent shops, and on the outskirts are all the big-box retailers for gardening stuff and home renovation. It helps that the Loire flows through the town, because a walk by the river clears the mind better than any self-help courses.

“There is a romantic side to living in the Loire Valley with the beautiful châteaux, wine, superb restaurants and all the pretty villages. I love the layers of history. Twenty minutes away at Fontevraud is the necropolis of the Plantagenet dynasty, an hour away at Amboise is the burial place of Leonardo da Vinci and several churches in the area have a plaque showing Joan of Arc’s fateful voyage through this area; indeed, her famous meeting with the French king took place in nearby Chinon.

“One of the most amazing stories of the town dates from 1940 and concerns the famous horse-riding Cadets of Saumur. Approximately 2,500 new trainee officers at the town’s Cavalry and Infantry School, along with a number of regular soldiers, held up about 40,000 German troops for three days along the Loire between Gennes and Montsoreau. It was an incredibly courageous act, and there’s a plaque that commemorates their bravery displayed in Les Invalides, near Napoleon’s tomb.”

Justin is clearly passionate about his adopted hometown, although he has lived all over the world. Born in New Delhi, India, he lived for 10 years in Asia, 10 more in Australia, the Middle East, Somalia, the USA and Geneva and also spent five years living in La Celle-St-Cloud near Versailles. Given his track record of globe-trotting, this historic building may not be a forever home, but Justin certainly appreciates the advantages of living in the centre of Saumur.

“On a practical level, the rail connections are great, the nearby A85 connects the town to all of France and I’m only a three-hour drive from Normandy or from Paris. “There are events all year round, amazing local restaurants and about 450 vineyards, and the town is not overrun by expats, although I have plenty of English-speaking friends here. My French is not the best but it can still take 20 minutes to walk across Place St-Pierre because I stop to chat with so many people. All I can say is that since finding this house, I smile more than I frown.”

For someone who bought a property spontaneously during an unplanned visit to the town, everything has certainly worked out very well for Justin in his historic Saumur home.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Le marché is at the heart of French daily culture. Carolyn Reynier picks out three market towns offering a vibrant lifestyle including Dinan, Louhans and Niort…

Last year saw the seventh season of Votre Plus Beau Marché produced by television channel TF1 in partnership with regional daily newspapers. The series highlights some beautiful French towns, all with vibrant markets of course. Here I’ve picked three of my favourites wonderful places to own a holiday or permanent home.

Number six, located in Côtes-d’Armor, Brittany, was subprefecture Dinan. Surrounded by ramparts this Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (twinned with Exmouth) lies inland from the Emerald coast at the head of the Rance river. Its château was built in the 14th century and the houses are half-timbered with corbelling. There was an important English colony here (1800-1940) and you can sail from the port along the estuary to St-Malo and Dinard.

Louhans, a Plus Beaux Détours de France town in Saône-et-Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, came in third. It’s in the heart of the Bresse Bourguignonne in southern Burgundy – with the Côte-d’Or vineyards to the northwest, Mâconnais to the southwest, and to the east the wines, valleys and lakes of Jura. This medieval town on the navigable Seille river is renowned for its all-singing, all-dancing Appellation d’Origine Protégée chicken, the poulet de Bresse. And the winner was… Niort, prefecture of Deux-Sèvres in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, twinned with Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. It sits on the edge of the 207,430-hectare Parc Naturel Régional du Marais Poitevin, the most important wetlands on the Atlantic coast, which also straddles Vendée and Charente-Maritime. Architectural heritage includes Henry Plantagenet’s 12th-century military fortress; Renaissance, Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings; plus contemporary graffiti and mural street art.

Follow the Voie Verte along the banks of the fish-filled River Sèvre on foot, bike or horseback; explore the Venise Verte area of the Marais in a traditional barque; walk along ancient rural paths around the town through marshland, plains and bocage (a patchwork of woodland, heath, small fields and tall hedgerows).

What’s interesting about Dinan is that we’re not far from the coast, Cassady Cooper at Agence Arguenon tells me. “The Rance estuary lies between Dinard and St-Malo, so we have the maritime Rance then a beautiful, slightly undulating landscape upstream to Dinan,” she says. Here, the river transforms into the canal. Dinan sits up above with an unbeatable view over the port, viaduct and valley from the Jardin Anglais on the upper ramparts (from when a large English community lived here).

You reach the port via the steep, picturesque Rue du Jerzual with its terraced and detached stone and timber-framed houses (à pan de bois). Locals aren’t keen on buying here – no cars so you can’t unload shopping – but it does appeal to foreign buyers, which creates “une identité sympa”, says Cassady. There are gardens, lovely views and artists have their ateliers at street level. “C’est plutôt chouette.” (Not an owl in this sense but meaning nice, great).

Inside the ramparts – intra muros – in the historic centre, fine, granite, terraced bourgeois houses (with no more than three storeys) have been converted into apartments with shops at street level. Cassady recently sold a renovated studio on the market square with a view of the ramparts for €115,000. Some townhouses have remained intact. A large maison de maître with garden and in good repair sold for about €700,000.

Dinan is busy year-round so there’s good potential for the investor, however, there is now a quota on authorisations for short-term lets. Intra muros, each house and certain historic areas are listed according to their architectural interest and different rules apply depending on their classification, explains Cassady. You might buy in a building where you can’t touch anything or you might be in one where certain modifications are permitted by the Bâtiments de France architect “qui veille au grain” (keeps a weather-eye open). This has resulted in a “centre-ville magnifique”. Down the valley, you’ll find pretty stone properties, fishermen’s cottages and farms.

At Plouër-sur-Rance, Cassady recently sold for €320,000 a farmstead (corps de ferme) with two bedrooms and outbuilding for conversion, giving a potential of 300m² living space plus 6,000m² of land. Prices are lower in the countryside. Cassady lives in a small quiet old street in the centre of the town, yet can easily access nature by walking down to the port. “There you’re on the tow paths surrounded by greenery, birds, c’est super.”fishermen’s cottages and farms. At Plouër-sur-Rance, Cassady recently sold for €320,000 a farmstead (corps de ferme) with two bedrooms and outbuilding for conversion, giving a potential of 300m² living space plus 6,000m² of land. Prices are lower in the countryside. Cassady lives in a small quiet old street in the centre of the town, yet can easily access nature by walking down to the port. “There you’re on the tow paths surrounded by greenery, birds, c’est super.”

Subprefecture of Saône-et-Loire, Louhans is the city of 157 arcades, says Fabrice Oudot of Neyrat Immobilier. Under these arcades, in terraced stone and sometimes timber-framed buildings, are ground-floor shops. Above, some folk have maintained and done up apartments – Fabrice has just sold a 48m² example under the arcades for €69,000 – others haven’t and use them for storage space. “There’s quite a lot to be done under the arcades,” he says – good news for the bricoleur.

Just behind are terraced townhouses with interior courtyards; a few hundred metres further away from the centre you’ll find small pre- and post-war detached properties with small courtyards and garages priced from €200,000. Fabrice is selling a compact townhouse with an interior courtyard, terrace, garage and no double glazing for €100,000. “It’s a bit vieillot (outdated), but it’s liveable straight away.”

In the surrounding countryside are long timber-framed, red-brick properties – fermes Bressanes. Expect to pay €250,000-€300,000 for a renovated example. Fabrice has one for sale at €89,000, “but everything needs redoing from A to Z”. Farmhouses may come with land although, upon retirement, owners often rent out parcels to other farmers.

If you’re hankering after a house with hectares, you need to know about rural law and the SAFER. Les Sociétés d’aménagement foncier et d’établissement rural allows anyone with a viable project to establish themselves in a rural milieu. If farmland has been rented out by the original owners for such a purpose, you might not get it back. However, Fabrice says you still find farms with anything from 3,000m² to a couple of hectares.

In summer, the tourist board organises ‘Garçon, la note’! Two nights a week, you can listen to a band at a local bar or restaurant in the Bresse bourguignonne. “We have an apéro, there’s a reasonably priced menu, we listen to the music and have a good evening,” says Fabrice. “Then there’s the history attached to our Monday market; stands everywhere, folk are outside, they have a drink, they eat tête de veau,” he continues. “And people come to see the poultry, to experience some of the rural ambiance.” There are lots of gîtes and chambres d’hôtes. “We have a good quality of life, little traffic, nature,” says Fabrice. From Louhans, you can cycle along the 70km Voie Verte La Bressane to Lons-le-Saunier or west to Chalon-sur-Saône. He canoes on the Seille, which flows through Louhans joining the Saône south of Tournon. “Il fait bon vivre ici.”

Nicolas Samuel of 203 Niort Immobilier says you’ll find 18th- and 19th-century terraced houses in the centre of Niort, usually with two upper floors but no outside space. There are “hidden treasures” in certain streets where you open the front gate and come upon majestic properties with lots of charm and history. The price range is €2,500/m²-€3,000/m². Art Nouveau architecture with its long, sinuous lines appeared in the 1890s followed by geometric Art Deco from the 1910s on. Nicolas recently sold a central 150m² 1923 Art Deco property for €140,000. “It needed complete renovation, but sold for less than €1,000 per square metre.” The house is in a conservation area, so the Bâtiments de France architects visited before it went on the market. “They said, the staircase stays, the fireplace stays, the mullion stays…”

If you prefer a town-centre apartment in an old building with cachet, you’ll pay from €120,000 for a renovated two-bedroom example. Apartments in residences dating from the 2000s on the Quai Métayer along the canal cost €2,300/m² to €2,800/m². Prices for three-bedroom houses with garden start in the region of €180,000. Prices in Niort remain more accessible than in other large cities, providing a rare opportunity for first-time buyers, families “looking for space without exploding their budget” and investors.

Niort is the capital of the mutuelles insurance companies. Accommodation is regularly needed for visiting service providers and short-term apartment lets are cheaper than hotels. If you fancy doing up an apartment for renting out, Nicolas has more properties on his books for renovation/freshening up than renovated.

He has lots of foreign buyers – Dutch, Belgians and British who have invested in gîtes around Magné and Coulon at the entry to the Marais Poitevin. Other villages worth investigating include Sansais and Arçais. There are fewer amenities in these hamlets, but prices are lower and you get more space. To the south, Frontenay is popular because it’s on the Niort-La Rochelle main road, but if you want to be en pleine nature, the Marais is number one, says Nicolas.
Paris is under two hours away and on sunny Sundays Nicolas’ family drive for 40 minutes to Charente-Maritime prefecture La Rochelle and the seaside. Niort town centre is lively with the Apéros du mardi, the Jeudis Niortais concerts and outdoor film projections during summer. “We have lovely green spaces, great cycle rides, we can rent electric boats on the Sèvre Niortaise to explore the Marais,” he says. “C’est sympa.”

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The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

If you have artistic talent, you may be able to use it to support your new life in France – Leah Rottier meets two people who have done just that, and finds out how they made it work…

Are you tired of trudging home in the rain from your dreary nine-to-five job? Tempted to quit the rat race and enjoy a more leisurely commute along country lanes abroad? Every year, hundreds of British workers do just that, leaving their job and country for a milder climate and more relaxed pace of life in France.
However, away from the larger cities, it is notoriously difficult to obtain a prized CDI (un contrat de travail à durée indéterminée) – a permanent, salaried position in a company.

So what options are available for those looking to work in a rural area, or seeking to supplement a retirement income in La Belle France? If you have any artistic or creative talent, it might not be as hard as you think to get started.

Sue Riley arrived in Normandy over 22 years ago. She chose to settle in the peaceful commune of Passais-Villages, in the department of Orne, to be close to family in England, while avoiding the hotter climates of other regions. Passais-Villages and its surrounding communes are sought after by British homeowners for their lush, verdant landscapes and vast, open spaces. This cosy corner of southern Normandy blends rural tranquillity with easy access to the city of Caen and its port, Ouistreham, about 90 minutes’ drive away.

Property prices in this area start from just €20,000 for a renovation project, making it a popular choice for those looking to commute from the UK initially, while restoring a house, for example. You’ll find many British-run businesses around Passais-Villages, so it’s a great option if you want to ease yourself into French life.
Already an established artist in her home country, with a formal beaux-arts training, Sue Riley arrived in France looking to find a light and airy building where she could open her art gallery, as well as having a small apartment she could rent out as a holiday let. She stumbled upon the ideal place in Passais-Villages, and La Galerie Enchantée was born.

Known for her exquisite sculptures, especially of classical ballet dancers, the talented artist spent her first few years in France showing her pieces in exhibitions across the country. She credits this as key to her success. “These salons d’art not only showcase your work, but they also improve your French considerably. I’d highly recommend them, even if you only do one or two,” she says. “Communication is so important in getting known and reaching clients,” she adds.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes in French. We all do it! My advice to those starting out would be to shop at the local shops, visit town halls and tourist offices, and enjoy the fêtes and the markets.

The more you integrate, the more clients you’ll reach. Word of mouth is very important in rural France.” Sue explains that having the support of her community was invaluable when she opened her gallery in Passais-Villages. “Contact the mairie, local newspapers and anyone you can think of who can help you with free publicity. If you’re opening a studio or gallery, as I did, make it an event. Send out invitations to the grand opening and put on a few drinks and apéritifs to entice people to attend. This all helps with getting your business up and running.”

As in Sue’s case, it does help if you’re well established in your creative career before arriving in France. However, many newcomers have shown that it’s entirely possible to develop a successful artistic business from scratch. Carlie Cotton runs a thriving business in Champniers, in the Vienne department. Swapping a busy marketing role in Southampton for the pretty Poitou-Charentes region, she set up ‘Carlie Art and Design’ from what was essentially a hobby. “It was very full on when we first moved to France,” Carlie explains. “I was a little overwhelmed with renovating our house and gîte, so to relax, I decided to spend some time painting with watercolours. I created my own handpainted greeting cards as I struggled to find them in the local shops, and this is where it all started!”
Since 2021, Carlie’s business has gone from strength to strength. She’s now a full-time artist, running art workshops from her home studio, painting commissioned pet portraits and selling her work both online and at local markets.

Asked about any difficulties she’s faced in her new career in France, Carlie answers with honesty. “One of the biggest challenges is having the confidence to put myself out there – especially approaching shops and selling at markets when my French is still a work in progress.”

The language barrier often poses a problem for newcomers to France who want to set up a business. One way to overcome this obstacle is to choose a region of France already popular with Brits. You’ll be able to target English-speaking customers immediately, then gradually tailor your marketing to French customers as your language skills improve.

Carlie’s advice for newcomers to France is, “always be supportive of other artists. Don’t be afraid to try something different but give your business time to grow”. Wise words from an artist who has already welcomed hundreds of clients to her studio in Champniers and who continues to see her business bloom year after year.

Champniers lies nestled in the heart of the picturesque Vienne countryside, just a short drive from the bustling market town of Civray. Its proximity to Poitiers, with its dynamic arts scene, wide choice of shops and international airport, makes this area a hotspot for those seeking a mild climate and easy access to the UK.
Rural properties in this part of France tend to be reasonably priced and you can find a family-sized home, needing little renovation, for less than €150,000. Fixer-uppers start from as little as €50,000 in the southwest corner of the department, so it’s easy to see why so many Brits arrive here every year to create a business and lovingly restore the house of their dreams.

In a country as beautiful as France, it’s easy to find artistic inspiration. Claude Monet found it in his beloved Giverny, while Paul Cézanne drew it from his home region of Provence. Whether you’re an established painter or sculptor or you’ve recently started dabbling in pottery or ceramics, finding your inspiration and using your creative talent could be a rewarding way to bring in an income in France.

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Sarah Daly discovers the cultural, historical, architectural and culinary secrets of this city that lies at the heart of the Loire Valley…

My first visit to Tours was at the age of 14. M I’d never left Britain before this school exchange to the Loire Valley, and my penfriend’s father had a flat in the city. With its little wooden kitchen table tucked under a gable at the top of a 19th-century building, and its view over neighbouring rooftops, I found it impossibly romantic and quintessentially French: a million miles away from the suburban English Midlands I was familiar with.

Fast-forward too many years to dwell on, and I think we picked the wettest week of the whole year to revisit the city. Given that it is on average drier than the UK, and warmer by a few degrees, as well as sunnier for most of the year, this felt like quite an achievement.

Tours is at the heart of the Loire Valley, surrounded by the spectacular châteaux that the area is famed for. If you’re going to choose somewhere to hide from the rain, there are worse places than the beautiful Château de Villandry just outside the city. It’s known for its formal gardens, which are exquisite and provide year-round interest. The castle interiors are every bit as worthy of note. Period room settings include grand dining halls (complete with a fountain), elegant salons and a nursery.

This was the last of the big Renaissance castles to be built, but it was transformed by new owners in the 18th century. In 1906, a Spanish-American couple bought it, amassing a huge collection of artworks, restoring the buildings and opening it to the public. They even installed a 15th-century Islamic ceiling imported from Andalucia. Happily, the rain cleared long enough for us to explore the grounds.

A team of 10 gardeners manages the two-and-a-half acres of formal gardens, including the impressive kitchen garden and the additional 15 acres of land surrounding the château. It doesn’t seem nearly enough to achieve such intensely manicured and elegant results.

The city of Tours is situated between the Loire and the Cher rivers. Before we headed out for an evening meal, we boarded a sailboat and meandered along the Loire for a sunset apéro. After the earlier torrential downpours, the river felt magical in the pearly evening light and our guide, boatbuilder Clément Sirge, is an expert on its ecology, history and communities. The modern boats are based on traditional models that plied the river, transporting goods over long distances or allowing locals to fish on or cross the river.

In a much lazier experience than theirs, we sampled a crisp Chenin and a pâté made from a catfish from the river while learning about the troglodyte dwellings passing by. First inhabited by Neanderthals, some are still lived in today. As we watched a kingfisher dart past, the river felt a world away from the nearby city.
Sheena Dignam is originally from Wicklow but grew up in Tours. “When I was eight, my parents planned to spend two years in France before we moved to Spain and then Italy. They chose this area because it has a reputation for the most neutral French accent, but they fell in love with the lifestyle here, so we stayed.” Sheena studied culinary arts and wine in Tours and, as an adult, has travelled to Ireland, Scotland and the Reunion Islands.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the French connection to food,” she tells me. “I had adoptive French grandparents in the village we moved to who were real hunter-gatherers. It was fascinating to see how they prepared their meals and were so close to the land and the food it provided.”

Eleven years ago, she used her experience to set up food tours in Galway City to celebrate local produce, but says Sheena: “Tours was always close to my heart and I kept coming back, so two years ago I launched Food Tours in Tours (foodtoursintours.com).” We set out on a damp morning for an extremely convivial food tour. It began in Place Plumereau, a beautiful medieval square of timber-framed buildings packed with cafés and restaurants. Many of the car parks have been moved underground, leaving a much more pedestrian-friendly centre. After sampling the famous nougat de Tours – a cake of frangipane and apricot jam and apparently a favourite of Leonardo da Vinci, who lived and died in nearby Amboise we headed for Les Halles. This covered market brings together around 40 producers of everything from cheese and wine to meat, fish and chocolate. Having tasted some delicious cheeses, we move on to exceptional patés paired beautifully with a local wine. “This area is all about the terroir, with a really rich and diverse food heritage. Our tours really help people to connect with that,” says Sheena.

Her advice for people planning to set up their own business in France? “There can be a lot of red tape and paperwork to navigate and, even if you speak fluent French, it’s like another language. But a lot can now be done online and there are forums offering support. It was worth it though. Tours is culturally rich, with amazing food and great markets.”

Olivia Meynard is an estate agent at Plessis Immobilier based in the city. “This is a really dynamic place,” she tells me. “With the cobbled streets of Vieux Tours, the markets of Les Halles and beautiful parks, you have all the advantages of a city on a very human scale. We’re an hour from Paris by TGV and only two-and-a-half hours from the west coast, yet we’re surrounded by countryside, all of which is very attractive to buyers. Traffic jams are rare and the tram makes travelling very easy.”

Olivia tells me that traditional buildings in stone and slate are often favoured by those moving to the area from overseas. “They also prefer the towns and villages around rather than the city centre,” she says. “For €350,000, you can get a three-bedroom house in good condition with a garden.

“We’ve seen prices rise during the pandemic and then drop owing to high interest rates, but we’re starting to see that stabilise this year. I’d advise anyone thinking of buying a property to fix a realistic budget and then really think about what you want -land and a swimming pool for instance and how close you want to be to the city or amenities.”

Motorbikes have never been my transport of choice, but we ventured out on a trip on very cool vintage one with a sidecar. With an accomplished rider as guide, it really brought the area to life – despite the by now torrential rain. Heading through Tours we learned all about the city, founded on its present site by the Romans, and passed through acres of vineyards before reaching La Cave de Vouvray.

This AOC wine is made using the Chenin Blanc grape alone. Once again it is the terroir that provides the complexity. Combining techniques that date back to the Middle Ages with grapes from a cooperative of local growers, raised on land that includes flint, limestone and clay, combined with a variable climate creates wines that range from sweet to dry, in still and sparkling varieties. A taste test proved the end result can be subtle and delicious.

The tiny town of Amboise, half an hour’s drive along the Loire from Tours, packs a mightily impressive punch. The Renaissance palace of the kings dominates the skyline and commands the Unesco-listed landscapes surrounding it. It also houses, somewhat surprisingly, Leonardo da Vinci’s burial chapel. This has recently reopened following extensive restoration and its intricate stonework now gleams once more.

Home to powerful kings, and queens, the château’s history is brought to life with an augmented reality tablet, that offers detailed reconstructions of rooms and views and easily digestible chunks of its fascinating history.

Given the city’s culinary reputation, it would be rude not to make the most of it by visiting as many restaurants as possible during our stay. At La Maison des Halles, opposite the covered market, I enjoyed scallops prepared with local wild mushrooms and butternut squash, followed by a light and refreshing fruit dessert. Lunch at La Petite Cuisine offered a very different atmosphere, with an open kitchen but equally excellent food. I followed a beautifully spiced pumpkin soup with a Thai-inspired chicken dish. La Deuvalière is housed in a fabulous 16th-century building and the highlight of the meal, after the excellent fish with samphire and seasonal veg, was the yuzu lemon meringue tart.

In nearby Amboise, a hearty meal of local produce Chez Bruno, finishing with delicious cheeses was a great end to our château visit. We spent the first night of our stay at Hotel de Cygne. This small boutique hotel has bags of character and is in the heart of the old town. Across the river is the very comfortable four-star Château Belmont Hotel, accessible on foot or by tram from the centre. Tours is still able to work its magic on me. The distinctive architecture, gentle scenery and exquisite local food and drink really do represent what is best about this country -even when it rains.

touraine loirevalley.co.uk

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

Southwest estate agent Jerry Green talks to Karen Tait about the appeal of his local area and its property offerings…

My wife Caroline and I launched the Clé Rouge estate agency shortly after coming to France in 2005; prior to that our careers were in business development and management. Having settled in southwest France with our family, we recognised that there was a great opportunity to create an estate agency offering an exceptionally pro-active service to other people from the UK looking to buy property here.

Mainly the ‘Golden Triangle’ area between Bordeaux and Bergerac, which includes the western Dordogne (24), eastern Gironde (33) and northern Lot-et-Garonne (47).

Sunny microclimate, wonderful lifestyle, unequalled.

Lots of lively historic towns and villages with markets, music events, restaurants, and within easy reach of the beautiful city of Bordeaux and the beaches of the Côte d’Argent.

Our whole region is lovely, with varying countryside of vineyards, sunflowers and orchards, but I particularly like the area around the historic market town of Duras, where I am lucky enough to live.

Exceptionally easy. It’s within a day’s drive from the UK, and we have a good choice of year-round flights from Bergerac and Bordeaux airports. In 2026 the TGV will offer a service direct from London to Bordeaux.

For people looking to move permanently, it offers a wonderful climate, peace and tranquillity but lots to do when you want to; it retains its quintessential ‘Frenchness’ but is welcoming to non-French residents. It has always been a popular region for holiday homes, because of its easy accessibility, beautiful scenery and available amenities and activities. And possibly the best food and wine in the world!

The areas around the historic market towns of Eymet, Duras and Monségur are always particularly sought after for property. Just to the north is an area known as ‘Little Italy’ (because of the similarity with the scenery in the Tuscany/Umbria regions), which most people are not aware of but is very beautiful and offers some lovely property locations.

Most UK buyers are drawn towards traditional stone properties, which fall into three styles: farmhouses, barn conversions and more formal maison de maître style properties. Modern properties are popular with French buyers, while the less popular properties built between 1950 and 1990 can offer great value.

• Under €100,000: Very little; maybe a terraced village house in need of some improvement.
• €100,000-€250,000: From €170,000, a village house, a small stone country property (usually without a pool) or a brick-built 60’s/70’s/80’s home.
  €250,000-€500,000: This is the best-selling price range in our region, affording an attractive three/four-bedroom property in a reasonable location, possibly with a pool.
• €500,000-€750,000: As per the previous category, but perhaps larger with better location and views.
• €750,000-€1m: More prestigious, well-renovated property; many in this range are rented out for holiday lets at €4,000-€7,000 per week in high season.
• Over €1m: Prestige country house or small château.

For €139,750, a four-bedroom property with garden equidistant from the historic hilltop town of Duras and the riverside town of Eymet; the house would benefit from modernisation.

A neglected but beautiful property near Duras, with three hectares of park, a burnt-out house, enormous derelict stone outbuildings formerly used for clay tile production (now containing several old cars and motorcycles) and Roman ruins including brick ovens – all sold for €75,000. A spectacular renovation project.

My dream property is the one I live in, a 700m² former Knights Templar country house in a stunning location, which I have renovated with my own hands over the last 20 years! However, we currently have on our books an exceptional property (see below, €588,000) with spectacular views, which I would happily downsize to in a few years’ time.

We love our area and sell it enthusiastically to potential buyers at UK property shows such as the popular French Property Exhibition at Hammersmith in January each year. Once people visit our area, they rarely look elsewhere because of our sunny microclimate (offset by cool westerly breezes and pleasant relative humidity), the idyllic lifestyle, beautiful countryside and easy access to and from the UK. British clients (who tend to be middle-aged) are also drawn by the fact we have very low crime rates here and much better health facilities in comparison to the UK.

Prioritise making sure that the area has the amenities and lifestyle you want before actively searching for specific properties, otherwise you may end up buying the right property but in the wrong place. Then keep an open mind on style and location of property: find a proactive agent who will work with you to find the right property and help you with both the purchase process and the transition to life in your new permanent or holiday home.

It is generally quite easy because there is already an established English-speaking community here, which is also well integrated with the local French population. Some agents will also help you to settle in; for example, each July we host an evening event with food, wine and live music to which we invite all clients who have bought properties in the previous year so that they can meet other people and also make useful local contacts.

Good properties are selling very quickly, and we predict this will continue. However, this is, of course, dependent on outside factors such as currency exchange rates and international politics.

Jerry Green is a Director at Clé Rouge Immobilier in southwest France

Tel: 0033 (0)5 53 93 49 71

clerouge.com

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

A huge old property bought by Joanne and Bruno Leroux in the Beaujolais made the perfect English language school…

Originally a British national, I I have always felt European as I studied French at university, spent many wonderful holidays in France and did a one-year internship in Lille. In 1991, I met my French husband, Bruno, while working in Chartres and was lucky enough to be married in the beautiful Chartres cathedral two years later. We then moved to the UK where we had our two boys, Nathan and Tom.

After six happy years we decided it was time to return to France to live permanently. Our children were then three and five and we thought this would be the perfect time for them to move back to France and integrate into primary school as they would be able to pick up French (which they already understood, but didn’t yet speak fluently) more quickly.

My main stipulation was that we should find somewhere below Dijon, the imaginary line in France for sunshine and warmer weather. So I gave up my job as a purchasing consultant and trained as an ESL (English as a second language) teacher. This one-month intensive course has proved very useful. My husband found work in Villefranche-sur-Saône, 40 minutes north of Lyon, in the Beaujolais, and we left behind house, cars, jobs – everything about our previous life – and headed back to France with only our clothes in suitcases.

For the first six months we lived in a rented apartment while looking for a house. We wanted a modern property in or just outside the town, but nothing the estate agents showed us seemed to fit what we were looking for. I finally realised why when we were shown a house that was exactly the opposite of what we had been seeking. My specification had been all wrong!

The moment I saw it I was blown away. It was a huge house, more than 100 years old, in the centre of a village in the Beaujolais, surrounded by vines. Not only was there a 230m² house, garden and swimming pool, there was also an independent apartment attached to it, plus a massive two-storey, 400m² building that had been a textile factory employing 50 people in the 1950s and 60s. All of this for the same price as the little house we had just sold in the UK.

The village had everything we needed a butcher, baker, doctor, dentist… and could be reached from the house in two minutes on foot! As I visited this never-ending property, I knew it was the one for us but had no idea what we were going to do with it!

A few months later, we found ourselves living in this beautiful, enormous house with absolutely no plans for it other than the vague idea that family could use the apartment when they came over to stay. Practically all the renovation work had already been done and so our only necessity in the short term was some painting, outside rendering, adding two new kitchens and a new bathroom. All very easy!

Eventually, after the first year settling our family in, we started to think about what we could do with all this space and how I could use my ESL training as a career. I had been teaching English as a volunteer in the children’s school and the parents were very happy with my lessons. In fact, they asked if I intended to offer English lessons outside school as an extra-curricular activity. I had a light bulb moment. The factory!

I had the space to do it, so soon afterwards, I opened a room on the ground floor of the former factory to teach 10 children. Nobody thought it would take off because I was told the village was too far from the two closest towns (although these were only 10 minutes away) and that parents wouldn’t come that far for an extra-curricular activity. Some 22 years later, we are a team of eight teachers working at Lime Tree School.

We now use the whole of the ground floor of the former factory, and 220 children come from as far as 40 minutes away. We even appeared on the French TV channel TF1 for our innovative hands-on approach to teaching English.

This has happily occupied me and provided a salary for 22 years. It has allowed us to balance family and professional life in this wonderful country. Moreover, as the school year runs from September to the end of June, I decided to use the apartment as a gîte for the summer months to generate some additional income.

Our French home has been a gift. It’s completely self-financing and even generates revenue. It’s been a wonderful place for the boys to grow up, with a garden and pool for summer, and space at the top of the factory for a huge playground, football pitch, table tennis and basketball nets Meeting people from all over the world who have stayed in our gîte has broadened their minds and given them the confidence to talk to anyone.

Growing up in this house has played a large part in shaping their futures. Bilingualism is one of the greatest gifts we could have given them, as it opens so many doors.

Now we’re downsizing and selling our beautiful property in St Etienne des Oullieres (€698,000, seloger.com) but I would encourage anyone dreaming of living in France to follow their hearts. There’s a lot of paperwork involved in moving, in fact there’s a lot of paperwork for anything you do in France, which can be very frustrating but it’s most definitely worth it.

Tel: 0033 (0)4 48 18 10 04

<a href=”http://limetreeschool.com” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>limetreeschool.com</a>

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.

How do you make your piscine more energy-efficient and eco-friendly in France? Julia French reveals how the pool world is keeping pace with today’s planet-conscious concerns…

Many homes in France, particularly in the warmer south, have pools for cooling off in. In these eco-conscious times – whether you’re installing a new pool or maintaining an existing one – we have some ideas to help you reduce your impact on the planet and your pocket…

When choosing your pool consider the construction and the longevity. It’s all well and good to have a pool that’s quick to install thereby saving on labour costs, but depending on the quality it may only last 20 years before it goes off to the landfill site. Disposing of material such as fibreglass is a costly practice as they are non-biodegradable and not easy to recycle.

A reinforced concrete pool made from breeze blocks is not ideal due to the emissions and energy used in the production of cement, but this type of pool does provide much greater longevity so is a better choice. An option using less concrete is offered by a number of pool installers in France. It employs panels made from recycled polypropylene that essentially act as shuttering and are reinforced with steel and filled with concrete, but less than would be used in traditional pool construction methods. This also reduces transport emissions as it is lighter and produced in France. These pools have a longevity, in line with the concrete pool. The pool structure can last a lifetime and the liner up to 25 years, depending on the quality. A natural pool or bio pool, is more often than not constructed using concrete is some form or another, however, this pool is definitely the winner in terms of water treatment and filtration usage.

Natural pools use biological filters and aquatic plants to clean the water, eliminating chemicals entirely. While not suited to everyone’s taste, they’re a stunning, zero-chemical option. If you have an existing conventional swimming pool, this can be converted to a natural pool, but it’s quite a costly option.

If you treat your pool with weekly doses of chlorine, you could switch from this to saltwater chlorination. The system regulates the amount of chlorine produced so you don’t have to play a guessing game about how much to add. The chlorine in your pool is used to fight bacteria introduced by swimmers, but the sun, water temperature and a high pH also put a demand on chlorine usage.

The saltwater system works by generating chlorine through a process of electrolysis. Salt is added to the pool water, sand with recycled glass media is a great way to cut back on the back-washing, as this can be reduced to a few times a season. An even better way to save on back-washing and at the same time benefitting from improved filtration is a cartridge filter. New innovation and greater capacity mean this is the optimum choice when looking at both water clarity and reduced water consumption.

There is no back-wash option, instead the cartridge is taken out and hosed down. In most cases, this is only necessary once or maybe twice a season – depending on use. It is, however, worth noting that this is not a cheaper option and not all models are the same.

Having a pool cover is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce energy loss. An uncovered pool can lose up to 70% of its heat through evaporation. Covering it at night or when not in use helps retain warmth, limits evaporation, and keeps debris out, reducing the need for cleaning and chemical treatment.
By using a good cover, you could reduce heating needs by 50% or more, especially useful in spring and early autumn. Also, in terms of saving water, an uncovered pool can lose a centimetre a day through evaporation, so keep that cover on when the pool is not in use.

Solar-heating systems use panels – glazed or unglazed – to absorb the sun’s energy and heat the pool water. While the initial setup costs more than electric heaters, they have very low running costs and almost no environmental impact. If your roof or garden has space, consider combining a solar-heating system with photovoltaic panels. These can power your pool pump, lighting, or even help with your home’s electricity needs.

Pool lighting is a must for most pool owners but is a drain on energy. However, if you switch to LED pool lights, you will use up to 85% less electricity than if you had traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs. LED lights also last up to 25 times longer. You can operate them from your phone to ensure they are only on when you want them to be.

Being eco-friendly doesn’t stop at how you run your pool, it includes what equipment you buy. With so many choices available, choosing with the aid of trusted certifications helps you make more sustainable, long-lasting decisions. The international label Energy Star identifies products that meet high energy-efficiency standards. This would be relevant when looking to buy pool pumps, heat pumps and your LED lights. These products typically use much less energy. The NSF/ANSI 50 certification focuses on the performance and safety of pool equipment. If a product has this mark, it means it has been independently tested to meet strict standards. It’s particularly relevant for filtration systems, chemical feeders and sanitising systems.

Buying certified equipment is a simple way to reduce your environmental impact, while ensuring you’re not cutting corners on safety or quality. It also often means the equipment will last longer, saving on replacement and waste.

Swimming pools will always require a certain amount of energy and water, it comes with the territory. But the idea that they must be wasteful is increasingly outdated. With the technologies and materials available today, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a pool while significantly reducing its environmental impact.
From choosing locally made components to installing more efficient pumps, covers, and heating systems, each of these small decisions add up to meaningful savings, in terms of energy and long-term costs.

Not every solution suits every pool, but the more thoughtful we are in how we build, use and maintain them, the better they’ll fit into the changing environmental landscape. After all, enjoying your pool should feel good in every sense. Whether you’re already a proud pool owner or just dipping a toe into the idea, remember you don’t have to choose between luxury and responsibility. With a little effort and maybe a decent pool cover, you really can have both.

And if your pool starts saving you more energy than persuading your teenager to turn lights off after them… well, that’s just a bonus.

Julia French runs Pristine Piscines in southwest France

Tel: 0033 (0)6 32 10 39 92

pristinepiscines.fr

The unique mix of legal, financial and tax advice along with in-depth location guides, inspiring real life stories, the best properties on the market, entertaining regular pages and the latest property news and market reports makes French Property News magazine a must-buy publication for anyone serious about buying and owning a property in France.