French property news issue 316 june 2017

FRENCH

Issue 316 | June 2017 | £3.99

NEWS

THE BIGGEST AND BEST UK GUIDE TO FRENCH PROPERTY

PROPERTY BESIDE the SEASIDE

WIN! a holiday for four

GET AWAY FROM IT ALL

Househunting on France’s glorious coast

Discover rural bliss in Aude, Auvergne, Corrèze and Dordogne

Celebrity homespott Find out w ing her

e the rich an d famous buy in Fran ce

How to be a

homes Sherlock 200+PROPERTIES FOR SALE INSIDE Lot €237,000

Charente-Maritime €299,600

Detective work to help you find your dream property Dordogne €139,100

completefrance.com

BUYING GUIDES

●

REAL LIFE STORIES

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LOCATION FEATURES

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francepropertyshop.com

LEGAL & FINANCE

THOUGHTS from the PIGEONNIER

▲ Editor’s pick

I

’ve had the luck to work on this fine magazine for 16 years now but I’m always learning new things. My ‘teacher’ this month has been Ruth, FPN’s new Assistant Editor, who discovered lots of great househunting tricks when looking for a property in Brittany last year. Turn to page 32 to find out some of the tools she used to turn her property hunt into a detective trail. I’ve done some digging myself too, investigating what’s involved for non-EU nationals who wish to buy a French property or relocate to France. In our current Brexit environment, it was particularly interesting to speak to expats who hail from outside the EU. Their French dreams are no different to those of the many Brits who long for a place in France, and while they may have a few more bureaucratic hurdles to negotiate, especially if they want to live in France, there are certainly no barriers to bringing their dreams to fruition.

Meanwhile, despite thinking I knew Auvergne pretty well, I discovered lots more when reading Staff Writer Sophie’s feature (p38). If you’re seeking a path less well trodden and a bargain property to boot, you’d do well to set your sights on this verdant land of volcanoes. For those after a more international community, the Dordogne (p28) may well be ideal – and you may be surprised by how affordable it is too. Happy hunting! www.completefrance.com

A thatched cottage in Morbihan, Brittany, with bags of character Close to the coast and medieval Vannes, this three-bedroom cottage has an impressive 50m2 lounge with a feature fireplace, an oak staircase and a double aspect from almost all the rooms with views onto the lovely garden. Priced at €319,950, it’s set within a pretty hamlet of thatched cottages, on an enclosed plot with vegetable garden, pond and wooden outbuildings (leggettfrance.com).

3 things I’ve learnt this month p32

p79

p93

You can use the online ‘plan cadastral’ to get a better feel for a property’s setting In addition to your French property, your furniture may be liable for capital gains tax too The Alps’ most famous cheese, Reblochon, was named after a trick involving cow’s udders!

June 2017 French Property News 3

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4 French Property News June 2017

NEWS

Explore

FRENCH PROPERTY

French Property News, Cumberland House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, GL50 1BB Tel: 01242 216050 www.completefrance.com

EDITORIAL Group Editor: Karen Tait (07753 811905 / karen.tait@archant.co.uk) Assistant Editor: Ruth Wood (01242 266075 / ruth.wood@archant.co.uk) Staff Writer: Sophie Gardner-Roberts (01242 264768 / sophie.gardner-roberts@archant.co.uk) Editorial Designer: Tanya Childs Digital Editor: Emma Rawle (01242 216091 / emma.rawle@archant.co.uk) ADVERTISING Archant Specialist Sales Director: Sue Crwys-Williams (01242 265896 / susan.crwys-williams@archant.co.uk) Display Advertising Manager: Stuart Ogden Stephanie Ingram, Daniella O’Sullivan, Callum Preece Tel: 01242 264750 Classified Advertising Manager: Emma Kestin Amelia Olive, Danielle May Tel: 01242 216099 advertising@french-property-news.com CUSTOMER SERVICE Subscription enquiries: 0044 (0)1858 438840 archant@subscription.co.uk www.subscriptionsave.co.uk ARCHANT Commercial Director Archant Specialist: Peter Timperley Events Director: Debbie MacLeod Digital Development Manager: James Parfitt Head of Subscriptions and Loyalty: Lisa Foster Subscriptions & Loyalty Team Manager: Paul Upton EXHIBITIONS To book stands at the French Property Exhibitions contact 01242 264750 STORE FINDER Find a newsagent stocking FPN near you www.seymour.co.uk/storefinder

French Property News is published by Archant Community Media Limited, which is active in the fields of newspaper and magazine publishing, contract printing and internet communications. The company’s portfolio includes four daily newspapers, around 60 weekly newspaper titles, around 80 monthly consumer, contract and regional magazines and over 160 websites.

Archant is the UK’s largest independently owned regional media business, with around 2,600 employees. © Copyright French Property News. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission. FPN does not accept responsibility for the safe return of manuscripts or photos. The advice given within articles is of a general nature and does not necessarily apply to all situations. Individual advice should be sought before making any property-related decisions.

If you have a complaint which can’t be resolved by the editor, please contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation, c/o Halton House, 20-23 Holborn, London, EC1 2JD or via complaints@ipso. co.uk. More information about IPSO and its regulations can be found at ipso.co.uk

www.completefrance.com

32 22

FPNCONTENTS

11 4

Find homes like this with clever detective work

Dreaming of alfresco living in Cap d’Antibes?

28

Beautiful Beynac in Dordogne

Guess who used to live here!

42

The Bubble Palace is up for sale!

Location 28

38

46

62

68

Expert advice

A desire for Dordogne Vert, Blanc, Pourpre or Noir, which part of Périgord appeals to you?

Awesome Auvergne Viewing properties among the volcanoes and valleys of south-central France.

Marine dreams Oh, we do like to buy beside the seaside, whether it’s Atlantic, Channel or Med Red Train trip Househunting along an historic railway line through Aude Tulle kit A tour of the Corrèze capital and its surrounding countryside

32

42

50

56

Elémentaire mon cher Watson!

Slim down your property shortlist with some clever detective work Star quality Where the rich, famous and fabulous choose to buy their second homes The view from outside the EU How easy is it for Americans and other non-EU nationals to settle in France?

Knights on the tiles The grand medieval houses left behind by the mysterious Knights Templar

IDAY FAMILY HORLABS! UP FOR G ur Take part in o ge 26 a p n o y e reader surv

6 French Property News June 2017

Regulars 8 10 16 18 20 22 24 66 74 114

Have your say The pick of the month’s musings News Property, travel and events Three of the best Splash out on a property with a pool Business of the month A holiday bike hire franchise Properties of the month Homes for all tastes across France French property dreams A luxury apartment complex near Cannes Home thoughts from abroad Reflections of a property hunter A-Z of etiquette Part three of our guide to life in France Architect’s diary Designing new homes and improving old My dream property A château in the Pyrénées that once belonged to an immortalised musketeer

www.completefrance.com

50

Subscri b and ge e ta

free cas e of wine w See pagorth £60! e 90 for

details

The Knowledge

36

The view from non-EU buyers

79

80

82

84

86

88

Tax French capital gains tax can sometimes apply to furniture too Currency A look at the pound-euro exchange rate a year after Brexit Law How the smallprint of French property law can affect you Tax You’ve filed your French income tax return – now what?

Ask the experts We put your questions to our panel of experts France Property Shop Insight and analysis from our market-leading French property website, plus Team FPN’s property picks of the month.

Joie de vivre

Not bothered

by Brexit

Meet some of this month’s contributors CHRIS MENON Chris is a freelance journalist whose time living in the French Caribbean inspired his second novel, Volcanic Vengeance, set on the island of Martinique, an overseas French department. He’s saving up for a château.

Chris tracks down the housing haunts of the rich and famous on p42

LAURA PARSONS Laura is a currency analyst who writes for various magazines and websites through her work as content marketing manager for TorFX, one of the UK’s leading providers of foreign exchange services.

Laura looks at how exchange rates are faring a year on from the Brexit vote on p80

JEREMY HOBSON Jeremy is a freelance writer, author and bornand-bred countryman whose books and articles are mainly countryside and farming-related. He has lived in rural France for 14 years and now flits regularly between there and Hampshire.

Jeremy answers readers’ questions in his popular Rural Riddles column on p96

We also publish...

Real life experiences

72

76

92

93

94

95

96

98

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Reviews Books by expats, two poetic films and a fun guide to French idioms Food and drink We pay homage to fromage with the stories behind French cheeses French lessons Put your language skills to the test with our entertaining puzzles Interiors Stripes are the stars in our nauticalbut-nice style guide Rural riddles Our country gent answers all your pastoral problems Your photos France through your camera lens

ENJOY A CITY BREAK A WEEKEND STAY IN TOULOUSE

FRANCE

FAMILY TRAVEL THE BEST PLACES TO STAY

TRAVEL | FOOD & WINE | CULTURE | HISTORY

June 2017 | Issue 225

BON APPÉTIT

CULTURE

Dine out in Dordogne

● The life of Charlotte Corday ● Language – phrases and games Books, film reviews and more

●

Corrèze Drive the D-roads in a classic car

WESTERN FRONT

NORMANDY

Tour the historic battle sites by bicycle

Meander the rivers and coast by kayak

RURAL CHARMS

WANDER THROUGH THE PLUS BEAU VILLAGE OF PUYCELSI

JAMES MARTIN

THE CELEBRITY CHEF SHARES HIS LOVE OF FRANCE

Britain and North America’s biggest-selling magazine covering everything about French culture, travel and food and wine.

Britain and North America’s best-selling magazine about France

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60

No regrexit for us!

How the EU referendum spurred on a young family to make the move to France The garden tamer One man’s battle to control his garden and pacify his neighbours Creuse control A Leeds couple are delighted to learn they can afford a house in France Restored back to health A renovation project in Vienne helps a fashion executive feel less frazzled

A W FO HO IN R LID !

FO A UR Y

36

LIVING FRANCE Published every four weeks, Living France is your essential guide to life in France, with inspiring real life stories and practical guides.

COVER PHOTO

The pretty islet of St-Cado near Lorient, in south Brittany © Getty Images

On the cover

June 2017 French Property News 7

HAVE YOUR SAY...

The pick of this month’s musings ST★R R LETTE

The missing 100 years

Having done a fair amount of family history research myself, I was intrigued by Anton Lee’s article in last month’s French Property News ‘If walls could talk’ (issue 315, p30-32).

I was immediately prompted to check out again the documents from our own 2015 purchase of a small, rural, traditional cottage in Brittany.

The compromis de vente gave details of previous ownership back to 1945. I hadn’t thought much of this information previously, but now have a list of names to check on the relevant état civil.

Anton’s article suggests that, especially in a rural context, if the property has a name then research is easier. Unfortunately, our house has neither a name nor number so not a very good start there. The plan cadastral in the compromis does have plot numbers which I assume will be useful in later researches.

Going online and searching the archives for our area, I was astonished to find copies of the Cadastre Napoléonien mentioned in Anton’s article – the Plan général de la commune covered the whole commune while the Plan parcellaire showed the plots of land and buildings. Comparing our plan cadastral with the 1841 version, it was clear that our property was not over 200 years old as we had assumed, as it did not exist in 1841, although some other houses in the small village did.

My searches are at least now limited to the intervening 100-plus years between 1841 and 1945.

Richard Mills

Get in touch!

Tell us what you love about France and what owning a French property means to you.

Email: FPN@completefrance.com or post to: Sophie Gardner-Roberts, FPN, Cumberland House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham, GL50 1BB

WIN!

The author of this month’s star letter WINS a bottle of Wafflart-Briet Cuvée Prestige champagne, worth £29 (rawfrance.com / wbchampagne.com)

Don’t forget to Like us on our Facebook page ‘French Property News’

Looking for something different?

How about this unique architectdesigned home in Gers with three bedrooms for €250,000?

Pat Shepherd: I have fallen in love Steven G King: Not my cup of tea but there will be someone to love it Laura Martin-Williams: Curtain rods or blinds would be a nightmare to install in this place! Just kidding.

It’s gorgeous!

Anne Johnson Gers is the department to look for a quiet way of life surrounded by fields of sunflowers and vineyards

Picking up the pace Mirror, signal, obscenity Reading Mark Sayers’ A-Z of Etiquette in the previous two issues about the quirks of French culture prompted plenty of giggles, debate and “oohs!” of surprise in our household. I was interested to read that you can turn up for an apéro with a bottle of wine as I’d read elsewhere that this could be insulting – implying that you don’t trust your hosts to choose a decent wine to go with their fare. But indeed my French friends have confirmed it’s fine – as long as you don’t assume the bottle will be opened that night!

I also laughed at the rules of the road in the April edition, remembering our frustration one

summer in the 1980s when we got stuck behind a Citroën H van for many miles as the driver stubbornly hogged the centre of a straight country road. It was not so much a case of ‘mirror, signal, manoeuvre’, more of ‘mirror, signal, obscenity!’ Mind you, at least there is usually room to manoeuvre on French roads. The other day I drove a van at 55mph along a motorway in Brittany and was overtaken by only about seven cars in the space of an hour. For me, the empty roads are one of the great pleasures of arriving in France at the start of another holiday, almost as wonderful as that first alfresco café crème.

Rachel Taylor

Follow us on Twitter @Summersdale Nice review of @CaroFeely’s new book Glass Half-Full in this month’s @FrenchPropNews.

8 French Property News June 2017

Thought you might be interested in a quick update on my letter last month. We’ve just returned from viewing our favoured property in Brittany and everything is happening rather quickly. Our house sold before we went so we were in a position to make an offer which has been accepted.

Exciting times! Gillian Pursall-Armstrong

@FrenchPropNews

@FolkesD Smiled at parts of #walkingonsunshine...

Also sometimes feel am running a chambres d’hôte! Not complaining though.

@runhappyally We’ve bought in Thollon les Memises, own ski area, close to PDS and six miles from Evian & the beaches. Perfect.

www.completefrance.com

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AU COURANT

Follow us for the latest news @FrenchPropNews

Keeping you up to date with the French property market, news, travel and events

Property watch: prices rise as sales remain steady

© Jacques Palut – Getty Images/iStockphoto

E

nthusiasm for homebuying remains high in France with the annual number of properties being snapped up topping the peak of a decade ago, new figures show.

Some 867,000 dwellings (excluding new-builds) were sold in the year ending February 2017, a year-on-year increase of 7.7%, according to the latest report from Notaires de France. This comfortably beats the previous all-time high of 837,000 set in May 2006 before the slump induced by the global economic downturn.

However, Notaires de France puts the data into context by pointing out that the number of actual dwellings in France had also risen dramatically since the turn of the new millennium. As of last year there were more than 35.5 million homes in France, 19% more than in 2000, whereas the number of sales has risen by only 7% over the same time period.

Property prices are also continuing their upward trend with a year-on-year increase of 1.7% in the fourth quarter of 2016 on resale properties (older homes rather than new-builds).

Apartments rose in price by 1.9% and houses by 1.5%.

Only three French cities have seen a dip in prices over the year – St-Etienne, Toulouse and Marseille.

Booming Bordeaux has seen a staggering 11.2% rise in prices over the 12 months ending February 2017,

thanks in part to its revamped waterfront and the impending launch of a new high-speed rail link with the capital. (See overleaf for more information).

Sharp rises have also been recorded in Strasbourg (6.8%) and Lyon (6.2%) and prices of older houses in the main provincial urban centres also rose, although prices were down in some north-eastern towns.

The report predicts this price increase will accelerate with values for resale apartments rising by 4.3% and by 6.1% for houses by the end of May 2017.

The ultra-low mortgage rates that have so far fuelled a dynamic turnover in homes are now creeping up; yet this does not seem to be putting off buyers, say the Notaires de France.

However, they countered that a “disproportionate” increase in interest rates or an end to generous tax breaks could upset the balance.

Turn over for more news

10 French Property News June 2017

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NEWS

■ A stretch of the Seine riverside in Paris has been pedestrianised and turned into a 10-hectare park. The 4.5km-long promenade along the right bank joins a 2.5km stretch on the left bank revamped four years ago to form the new Parc Rives de Seine. The traffic-free zone is dedicated to relaxation, outdoor activities and open-air exhibitions, while a number of pop-up bars and restaurants have opened. It has already been a big hit with visitors, despite protests from motorists.

■ Vodafone has abolished roaming charges in 40 destinations for their UK clients, including France, allowing clients to use their phones as they would at home without additional charges.

■ Brittany Ferries is seeking to reassure pet owners about the future of the pet passport scheme following the EU referendum as the numbers of pets crossing the Channel have soared. The ferry operator explains the free movement of pets across the Channel is unlikely to change much in the years following the UK’s departure from the EU. “We can’t be sure of course, but our understanding is that the pet passports scheme will not change significantly from its current form,” said Steve Lawrie, pet passport manager for Brittany Ferries. Some 88,000 cats and dogs travelled with the company in 2016, representing an increase of 72% in five years.

©Fanny Trang British Embassy Paris

Travel news

Prince William and Kate star in new neighbourly newsletter for expats

T

he British embassy in Paris has introduced a monthly newsletter called Voisins Voices, sent out to the British community living in France. The bulletin was launched to celebrate Franco-British cultural ties and was a response to feedback from British expats living in France. It will provide monthly news updates and human stories of friendship between France and the UK, as well as practical information on integrating in France.

The first newsletter, sent out in April,

Snapshot: Chablis vineyards fight frost with fire A wave of cold engulfed the Chablis vineyards in the north of Burgundy in an unexpected chilly snap in mid April. Fearing similar losses seen last year due to unseasonal weather, the vignerons used protection measures to stop the vines from freezing, including these oil-burning heaters placed among the vines. The spectacular scene was caught on camera by local photographer Titouin Rimbault and you can see more pictures of the event on his website titouanrimbault.com.

featured a story on the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Paris in March, provided information on the embassy’s consular services around France and talked about the impact of Brexit.

It also encouraged recipients become a ‘voisin’ (neighbour) and to get in touch with their stories of moving to and integrating in France or questions on how the embassy can help. To subscribe to the newsletter, log on to bit.ly/VoisinsVoices.

the number of British people living on the other side of the Channel in France (diplomatie.gouv.fr)

■ Large dogs are now welcome on the Paris Métro after the city decided to relax the rules on pet transport (large dogs were previously only allowed on the capital’s suburban rail network). However, owners will still have to buy their pets a ticket – albeit at a reduced price.

■ French airports have not done well in a satisfaction survey led by consumers association Que Choisir as Paris Orly and Charles-de-Gaulle appear at the bottom of a chart scoring the best airports with over 15 million passengers. Although the two Parisian hubs scored well in terms of information display, both airports were highly criticised for the poor quality of bars and restaurants and for the lack of seats and electrical sockets in their waiting areas.

12 French Property News June 2017

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Bordeaux boom

T

in property prices (5.9% since the start of 2017). They believe the market is at risk of overheating as property becomes gradually less accessible to buyers. This is due to a number of recent developments making the city a highly attractive place to live including a new tramway network, the revamped river banks and various urban planning projects.

Consequently, despite a favourable buying environment thanks to low mortgage rates, the spending power of the city’s residents has decreased because of the dramatic rise in property prices.

© Leonid Andronov – Getty Images/iStockphoto

he capital of Gironde could be set to become the second most expensive city to buy property in France. Prices in Bordeaux have soared by more than 11% in the last 12 months and the arrival of the new high-speed TGV line will certainly not slow things down.

According to figures from Notaires de France, prices for prestige properties in the soughtafter central district have reached €7,000/m2 and prices in other central areas are constantly on the rise too.

For the month of March 2017 alone, market analysts Meilleurs Agents noted a rise of 1.5%

Interest in Brexit and election results affects property market Interest in the outcome of Brexit and the French presidential election appears to have influenced buyers on their property purchase this year.

Home Hunts director Tim Swannie explained that, while elections usually tend not to affect clients, this year was different. Although the French elections have not had an impact on clients’ decision whether to buy, he noted they have shown more interest in the election results.

Brexit, however, has brought a change in the type of clients he’s dealt with.

“We have had a fantastic first quarter of 2017 with 36 purchases agreed for our clients by the end of March,” he said. “Around one third of these clients are British and, whilst we have seen a 25% decrease in the number of UK enquiries since the referendum last June, the enquiries we do get tend to be from serious buyers.

“The quality of the British enquiries has improved; the people who are looking seem to

be serious and ready to make decisions quite quickly. Some clients want to buy their holiday home now, before the UK leaves the EU, in the hope that being a homeowner in France will help when it comes to their future freedom of movement in Europe.”

The company has also seen an increase in the number of British people wanting to relocate permanently to France, with most enquiries concerning either people working in finance looking to buy in Paris or the Riviera, or families or retired couples looking for properties with potential income.

Best-selling regions of France… …with a 20% increase in property sales as of February 2017 (according to figures from LPI-SeLoger)

Nord-Pasde-Calais Pays de la Loire Auvergne

the average price for a resale property in France (SeLoger.com)

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PACA

News in brief ■ A new French smartphone app allows diners to assess the hygiene rating of restaurants. Called Alim’confiance, the app shows restaurants’ scores received during the last official sanitary inspection on an interactive map using smiley faces with different moods. It was launched by the French government with the hope to improve French food hygiene by making the scores publicly available.

■ A high-speed train ended up heading to Brittany instead of Bordeaux after a signalling error put it on the wrong track.

When the Lille-Bordeaux TGV did not continue its route down to Bordeaux, the driver realised the train had been put on the new TGV Ouest line to Brittany by mistake.

The driver managed to stop and take a link track towards Bordeaux. Although there were no safety issues, passengers arrived at their destination 80 minutes late.

■ Leggett Immobilier has been named one of the 10 fastest growing property companies in Europe in a report published by the Financial Times. The estate agency shows a 199% growth in revenue over the period studied by the FT survey. “The first three months of 2017 have seen record sales and enquiry levels are up by 35% – we’re actively looking to recruit agents across the country and for new properties to market, in order to keep up with demand,” said chairman Trevor Leggett.

■ Electronic cigarettes are to be banned from a number of public spaces in France including schools, public transport and open-plan offices. The ruling, taking effect from October, means offenders will face fines of between €35 and €150 for ‘vaping’ in prohibited places, though there will have to be signs displayed signalling the ban.

■ Wine production is the sector looking for the most workers in France, according to French recruitment agency Pôle Emploi. It is expected that the sector will be looking to recruit over 110,000 people this year.

■ A swingers’ campsite has opened in Dordogne. Le Diamant Noir, the third such campsite in France, invites swinging singles and couples to pitch their tent from €25 a night and enjoy the pool, sauna and bar.

June 2017 French Property News 13

NEWS

Le Figaro

The 18th, 11th and 15th arrondissements in Paris are the areas with the most negative Airbnb reviews in the French capital, according to Hostmaker, Airbnb’s management and concierge service agency. The agency collected reviews and scores left by Airbnb guests regarding cleanliness of the apartment and

Monaco ©Sabeen Armani - iStockphoto

Monaco is now the most expensive city in the world in which to buy luxury property, according to a survey led by property agency Savills. The city and principality, known for its casinos, has overtaken Hong Kong as prices reach a whopping €41,400/m2 following a 180% increase in 10 years.

assembled a map of Paris indicating the ‘dirtiest’ arrondissements.

Le Monde Works for a unique homeshare project in La Cartoucherie district in Toulouse have been completed. The project includes 90 new homes – which still need their interior finished – several laundry rooms, a shared garden, a music room and guest rooms. Spread over four buildings, this is the largest communal living project in France.

Les Echos A trampoline bridge across the Seine is among the whacky ideas that may become a reality in Paris after it delighted judges of a new urban design competition.

The bouncy structure was one of

25 winning designs selected by Le Pavilion de L’Arsenal (the capital’s centre for architecture and urbanism) as part of a scheme to support innovative and exciting urban planning projects in the city.

Hundreds of architects and students submitted their ideas to the jury, chaired by the deputy mayor of Paris. Other winning designs included an underwater tree and a plant-covered inflatable exhibition tent that can change shape.

Le Parisien The numbers of construction sites and building permits have soared by respectively 18.7% and 15.9% in the first quarter of 2017. Between January and March this year, 97,100 new-builds began construction and 113,400 permits were given out.

What’s on in... June 2017 14-18 June

Festival de Sully et du Loiret Sully-sur-Loire

Festival du film de Cabourg Cabourg

This music festival, now in its 44th year, takes places across several locations in Loiret, in north-central France. With one concert a day in a different notable heritage site, the festival will appeal to most musical tastes as the programme varies from classical music to jazz. festival-sully.com

Set in the charming seaside resort of Cabourg, in Normandy, this elegant film festival celebrates French and European romantic films. Visitors can view the films in the 400-seater cinema set up on the beach for the duration of the festival. festival-cabourg.com

14 French Property News June 2017

12-17 June Festival International du film d’animation, Annecy 17-18 June 24 Heures du Mans, Le Mans 21 June Fête de la Musique, all over France 24-25 June Médiévales de Provins, near Paris ©Fabien Ravoahangy

The second largest theatre festival in France returns to the Loire this month. Attracting more than 25,000 visitors, it stages more than 20 classic and contemporary shows, which take place in some of the area’s most famous sites such as the spectacular Château du Plessis Macé. festivaldanjou.com

Also in the diary…

24-25 June

12 June - 1 July Festival d’Anjou Angers

Fête de la Montagne

©Christine Lambert - Office de tourisme du Sauze

1-18 June

Fête de la Montagne All over France the number of people who attended the first ever Solidays festival, a solidarity concert against Aids, in 1999 (23-25 June 2017)

Taking place across resorts in all of France’s major mountain ranges, this outdoorsy event encourages people to discover mountain activities and traditions in France. From adrenalineinducing mountain biking to food tasting, this fête provides plenty of entertainment for every member of the family. fetedelamontagne.org

Médiévales de Provins

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THREE OF THE BEST

COOL WATERS

A search for a place with a pool goes swimmingly for Ruth Wood

600 , 9 9 €2

Var: €1.85 million With its beautiful tiles and warm pink patio, the pool of this immaculate villa has overtones of a Roman baths complex. Only you wouldn’t have to share it with the populace as this is 21st century luxury living on the French Riviera.

After drying off in the Mediterranean sunshine you might like to relax on your south-facing terrace and drink in the stunning views of the nearby Gulf of St-Tropez, or take a relaxed stroll around your villa.

Built in 1992 in the traditional Provençal style and finished with old roof tiles, it boasts a huge 50m2 living room, five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a summer lounge. Outside, there is parking for no fewer than five cars including a double garage. There is also an automatic watering system for the garden, electric gates with videophone security and even your own boulodrome.

Situated in the commune of Grimaud, the property is two kilometres from the nearest town and a short stroll from the beach. agencebird.co.uk

,000 7 9 1 €

16 French Property News June 2017

For more properties for sale with a pool visit francepropertyshop.co m

Charente-Maritime: €299,600 Imagine breathing in the scent of lavender as you glide through the waters of this wonderfully private salt water swimming pool in the countryside of south-west France. A tall hedge to one side maintains your peaceful seclusion while the other side offers a feeling of space. As you perfect your stroke, you can admire the façade of this elegant five-bedroom, fourbathroom Charentaise house set in 1,600m2 of land. It boasts sun terraces, a garage and gravel driveway, plus a pretty walled garden laid to lawn and flowerbeds with a gate onto a quiet country lane.

Just four kilometres from the lively village of Néré and little more than an hour’s drive to the popular port (and airport) of La Rochelle, it could make a perfect holiday home or permanent residence with the option to create B&B accommodation as it boasts two staircases.

Inside, the house has a fresh, clean look with white walls and exposed beams. The modern farmhouse-style kitchen leads onto a utility room, and the new owners can also enjoy a sauna cabin and games room. leggettfrance.com

5m €1.8

Corrèze: €197,000 Have no fear if your budget won’t quite stretch to a luxury villa on the Riviera. In France it’s perfectly realistic to have the beautiful country home with the swimming pool, and even the a warm climate, and yet still have change from a €200,000 budget.

Take this charming fermette in the sunny department of Corrèze, south of Limoges and nicely placed between two national parks. Sitting in grounds of some 2,326 m², it comes with a large stone barn, a decked terrace, a well-established garden and, of course, the swimming pool with electric cover in the front garden.

Despite the house’s compact look, its pretty stone walls enclose 105m2 of living space including four bedrooms (the master has an en-suite shower and dressing room) and an open-plan lounge/kitchen-diner with exposed beams and an original fireplace.

Situated in a quiet hamlet, the house is just down the road from the small town of Lubersac and only a few minutes’ drive from the town of Arnac-Pompadour, which is world famous for its horses. limousinpropertyagents.com

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Hand picked family homes !

Call us on +33 (0)8 05 69 23 23 Freephone from UK: 0800 270 0101 or visit www.beauxvillages.com

IMMOBILIER

Former water mill ! Dordogne

Stunning farmhouse, Haute-Vienne

Off-grid paradise, Hautes-Pyrénées

Large village house, Pyrénées-Orientales

A unique and beautifully renovated 5 bedroom house. Built around 1853 the property retains many original features yet it is modernised to a high standard, so offering a very comfortable home all year round.

3 beds, all with ensuite, large open plan lounge and kitchen. Second house with open plan living area, downstairs bedroom and ensuite, 3 further bedrooms and bathroom.

Overlooking a source fed lake!

Stone barn nestled in one hectare of beautiful green land, surrounded by forests and with views of the mountain peaks.The house has 2 comfortable double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 2 reception rooms.

On the first floor there is an open plan kitchen, dining room and living room with a great view of the mountains and across the plain to the sea. 2 other bedrooms and a bathroom with wc are on the second floor.

Ref: 16484

Ref: 17033

Ref: 17024

Ref: 17329

€595 000

€455 800

€386 900

€270 300

Converted barn, Dordogne

Traditional Périgourdine, Dordogne

Riverfront villa, Lot-et-Garonne

B&B potential, Indre

A stone-built cow barn that has been sympathetically converted into a contemporary 3-bed, 2-bath house, with terraces overlooking a brand new in-ground pool, with stunning views across the valley.

Beautifully restored 5 bedroom house with a wonderful quiet location. Accessed by a private 200 metre drive. 13 Hectares, (32 Acres) of meadow and woods. A large lake stocked with fish. 1 Hour to Bordeaux.

4 bedrooms and direct access for fishing and boating. The main accommodation is on the entry level comprising of a new fitted kitchen, lounge / dining room with a covered terrace overlooking the river.

4 guest bedrooms, 2 ensuite, 2 further with family bathroom. Lounge, dining room, kitchen and utility area. Owners' suite consisting of 5th bedroom and more. Just move in and make some money!

Ref: 16222

Ref: 13171

Ref: 16889

Ref: 16398

€243 800

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€695 000

€275 600

€242 740

June 2017 French Property News 17

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

CYCLE TO SUCCESS A bike-hiring franchise races for more business, as Sophie Gardner-Roberts discovers

S

ome of you probably harbour happy memories of hot summers in France spent cycling idly along a canal, exploring villages by bike or even pedalling to a bakery to buy your morning baguette. France is renowned as a great cycling country and holidaymakers often hire bikes while they are staying in a B&B or a gîte. Coming across well-maintained bikes that suit everyone in a group, however, can be a challenge both for tourists and gîte owners.

Philip Donnison, a former teacher of the deaf and keen cyclist, spotted the gap in the market when he and his wife decided to move to Paraza, Aude, where they owned a holiday home. They realised they needed extra income in order to enjoy life in France at its fullest and opened Mellow Vélos, a bike hire company that delivers bikes to tourists staying in gîtes.

Deals on wheels “I recalled the comments of many of our gîte-owning friends and the idea of a bike rental service was born,” Phil remembers.

“The gîte owner would still be able to advertise ‘bikes available’ on his website, which would link to me. I would deal directly with the client to ensure that we could supply the correct number and size of bikes.” After putting the idea to several owners, Phil received favourable responses, and he and his wife came up with the name of the business.

As is often the case when registering a business in France, this was when the trouble

18 French Property News June 2017

started. Phil recalls the wait before finally being able to trade under the name Mellow Vélos in May 2006. “France is a country that loves red tape. It took a lot of paperwork and many meetings with officials to finally receive our business registration number from the Chambre de Commerce in Narbonne,” he explains.

The couple developed the business and their skills, learning how to negotiate with suppliers of spare parts, run a website and deal with international clients – while also enjoying life in France. By 2010, Mellow Vélos had 120 bikes available and was operational in a defined area around the Paraza base to which Phil and his wife were happy to deliver. If they were to keep growing, however, they had to get help. “The best way to meet the requests we were getting from outside this area would be to have other centres,” says Phil. “Franchising seemed to be the best way of setting up such a network.”

Pedalling power With the aid of an old friend, Chris Gillam, who helped people set up franchises for a living, and franchise lawyer John Pratt, Phil registered Mellow Vélos Franchise Ltd in the UK. “The first franchise started trading in 2013 near St-Enimie in Lozère and, in 2015, as we were receiving more enquiries, I decided to sell the original centre as a franchise, which started trading in 2016,” says Phil. “In the same year, our third centre opened near Limoux, south of Carcassonne. We are currently ready to sign

the next franchise which is between Angoulême and Poitiers.”

Mellow Vélos is still actively looking for franchisees, so if you want to own a small business that offers a quality bike hire service to holidaymakers, this could be an interesting opportunity. The advantage of being part of a franchise means that you are not alone and can get help from the experienced team.

Phil explains that new owners will need mechanical aptitude and a cycle maintenance qualification. He recommends the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in cycle mechanics, which is also recognised in France. “You will get your hands dirty,” he says. Other than that, an entrepreneurial spirit, excellent customer service and hard work are essential to run a franchise. New owners will receive five days of training and a “hefty operating manual” to help them get a good start on their business.

There are development possibilities as Phil is hoping to start a cycle holiday company with routes running around each hire centre. “The franchisees will be involved in developing routes and arranging luggage transfers between hotels in return for an increase in sales and a share of the new company profit,” says Phil. Although this is still being developed, this project offers interesting opportunities for those looking to build a life in France. ■ Join Mellow Vélos franchise team mellowvelos.com

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Estate agent for the Auvergne region

Montagne Bourbonnais

Montagne Bourbonnais

Lovely renovated stone house, located in a small hamlet with a habitable surface of 82 m2 on a plot of 742 m2.

Stone cottage with a superb setting on a plot of 7970 m2, with no immediate neighbors and a beautiful open view. Ideal for lovers of tranquility, space and nature.

Ref: 63001305 €159,000

Ref: 63001470

€87,500

Livradois Forez

Allier

Beautiful natural stone house with studio/ gîte, completely renovated and situated on a plot of 1400 m2 with a heated swimming pool and sauna.

Ref: 63001415 €169,000

Magnificent château apartment of 170 m2 with private garden, part of a total of 5 residences in a beautiful château located in the picturesque village Mariol.

Ref: 6300199 €219,000

WWW.AUVERGNE-PROPERTIES.COM 20 Le Pré Jandion Le Bouchet 63310 Saint-Sylvestre-Pragoulin tel: +33 (0)4 70 59 06 54 mobiel: +33 (0)6 29 70 87 75 info@auvergne-properties.com

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June 2017 French Property News 19

PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH

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20 French Property News June 2017

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PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH

HOMES FOR EVERYONE Whatever it is you’re looking for in a property, France has something to suit

1. Tourist hotspot

3. Pyrénées project

5. Good old ways

Right in the heart of Dordogne’s crowd-pulling Vézère valley, with its prehistoric caves, is this traditional Périgordine stone house with a 10-year-old two-bedroom guest house next to it. The property also boasts a swimming pool and decent-sized garden as well as a small workshop. In a busy town and just a short drive from the tourist centre of Les Eyzies, the property is on the market for €212,000.

Tel: 0033 (0)5 56 71 36 59 beauxvillages.com

Sure, it looks unloved now, but this spacious maison de maître in a picturesque village could be a majestic home or B&B one day. Facing south and close to beaches, mountains, Toulouse and Carcassonne, it has 10 rooms, attic space and substantial grounds leading to a creek. A new roof, oil-fired central heating and electricity (to the first floor) have been added, reflected in the negotiable price of €279,000.

Tel: 0033 (0)5 65 70 10 49 selectionhabitat.com

Not surprisingly, this former presbytery in Tarn-et-Garonne is full of original features such as a stone sink, open-fronted barn and bread oven. However, it also enjoys central heating, a fitted kitchen and a swimming pool along with light and power in its outbuildings – all for €262,500. Set in half an acre, the property is close to the lively town of Caylus and within reach of tourist hotspot St-Antonin-Noble-Val. Tel: 0033 (0)5 63 30 60 24 agencelunion.com

2. Fabulous family home

4. Alpine architecture

6. Retreat with gîte

Sitting on the edge of a pretty village within walking distance of a shop is this elegant country house on mains drainage and gas. Its spacious interior is light and airy with three or four bedrooms and a smart farmhouse kitchen.

Outside is an attached barn, garden, pool and pool house with a bar and pizza oven. The popular riverside market town of Jarnac is a short drive away. On the market for €577,500.

Tel: 0033 (0)5 45 32 62 79 charente-immobilier.com

Chalet chic doesn’t come much better than this four-bedroom Haute-Savoie house with superb mountain views and year-round appeal. Built by local artisans in 2010, it is 60km from Geneva airport and close to amenities as well as the Grand Massif and Portes du Soleil ski areas. The chalet, for sale at €790,000, has an open-plan layout, a master bedroom with terrace, a cave and aerothermal heating.

Tel: 08700 11 51 51 leggettfrance.com

An exceptional renovation has been carried out on this idyllic Mayenne stone house and its gîte. The main house has two bedrooms and an adjoining outbuilding which could create more living space; the gîte has one en-suite bedroom.

With fabulous views across fields and forests, the property is 2.5km from the pretty town of Pré-en-Pail and within easy reach of Caen ferry port. The asking price is €156,000.

Tel: 01865 582 382 laresidence.co.uk

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June 2017 French Property News 21

FRENCH PROPERTY DREAMS

LAID-BACK LUXURY and all that jazz Ruth Wood is impressed by an exclusive new apartment complex in desirable Cap d’Antibes

M

ovie stars flying into Cannes Film Festival this month may spot something new from their private helicopter windows.

Just off the beach in the neighbouring spa town of Juan-les-Pins, at the top of the Cap d’Antibes peninsula, is a dazzling new apartment complex.

Called Parc du Cap, it’s a gated, green oasis with an amphitheatre of a swimming pool at its heart, encircled by palm trees and shouldered by two elegant white L-shaped buildings.

24-hour concierge and security.

“We have tried to tick every box, then create more boxes and tick them too,” laughs Jacob Sullivan, who works for Caudwell Collection, the boutique property developer behind Parc du Cap. “Our artisans are French and our manpower is French but our mentality is Mayfair, where our company is based, and we have kept that discerning London clientele in mind to help us push the boundaries in terms of quality.”

French style with a London twist

There are 88 apartments in Parc du Cap, a collection of one, two and three-bedroom dwellings, plus 10 four-bedroom penthouses, spread out over two five-storey buildings and enclosed in a privately gated community with underground parking.

Every apartment, from the one-beds to the penthouses, has substantial outdoor space with terraces and gardens or balconies. Those on the ground floor have as much as 400m2 of garden plus a terrace while the penthouses all boast rooftop terraces with stunning outdoor kitchens and dining areas, plus outdoor showers by their pools.

“We wanted to bring sunshine and alfresco living to everyone here,” says Jacob, who is the

Looking down from the sky, the celebrities will realise that whoever owns an apartment here will have just a short walk to a long sandy beach and the centre of Juan-les-Pins with its glamorous bars, chic restaurants and acclaimed jazz festival.

They may notice that each of the 10 penthouses has a large roof terrace with a private pool while the ground floor apartments also have pools sunken into bamboo decking and edged with large manicured lawns.

What they probably won’t spot are the extras that make this exclusive enclave extra special – the indoor pool, the spa and jacuzzi, the gym and tennis court, the underground parking and

22 French Property News June 2017

Bring me sunshine

company’s international sales director.

“Some of the views are to die for, looking straight out towards the sea or the mountains.”

To help residents unwind, there’s a spa with an ice room, steam room, Turkish-style hamam and sauna, a stone-tiled relaxation area with luxurious ‘rain’ showers, and treatment rooms offering massage and beauty therapies.

Residents can choose between indoor or outdoor swimming and work out in the ‘technogym’ while watching TV, or enjoy a game of tennis.

Inside the dwellings, quality pours from every fixture and finish, from the luxurious marble flooring to the lacquered gloss and aluminium kitchen units with their state-ofthe-art Siemens appliances.

Apartments vary widely in size and price from €537,750 for a 43m2 one-bed first floor apartment to €2.6m for a 115m2 three-bed apartment on the third floor. Penthouses, which range in size from 161m2 to 189m2, are priced on application.

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❝ We have tried to tick every box, then create more boxes and tick them too ❞

Haven close to the action

Parc du Cap is just a stone’s throw from Europe’s largest yacht marina, Port Vauban, which is on the other side of the Antibes peninsula. It’s also just 10 kilometres from glitzy Cannes with its unrivalled shopping along La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes, and its old quarter Le Suquet.

Just 30 kilometres in the other direction is the capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice, famous for its old world opulence, cuisine and culture, which has inspired the likes of artists Matisse and Chagall.

Another 20 kilometres along the coast is the dazzling playground of Monaco with its casinos and Grand Prix circuit.

Yet, despite all this energy and excitement close to hand, Parc du Cap is a haven, says Jacob, where owners can enjoy relaxation on the Riviera.

“You feel serene here,” he says. “It’s a very calm, quiet and picturesque setting with the scent of olive, eucalyptus and bay leaf in the air – the perfect place to sit back with a glass of rosé in the evenings and watch the sun go down over the Mediterranean.” ■

Find out more about the Parc du Cap and other Caudwell Collection developments at the French Property Exhibition at Olympia in central London on 16-17 September (fpeolympia.com) Tel: 0033 (0) 4 93 33 32 22 caudwellcollection.com

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June 2017 French Property News 23

HOME THOUGHTS George East considers the pros and cons of ‘Dordogneshire’ FROM ABROAD

Historical heart throb I say all this because I am a passionate believer that to understand a place and its people, you must understand their history.

Knowing the past of an area makes being there much more rewarding.

Our chosen place to stay for the past month has a dramatically tumultuous history, and has long been a favourite of British visitors.

At first they came to invade and colonise; then, more recently, to retire and live out their lives in one of the most enchanting areas of France. So popular with Brits is

24 French Property News June 2017

©Pat on stock - Fotolia

W

e are moving into France ever more profonde as we head south in our search for the perfect place to live. As regular readers will know, we have owned, rented (or cadged lodgings) in every region of our second favourite country, and herein lies our problem. Statistics indicate that most Britons end up buying in the part of France they have holidayed in and grown to feel at home. Some even become as fiercely proud and partial to the people, landscape, food and culture of their adopted home as those who were born there.

In our case, we began our long love affair with France in Normandy, where we built a home and settled down. Then, we went to Brittany to get to know the places where my wife’s ancestors lived and died. At first, we thought how similar that region and its people were to our home territory on the Cotentin peninsula. Then we began to see how similar and yet different the regions of France can be. The weather and the language were the same (except in our hamlet where Breton was spoken) and people generally had the same attitudes, aspirations and ‘Frenchness’ in both regions.

It was with the history, food and customs that the differences emerged. Normandy’s history is evident in its name and the settlement of the Norse invaders.

As you can see from the ancient stone crosses and even the names of remote dwelling places, Brittany is very, very Celtic.

The spectacular village of La Roque-Gageac in Dordogne: George’s idea of the perfect place to live for British expats?

this part of the country that it even features a town where the majority of residents are from Britain. This fascination goes back a long way, and over the years, the borders and realities have blurred.

For many years, ‘the Dordogne’ has been used by us to cover a whole swathe of south-western France, and to evoke a mythical,

includes the Pyrénées and the Atlantic coast and has five departments of which Dordogne is just one. The shuffling round is nothing new, as from the Middle-Ages, Aquitaine was a duchy and a kingdom with continually changing borders.

Wherever I have travelled and lived in France, I cannot imagine

❝ The department varies greatly, as a wander through the four ancient divisions and colours of Périgord will show ❞ magical place where the sun always shines, the food is fantastic and the scenery stunning. All this is more or less true, but in fact Dordogne is no more nor less than a department of Aquitaine – or rather Nouvelle Aquitaine as we must now call it following a re-jigging of regional borders.

So what are the pros and cons (if there are any cons) regarding this part of France from the perspective of a potential British settler or homeowner?

Vive la différence Because of the changes, the region is now just about as diverse as you can get as far as topography, history and culture go. Aquitaine takes in a long border with Spain,

five départements much more different to each other than Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes and Gironde. So for our purposes and because of the sheer size and diversity of this region, I shall make this a two-part investigation, and concentrate this time on the Dordogne department.

To give a sketchy pen-portrait, this much-loved (by the French as well as Brits) department occupies an area of more than 9,000m2 and is home to just under half a million people. Though nobody can give the exact number, there are

reckoned to be about 10,000 British residents in Dordogne, so one in 50 people you meet picking up the kids from school or queuing up in the supermarket is likely to hail from the UK. This phenomenon has given rise to the not-unaffectionate nickname of ‘Dordogneshire’ and has bred an inordinate number of British entrepreneurs catering for their fellow countrymen and women.

As anyone who has travelled through it knows, this can be a stunning part of France. The summer is certainly hotter than it is anywhere in the UK, though winter may be colder. Within itself, the department varies greatly, as a wander through the four ancient divisions and colours of Périgord will show.

Home from home It is near impossible to be specific because of so many obvious factors, but property prices in Dordogne can be surprisingly lower than the average in some other departments of Aquitaine.

They can also be lower than other parts of France, and sometimes markedly more so than in neighbouring regions. This is puzzling when you consider that Dordogne is one of the most popular choices for British buyers.

In summary, Dordogne has great weather, wonderful scenery and fabulous food and drink.

What’s not to like? Perhaps because of the hordes of Brits who want to live or own or just visit the department, communications with the Channel ports and via local airports are excellent.

Some people like to have plenty of fellow countrymen around them; some go miles to avoid them. I am strictly neutral in that regard. However, I have found that, no matter how many Britons and other (generally welcomed) foreigners live in this part of France, it remains resolutely, and very much, French.

See you next time. ■

For more information on George’s travels and books, visit george-east.net

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A HOLIDAY WIN! FOR FOUR

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A fantastic week’s holiday for four at Domaine de Drancourt in the heart of the Somme Bay with Les Castels and AFerry.co.uk

©ALF Photo - fotolia

4/5* SELF-CATERING HOLIDAY

Start your trip with a cruise across the Channel and a relaxing drive through the French countryside before arriving for your week’s stay at the Domaine du Château de Drancourt in Hauts-de-France.

The Domaine is set in 30 acres of gardens and woodlands in the heart of the Somme Bay, a Grand Site de France, renowned for its seal colony. Close by is the charming harbour town of St-Valery-surSomme, as well as the picturesque port of Le Crotoy and its glorious beaches, as shown here.

Comfortable self-catering accommodation for four people makes an ideal base while you enjoy the fabulous facilities of the site and explore the surrounding countryside and nearby Somme Bay.

26 French Property News June 2017

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HELP US TO HELP YOU! Your opinion and feedback are important to us – by completing our reader survey you can help us to get to know you better so that we can produce the best magazine for you.

As a thank you for taking part, all those who complete the survey will be entered into the prize draw, with a chance to win these fabulous prizes. ● 4/5* self-catering holiday in a glorious château domaine The French 4/5* glamping chain Les Castels and the world’s leading ferry comparison site AFerry.co.uk have teamed up with French Property News to offer a lucky reader the chance to win a holiday to France for four people (more details opposite).

● Five-hour Skype language course with Arnaud’s Language Kitchen (worth £175, arnaudslanguagekitchen.com)

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Off the beaten track in the south of France

Corrèze Drive the D-roads in a classic car

200+PROPERTIES FOR SALE INSIDE

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Charente €599,550

Gascony €349,999

Brittany €147,500

Tour the historic battle sites by bicycle

Meander the rivers and coast by kayak completefrance.com

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The picturesque coastline around the Somme Bay

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LOCATION Brantôme’s impressive Benedictine abbey on the River Dronne

PÉRIGORD passion

With soul-stirring scenery, a rich culinary heritage and surprisingly affordable homes, it’s no wonder that the British love the Dordogne, says Peter Stewart

T

he Dordogne has long been a favourite French location with the British – and who could blame them for wanting to purchase a home here? Nestled in the rural south-west, the area is a painter’s paradise; soft green pastures give way to honey-hued stone villages, rolling vineyards and dreamy

The Dordogne is known for its lush pastoral landscapes

28 French Property News June 2017

châteaux, overlooking majestic rivers.

This land of pastoral magnificence has seduced so many Brits over the past 50 years that it is jokingly referred to as ‘Dordogneshire’.

Further testament to the area’s popularity is the fact that INSEE, the French national institute of statistics, has confirmed it as the

most sought-after place for property for British expats after Paris.

Périgord Vert The department of Dordogne is the third largest in metropolitan France and is divided into four distinct geographical regions. To the north lies Périgord Vert, an area bordering Limousin to the east and Charente to the west, home to swathes of green forest (from which it takes its name), fast-running streams and rocky plateaux.

One of its star attractions is the town of Brantôme, with its quaint stone buildings and impressive Benedictine abbey. The town is made all the more attractive thanks to the tranquil River Dronne, which encircles its historic centre.

If being near or within a Plus Beau Village is high on the agenda, then St-Jean-de-Côle is not to be missed. One of 10 of France’s official ‘most beautiful villages’ to be found in Dordogne, St-Jean boasts many picturesque colombage (half-timbered) houses and once won the prize for the ‘finest roofs in France’. The main square is the village’s pièce de résistance; here the 12th-century Château de la Marthonie stands beside a string of quaint cottages and a Romanesque Byzantine church with an unusually rounded shape.

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LOCATION Périgord Blanc Périgord Blanc is the name given to the central part of the department, as there are many chalky landscapes dotted around here. This middle slice of the Dordogne is home to the department’s capital, Périgueux, which dates back to Roman times. The town boasts a delightful old centre where winding, pale limestone streets, featuring everything from family-run boulangeries and traditional ironmongers to haute-couture boutiques and lively cafés, radiate out from the Gothic, multi-domed Cathédrale St-Front.

Vestiges of the town’s Roman past fill the Cité quarter – Périgueux’s original old town.

Located west of the medieval centre, the Cité is home to a ruined, garden-filled amphitheatre and triumphal tower, as well as the remains of a grand villa, which today form part of an impressive Gallo-Roman museum.

Périgord Pourpre

©Yvann K – Fotolia

Lying in the south-west of the Dordogne is Périgord Pourpre, which takes its name from the region’s grapes. With fields carpeted in sunflowers, clusters of ancient farms and gently sloping vineyards, this area certainly conjures up the image of a rural idyll. The half-timbered town of Bergerac is the centre of

attention here, and thanks to its airport – which offers services to a number UK destinations – buying property in this part of the department has become an increasingly attractive prospect for Brits.

Périgord Noir Périgord Noir is home to the greatest concentration of the Dordogne’s picturepostcard villages and pastoral landscapes.

In the south of this area lies the Dordogne valley, home to the much-photographed La Roque-Gageac. Nestling between a cliff and the River Dordogne, the south-facing village catches plenty of sun, creating a microclimate that feels almost Mediterranean. The balmy temperatures have enabled the creation of an exotic garden halfway up the cliffside, with palm trees, banana plants, fig and lemon trees, bamboo and cacti.

Across the river, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is topped by a 12th-century château commanding wonderful views, while further downriver on the northern bank lies Beynac-et-Cazenac, whose narrow cobbled streets are lined with golden-stone medieval houses leading up to the

château. Another of these Plus Beaux Villages is the clifftop bastide of Domme, whose streets are laid out on a grid pattern.

The jewel in Périgord Noir’s crown is the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda. An important centre for trade in the Middle Ages, today Sarlat is a tourist hotspot with its winding streets and hidden squares, lined with honey-coloured buildings that twinkle brightly in the morning light.

One of the advantages of buying a property in or near Sarlat has to be its buzzing Saturday food market; here you will jostle for space with savvy locals to get close to trestle tables laden with everything from sun-swollen, farm-fresh vegetables to bottomless boxes of garlic, truffles and trays of foie gras.

The area is also known for its prehistoric caves, the most famous of which is Lascaux, located 25km to the north of Sarlat in the Vézère valley. The original caves, discovered in 1940, have been closed since 1963, but a spectacular new replica, known as Lascaux 4, has opened nearby with state-of-the-art technology helping visitors explore the prehistoric paintings.

❝ In such an idyllic area as the Dordogne you would naturally expect property prices to be substantially higher than neighbouring parts of France, but the reality is quite the opposite ❞

© RolfSt – Getty Images/iStockphoto

Above: Place de la Liberté in popular Sarlat Right: Beynac is one of 10 Plus Beaux Villages to be found in the Dordogne

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June 2017 French Property News 29

LOCATION

One agent who is familiar with the property market in Dordogne is Cate Carnduff, of Agence Herman de Graaf in St-Jean de Côle.

“People have digested the Brexit outcome of last summer and many Brits have decided that owning a property in this gorgeous part of France is still a priority for them,” she says.

In fact, figures released by Leggett Immobilier for the first quarter of 2017 show that British enthusiasm for the Dordogne remains strong with 45.5% of their sales activity there being with British clients. “Our clients decide to buy here as the area’s got it all: gastronomy and wine, prehistory and châteaux, rivers and outdoor activities, culture and art,” says Leggett agent Angela Martyn.

On the market

€159,500: For anyone looking for a change in lifestyle and the chance to create a charming B&B then this is the place for them. In the village of St-Vincent-de-Cosse, in the heart of Périgord Noir, this honey-stone property comprises a three-bedroom, semi-detached house, a one-bedroom guesthouse, a barn and a wooden chalet. The property is in need of redecoration (leggettfrance.com)

Value for money

What’s more, in such an idyllic area as the Dordogne you would naturally expect property prices to be substantially higher than neighbouring parts of France. But the reality is quite the opposite.

According to the Notaires de France, who record the sale price for all properties in France, the average price for a 180m2, three-bedroom house hovers around €120,000, while the average for the whole of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, of which the Dordogne is part, is considerably higher at €190,000. Property values understandably rise the further you venture into the department’s tourist territory, with average prices around guidebook favourite Sarlat-la-Canéda averaging at €150,000.

The region’s affordable prices are drawing people from traditional hotspots such as Côte d’Azur, says Cate, as both British and French buyers are growing tired of the overcrowding (especially during the summer) and the inflated property prices. The Dordogne appeals as buyers can purchase a larger home with land and still have some money left over.

According to Julie Savill, of Beaux Villages Immobilier, what people can expect to find here are “good-quality properties, nicely renovated and well preserved”. Being an area known for its natural landscapes, it is unsurprising that, by and large, the properties on offer in the Dordogne are typically traditional one to three-bedroom stone-builds with varying degrees of land attached to them.

Alternatively, the area offers a number of dilapidated châteaux which come with hectares of land and would make an ideal restoration project.

Furthermore, the three million tourists who flock to the Dordogne each year means that there is plenty of buy-to-let potential. Dominic Hilton of agency La Résidence says that an increasing number of British buyers are looking for a change of lifestyle or to purchase a property that will give them somewhere to stay a couple of times a year and provide a monetary return. They need not worry about failing to make an income from renting out here; with its fairytale setting, the Dordogne won’t be without visitors anytime soon. ■

30 French Property News June 2017

€100,000: This 200-year-old stone cottage has two double bedrooms and one bathroom, and lies just 2km from the picturesque village of St-Saud-Lacoussière in Périgord Vert. The quaint stone house has a modern kitchen and a south-facing courtyard garden, and is an ideal lock-up-and-leave property (laresidence.com)

€97,000: For less than €100,000 you could be the owner of this sympathetically restored two-bedroom ‘fermette’ in the St-Saud area. It has plenty of character, light interiors and a small garden with a little terrace, and is situated in a charming, tranquil hamlet (immobilier-dordogne.com)

€265,000: This charming stone-built property is situated just 7km from Ribérac in the tranquil Dordogne countryside. It has five spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms, and there is also a good-sized pool. Full of character, this country home is set in just under 2.5 acres of land and enjoys far-reaching views (laresidence.com)

€249,000: In the Thiviers area, this restored twobed farmhouse comes with a one-bed guest cottage, swimming pool with covered terrace and outbuildings.

Situated on the edge of a hamlet and set on over 7ha of land (5.8ha of which are rented out), it enjoys beautiful countryside views (immobilier-dordogne.com)

€152,600: Set in the picture-perfect village of Lalinde on the River Dordogne, this beautiful house has three bedrooms and an attic that could accommodate two additional rooms. The property also comes with a small cottage which offers great gîte potential (leggettfrance.com)

€139,100: Oozing charm and recently restored, this 18th-century townhouse in Villars is a real gem.

It has four bedrooms and is full of period features, including a spiral wooden staircase. Shops, restaurants and other services are just a few minutes’ walk away (leggettfrance.com)

Find more properties on FrancePropertyShop.com

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Agence Immobilière Herman De Graaf Contact: Cate Carnduff Le Bourg-Saint-Jean de Côle - 24800 Thiviers - France.

Tel: 00 33 (0)553 62 38 03 Fax: 00 33 (0)553 55 08 03 e-mail: agence@immobilier-dordogne.com

Ref.4303 Region Cubjac. Beautiful rural setting for this 1980’s house with 5080m2 of land & with a naturally filtered swimming pool . Living room with open plan kitchen, shower room & 3 bedrooms; convertible attic (50m2). Basement: lounge, kitchen, shower room, workshop , garage & 1 bedroom; covered terrace.

Garden shed. Price: €220,000, agency fees included

Ref.4353 Region Brantome. Restored farmhouse with outbuildings, quietly set on an isolated plot with 4,80ha of land with good views. Fitted kitchen with fireplace, living room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite), dressing rm, office with fireplace. Wood CH, barn (65m2) with 2 horse boxes & adj garage. misc. sm outbuildings.

Price: €265,000 agency fees included.

www.immobilier-dordogne.com

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THE OLD VINES HOLIDAY HOME PARK DORDOGNE/LOT

Unique park set in 33 acres of unspoilt countryside, central to all tourist attractions, large spacious new plots with amazing views.

Luxury pre-used homes for sale in good condition.

Mobile home to let.

Contact Christine Jones on tel: 0033 565412940 | email: theoldvines@sfr.fr

www.theoldvines.co.uk

June 2017 French Property News 31

EXPERT ADVICE

©Suat Gürsözlü – Getty Images/iStockphoto

Homes Sherlock

Narrow your property shortlist before you travel to France with some cunning detective work, says Ruth Wood.

Elémentaire mon cher Watson!

B

uzzing with adrenaline, I dialled the estate agent’s number.

“This is it,” I thought as I scrolled through the pictures on my computer screen.

“This is the one.”

“Ah oui,” said the agent, speaking from his office hundreds of miles away in Brittany. The house was in good condition (✔), in a peaceful hamlet (✔) and had granite walls (✔), a solid roof (✔), a decent garden (✔), three bedrooms (✔), and a septic tank that conformed to standards (✔). Best of all, it was within budget (big ✔) at just €60,000.

Perfect. I set up a viewing for 10am the following Monday.

Then, just as I was about to hang up, I plucked up the courage to ask a final question, remembering how the cigar-sucking TV detective Columbo always turns at the door and asks his suspects “just one more thing”.

What was that grey building I could just see on the edge of one of the photos? Was it a garage? A hay barn?

“Many communes have websites with a great deal of useful information, as do the local tourist offices” Charles Miller, Charente Immobilier

Top tip

32 French Property News June 2017

“Errr,” murmured the agent, sounding uneasy. “That’s an agricultural building.”

“Yes? An agricultural building for…?”

“Les dindes,” replied the agent.

Turkeys? Oh.

Talking turkey So, yes. It turned out my dream holiday home was within pecking distance of a very large turkey farm.

The agent patiently pointed out that idyllic rural retreats in idyllic rural France would sometimes be close to rural businesses, such as pig farms, dairies and poultry barns – especially if you only had €60,000 to spend.

Respect your sidekicks Holmes had Dr Watson. Cagney had Lacey.

Starsky had Hutch. And your trusty sidekicks could turn out to be estate agents on the other side of the Channel.

DIY detective work is all very well but it pays to put some of the power into the hands of the local experts. They know about houses that have not yet been advertised and the ones you might not have considered.

“Often we’ll know the vendors who want to move quickly and those who are willing to negotiate so we may suggest a house that you thought was outside your price bracket,” says Julie Savill, of the agency Beaux Villages.

❝ By the time we arrived in France to view a property I already knew the name of the nearest restaurant ❞ He was right, of course, and I felt like a terrible townie for turning my nose up at a shedful of turkeys.

But it also strengthened my resolve. No longer would I be embarrassed to ask probing questions and dig for clues. I would be the Hercule Poirot of property, I decided, the Sherlock Holmes of homes. And I would always, always, ask about the neighbours.

When you’re tight for time and money, and stuck in front of a computer on the wrong side of the Channel, you can’t afford to have turkeys on your shortlist (no offence to the splendid birds). You need to weed out the duds before you leave the UK, so that you can spend your precious time in France viewing properties with real potential – and still have time to discuss them over a vin rouge.

This was certainly my experience. The house we ended up buying was advertised at €80,000 – a whopping €20,000 above our budget – and was head and shoulders in quality above anything else we’d considered, but one of the agents we spoke to flagged it up to us. So tell them your budget – your real budget – and listen to their advice or you may miss out, says Charles Miller of Charente Immobilier.

“Many househunters misjudge the distance between properties and the amount of time it will take to see a property. It’s much better to devote one or two days to one agent, who can then get a real feel for what you’re looking for.

The agents know the properties and their locations much better than a buyer and will quickly know whether or not it would be suitable for them.”

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EXPERT ADVICE

â?? Whenever we spotted a potential holiday home online, we printed it out and stuck it to the old woodchip wallpaper in our study â?&#x17E;

â&#x201A;Ź79,200: BĂŠ realestatelangu ziers, HĂŠrault edoc.com

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Make a crazy wall No detective show is complete without a so-called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;crazy wallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on â&#x201A;Ź150,0 which the cops pin mugshots of all Creuse 00: Bourganeuf, )l their suspects, maps of the crime francepro m)) ) - n % scene and other clues. So my (private sapertyshop.com

le) e, husband Jon and I did the same, ef Boutonnes â&#x201A;Ź149,800: Ch Deux-Sèvrom only with mugshots of houses s.c allez-francai and maps of beautiful Brittany.

Whenever we spotted a potential holiday home online, we printed it out and stuck it to the old woodchip wallpaper in m +' n l R +) /n % our study, scribbling pros and cons KI ' % n % ' n% )< (n') + 3 %n) on the sheets such as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;walk to

shopsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;needs new roofâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Soon the wall was plastered with two dozen printouts, which we grouped into general geographic areas.

By then, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d looked at hundreds of â&#x201A;Ź58,000: Chives, Charente-Maritime homes online and our heads were charente-immobilier.com spinning with so many details. But all we had to do was stand back and look at our crazy wall to see the woodchip from the trees. Not only was it easier to slim down our property shortlist this way, but it also sparked debate about what each of us actually wanted, helping us crystallise our â&#x201A;Ź56,000: VĂŠlie â&#x201A;Ź141,000: GuĂŠnin, Morbihan leggettfrance.com ux, HĂŠrault criteria. It also made it easier for our m ce.co leggettfran seven-year-old daughter Mabel to point out her favourites.

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June 2017 French Property News 33

EXPERT ADVICE

If your heart (and head) is absolutely set on a particular property, ring the agent a couple of days before you travel to check that it’s still on the market. If it’s not, you may have time to set up an appointment to see another property

Top tip

Grill the agents Your agent may not have the time or desire for a full-on interrogation on every property that takes your fancy.

So think about what genuinely matters to you, some of which may be factors with cost implications. You can always find out the other answers when you meet in person.

Questions you might ask include: ● What is the general condition of the property – roof, walls, doors, windows etc? ● Who are the neighbours and is the adjoining land agricultural/constructible etc? ● Is the property close to a busy road, large farm, industrial estate, landfill site, airport etc? ● Is there a fosse septique (septic tank) and if so, does it conform to national standards? (Agents may not always know this). ● Is there heating/electricity? ● Is the garden at the front, back or side and facing north or south etc? ● How far away is the nearest shop/ restaurant/bar? ● Is there parking? ● Is there an ADSL connection for super-fast broadband? ● How long has the property been on the market? ● Why are the owners selling and would they negotiate on price? ● Are there any big infrastructure projects planned nearby such as wind farms? ● Does the property have access from the road and are there any rights of way over the land?

within recent years.

I travelled hundreds of virtual miles this way, finding lovely lakesides, rivers, picnic spots, activity centres and tourist attractions, exploring medieval towns and peaceful villages, and getting a real feel for the Breton countryside. By the time we arrived in France to view a property I already knew the name of the nearest restaurant and directions to the local canoe hire centre.

Although agents don’t like to tell you the exact location of a property before they’ve taken you there, I often stumbled upon our shortlisted houses while exploring on Streetview. Of course, I could then see at a glance which ones were next to busy roads, industrial estates, waste disposal centres and turkey farms.

If the agent said it was a15-minute walk to the bar, I could see if that walk was over a motorway bridge, and whether the bar was open in the winter.

Spy from the sky Online maps are an invaluable research tool, particularly for working out journey times to your property from various ferry terminals, airports and railway stations as well as how long it would take to cycle to the shops.

Michelin’s route planner (viamichelin.co.uk) gives you a real feel for the landscape and, as well as helping you calculate routes and timings by car, motorbike, cycle and foot, it can pinpoint petrol stations, rest stops and, to a lesser degree, restaurants and hotels.

The fun really starts when you know the exact whereabouts of a property. I used satellite images until I was googly-eyed, poring over bird’s-eye views of roofs,

gardens, ditches and streams.

We were dithering over a pretty cottage on the outskirts of a village, until we checked the satellite image and spotted a large slurry pit on the other side of its garden wall.

It was heartening, however, to see that some of our shortlisted properties were close to the Vélodyssée, a wonderful cycle trail that winds through a huge tranche of France. To find out if there’s a cycle route near you, simply click on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on Google Maps and scroll down to ‘bicycling’ to see cycle trails marked in green. Also on Google Maps you can measure a distance as the crow flies to find out, for example, how close you are to a factory. Click on the map, then right click, scroll down to ‘measure distance’ and click on your second point.

Plan your next move Inheritance rules mean that land in France is often chopped up in surprising and sometimes complicated ways.

If you do know the exact location of a shortlisted property, you can view it on the local plan cadastral (Cadastre. gouv.fr), the French version of the land registry.

Type in the name of the

Snoop around the streets Spooks, cops and shops aren’t the only ones with surveillance powers these days. Thanks to the Streetview function on Google Maps, you can now explore many – though certainly not all – of the highways and byways of France from the comfort of your computer desk. Simply type a location into the map, pick up the little yellow man in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and plonk him onto your map to open a 360-degree photograph of the road, taken

❝ Use the online forum on Complete France – it’s your gateway to hundreds of like-minded Francophiles ❞ 34 French Property News June 2017

©Askold Romanov – Getty Images/iStockphoto

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commune and in the lieu-dit box put the street name or hamlet name. There’s an English version if you get stuck.

You’ll then see a plan of the area with every parcel of land numbered and buildings marked in yellow.

If you can locate your property, you’ll be able to see how it sits in its plot and how the surrounding plots fit together. Don’t assume the garden will be at the back; it’s just as likely to be at the front and it’s also common for a house to back straight onto a neighbouring plot, especially in rural areas.

If you don’t know the whereabouts of the property, this is something your agent will probably give you at your viewing appointment.

Be a newshound Every detective drama worth its salt has newspaper clippings. Usually they get pinned to that crazy wall I mentioned earlier.

I found that internet news searches for villages and towns where we were considering buying gave us a good feel for the community, events and amenities in a place. If your shortlisted property is beside a river you might want to search for the

If you’re hoping to set up a gîte or B&B business yourself, check out the competition, see what people are charging and how often they make bookings. Businesses are often a good source of information about nearby tourist attractions and amenities

Top tip

word inondation to see if flooding is likely to be a problem.

EXPERT ADVICE brittanytourism.com as a great source of information about towns, attractions and events. “Being music fans we were zapped to discover that we could go and see Bruce Springsteen just a few days after he headlined Glastonbury just up the road from our house in Brittany at France’s second biggest festival,” said Chris, who bought an old farmhouse, three barns, a well, a bread oven and an acre of land for the equivalent of £12,000 in 1999.

Of course, in theory, the best detective work you can do is to rent first, but in practice, it may not be a realistic option.

Hire a private detective

Interview witnesses The online forum on CompleteFrance.com is your gateway to hundreds of like-minded Francophiles with insight and experience of the nitty gritty of buying in France. Ask about a particular town or village and you may well find someone who knows it like the back of their hand and can give you the lowdown. I met a British expat who wished she’d talked to more people before moving to a beautiful, touristy town in Brittany that goes into virtual hibernation in winter. In hindsight she thought she’d have been happier in a plainer community with all-year-round amenities and events.

Websites such as Tripadvisor are another great source of information, providing reviews of attractions and restaurants in the area.

Chris Slade, of the agency A House in Brittany, particularly recommends the region’s tourist website

If you don’t have time to dash around playing Sherlock, then you could always hire a property finder.

These Jim Bergeracs of the housing market tend to have privileged access to local estate agents and often find out about property gems long before they appear on websites or in shop windows.

Tim Swannie, director of luxury property search specialists Home Hunts, explains further: “We go and pre-visit properties, so that people can make the most of their time when they come over. They might only have a couple of days and they don’t want to look at properties that are not going to tick their boxes. We always take videos, check noise levels and see how close the property is to neighbours, shops and amenities, the motorway and airport.

“We talk to the agents and find out the history of the property and how flexible the vendors are on price. Usually we find the agents tell us more than they would a buyer.”

Just one more thing... as Columbo used to say

It goes without saying that distant detective work is no substitute for pulling up outside stone and mortar and walking through the front door.

The scent of lilac or lavender, the smile or wave of a friendly neighbour, the crunch of gravel on a garden path, the instant feel and look of a dwelling as you step inside and consider dwelling there, the view from a loft window across open fields, the chirrup of sparrows or even the clucking of turkeys – so often that’s what clinches the deal.

At least, it was for us.

“Daddy!” our daughter Mabel loudly announced, making the estate agent laugh out loud as she dashed down the stairs of an old granite house deep in the heart of rural Brittany one October “If you’re making a permanent move, afternoon in 2015. “Mummy says your agent will be a good source of this is the one!” information about And it was. Sometimes I have to schools and pinch myself, not only because it’s hospitals.” a lovely little house in a lovely little place but also because of the lovely Julie Savill, family who live next door with Beaux Villages their seven cats, five horses, five goats, four dogs, two sheep, one hamster and no turkeys. ■

Top tip

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June 2017 French Property News 35

REAL LIFE

Now or never

The prospect of Brexit was one family’s motivation to make the move to France – Clare Rolt tells their story

W

hile the vote in favour of Brexit has made some homebuyers wobble, for others it has been a catalyst to make long-held wishes come true.

Katy and Dev Lunsford, a young couple who had lived in Manchester for 17 years, found the referendum result only reignited their desire to move across the Channel. “Every holiday we had in France was spent trying to work out ways we wouldn’t have to leave again,” says Katy. In February this year, they took the plunge, moving with their daughters, six-yearold Sophie and 15-month-old Maddie, to a beautiful five-bedroom stone farmhouse in the Charente area of south-west France.

Before Brexit In 2015, the family was living in a threebedroom Victorian terrace with a small yard in north Manchester, but were desperate for more light, more space and a garden. As Katy points out, “we felt trapped in a system that we hated, a house we’d outgrown and a life that was convenient but that wasn’t bringing us ‘life’. We also wanted some sunshine.”

With the impending arrival of Maddie, they knew they needed to make a change, so their attentions turned back to France, a country they had always loved. “So much of French culture, values and the way of life resonates with us and how we want to live and bring up our children,” says Katy. “We love the relaxed way of life, the emphasis on family, the work-life balance, less stress, more freedom, the outdoor lifestyle and of course the food!

The property prices were also a huge draw, as you can get so much more for your money.”

Initially they didn’t know where to focus their search. “We loved France and had been to most regions, but houses in the obvious places like Provence and Côte d’Azur were over our budget. We also wanted somewhere less touristy and more accessible for family to visit,” she says. They came across Charente after a recommendation from a friend and, after a little research, soon recognised the value of properties available. “We were blown away by the properties we could afford,” Katy says.

Their perception of the great value that this region offers were right. House prices in Charente are an average of just €1,151/m² and just €951/m² around Ruffec (meilleursagents. com), compared to surrounding areas such as Charente-Maritime at €2,020/m² and Dordogne at €1,347/m². This means that renovation projects in the area start from around €20,000, small habitable homes from around €45,000 and three-bedroom renovated properties from around €80,000. Properties with lots of land generally start from around

36 French Property News June 2017

Katy, Dev and their daughters Sophie and Maddie have made a home in Charente

€150,000, while properties with a gîte or a pool usually start from about €180,000.

On Katy and Dev’s first recce trip to Charente in October 2015, they fell in love with the rolling hills, sunflower fields, vineyards, pretty villages and beautiful châteaux. “It was peaceful and quiet, but there were also bustling markets and festivals, and the bigger cities like Angoulême, Poitiers and Bordeaux had lots going on,” says Katy. This year’s opening of the new super-fast LGV train line from Paris to Bordeaux is also a plus, meaning a trip from Angoulême to Paris will be just one hour and 40 minutes.

“The weather is lovely – it’s the second sunniest area of France after the Côte dAzur,” adds Katy. “But it’s less busy and a lot less expensive. It is easily accessible by car, plane and train, so family and friends can visit easily.”

Finding the dream home The couple dreamed of a big old stone farmhouse with shutters, full of character and light but with little work needed, plus a big garden and outbuildings. As luck would have it, they found an historic stone farmhouse with five bedrooms, a large garden, a barn and a beautiful view situated close to the riverside market town of Ruffec with its shops, bars, restaurants and train station.

Katy, a photographer, particularly liked the light rooms. “We walked into the kitchen-diner and it was huge and light and airy, with doors on both sides, and light flooding in, even on a cloudy day in October. It was the kind of house I could only ever dream of owning in the UK.

Photographer Katy loves the light pouring into the house

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REAL LIFE

Verteuil, one of the many bustling riverside villages in Charente

The Lunsfords dreamed of a big stone house with shutters and character, and this property ticked all the boxes

Then we saw that there was the huge studio room upstairs. When do you find a 200-yearold French farmhouse with a natural light studio? It was meant to be! The garden was huge; it was beautiful and needed no work.

The house ticked almost every box, and some we hadn’t even thought about.”

However, with Katy seven months pregnant, and the trip intended to have been a factfinding mission, they weren’t in a position to act. So they put their plans on hold, intending to visit in summer the following year.

The following summer, of course, the UK voted to leave the EU. “It was a huge blow and I will never forget how I felt the day after the referendum,” says Katy. “But it made us realise how deeply we wanted to do this and how it could become impossible, or at least a lot harder and more expensive, after Brexit.”

Thankfully, when they returned to France a couple of months after 23 June, their dream home was still for sale. As a result of the drop in exchange rate, their estate agent helped them negotiate and secure it for €165,000. The property was theirs at the beginning of 2017 and they moved at the end of February.

The house was already in good condition, but they do have a few plans. “There’s no family bathroom upstairs so we will probably put one in, update the kitchen, extend the patio so there’s plenty of space for those big meals outdoors and, of course, put in the requisite swimming pool!” says Katy.

Work across the Channel

❝ I will never forget how I felt the day after the referendum – but it made us realise how deeply we wanted to do this ❞

The Lunsfords fell in love with the rolling hills and sunflower fields in the area

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Both Katy and Dev are lucky enough to be able to continue with jobs they had in England. Dev plans to continue working for the same company as an IT consultant, while offering IT support locally for small businesses or individuals. Katy, meanwhile, will continue to work as a wedding and portrait photographer, focusing on weddings around south-west France. “My style of photography is soft and luminous, using natural light, and a muted colour palette, which works so well with the pastel tones and gorgeous light in France,” she explains. “I will also be doing family shoots for people on holiday or living in the area, as well as some commercial work.”

The young family are full of excitement for their French future. “We are looking forward to more freedom, a simpler, more relaxed way of life, where children get to be children for longer with more outdoors time, more time together as a family, the kids being bilingual, great education, culture and food,” says Katy.

“This is more how we want our children to grow up than the prevalent culture in the UK.” And when you think of all these positives, it’s easy to see why the UK’s vote to leave the EU last summer turned out to be just the catalyst the Lunsford family needed to make their long-held dream come true. ■ Clare Rolt is marketing manager at Compagnie Immobilière Charentaise Tel: 0033 (0)5 45 30 35 31 properties-in-charente.com

June 2017 French Property News 37

LOCATION

Awe-inspiring AUVERGNE

Hidden in the heart of France, underrated Auvergne offers the good life at an affordable price, explains Sophie Gardner-Roberts

H

aving grown up in a small village tucked away in the hills of rural Burgundy, I’ve always enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether it was walking in the surrounding forests or splashing in the River Cure that flows through my home village. When I was offered a trip to Auvergne, I couldn’t pass up the chance to discover this ancient land, shaped by millennia-old volcanoes and farming traditions passed down through the generations.

Not only did I find a beautiful region where outdoor living is at the heart of local culture, I came across people who loved to live in Auvergne and a place that, provided I can hike up a volcano every now and then, I would be happy to call home one day.

Despite its striking volcanic scenery, Auvergne is often overlooked as a drivethrough region on the way to the Alps or the Mediterranean coast, and remains a largely unknown destination. Now incorporated into the new Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, it is quite different from neighbouring Rhône-Alpes

38 French Property News June 2017

and the towering peaks of the Alps or the deep gorges of Ardèche and Drôme.

Although it has its fair share of impressive volcanic ranges such as the Chaîne des Puys and the Massif du Sancy, Auvergne is largely a land of rolling hills, pastures and cattle-filled fields, lakes and forests, and is dotted with charming villages, spa towns and ancient, thankfully dormant, craters.

Valleys and volcanoes

Auvergne is made up of four departments, each with different landscapes and character. To the north is Allier, named after the river that snakes through the department before joining the Loire in Nièvre. Other waterways such as the Sioule, Cher and Loire rivers criss-cross the landscape and the area is full of protected sites such as the steep Sioule gorges, the oak forest of Tronçais, the Bourbonnais woods and the low Combrailles range.

You’ll find castles, manor houses and estates dating from the ancient Bourbon dynasty as

well as spa towns like Vichy, famed for its thermal waters and mint sweets. Montluçon, Auvergne’s second largest town, is located in the south-west of the department and is listed as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire. Property in Allier is very affordable when compared with national prices and the department is the cheapest of the four Auvergne departments. According to the Notaires de France, the average price for a house is €85,500 and apartments cost an average of €1,100/m2.

You’ll find higher prices around Vichy, a tourist hotspot. In the rest of the department, you’ll come across charming farmhouses with half-timbered façades and quiet villages perched on hills.

Head south and you’ll reach the foothills of the Massif Central and Auvergne’s biggest claim to fame – the start of the Chaîne des Puys volcano range. Named after the tallest peak, the Puy-de-Dôme department is real volcano country as the Chaîne des Puys counts no fewer than 80 domes and craters spanning 30

www.completefrance.com

©Comité Régional de Développement Touristique d’Auvergne/ Luc Olivier

Le Puy-en-Velay

LOCATION kilometres. For those wanting to move to France to enjoy nature and perhaps some hair-raising mountain bike trails and other adrenaline-inducing outdoor adventures, Puy-de-Dôme is the place for you. With two regional parks – the Livradois-Forez and the Parc Régional des Volcans d’Auvergne – this department is a haven for an active lifestyle. In the winter, you’ll even find family-friendly ski resorts on the higher peaks of the LivradoisForez or outside the spa town of Mont Dore on the slopes of the Sancy range.

In the mountainous areas, properties are more chalet-like to withstand the harsh winters while in the valleys, in towns like Ambert, houses are more traditionally built using the local volcanic arkose sandstone.

Of the four departments, Puy-de-Dôme is the more expensive with average prices for houses being €170,000 and €1,680/m2 for apartments.

This is due to the presence of more important towns such as Clermont-Ferrand, the old capital of Auvergne, which sits at the foot of Puy-de-Dôme and is a bustling university city.

Its main landmark is the Gothic cathedral, built of volcanic stone, with its two dark towers standing tall in the centre.

Hiking paradise

3 + /6

€99,000: This four-bed house in Allier has a large garden with a pool and outbuildings and just needs a little refreshing (leggettfrance.com)

€134,900: Located outside a hamlet in Allier, this pretty stone house has four bedrooms and a southfacing terrace with views (auvergne-properties.com)

€249,000: Sitting in grounds of 5,410m , this 18th2

century ‘maison de maître’ has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in Allier (auvergne-properties.com)

The Plus Beau Village of Salers

©Comité Régional de Développement Touristique d’Auvergne/Joel Damase

Just outside Clermont-Ferrand, Vulcania educational theme park about volcanoes is the first of its kind in Europe

Follow the Volcans d’Auvergne regional park to the south-west and you’ll enter the Cantal department, home to one of Auvergne’s Grand Sites de France, the Puy Mary. This iconic pyramid is one of the peaks that makes up Europe’s largest (thankfully dormant) volcano and attracts nearly half a million visitors a year.

Cantal is breathtaking hiking country with has many natural springs and lakes to discover.

You’ll also find some historic castles and the impressive Garabit viaduct, built by none other than Gustave Eiffel. The main town, Aurillac, is a family-friendly riverside community known for its annual street theatre festival, while other interesting towns include St-Flour and Salers, which gives its name to the local breed of

On the market

€98,000: It’s rare to find a traditional farmhouse in such good condition. Located near Ambert in Puy-deDôme, it has three bedrooms (sextantproperties.com)

€160,000: With character inside and out, this four-bed property in Haute-Loire has been beautifully renovated (francepropertyshop.com)

www.completefrance.com

June 2017 French Property News 39

LOCATION cow and a cheese. Property prices in Cantal return to more affordable levels than Puy-deDôme with the average price for a house being €103,500 and €1,010/m2 for an apartment.

Finally, turn your gaze to the east and you will find Haute-Loire, which bears more resemblance to the departments of the south of France, both in climate and topography.

Offering hot summers without the heatwaves and deep river gorges overlooked by green volcanic domes, Haute-Loire is a diverse department that would suit anyone looking for

On the market

a taste of the south without the crowds and the expensive property prices. Average prices for houses hover around €110,200 and €1,010/m2 for an apartment. The department has a wealth of cultural sites, including Le Puy-en-Velay, nicknamed the ‘Mont St-Michel on land’ and the Polignac castle, and has a packed cultural calendar year-round.

Easily accessible

While talking to locals I met on my travels around the area, mostly in Puy-de-Dôme, I began to understand the appeal of Auvergne in terms of its location in France. The main city of Clermont-Ferrand sits at the crossroads of three major motorways, the A71 from the north, the A89 going west and east, and the A75 heading south. Add to that the international airport with direct flights to the UK (thanks to local airline FlyKiss) and a TGV train station, and Clermont-Ferrand is the ideal place to hop over to. So a little pied-à-terre among the volcanoes would be easy

to maintain and visit regularly.

Nathalie Maneby, who works for the Riom tourist office in Puy-de-Dôme and was born in the UK but grew up in France, told me she appreciated how convenient the area is. “In a 15-minute drive from Clermont-Ferrand, you’re in the heart of the volcanoes,” she said.

Catherine Langlade, also a local in Riom, praised the excellence of the schools and the quality of life in Auvergne. Thomas Barthélémy, whom I attempted to hold a coherent conversation with while bumping down a trail on mountain bikes above Ambert, told me he could be in Bordeaux or Lyon in just a couple of hours’ drive for a day out. Above all, he loved the area itself and its affordable property

€85,000: In need of a little TLC inside, this three-bed village house in Cantal has lovely country views. An annexe is waiting to be converted (selectionhabitat.com)

€188,125 : This spacious traditional home in Allier offers five bedrooms and three bathrooms. An annexe has been partially renovated (sextantproperties.com)

€338,000: Run as a successful B&B, this property has a seven-bed house and cute one-bed gîte. It is located in a regional park in Haute-Loire (leggettfrance.com)

40 French Property News June 2017

©Comité Régional de Développement Touristique d’Auvergne/Gérard Fayet

€115,000: A quaint two-bed house with heaps of character and views over a castle in Cantal. Comes with a little garden and two cellars (selectionhabitat.com)

The Pariou volcano with the Puy-de-Dôme in the background

www.completefrance.com

LOCATION prices. At the time, he was renting a 150m2 house sitting on a 2,000m2 garden for approximately €600 a month where he lived with his partner and their baby daughter.

Alison Brettell, a local estate agent for Leggett Immobilier, moved to northern Puy-de-Dôme with her husband and three children 13 years ago. More than anything she thinks the scenery alone is inspiring enough to consider a move to Auvergne. “I like the peace, the lack of traffic and the views you can enjoy while driving in the countryside,” she says.

“We’ve got everything: diverse scenery, plenty of outdoor activities, great weather – we actually get all four seasons.” She also points out that, despite a recent increase in interest from British buyers in the last 12 months, Auvergne remains a very typically French area with extremely friendly locals so, if it’s authenticity you’re looking for, Auvergne should be at the top of your list.

The property market is starting to pick up on such diversity. Nadine Denis, a local agent for Sextant Properties,

says the market in her area is quite dynamic, due to “the relatively low prices coupled with exceptional surroundings”. Her clientele consists mostly of French city folk looking to escape the hubbub. “Whatever the nationality though, the search is the same: stone house with outbuildings with a minimum of 1,000m2 of land, no neighbours, no work required and a budget below €150,000,” she says, before adding that she’d just sold a property exactly like that to a British couple.

Nadine is based near the Livradois-Forez regional park which attracts plenty of visitors keen on ‘eco tourism’. It is an ideal location for anyone looking to set up a holiday business but Frederika Bosman of Auvergne Properties explains this statement could be extended to the whole region. “A popular choice of activity for people moving here from abroad is to set up a B&B or gîte activity and the demand for these types of activity is growing,” she says. The marked seasons in Auvergne mean B&B owners would have business year-round, particularly near the ski resorts, and the easy access would

©Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme/David Frobert

The Cantal volcano range

also provide a steady stream of visitors, especially from French tourists. “In addition, the region is relatively undiscovered so as a house buyer you have the advantage that the area is still one of the cheapest in France,” explains Frederika. “The property market is currently doing well and the number of transactions has been increasing steadily since 2015. Prices are currently increasing slightly and this trend is expected to continue. As such, this would be an excellent time to purchase property here.” ■

On the market

€149,950: A charming four-bed farmhouse with breathtaking views over the Cantal countryside and a barn in the grounds (laresidence.co.uk)

€545,000: This elegant five-bed manor house in Allier is currently run as a B&B with two gîtes. The property sits on 4ha of land with a pool (leggettfrance.com)

S AUVERGNE’S PROPERTY PRICE Average house price

Puy-de-Dôme €170,000

Cantal

€103,500

Allier

€85,500

Haute-Loire €110,200

Average apartment price

2

€1,680/m

€246,100 : With plenty of business potential, this property consists of a main bourgeois house and a ‘longère’ in Condat, Cantal (leggettfrance.com)

€1,010/m2 €1,100/m² €1,010/m2

Source: Notaires de France

€267,500: Renovated to a high standard, this charming three-bed house in Puy-de-Dôme comes with an attached barn and a garden (leggettfrance.com)

www.completefrance.com

June 2017 French Property News 41

EXPERT ADVICE

Fame, fortune

We go celebrity house spotting in some of France’s most glamorous second-home destinations – Chris Menon finds out where the rich and famous buy

n French homes

F

rance has long been associated with glitz, glamour and romance. Small wonder then that celebrities from every walk of life have sought to live there, irresistibly drawn to its culture, gastronomy and iconic beauty.

From Beau Brummel, who left England in 1816 to live in Caen, to Picasso, who spent the last 12 years of his life in Mougins, the country has been a magnet for the rich and famous.

Most famously, Princess Diana played out the last moments of her tragic life in Paris a few days after having been the guest of Dodi Fayed’s father at his palatial villa in St-Tropez.

Mark Harvey, head of the French department at estate agents Knight Frank, is well used to dealing with celebrity buyers and he explains where they prefer to buy. “France is an obvious destination. People will gravitate to those areas where they feel most comfortable and which have the best infrastructure and facilities.

Obviously the south of France, with its backdrop of Cannes, St-Tropez and Monaco, is glamorous and glitzy, but it is busy too and will attract the attention of the media. You have everything from the Grand Prix, the Cannes Film Festival, Rolex Masters and myriad other events that attract the glitterati.

“People love it down there; the weather is good and the restaurants are excellent. The infrastructure is second to none and you have the second busiest airport (Nice) in France, which accommodates private jets. You can fly anywhere directly from Nice nowadays, including Dubai, New York and Moscow.”

He continues: “Then you have the inland stretch that is perhaps more authentic and less developed, with medieval towns around village squares, which again attracts a certain profile.

There is a particular place near St-Remy-deProvence, the small village of Le Paradou, which has always attracted Hollywood A-listers. The Luberon is another location which appeals to certain Hollywood celebrities keen to find a level of privacy and anonymity. It

42 French Property News June 2017

seems remarkable but they do pass almost completely anonymously without people batting an eyelid – a rare commodity today.”

Property gold on the Riviera For those seeking to unearth celebrity properties, the French Riviera is certainly a veritable gold mine.

In the commune of Plan de La Tour lies Johnny Depp’s 37-acre estate which is up for sale for €39m – although he is believed to be keeping his Parisian villa in Meudon. The actor’s former property is on the market with estate agent Michaël Zingraf Real Estate (affiliate of Christie’s) which specialises in exclusive properties between €1m and €350m.

Angie Delattre, head of its prestige department, explains that most of their celebrity buyers come via referrals from other celebrities. “They are generally very nice people and it’s important to understand their needs exactly,” she says.

She believes the French joie de vivre and the climate in the south of France are prime reasons for buyers to purchase a holiday home there, while investing in real estate makes for a good long-term investment. It is also a buyers’ market, with lots of great properties for sale.

In 2011, Brad Pitt and wife Angelina Jolie purchased the €44m Château Miravel estate in the Var department of Provence, close to the attractive town of Aix-enProvence. However, since she

€39m

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EXPERT ADVICE

Celebrity case study Robin Ellis, the actor who played the original swashbuckling Poldark in the 1970s production, now lives permanently in south-west France in the Tarn department, in a fourbedroom, 18th-century rectory.

“We had no intention of buying a second home,” confesses Robin. “We found the house by chance after visiting an American colleague of my wife’s who had retired down here. It was love at first sight – a coup de foudre – and we didn’t resist it.

He and his wife purchased the property back in 1990, but kept it as a holiday home or maison secondaire. “We liked it so much, we moved permanently in 1999 as our ‘millennial gesture’, renting out our house in London. We never looked back and sold the London house some years later.”

As to what he likes most about French culture, Robin says: “The balance of work and life is good here and the social politesse is attractive. The open-air food markets are brilliant and there are many in Tarn, including organic markets.”

This has doubtless proved useful and inspirational as he has just published his latest and third

Above: Johnny Depp’s sprawling village in Plan de La Tour, Var, is up for sale for €39m, although he is believed to be keeping his Parisian villa in Meudon

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cookbook, Mediterranean Cooking for Diabetics. “I’ve always liked to cook – taking after my mother. When I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (and she had Type 1), it stimulated my interest in healthy cooking. My latest cookbook has over 250 photographs of life here in le pays de cocagne (the land of plenty) as this region is known, all taken by my American wife, Meredith Wheeler.”

However, like Henry II’s wife Catherine de Medici, he does admit that “though I live in France, my culinary heart is in Italy!”

Robin advises those thinking of relocating to France: “Try to learn the language. My wife and I attended weekly classes at the French Institute in London for two years which we hugely enjoyed. It’s like acting; if you are passionate to do it, just do it! Although few of the local people around us speak English, they are very helpful and friendly. Also, consider the distance from a convenient airport.”

filed for divorce, there have been rumours that the property may eventually be sold.

More happily, actor Tom Hardy has a house in St-Rémy-de-Provence where he was married two years ago. He apparently goes there for long weekends and he has described it as “very romantic”.

The French Riviera is also popular with musicians.

Bono and The Edge, from rock band U2, co-own a coral-coloured beachfront mansion in Eze-sur-Mer. The musical duo bought it back in 1993 for around €3.8m. Since then, it has become a celebrity mecca, entertaining Hollywood royalty including Pitt and Jolie.

Further down the coast, Elton John and David Furnish’s opulent 1920s mansion on Mont Boron overlooks the sea and Nice.

A 75-minute drive from Toulon and Nice airports, lies the secluded Bargemon, a quiet commune in the Var area. It’s here that David and Victoria Beckham bought a £1.4m property to use as their holiday home back in 2003.

Celebrities certainly appreciate the glamour of royalty, which perhaps explains why Roman Abramovich, the billionaire oil tycoon and owner of Chelsea Football Club, forked out £15m back in 2014 for Château de la Croe in the Cap d’Antibes area of the Riviera. It was where the Duke of Windsor lived with

❝ The Luberon appeals to celebrities keen to find a level of privacy and anonymity, a rare commodity today ❞ Wallace Simpson following his abdication as King Edward VIII in December 1936, and was sold to a Greek shipping magnate when the duke moved to Paris.

Capital appreciation

According to Thibault de Saint Vincent, head of estate agency Barnes, celebrities tend to buy mostly in Paris and on the French Riviera (St-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco). They also favour mountain locations such as Courchevel, in the Savoie department, whose glitzy ski resort hosted Prince William and Kate for a family holiday last year.

Thibault’s estate agency has 10 offices in Paris alone, and he finds that celebrities aren’t as awkward to deal with as you might suppose.

“If you have an exclusive property, they are nice to you because it’s not so easy to find a unique property: 25% of the properties we sell aren’t even officially marketed. We go direct to

June 2017 French Property News 43

EXPERT ADVICE

Scenic view of Notre-Dame de Paris

©Encrier – Getty Images/iStockphoto

On the market

the celebrity buyers because we know what they want,” he says.

As a truly global city, steeped in history, with amazing architecture and a rich cultural life, Paris has a lot to offer even the most jaded of celebrities. Hence, it can boast being the home of film stars such as Scarlett Johannson, Marion Cotillard and many footballers from the Paris St-Germain team.

According to Thibault, Donald Sutherland used to have a house in Paris but downsized for a pied-à-terre there. Of course, a pied-à-terre for a celebrity is now a lot bigger than it used to be: “It’s no longer a one-bedroom apartment with 65m2 but a minimum of around 230m2 with three bedrooms, and costing €3m-€4m,” he notes.

popularity spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.

What are the celebrities looking for in the capital? “Unique views, such as outlooks onto parks and gardens, the River Seine, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower,” explains Thibault.

As to the price range, for a premium property – that is one with an outstanding location with a great view – a purchaser can expect to pay €20,000 (£17,500) per square metre.

There are also a few gated communities in the heart of Paris with 24-hour security, which appeal to celebrities and the ultra rich. One of them, the Villa Montmorency in Auteuil (the southern half of the 16th arrondissement) even has full-time

❝ The older generation of celebrities prefer Paris’ 16th arrondisement, with its ornate buildings, wide avenues, prestigious schools, and parks ❞ Apparently, the older generation of celebrities prefer the 16th arrondissement, with its ornate 19th-century buildings, wide avenues, prestigious schools, museums and various parks. The area has long been known as one of French high society’s favourite places of residence (comparable to London’s Kensington and Chelsea).

Similarly, many of the Paris St-Germain footballers prefer to buy here as it is to the west of Paris, near their training ground.

Popular with younger actors and actresses is the 6th arrondissement, known as the Left Bank, especially St-Germain des Prés. Le Marais, as one of the trendiest parts of Paris, is also sought after by this set and the

44 French Property News June 2017

guards who patrol the streets and monitor the gates. According to the Rue Rude blog run by an American expat: “The Villa Montmorency has been a favourite of the rich and famous for many years. Céline Dion, Laurent Dassault (airplanes), Wladimir Taittinger (champagne), Arnaud Lagardère (Lagardère Group, a giant international media company that owns, among many others, the Hachette group), Alain Afflelou (glasses), Tarak Ben Ammar (movies), Carla Bruni (Sarkozy’s wife), Zlatan Ibrahimovich (football), Xavier Niel (internet), Sylvie Vartan (singer famous in the 60s and 70s), Carole Bouquet (movie star), have all lived there behind the gates, enjoying the privacy.” ■

m €1.4

If this has whetted your appetite for properties with a celebrity provenance, Knight Frank is selling the home of the late Rick Wright, musician and founder member of rock band Pink Floyd. The six-bedroom house in Le Rouret, Alpes-Maritimes, is for sale at €1.4m.

m €3.9

Alternatively, the Parisian home of the late singer Edith Piaf is on the market through Chestertons for £3.9m. The 1930s mansion in Bois de Boulogne has six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a sauna, office and sports hall. In the basement, there is also a home cinema, a maid’s room and a wine cellar.

m €350

If you have €350m to spare, the fashion designer Pierre Cardin’s extraordinary Bubble Palace is also up for sale, through Michaël Zingraf. Overlooking the Bay of Cannes, the unique home offers panoramic sea views, and has 28 circular rooms, three swimming pools and even a 500-seat amphitheatre.

www.completefrance.com

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French inheritance, successions and French wills Property transfer following relationship breakdown Hand-holding service for problems with French administration and utility suppliers Contact Marie Antoinette Bassini, French Department, Telephone: (+44) 01233.624545 2, Elwick Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1PD, United Kingdom E-mail mab@kingsfords.net Website www.kingsfords-solicitors.com

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June 2017 French Property News 45

LOCATION

Coastal living Whether a dream home by the sea or a good investment, coastal property in France is a popular choice, but what do you need to know before you start looking? John Bensalhia reports

46 French Property News June 2017

A lifestyle choice

But what is that makes coastal property in France so popular? A key factor is an enviable lifestyle, says Daniel Brewer of Healey Fox. “It has to be the key benefit; with the sea to the front and countryside to the rear, either isolated or in a village or a town, a coastal location offers everything to a potential buyer except mountains,” he says.

Patrick Joseph agrees that living near the sea offers an enhanced quality of life: better air quality, better light and also fresher seafood.

“People who live in these areas tend to be more active as they find it easier to exercise in the sea or simply on the local beaches.”

Leggett Immobilier’s independent research has shown that sunshine and quality of life are two key drivers for British buyers. And with very diverse coastlines to choose from, there’s something for everyone. While some of their clients enjoy walking the rugged coastal path in Finistère, others prefer the vast, sandy and family-friendly beaches of Vendée and Charente-Maritime. Many are seeking that all-year sunshine of the south coast.

“The good news is that there is an ample supply to meet this demand and you don’t need to break the bank to afford it,” says Trevor Leggett. “Even in Alpes-Maritimes, we have well over 100 listings for under €300,000.”

©Gael F – Getty Images/iStockphoto

T

he summer season is here! Sunglasses, water-wings, buckets and spades are out in abundance: essential items when visiting the coast. When it comes to French property though, the luxury of being near the coast is more than a matter of season, with coastal property being a massively popular choice for buyers all year round, both as an investment and as a dream home by the sea.

“Coastal property has always been hugely attractive to international buyers,” says Trevor Leggett of Leggett Immobilier. “Indeed, you just need to look at where most sales are historically made to see that it forms an ‘L’ shape down the Atlantic coast and along the Med.” In traditional seaside resorts such as Biarritz, royalty was visiting regularly back in the 1800s, he says, while Noel Coward and the London jetset partied in Le Touquet in the north in the 1920s.

Queen Victoria spent as much time as she could on the French Riviera and other heads of state too enjoyed the French coast.

“This still rings true today,” says Patrick Joseph, of the agency My French House. “Many clients are looking for properties near the Mediterranean coast (from Monaco to Perpignan) but also on the west coast, with Brittany, the Vendée and Bordeaux being the most popular areas.”

www.completefrance.com

©RolfSt – Getty Images/iStockphoto The pretty port of St-Goustan in Brittany

LOCATION

Coast to coast

In terms of destinations, Daniel Brewer believes the Côte d’Azur is the most popular choice, closely followed by Languedoc-Roussillon (now part of the new Occitanie region). “This has more blue flag beaches than anywhere else in France with the department of PyrénéesOrientales offering the bonus of easy access to Spain as well,” he explains.

There are many undiscovered gems along the French coastline as well as tourist hotspots.

One area growing in popularity is the stretch of coast between Perpignan and Montpellier. In such places it is possible to pick up property slightly inland for a very reasonable price.

“This gives the advantage of giving people easy access to the beaches while enjoying the benefits of country life,” says Trevor Leggett.

“Average property prices in these departments are between €160,000-180,000, and with cheap financing available, this is seriously attractive to British buyers.”

Investment is a significant factor too; the potential is great as there will always be a limited supply of coastal properties. “Although buying on the coast is generally 20% more expensive than buying inland, such properties always sell fast making them a good investment,” explains Daniel Brewer.

For those buyers looking to generate income from property, coastal investments are ideal.

“Rents can be up to 50% higher than for similar country properties so at a capital cost of only 20% higher, the rental income is very attractive for investors,” says Daniel.

On the market

€204,750: Near Pezenas, in Hérault, this onebedroom apartment is part of a historic estate development with two communal pools and parkland (leggettfrance.com)

€315,650: This charming four-bedroom house in Plouhinec, Finistère, is no more than a minute’s walk to the sea and is being sold fully furnished (leggettfrance.com)

€499,790: This five-bedroom neo-Breton house overlooks the bay of Douarnenez in Finistère, and has been successfully rented out at £1,850 per week in high season (leggettfrance.com)

€880,000: Just half an hour from La Rochelle, this manor in Charente-Maritime, has a tennis court, swimming pool, guesthouse, and nine bedrooms, and been recently reduced from €1.15m (leggettfrance.com)

Biarritz is a surfer’s paradise on the Atlantic

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€1.265m: This stylish contemporary five-bedroom house with a swimming pool is located in the popular fishing village of Collioure, Pyrénées-Orientales (healeyfox.com)

June 2017 French Property News 47

©Lili Graphie – Getty Images/iStockphoto

LOCATION Due diligence

The Côte d’Azur is perenially popular although not cheap

withdraw from the purchase if your concerns are not answered satisfactorily. You will need to be very specific about these issues.”

All seasons A notable consideration for buyers, is the dramatic change in character that some resorts experience between seasons, advises Trevor Leggett. Notably, there are differences between summer and winter, which can be a positive or a negative depending on your viewpoint.

“Many of the more rural resorts can be busy in summer with thriving restaurants and bustling cafés but will be far quieter in winter – plenty of people see this as a positive, of course,” he says. “Similarly, some of the popular resorts can be packed in the summer and it’s easy to get caught in traffic if you’re not careful.

On the market

€139,000: One-bedroom apartment in a 16-apartment residence in Port-Vendres, PyrénéesOrientales, being sold off-plan (healeyfox.com)

€3.95m: Those panoramic sea views really give this five-bedroom villa in Ste-Maxime, Var, the wow factor (my-french-house.com)

Find more properties on FrancePropertyShop.com

48 French Property News June 2017

La Rochelle on the Atlantic coast is another hotspot

“To avoid any problems, make sure that you buy through an agent who lives and works locally. Not only will they know the market and property prices, but they’ll be able to advise on the best restaurants, beaches and hidden gems of the area.”

Other issues to consider include maintenance costs and parking. Being by the sea can bring its own problems such as rust, paint and seagulls, which can lead to extra costs, and with limited parking, finding a space will be all the more competitive in high season. “Parking your car can sometimes be difficult, especially during the holiday season, but owners usually quickly pick up tips from the locals – the best place to park, best time to go to the beach and so on,” says Patrick Joseph.

As long as buyers check out the local area and the property in detail, a French coastal property is a winner in all respects. Value for money, beautiful surroundings and an improved quality of life combine to make it a worthy investment. As Daniel Brewer concludes, “With more than 3,427km of coastline, France offers more choice of landscape, climate and prices of anywhere in Europe for buyers of coastal properties.” ■

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©PictureReflex – Getty Images/iStockphoto

Finance and insurance should always be borne in mind. Insurance costs relate more to the risk associated with the town than with the property’s specific location, so an insurance company would want to look into the history and previous incidents in the area of any property built on the coast. “For instance, the premium for a modern villa near a tourist spot on the Riviera will cost more than further down the coast in Var or Languedoc,” says Patrick Joseph. “Most areas on the west coast will be cheaper, but on this side, you’ll have the tides of the ocean to keep in mind.”

Due diligence is necessary for potential risks such as flooding. Any past incidents will affect the insurance but from the outset, the notaire should inform potential buyers of any problems or risks. It is then up to the buyers to make sure that they are happy with all the facts. “If in doubt, check with the hôtel de ville before you sign the compromis,” says Daniel Brewer. “You should also ask for the notaire to obtain details of the current owner’s insurance before you sign the compromis.”

The location should be investigated too, particularly if there are any plans in the pipeline for local development. You wouldn’t want those stunning coastal views from your property to disappear in a couple of years.

Likewise, if you were looking to go to the nearby coast for a walk or a swim, substantial development of the area could affect those plans, especially if it becomes much busier.

Daniel Brewer adds that, as with any purchase, any possible problems or concerns should be tackled before the sales contract is signed. “If there is anything you are concerned about, ensure that it is solved before you sign, or that a clause is inserted allowing you to

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June 2017 French Property News 49

EXPERT ADVICE

It’s a

small world

©Kchungtw – Getty Images/iStockphoto

Despite global concerns about borders and migration, France continues to attract people from all over the world – and for many, a holiday is just not enough.

Karen Tait looks at how non-EU nationals buy property and live in France

A

s our nearest neighbour, it’s perhaps natural that France attracts so many UK househunters but its appeal is by no means limited to Brits. Across France you’ll find American, Australian, South African, Russian and even Chinese owners of French property.

In some areas they contribute to a lively cosmopolitan mix, on the Riviera or in Paris for example, while others are attracted to more rural and remote locations where foreigners are few and far between.

But how do buyers from outside the EU tackle house buying? How are things different for them compared to British and other buyers with EU membership? What rights do they have and what bureaucratic hurdles do they have to jump over?

50 French Property News June 2017

Visas

Those outside the EU/EEA don’t have the same rights of movement as those within it, so visas are required for entry to France. Some countries have a special agreement with France, including America, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Switzerland (a full list can be found on the diplomatie.gouv.fr website), allowing them to stay for up to 90 days without a visa (to stay longer they have to apply for a long-term visa).

You don’t need a visa if you hold a residence permit for France or any one of the other countries covered by the Schengen agreement.

Separate visa regulations apply for entry to mainland France (part of the Schengen Area) and for France’s overseas territories.

● Short-stay ‘Schengen’ visa – for stays no longer than 90 days (three months). These allow holders to move freely in countries in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days per period of six months from your first entry (visas may be issued for one or several entries). They are ideal for those owning a holiday home in France, and are generally issued for tourism, business travel and family visits, as well as short training courses, internships or for artists on tour, sportspeople playing in championships etc. A Schengen visa is valid for all 26 states of the Schengen Area (including France), unless marked otherwise on the visa sticker. You can’t work on a short-stay visa. ● Long-stay visa (visa long de séjour) – for stays of over 90 days (three months). The main reasons for issuing this type of visa are study, work and family reunion. On arriving in France, you must register with the French Immigration and Integration Office (OFII) or, in some cases, apply to the relevant préfecture for a residence permit. Spouses of French citizens can also apply for this visa. You don’t have to intend to work, as long as you can demonstrate you have sufficient funds to live off while in France. There are different visa categories according to the reason for application, e.g. for holidays (visa long de séjour visiteur), employment (salerié), studies (étudiant) or joining a relative (vie privée et familiale). A long-stay visa marked ‘carte de séjour à solliciter’ shows you are in the process of applying for a residence permit.

Visas need to be applied for at the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence (including renewals). The application fee is €60 for a short-stay visa and €99 for a long-stay visa. Application forms and the list of documents and information required can be found on the diplomatie.gouv.fr website. You will have to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in France, somewhere to stay, and medical insurance with cover of at least €30,000. Applications can be submitted three months before entry to France (the visa can start either on the date of issue or on another date no later than three months after issue).

For short-stay visas, passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expiry of the visa; for long-stay visas of definite duration (long-stay visa constituting a residence permit), passports must be valid for as long as the visa. Passports must contain at least two blank pages to take the visa and the French entry and exit stamps.

Carte de séjour

If you want to stay on longer in France, you must apply for a renewable residence permit (carte de séjour) at the local préfecture, within two months of your visa/temporary residence permit running out. You may be required to provide details of your family situation, financial resources and health insurance, as well as proof of your address in France and an employment contract.

The duration of the permit depends on your employment or study status and family

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❝ Visas need to be applied for at the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence ❞

CASE STUDY From New York to a new life in France…

situation, but they’re usually for one to four years and renewable. There are also three-year compétences et talents (skills and talents) permits and up to 10-year-long permanent residence permits.

If you have been away from France for more than three consecutive years, your residence permit will expire.

EXPERT ADVICE How have you been treated as an American in France?

I think I’ve been treated fairly, no better or worse than any other foreigner living here. Sometimes not being French works to your advantage (as your accent can be a conversation starter) and other times it causes people to keep their distance (people see right away you’re not French and steer clear). I think you can find kind-hearted people everywhere just like you can find rude, inconsiderate ones as well. My experience in France overall has been good.

What kind of home do you have?

We live in a single family home that was built in the 1950s in our town’s centre, with a little yard that’s perfect for our dog.

Citizenship/naturalisation After living for five continuous years in France (less if you fulfil other criteria such as marriage to a French national or holding a degree from a French university), you may be able to apply for a 10-year, renewable long-term carte de séjour (as above) or French citizenship through nationalisation. You will need to fulfil certain requirements, depending on your circumstances, such as proof of marriage, birth certificates and evidence that you have a good knowledge of the French language.

3 + /6 The Schengen Area comprises 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This allows the area to function as a single country for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy.

Healthcare While EU nationals can visit France and use the EHIC reciprocal healthcare card should they need medical attention (the card needs to be applied for prior to travel), those from countries outside the EU do not have access to this benefit.

Certain countries have signed a bilateral social security agreement with France (see the full list at cleis.fr), but nationals of those that haven’t, which includes America, Australia and South Africa, should check with their home country’s social security system whether and to what extent it covers healthcare costs incurred when overseas.

Visitors are advised to take out a private insurance policy to cover any healthcare costs they may incur while in France; indeed, a private health insurance policy is required for tourist visa applicants.

If you pay into the French social security system (if you’re employed) or have gained

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How did you find the property buying process in France?

Diane, Tom and Dagny

Originally from New Jersey in the United States, Diane officially moved to France a couple of months after her wedding in December 2011 to her French partner Tom, whom she had met a few years before when he was visiting New York on holiday.

Although Diane had visited France a couple of times before (once as a high school student, then again 10 years later with a friend), she never imagined she’d be living in France. But as she says, “sometimes life surprises you!” Diane and Tom now live in the Maine-et-Loire department, not far from the historic town of Angers.

What’s expat life like?

That’s a big question (my ‘reflections on five years’ piece on my blog goes into greater detail). I don’t really know any other foreigners living here. I’m not in Paris or a big city so I don’t usually come across any other Americans.

My town has a basketball team which has a few American players, but generally they’re here for half the year and then move on.

Mostly, I interact with French people in my small town.

Something I’ve learned is that people who belong in your life will stay there regardless, and no move, job change, baby, relationship, health crisis or whatever will change that. The people who are in your inner circle love you for you. Sometimes a major life change will test the relationship and show you who really is in your corner.

Maybe most importantly to me is that I’m still the same old American I always was. My humour is still a tad inappropriate and I still find stupid things funny. America still feels like home. It’s comfortable and familiar. With every trip back, I take comfort in the fact that my home still feels like a home and I’m welcomed by family and friends with open arms. I’ve had little culture shock moments here and there; at my core, I am, and always will be, an American.

This is our first home and I didn’t find the process to be too complicated or stressful, but I’m sure the fact that my husband is French played into that. He was there to explain anything that didn’t make sense to me and it was a relief to have a native speaker to go over the fine print.

A few things stuck out though. Firstly, there’s the huge amount of paperwork. On the closing date at the notaire’s, we must have signed over 100 papers. It was a huge stack! Secondly, I don’t believe there’s a system where you can access all the homes for sale in an area, as there is in the United States. If you want to see a property, you have to call and they’re all repped by different agents. In the US, you often work with one real estate agent and they will be with you from start to finish. But this is not the case in France. Maybe there are specialised expat services for foreigners, but generally, if you want to see 10 properties, you’ll be working with a variety of agents.

Thirdly, while I’ve never purchased a house in the US and don’t have a frame of reference for this, moving in France certainly takes quite a while. Sure, the fact that banks are closed on Mondays in many cases and closed for lunch may have something to do with the delay, but does it really take a couple of months for a loan to be processed? I guess so!

Diane lives near the historic town of Angers

June 2017 French Property News 51

EXPERT ADVICE How do French properties differ from American ones?

I feel like French properties tend to be sold ‘as is’ a little more often than you’d see in suburban USA. Sometimes houses require major work and other times it’s just light stuff. Also, it was important to me to have a bathroom that had a toilet and sink in the same room. You’ll find that many homes have a toilet room with the sink and shower/bath in a separate room, usually next door or just down the hall. I’ve always found that strange because it means you have to touch the doorknob before washing your hands. Anyway, certain comforts of home were important to me.

Another thing is French homes have volets (shutters) and it’s a bit of a cultural thing.

Sometimes they’re wooden and other homes have metal ones that roll up and down. I personally find them a hassle although I understand why people like them. I think a good set of blinds, curtains and triple-pane glass is just as effective, though.

I also noticed there were a lot of photos of ‘naked’ lightbulbs in real estate listings. I guess people either don’t buy light fixtures or buy removable fixtures that they take with them when they move, so seeing hanging lightbulbs on wires (not the decorative kind you see in minimalist homes) was strange. This tends to be the case in older homes. People just don’t cover them even after they move in and get settled. My neighbour’s house has all uncovered bulbs.

What about the lifestyle and culture?

How is that different from the US? I have so much to say about this. I live in a small town but compared to New York it’s rural! Living in a big city has expectations that go with it and life can get very busy and stressful. In France, people move more slowly, relax more, and seem to enjoy life in a different way. I admire the French way of life and living here has made me a better person.

What has been the most challenging aspect about living in France?

I think a lot of things are difficult for foreigners abroad; some of them have to do with the country itself, like the language, and other times it’s just dealing with life problems that become magnified when you feel like you’re a fish out of water. I do OK on the homesickness front since I talk to my parents almost daily and keep in touch with people from back home. What’s been the most difficult for me is making friends. This is by no means a ‘France’ problem though. I think it’s difficult for adults anywhere to connect with new people – even within your own country or state.

I’ve done meet-up groups, joined my town’s gym, and even went to a Mormon church (I’m not religious) to meet people but it’s been really hard! I speak French well but it’s clear I’m not French so sometimes that makes me stand out and is a source of frustration.

The Loire town of Chinon snapped

by Diane from a hot air balloon

it in the near future? I don’t think so. But you never know and life can change in an instant, so I’ll never say that France is my forever home or that the US is either. We always have options and sometimes life takes an unexpected path.

What about the formalities; visas, working, healthcare and so on?

I’m currently on a 10-year carte de séjour as the spouse of a French citizen. It’s like a green card in the United States, more or less, and gives me the legal right to be here and work.

But marrying a French person doesn’t automatically make you a citizen. I can’t vote or anything like that. I have a health insurance card and have the same access to healthcare as a French person would. I work and pay into the system so I’m covered like the French or other permanent residents.

What tips would you give other foreigners moving to France?

Remind yourself that expat life is what you make of it and everyone’s experience is going to be different. Just because someone else lives in the same country doesn’t mean you’re going to live the same life – so focus on what you have going on and make the best of what you have available to you. There’s no single way to experience a country so just do what’s best for you and don’t be afraid to go against the grain.

Most importantly of all, it’s imperative that you try to integrate and adapt to your new country. Maybe that means joining a local sports league or book club or even enrolling in language classes. On a smaller scale, putting yourself out there might look like making small talk with shop owners or chatting to a neighbour that you’d normally just say hello to. Pushing past your comfort zone and showing yourself you can do it is one of the most rewarding aspects of expat life. So wherever you can, take a risk and you might just pleasantly surprise yourself.

Do you think France will be your ‘forever home’?

I don’t know! I could see myself living back in the USA at some point and I know my husband would like to have that experience as well. But is

52 French Property News June 2017

Follow Diane’s blog at ouiinfrance.com

French citizenship or are married to a French national, you automatically gain access to French healthcare. But what if you’re not a French citizen and aren’t working? You’ll then need private medical insurance. In fact, in France even those who receive state healthcare usually pay into a top-up insurance fund (mutuelle) as well, as the full cost of medical care is not borne by the state. There are plenty of reasonably priced expat insurance schemes to choose from (e.g. via the Association of American Residents Overseas at aaro.org).

“Currently non-EU nationals who wish to enter and stay in France for more than three months must have a long-stay visa,” says Ron Wright of Exclusive Healthcare, which specialises in health insurance for Anglophone residents of France as well as visitors. “One of the conditions for a long stay visa is to have private health insurance. Such non-EU nationals must apply to the French consulate in their home country for such visas. Each French consulate is responsible for informing such visa applicants exactly what the private health insurance must cover, and these requirements vary from consulate to consulate.”

Buying a property The process for buying a property is the same for non-EU nationals as it is for those inside the EU, and indeed, for French nationals, although the amount of time you can spend at your property will depend on your visa/ residency status. As always when buying a property abroad, it is important to understand the buying process, as it differs from country to country. In France, for example, you must always use a notaire to buy or sell a property.

When buying or travelling from a distance it is all the more important to do your research so you can make the most of the time you have in France looking for a property. There is much you can do before you arrive (see p32 for some great tips on detective work you can do from your desk) and it will also pay dividends to build good relationships with property professionals who will be on hand to help you.

A good agent is worth their weight in gold, and you’ll often find that in France they’ll go the extra mile to help you. For example, they may well recommend builders and assist you with insurance needs. It may also be worth using a property finder to do the legwork for you. There are plenty of English-speaking agents on hand, but those buyers who speak neither French nor English will need to factor in translation, both verbal and written, and especially for legal contracts.

Inheritance rules An important aspect to consider when buying a property in France is inheritance law; in accordance with the EU Succession Regulation that came into force in 2015, the inheritance rules of either France or your home country may apply, depending on your circumstances.

“Now that France is a member state of the EU Succession Regulation, non-French inheritance law rules may well be relevant in

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©sborisov – Getty Images/iStockphoto

3 + /6 Americans are the number one foreign investors in Paris (along with Italians) although they only represent 3% of buyers in the market, according to the BNP Paribas 2016 report on foreign buyers in France. American transactions in Paris showed the strongest progression in one year, up 91%, with a high average transaction amount of €911,000.

EXPERT ADVICE

CASE STUDY The future expats

Having had a taste of Paris over 30 years ago, and more recently travelled to Brittany, Monica Brown would now like to spend her retirement with her husband in France. She has dual New Zealand/American citizenship.

relation to the French property, in the event that the owner should die with the French property being included in the estate,” comments Matthew Cameron, of Ashtons Legal. “Despite the fact that this regulation will have been intended in part to simplify international estate administration, it can lead to certain difficulties. Notaires in France will still need to deal with the French part of the estate, yet they may be obliged to impose the inheritance rules of another jurisdiction, whatever jurisdiction that may be.”

A specialist firm dealing with French law and

threshold (€1.3m in 2017). What is comprised in the French estate may depend upon a person’s circumstances. If the owner lives in a jurisdiction where wealth tax applies then it is possible that the French wealth tax could be credited against the tax due, although local advice would be necessary here.

“There may well be tax rules to observe both in France and in the home jurisdiction. Rules vary between countries so it is important to ensure that local advice is sought from a person’s jurisdiction of residence in addition to any French tax and law requirements.”

❝ A good agent is worth their weight in gold, they’ll go the extra mile to help you – it may also be worth using a property finder to do the legwork ❞ tax may be able to advise on how best to structure the French property purchase, and discuss what form of wills may be suitable, if any, but local advice from your home country is important too. “Even if a non-EU buyer remains resident outside of France, their death may give rise to an obligation to pay inheritance tax in France, generally in relation to the value of the estate in France,” adds Matthew.

“French inheritance tax is personal to each beneficiary. Exemptions may apply, and the rates of tax and level of tax-free allowances will vary depending on the proximity of the relationship between the deceased and the beneficiary. It is prudent to seek advice on potential French inheritance tax liabilities at an early stage. It’s important to establish if there are any consequent tax liabilities in the buyer’s home country, and whether any tax relief can be claimed against tax already paid in France.”

Another point to take into consideration is French wealth tax, as Matthew explains: “This may be a factor where the net value of the French estate is greater than the minimum

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Money matters When buying property or making large payments in a country that uses a different currency to your own, planning ahead can save you considerable sums. “You will need to think about the potential impact of the exchange rate on your purchase, and consider how events in your own country, and in Europe will affect that rate,” advises currency expert Matthew Harris, of Cambridge Global Payments.

“With an average completion time of two to three months, exchange rates can, and often do, move in excess of 10%, meaning you could pay significantly more for your property than you might have budgeted. In addition, your bank may be charging commissions or offering poor exchange rates that mean you pay more than you need to.

“A currency specialist can help manage this exchange rate risk, and protect you from any falls. You can even lock in your exchange rate when you make an offer, so you know exactly how much you will have to pay in your own home currency when it comes to complete.

“I worked in Paris back in 1981 near Joinville le Pont, Paris-Est, and loved that so few people there spoke English, forcing me to dredge up my schoolgirl French,” says Monica. “I loved the market days, the fresh produce, being beside the River Marne and the history that surrounded me. I would go into the city at every opportunity, to just walk the streets, taking in all the sights and sounds. I’ve returned three times since then, once to Paris and twice to Bretagne, but always beginning and ending in Paris. Now that we are both 60-plus, we want to do the things that make us happy and being in France certainly does.”

Having lived all over the world, the couple would now like to make France their permanent home “for all the above reasons – the food, history, language, people, ability to grow our own food and speak in another language. Being ‘internationals’ means we call nowhere in particular ‘home’ and we want to do that now... in France!”

Originally from New Zealand, Monica’s husband is an industrial chemist/electronics hobbyist/entrepreneur. Before they met, he had only travelled to Fiji and Australia but had always wanted to travel more. Monica trained as a chef de cuisine, which took her to Europe, but she has trained in many other things too.

“I’m known as a bit of a Renaissance woman,” she says. “I’m also a terminal entrepreneur. I’ve lived and worked in seven different countries over the years, and after 20 years living in Hawaii, I returned to New Zealand where I met my second husband. We set up and ran a fine art gallery there, before selling up in 2013 and moving aboard our beautiful 57-foot motor yacht, which we purchased in Houston, Texas.

“We lived aboard the boat for three-and-ahalf years, cruising America’s Great Loop in 2014, a life-changing experience for us both, and we realised that life is too short not to follow our dreams and do the things we feel happy doing,” adds Monica.

June 2017 French Property News 53

EXPERT ADVICE “We’ve spent extended time in Bretagne these past two years, and love it there. We tend to gravitate to the coast and anywhere there are boats. We would love to have another boat in France, either for coastal cruising or on the canals/rivers/lakes. While we enjoy all things 24/7 in the USA, we have also come to enjoy the slower pace of life in rural France, and welcome that change.”

Now looking for a home on terra firma, Monica explains that she doesn’t like small and pokey homes. “So after looking at literally thousands of homes on the internet and a gazillion sites, we have identified the mediumsized maison de maître/bourgeoise as our kind of house. We have hobbies that make a mess so we need a workshop or two, a garden where I can go crazy with the roses and peonies, and a veg garden and fruit trees that will feed us most of the year.

“We don’t mind some renovation, but would like to find a dry and comfy home we can live in now and bring what worldly goods we have in storage in NZ and the USA. We’re spending US dollars, about $250,000-$300,000. ”Somewhere on the Atlantic coast or within an hour of it would suit us. We don’t like a lot of heat, preferring moderate temperatures in summer. We like the climate in Brittany, but also need to explore further south.”

I asked Monica what kind of visa they’d be applying for. “We’d initially apply for a carte de séjour. This would give us enough time to explore and decide where we want to live.

However, this appears to be a bit of a ‘catch 22’.

Immigration appears to need a home address in France for this purpose.

“New Zealand enjoys a different relationship with France to Australia, so we have different privileges it seems in terms of the length of stay in the EU, and the Schengen countries, and returning inside of 90 days outside of the Schengen.”

Moving to a new country far from home shores can bring all sorts of anxieties and questions, but Monica says medical insurance is their only major concern.

What about missing friends and family?

“Our children are scattered all over, so there’s no one place we need to be, because modern technology and air travel mean we can visit easily,” she says. “Our elderly parents are well taken care of by our siblings, and we catch up with them regularly on Skype. They have encouraged us to follow our dreams and live the life we want, for which we thank them!”

And the language? “My husband has no French language background, but can get the gist of most things when reading, and anything we need to know for sure, we ask our computer. We are very able to make ourselves understood in Franglais until our skills improve, and we know our way around a Bricomarché!

We look forward to using the language and know that while we will never be French, we embrace everything that is French.

“There is no place in this world that is a panacea, but we can’t think of anywhere else we would rather spend the rest of our retirement,” she concludes.

54 French Property News June 2017

The Riviera in particular attracts a cosmopolitan mix of househunters and expats from around the world

❝ The combination of low house prices along with a weak euro have put foreign investors in their strongest position possibly of all time ❞ “For a client in the US, the dollar is currently near to the strongest levels we have seen in a decade, meaning you currently have high buying power, with Australians and New Zealanders in a similar position, albeit only at highest levels since 2012,” Matthew adds.

“The combination of low house prices along with a weak euro have put foreign investors in their strongest position possibly of all time. It is important to speak to a specialist who can help you capitalise on these gains.”

Going it a-loan If you need a loan or mortgage to finance the purchase of your property, it’s definitely worthwhile looking into using a French mortgage and taking advantage of the low interest rates currently on offer. This is true for buyers from both EU and non-EU countries. It’s a good way to mitigate exchange rate risk, and you can always pay it off later when exchange rates move in your favour. Furthermore, you may find that only a French bank will be able to lend against the property you want to buy.

The mortgage application process is the same regardless of your home country, although there may be limitations on non-EU borrowers.

“Contrary to popular belief, being a non-EU national does not stop you from being able to borrow in France; it may however limit your options slightly,” explains Simon Smallwood of International Private Finance. “While there are banks in France who will consider other nationalities, such as Americans and Australians, the options are slightly more limited than for an EU national.”

He continues: “With fewer banks currently able to lend to non-EU nationals, it can mean that the product range is more restricted. The maximum loan to value that an American or Australian buyer could achieve would be 80%

as opposed to an EU national who could look to borrow up to 85%. This is an area that could be set to change with some banks looking to focus more on lending to clients who are from outside of the EU. “When looking at the products themselves, a non-EU national would be limited to a repayment mortgage whereas an EU national would have the option of interest-only as well.

“There are limitations on which nationalities the French banks can and cannot finance; an informed broker will be able to confirm whether or not you would be eligible.”

Life after Brexit If you’re from a country outside the EU and dream of owning a home in France, there may be more hoops to jump through than for EU or French nationals, but there’s no reason why your dream can’t become a reality.

For centuries France has attracted people from all over the world, and today, the combination of unique culture, fine food and wine, beautiful and varied scenery, and traditional rural lifestyles mean its appeal is as strong as ever, if not more so.

Those British buyers who are concerned about life after Brexit can hopefully take some reassurance from the fact that France is home, both short and long-term, to countless people from countries outside the EU. ■

MORE ONLINE For more articles on healthcare, work and insurance, see completefrance.com/living-in-france

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CASE STUDY

©Sabeen Armani – Getty Images/iStockphoto

EXPERT ADVICE

Then and now...

American Michele Jones has lived in France for 26 years and now works as an agent for Leggett Immobilier in the Alps. She tells her story and offers advice for other non-EU nationals moving to France.

I came to France in 1990 for a two-week ski holiday and never left. I was on the bus to Geneva airport where I would catch my plane home to South Carolina. When the doors started to close, I panicked because, in that instance, I realised that I was already home. I absolutely love this place and have never looked back!

When I first came on holiday, I didn’t need a visa as long as I didn’t stay in France for over 90 days. Luckily, I had fallen in love with the Three Valleys ski resort area which was less than a couple of hours from the Swiss border. Back then there were still border controls and passport stamping between countries, so I simply slipped back and forth across the borders and vigilantly had my passport stamped by the Swiss, which allowed me a renewed 90-day tourist stay in France with no visa requirements until I could figure out how to secure a ‘carte de séjour’ or long-term residency card.

Visas The first obstacle to overcome for a non-EU citizen is to secure the ‘visa long de séjour’, which you are supposed to apply for before you move to France.

Nowadays, thanks to the era of

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computers, it’s much harder to get away with these things and you are obliged to do things by the book. So for those who are patient enough to dive in to the endless depth of French bureaucracy, here is what you need to do.

If you are moving over under a working contract then you’re in luck because it’s up to your employer to take care of at least some of the paperwork. Once your company has provided you with the approved work contract, you add this to the mountain of additional paperwork which you will need to supply.

Once you have obtained your visa long de séjour you can apply for your carte de séjour from France or your home country. However, normally this is done while you are in France. The easiest way to secure a carte de séjour is to marry a French citizen. Okay, let’s get real.

To comprehend the amount of paperwork required you must be willing to accept that from here on out you will be responsible for the destruction of a very substantial part of the world’s remaining rainforests. I kid you not. So grab a bottle of good French wine and pour yourself a glass or two as you’re going to need it.

For Americans moving to France with the intention to live and eventually provide a living for themselves (or simply be ski bums), you must provide at least three to four copies of everything, originals and certified French translations included (and don’t forget the apostille stamps), of your application form, birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, marriage certificates and everybody’s divorce certificates and/or death certificates, proof of financial independence via bank statements, savings accounts, stocks and shares, retirement pensions, dividends, your pocket change etc.

You also need to provide proof of medical insurance with coverage in France and results of a recent full medical examination (to make sure you’re not bringing in rabies, although by this point you’ll probably be foaming at the mouth with frustration). Plus you need to obtain a formal document from the police department in your state of residence showing that you have no criminal record (or at least none that they know about) and five non-smiley passport-sized photos (easy at this point as by now you’ll have lost any sense of humour) and don’t forget the multiple stamped and self-addressed envelopes. We’re not finished yet...

Now here’s the fun part. You need to provide proof of residence such as a rental contract and a French bank account. However, it’s difficult to get one without the other.

Proof of residence ■ This could be in the form of an attestation from someone who is legally living in France stating that you are living with them at their address.

■ If you are coming to France under a work contract then ask your employer to help with this – are they providing your accommodation?

■ Buying your dream French home is another (not necessarily cheap) option as you will be using the property pre-sales agreement as proof of address in order to open a bank account.

■ Or you could find a place to rent and get a one-year (or longer) rental contract. This can be done by paying your new landlord the deposit and rent in advance by bank transfer. For Americans, a US bank will do at this stage; just explain to your landlord that you need your rental contract in order to open the bank account and once it has been opened you can pay the rent by cheque or automatic bank ‘virements’ (transfers) from your French bank account. In any case, you will need to provide proof of residence before you can open an account.

Bank accounts I hope you made extra copies of everything before you sent the whole lot off for your carte de séjour application. If not, don’t worry as you’ll probably be sent the entire application package back anyway, claiming you are missing some new obscure information!

However, if you were clever enough to keep photocopies of everything then dig out your passports, birth certificates and the most recent tax return for each person to be listed on the bank account(s) along with a marriage certificate if relevant. You will also need a recent utility bill as proof of a French address along with a copy of your pre-sale contract or rental contract.

Marriage in France If you fall in love and decide to get married in France then let’s cut down some more trees. You must provide at least three or four copies of everything (originals with certified French translations and apostille stamps) of your application form, birth certificates, passports, drivers’ licenses, both parents’ birth certificates, anybody’s and everybody’s divorce certificates, death certificates, the ‘livret familial’ if you are marrying a French citizen, and a ‘certificat de coutume’ from the American embassy.

If there are kids involved then try to sell them off as it will save you a lot of time, but if you must keep the rascals then get those birth certificates.

Driving licence You can drive using your American driver’s licence which is handy except for the fact that you need to renew your American licence every four years. In 2003 I I figured I would go the whole hog and apply for a French licence.

Depending on what state your US licence was issued from, you may be lucky enough to do a direct exchange for a French licence. I was not. I had a South Carolina licence which I’d proudly received at the age of 15. I had to re-sit the whole exam, written and driving, much to my chagrin.

In France, my licence is valid until 2033 but those applying for a French licence since September 2013 have to renew it every 15 years.

The information I have provided is targeted mostly at Americans. I suggest you talk to the French embassy in your own country to confirm whether any of the above protocol has changed (there may be immigration changes after the French presidential elections too. Good luck!

June 2017 French Property News 55

Puy lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Eveque in Lot is an important stopping point on the pilgrim trail

TEMPLAR TRAIL

Saint Jacques de Compostelle direction sign

The Knights Templar were famous for safeguarding pilgrim routes through France â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joanna Leggett looks at the history behind the mystery, and discovers some tempting properties along the way

A

t home, in the lintel over the limestone fireplace in my sitting room, is a beautiful carving of a scallop shell. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the mark of pilgrims who once trod the route to Santiago de Compostela. When it was carved I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know. However, these signs are often hewn into the walls of homes that welcomed the pilgrims of yesteryear on their way to visit the tomb of Saint James (or Saint Jacques as heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s known in France, and Santiago in Spain).

The heyday of pilgrim routes was back in the Middle Ages â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the forebear of 20th-century mass tourism? The Church encouraged people to make pilgrimage to various shrines to receive indulgences â&#x20AC;&#x201C; forgiveness of sins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and thus have a better chance of going to heaven.

The pilgrims who made their way to Compostela wore the sign of the scallop shell to show theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been there, done that!

The very first pilgrims went to the Holy Land. However, by the Middle Ages, the time of the Crusades, this had become a dangerous route. Fortunately for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pilgrim tradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, shortly before 900AD, the tomb of Saint James

56 French Property News June 2017

Š Delpixart â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Getty Images/iStockphoto

/ )

happened to be discovered in the ancient kingdom of Galicia, on the western coast of Spain just above Portugal. News of this spread, and soon pilgrims were making their way across France to visit the site.

Pilgrims became big business and to safeguard them on their long journeys, a whole infrastructure grew, including lodgings, hospitals and abbeys where travellersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs could be met. Religious and lay people alike were not slow to recognise the commercial and entrepreneurial possibilities.

Protection too was needed en route which led to a French nobleman founding the Knights Templar in the early 12th century, originally to protect pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land.

The order, in its turn, also grew.

A kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ransom Templars were a unique combination of knight and monk, a holy militia safeguarding pilgrims from attack by bandits or pirates. By 1129, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been officially recognised by the pope and adopted their distinctive uniform of a

Š David Martyn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Getty Images/iStockphoto

EXPERT ADVICE

white mantle with a red cross usually worn over chain mail. They became widely respected for bravery in battle but even more so for their astonishing ability to accumulate wealth and become, in effect, the first private bank. A pilgrim, afraid of being robbed, could leave a cash deposit at the Temple Church in the City of London (which still stands today) and carry a letter of credit, a bit like travellersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cheques!

By the end of the 12th century, there were thousands of Knights Templar who had accumulated considerable land, castles and spoils taken in battle. This wealth was supposed to finance the Crusades, but it actually made them richer than the kings and princes who borrowed from them. They even provided Henry III with the necessary finance when he bought the island of OlĂŠron, off the coast of Aquitaine close to La Rochelle.

With time, their influence and power grew until Philip IV of France (who was massively indebted) decided to overthrow them. The following persecution saw thousands of Knights Templar imprisoned, tortured or slaughtered, and, by 1312, Pope Clement V abolished the order, transferring their properties to the Knights Hospitallers. Clearly it was all about money even back then.

Since then, the Knights Templar have become the subject of myth, legend and fascination â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from Walter Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ivanhoe to Dan Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bestselling Da Vinci Code. But the

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EXPERT ADVICE buildings they created remain. Templar sites were usually called commanderies; they would have consisted of a house for the commander, a dwelling for the monks, a place for pilgrims to stay, a farm, a mill, a chapel, naturally, and even cemeteries. Each site would, of course, need water so there needed to be good access to this.

Close to Blanzac, in the southern Charente, a wonderful Templar chapel still remains in a tiny hamlet called Cressac. At one time, there was a commanderie here but today, the chapel is all that remains. On one exterior wall, you can still see marks caused by pilgrims rubbing their hands on the stone to do penance for their sins. Inside are wonderful frescoes dating from 1170-1180, which remain remarkably colourful. They tell the tale of the Crusaders in the Holy Land and, more specifically, a victory of the joint forces of the Knights Templar and French army in 1163. There are also frescoes of Saint George and the dragon, and a kingly figure who could possibly be Louis VII with his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine (before she married Henry II of England).

Pilgrims following the Way of Saint James (Saint Jacques de Compostelle in French and Camino de Santiago in Spanish) through Europe, trod many paths down to the Pyrénées.

One meeting point was at Mont St-Michel, which attracted pilgrims from Britain who could land near Cherbourg and walk to the

,600 3 8 1 € DEUX-SEVRES: POTENTIAL B&B

South of the River Loire, in Cersay between Saumur and Parthenay, is a classic commanderie type of property. The main buildings on this ancient site now date back to the early 15th century. Set behind impressive wrought-iron gates, this spacious home has character features, a family-sized kitchen and six bedrooms. Outside, there are various outbuildings including a

two-bedroom house plus former stalls and barns. Naturally, there is a wine cellar, complete with wine press as well as an old wash house. With gardens to the front and rear, mature fruit trees and grazing land, the house also has a pond. The future could be rosy with plenty of potential for a B&B and several gîtes – all this is on the market for €183,600.

❝ The Templars became widely respected for bravery in battle but even more so for their astonishing ability to accumulate wealth and become, in effect, the first private bank ❞ mount before continuing on to Tours where they crossed the Loire, onwards to Poitiers and then southwards through Saintes and Bordeaux en route to Spain. Other travellers from Luxembourg and southern Germany might meet at Vézelay, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and then continue via Limoges and Perigueux. Arles, on the banks of the Rhône river, was another important staging post for those coming from Turin or Rome.

Mystery surrounding the Knights Templar remains today. They were allowed to exist independently from the Church, came from the nobility and, despite vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, accumulated land and wealth.

Myths around their complex spiritual symbolism abound, but to me it seems their wealth was just too tempting for an ambitious king not to target. Their legacy in France is some beautiful property in wonderful locations.

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950 , 9 9 €2 VIENNE: PRISON CELLS INCLUDED

Another property laden with history, between Poitiers and Angoulême, is a charming and historic house overlooking the market town of Civray and the River Charente. It has stood here since around 1180 and the commanderie itself is first mentioned in 1184. Passed on to the Hospitallers, the commanderie once included a jail. During the French Revolution, it was transformed into a house and the chapel into a barn. Today, its façade is gentler and smothered with flowering

purple wisteria in spring. The most comfortable of family homes, it offers five bedrooms and beautiful living rooms, one with an interesting archway detail in the wall, directly replicated in the cellar below.

Outside are a collection of outbuildings, including the cellar with two vaulted alcoves, believed to have once been used as prison cells. The south-facing garden has beautiful sweeping views over the countryside. For sale at €299,950.

June 2017 French Property News 57

EXPERT ADVICE DORDOGNE: HISTORIC HOME St-Paul la Roche in Dordogne is just 6km from Jumilhac le Grand (with its magnificent 13th-century château) on the road once followed by Richard the Lionheart and one of the many branches of the Compostela pilgrim route. The picturesque home for sale here was part of one of the most important Knights Templar commanderies in the Périgord. Once the guard room, the sitting room boasts original exposed wooden beams, stone walls and a granite fireplace from the 12th century. On the market for €392,200, this fascinating building has many ancient features and even more stories to tell. It has three bedrooms, including a generous master bedroom with dressing room, and wonderful living spaces, while the generous garden offers breathtaking views from the terrasse, a well and an ancient curative spring.

An old square tower, is another rare historic feature of the property.

,200 2 9 3 €

,800 9 4 3 €

LOT: TEMPLAR TUNNELS Many Templar buildings had secret tunnels, and one such is close to Puy l’Evêque in the Lot, set in another commanding position overlooking the countryside. Beautifully renovated, this three-bedroom, all en-suite, property is completed by barns, outbuildings, cellars, garage, a pigeonnier with cave underneath, pig

000 , 9 4 €3

58 French Property News June 2017

pens and an enormous sloped garden.

‘Rabbit holes’ lead to secret caves and passages underneath the house down to the little hamlet of Martignac and the road.

Just 36km from Cahors and south of Villeneuvesur-Lot, this property is set in the loveliest of countryside – for sale at €349,800.

LOT-ET-GARONNE: SECLUDED COMMANDERIE Approached down a long private drive, almost hidden from view on a secluded plateau facing south down a valley, sits another former commanderie, on the market for €349,000.

Constructed from large blocks of pale Quercy stone, and dominated by a 20m tower, this hidden gem is near the 15th-century village of St-Antoine-de-Ficalba between Villeneuve-surLot and Agen – so it’s easily accessed. Today it is a comfortable five-bedroom home complete with stone archways, original roof timbers with Templar markings and a fabulous fireplace.

Outside are pretty gardens with a concrete basin large enough to become a swimming pool, with fields and woodlands beyond. ■

Joanna Leggett is marketing director at Leggett Immobilier Tel: 08700 115151 leggettfrance.com

MORE ONLINE For more househunting advice go to completefrance.com/french-property/ buying-property

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IPF international private finance June 2017 French Property News 59

REAL LIFE

How does your

garden grow?

Take charge of your garden in France, says David McDonald, and you’ll reap what you sow

T

he moment that we reached a price for our property La Charpenterie, the sale process gathered pace quickly. After months of searching, we had turned down a townhouse in the Baie de Somme with a shared garden, and another house with little more than a yard, opting instead for La Charpenterie with its two acres of wild, overgrown grounds.

We convinced ourselves that La Charpenterie met our brief in many ways; it was a house where we could entertain family and friends, and where we would literally have acres of space. What’s more, my father, a budding gardener, would be able to join us and spend time putting his green fingers to good use.

What better way to bring everyone together than turning our corner of Normandy into a horticultural paradise?

At the beginning, the enormity of the garden passed us by. There were many other issues to deal with, and our attention was on the building itself; getting the boiler up and running, adding a bathroom and solving various vermin-related issues, not to mention addressing the guttering that had fallen down.

The fact that more than a third of the garden was covered by brambles, overgrown trees and a small wood behind the house, masked how much work we would need to undertake.

The first steps During our very first stay at La Charpenterie, however, it became apparent that the garden was more of a priority than we had expected. A row of 30 or more evergreen trees surrounded the bottom edge of the property, stretching 80 feet toward the sky, not only blocking the beautiful view of the valley, but also keeping the house dark and damp. A large, imposing tree with its roots firmly underneath the house, risked toppling on to the building should a fierce gale pass through the village, which, we had been told, was a regular weather occurrence during the winter months.

When summer arrived, we tackled the garden with Dad. We hacked back brambles that had engulfed the shed, and made space around the house where, over years of neglect, weeds and grass had covered the terrace and reached the front door. With the help of an expert, we fixed the tractor lawnmower and felt that we had made some progress at winning a few points from Mother Nature.

Despite good intentions, it was the middle of summer and we were on holiday. With the sun out, we took time to relax and enjoy ourselves

60 French Property News June 2017

Relaxing with a rosé after a hard day’s work

One of David’s new friends helping to clear the garden

as well. But when the season tailed to an end and Normandy’s signature rainfall began to take its toll, it quickly became clear that our efforts would soon be in vain as the overgrowth took charge when our workload and daily lives took priority as usual.

Just a few weeks into September, we revisited the house and our hours of work had started to pale into insignificance. I realised how the previous residents had, like me, struggled to control the garden. Worse still, I began to gain the attention of fellow villagers.

It reminded me of my days in London when I had had an allotment. Let the weeds start to take over and you can expect to receive an email reminding you of your responsibilities.

With a three-hour journey and a full-time career in Paris, it was decidedly more difficult to keep the two-acre plot under control.

Calling in the experts We needed to take drastic action so, while visiting the local country fair in October, our neighbours introduced us to the area’s leading landscaping company. A visit from an expert followed, and within an hour of his arrival we’d divided the plot into several areas and agreed that we needed to lose some trees to regain the beautiful view. Before I knew it, my new expert friend had welcomed me into his van and was taking me to his incredible home, where he had

installed rock structures with water flowing down them and incredibly manicured miniature lakes surrounded by stunning flora.

Pen in hand, I was ready to sign a contract for the first stage of works. I asked how far my money would go. Would we manage to do much more than take the trees down? Perhaps we could also afford in this first tranche to clear the terrace and lay down some gravel to tidy up the front of the house? With a slight chortle, my expert informed me that my money would just about buy me the 3D design – it was all I could do to wonder how much I would have to pay for even half of the actual work.

Later that afternoon, our builder came to check a few measurements for his work on our bathroom, and I recounted the story to him. He told me that his father-in-law had free time and was looking to earn some extra money.

Describing him as ‘an ox’, our builder suggested that his father-in-law might be able to help at least get some ground clear.

Soon after, a red tractor came chugging up the lane and I met our latest friend. I agreed to pledge the money equivalent to the cost of the 3D design, and in return, I would have four weeks of manual labour. We hastily toured the garden and made a list, marking up the trees that were to go, the brambles to be cleared back, and where to make space for a new driveway. It seemed an ambitious plan to me,

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REAL LIFE

Making space for a hidden sloping garden

Gravel tidies up the driveway and keeps the weeds at bay

❝ When the season tailed to an end, it quickly became clear that our efforts would soon be in vain ❞

but a pledge was made to get as far along the list as possible within the time set out.

Time for a review I handed over a pair of keys at the end of November, and a couple of weeks before Christmas, returned to find the grounds looking unrecognisable. Most of the trees had disappeared and the flat area where we’d played badminton all summer had turned into a mud pool. We couldn’t reach the front of the house without wading ankle-deep in soil, and logs were piled up everywhere. Neighbours began to gossip, with one particularly angry with me because her blackberry supply for the village’s jams had been razed forever.

Despite this shocking visit, we turned the corner quickly. Suddenly aware of the extra space that we had previously not been able to see, we began to plan what to do with it. A terrace would go in front of the house with a large bed of shrubs in front of it, and a hidden garden sloping downwards into the corner behind the tumbledown outhouse. We had space to build a proper driveway, and I could even see potential for a fruit orchard in the back corner. Before long, I was ordering books online about how to press cider.

By May, the clearance work was mostly out of the way. Some urgent remedial undertakings were necessary to clear up the tractor’s tyre

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Newly planted fruit trees for David’s cider!

Clearing the garden was hard but worth it

marks, and we desperately needed somewhere to sit out when summer soon arrived. I convinced my father to join me, and once we had levelled the ground at the front of the house and laid down matting, we visited the local town to hire a tipper truck, filling it up with gravel from the quarry behind the house to pave our terrace and new driveway. This concept of matting covered with material worked well, proving an attractive but practical way to keep the weeds away. Our local farmer neighbour also kindly donated a huge pile of bark which went to cover further matting for the area that was to be the flower bed.

Taking charge After one of many of our drives around the surrounding area, I had what was to be one of our finest chance encounters when we stumbled across a sign for a nearby plant nursery. By chance, they were having an open day, and we discovered a variety of trees, plants and other shrubs alongside a whole host of other local businesses who had pitched in to sell everything from wooden garden furniture to local cider and calvados.

We chatted about my project to the owner, and he pledged to visit. When he came to see us a couple of days later, I explained that we needed to create an area that was low maintenance because we spent long periods away from the house. He painstakingly measured the space and sketched like an artist.

A week later, he emailed me a beautiful plan of our garden, and I loved every suggestion.

A month or so later, his van came rolling onto our new driveway, laden with plants and trees of every variety. It took us two days to plant everything. He positioned everything and we potted it into the ground. Soon after, I called him to ask if he could come back with a selection of fruit trees to begin our orchard which saw him promptly return with compatible apple, pear and cherry trees.

In just a few days, our wasteland had started to be transformed for a fraction of what we had thought, and with the added satisfaction that we had carried out much of the change.

As I write, I am working on building a new terrace at the top of the garden. We have ripped roots out of the ground, levelled the soil and seeded a whole new lawn, all by thumbing through piles of DIY gardening books that we rescued from book sales and parents’ houses.

Finding suppliers has been nerve-wracking and required much more planning and coordination, but the benefits are numerous.

Not only have we saved a huge amount of money, we have done exactly what we planned to do: to bring family together so we could all chip in and enjoy it. At the same time, the garden isn’t turning into an over-manicured creation, rather a unique and organic space that develops as we fall ever more in love with the house. Not to mention the fact that we are, as we had always set out to do, working with local traders to keep the local area buzzing.

Now I can’t wait to get my pergola built, terrace laid and recycled table out so that the first bottle of rosé can pop for the summer of 2017! ■

June 2017 French Property News 61

LOCATION

Medievel Lagrasse, one of the ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ of France

Castles, Cathars Hopping on a tourist train on a tour of Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales was the perfect way for Julie Savill to explore the stunning scenery – and get a glimpse of the types of property available too

L

ast August I explored the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales departments, with the amazing medieval town of Carcassonne as our base. From here, we headed south to catch the Train Rouge, a tourist train that chugs along a century-old railway line some 60 kilometres from Axat, near Aude, to Rivesaltes, near the coast.

Enjoying Languedoc’s light traffic, we thought we could beat the sat nav. Of course,

400 , 1 0 €2

Stone character house and artist’s studio located in an attractive and tranquil Corbières village

62 French Property News June 2017

what then happened was we lingered over a rather nice buffet breakfast and too much good coffee, left our hotel late, and suddenly had 50 minutes to cover an hour’s journey to catch the Red Train!

As we flashed past the quintessential lines of plane trees, pastures and vines, the minutes racing away, with the sat nav stubbornly continuing to predict a late arrival, I wondered how much the landscape had

440 , 3 4 €3

© bjul/123RF

n n )) % )%n

changed since the Cathars fled from Carcassonne ahead of their pursuing tormentors. My heart pounded in my chest. I was a fleeing Cathar. Okay, maybe a tad dramatic. We were only ever going to miss a train. We were never going to leap off a mountain or be burned at the stake.

We breezed through the outskirts of Limoux, most famous for fast-improving sparkling and still wines. The tasting visits advertised at the roadside would have to wait.

Still tracking the River Aude, we passed villages that promised much for another time, and through the larger riverside town of Quillan, a place ‘on the up’.

Now the countryside became more dramatic as we entered the Fenouilledes valleys. Signs for châteaux, thermal spa towns and ski stations sprang up at the roadside.

Four-bedroom house in a hillside village surrounded by vineyards, within easy distance of Limoux and the medieval city of Carcassonne

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LOCATION

Hold the train!

To our great relief we arrived at the station of Axat with a few minutes to spare and redeemed our online train tickets, joining a queue of mostly French holidaymakers. And then, we waited.

Apparently, someone was – yes, you guessed it – running late. Some 15 minutes later we greeted them with ironic applause and we were off in our open-topped carriages behind a small and charismatic diesel train.

Happy childhood memories revisited, we passed through tunnels (we were encouraged to make echoes) and mountain passes (where we fell silent in awe and reverence). We crossed viaducts and vineyards and alpine pasture – a heady mix.

The train stopped for a photo opportunity below the spectacular Château Puilaurens.

000 , 5 5 €1

Charming three-bedroom stonebuilt house in a pretty village with a lively restaurant and bar

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Should you ever retrace our steps, I challenge you to be unimpressed.

We had now crossed the departmental line from the Aude to the Pyrénées-Orientales, and the mountains retreated slightly to the margins. We tooted at road crossings and waved to nonchalant workers in the fields.

At St-Paul-de-Fenouillet we doubled our numbers for the return visit, while others continued on a separate train for the Mediterranean coast and Rivesaltes near Perpignan, near the Spanish border.

For the return journey we chose a different carriage for a slightly different view. At Axat once more, our guide announced that we would be continuing a little way to the end of the line to drop a few customers at a restaurant for lunch. The train would return later to collect them. How very civilised!

700 , 8 4 €9

Top left clockwise: The journey from Lapradelle to the Cathar castle of Puilaurens (background); breathtaking scenery; all aboard; the Little Red Train in all its glory

❝ Conversely, while the route climbs higher, the prices tend to fall lower – the coastal areas demand a premium, but are still lower than the rest of the Med ❞

A true turnkey business (10-bed B&B) set within a postcard courtyard with advance reservations already for next year

June 2017 French Property News 63

LOCATION

On the River Orbieu, Lagrasse is known for its Romanesque abbey

For ourselves, we meandered back to Quillan and ate a simple lunch of vegetarian lasagne in a shady square before driving back to Carcassonne at a more sedate pace via the Plus Beaux Village of Lagrasse on the River Orbieu.

This is Corbières wine country, dotted with olive groves, deep gorges, plateaux and slow winding roads with never-ending views. It is simply beautiful.

Lagrasse dates back to the founding of the abbey by Charlemagne in 783. Nowadays, you can enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of the medieval streets, old town walls and a decent range of shops, bars and restaurants.

We arrived late in the afternoon; it was easy to get in and out, but the extensive scope of the car and coach parking suggests that at times it might be extremely busy. We ate rather too well for not a lot of money at La Petite Maison on the boulevard.

It was just 30km ‘home’ to Carcassonne.

We had made a bare start on our exploration of the southern Languedoc. The rich and diverse culture of this part of the world is something to behold. ‘Unspoilt’ becomes harder to find as life progresses, but this area is pretty much unspoilt. Here, time truly moves more slowly – if you get up in time for it.

©Wysiati – Getty Images/iStockphoto

Plus beaux

An ode to Aude property

Carcassonne has an airport serving Dublin, Glasgow, Stansted, East Midlands Cork, Manchester & more

As we rolled through the valley and rose into the hills, we noticed it was the local rough stone that had been used in most of the village houses, occasionally embellished with a carved sandstone remnant from a Cathar castle.

Conversely, while the route climbs higher, the prices tend to fall lower. The coastal areas demand a premium, but are still lower than the rest of the Med, while prices in Aude are the lowest in the Languedoc region. A two or three-bedroom village house might come in at between €65,000 and €100,000. For something within half an hour of the coast, think in the region of €200,000 to €300,000.

The train shows you myriad reasons for making your base in the area. The variety of the scenery from sea to sky is breathtaking.

Along the Côtes de Roussillon are patchwork vineyards, which give the sweet white Muscat of Rivesaltes and beautiful rich reds. We passed through stunning gorges, such as the renowned Gorge de Galamus, and sped alongside rushing rivers and through the shadows of Cathar castles, a reminder of the area’s mysterious history. Then add the climate into the mix – you can look forward to an incredible 300 days a year of sunshine – and why would you want to be anywhere else? ■

The area is also served by major airports at Toulouse and Perpignan

Julie Savill is marketing director at Beaux Villages Tel: 0033 (0)5 56 71 36 59 beauxvillages.com

If the beautiful and varied scenery of Aude is calling to you, there are many reasons to make this the hunting ground for your dream property in France.

The architecture changes as the train winds its way up from the sea through the valley and into the mountains. On the Mediterranean plain there is a typical Catalan feel to many of the buildings, with the use of decorative terracotta brick to form the window surrounds and cornerstones, filled in with rounded river or beach stone.

GETTING THERE

000 , 7 2 €1

300 , 0 7 €2

A great three-bedroom holiday home for all seasons, this generous village house has a large open-plan living room/kitchen with panoramic mountain views

This recently built house offers open views across the river valley and surrounding hills

64 French Property News June 2017

We drove on the A62 toll road via Toulouse

560 , 8 9 €3

Three-bedroom house with pool and apartment on the slopes of a charming and sociable village surrounded by vineyards

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R E M O V A L S

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June 2017 French Property News 65

A-Z OF ETIQUETTE A

lthough France and the UK are separated by a mere 35km stretch of water, moving to France sometimes involves more of a culture shock than many newbies expect. In this A-Z series we take a light-hearted look at the quirky side of life in France in a guide that will be handy for anyone contemplating the move, as well as those keen to blend in with the locals!

G

is for greetings

The French like formality and failing to greet people in the proper way will win you disapproving Gallic stares and sometimes a verbal dressing down with a rather curt “On dit bonjour” if you are asking for something without first having offered the appropriate greeting.

Whether you are dog-walking, shopping in a boutique or hoping to wangle an appointment with the doctor from a po-faced receptionist (they often are for some reason), always try to throw out a greeting of some kind to those you encounter on your way.

The problem is that it’s not always easy to

know which particular phrase to plump for. A chirpy 5pm, still-light-outside bonjour could easily be met with a bonsoir one day but if you change to bonsoir the next, don’t be surprised if the same person at the same time comes back with a bonjour!

The twilight zone of crossover between day and evening is the subject of much debate, even among the French. Some say day becomes night when it gets dark, others once work is over, and some have a specific hour when they make the transition. Don’t try and read too much into this – it seems that there are plenty of perverse Pierres out there who will say the opposite of whatever is said to them just for fun. Several people admitted to having done just this when I was trying to get to the bottom of this dilemma.

If you’ve disgraced yourself with your inability to correctly say hello, redeem yourself when taking leave with a polite farewell. Bon/bonne can be combined with any number of adjectives depending on the day, time or what the person you are leaving is doing. Bonne journée, bonne soirée and bonne continuation all work in a general sense but you can get creative. Some of the favourites I have heard include bon pique nique (have a nice picnic), bon vélo (have a nice bike ride) and even bon bricolage (happy DIYing!). You get the idea.

© Thinglass – Getty Images/iStockphoto

❝ A chirpy 5pm, still-light-outside ‘bonjour’ could easily be met with a ‘bonsoir’ one day but if you change to ‘bonsoir’ the next, don’t be surprised if the same person at the same time comes back with a ‘bonjour’! ❞

66 French Property News June 2017

H

© Niyazz – Getty Images/iStockphoto

In part three of our insider’s guide to life in France, Mark Sayers ponders the myriad ways to say hello, why the French medicate and the joy of having a little of what you fancy

is for health

We Brits rely on the weather as a conversation starter; in France it is health. Our Gallic cousins are literally obsessed with it and everyone is an expert. Say your child has an earache and you will be bombarded with opinions on how they got it, what should be done about it and how to prevent it in the future.

I never considered that the concept of giving something a few days to see if it gets better is particularly British, but I can tell you that the French have no such patience. One mere sniff of an illness, however slight, and they are off to the GP as quick as you can say ‘Jacques Robinson’. Their doctor will almost certainly furnish them with at least four different prescribed items of medication.

The French think you can medicate for everything and feel short-changed if they are not prescribed something – anything – to take.

An English doctor we know who works in France found this to her cost when she first

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started practising. She soon cottoned on to the fact that prescribing only the necessary medication was leaving her patients feeling disappointed and they were starting to go elsewhere. She found herself having to up the prescription ante to win them back.

Perhaps it is the fact that in France you pay for a GP appointment that makes the French determined to get something out of it! In actual fact all but a euro of the €23 cost to visit your family doctor is reimbursed but I guess it’s psychological. The French healthcare system is generally considered to be the best in the world, and those of us lucky enough to have access to it should be thankful. The holy grail of a carte vitale may be notoriously difficult for us Brits to get our hands on – it’s almost a competitive sport to compare the time it took to get one – but it’s worth every moment spent form-filling and sending duplicates of passports, birth certificates and your year one music exam certificate to get one.

❝ I never considered that the concept of giving something a few days to see if it gets better is particularly British, but I can tell you that the French have no such patience ❞

I

Although each French individual, of course, has his or her own idiosyncrasies, there are certain characteristics which seem to be shared by a majority of the population. The much documented ‘French paradox’ is the perfect illustration of this. This is basically the ability the French have to feast on cheese, chocolate and rich sauces laden with saturated fats and still manage to stay slim.

That’s not the only paradox I’ve noticed.

How about the fact that France is swimming in wine yet you will rarely see a French man or woman drunk? In fact, I’ve sat through lengthy dinners when six adults have nursed one bottle of wine and marvelled at how back in the UK it wouldn’t be uncommon to sink a bottle each over the same timeframe. The morning after is certainly more pleasant over here!

And then there’s the question of productivity.

The French are often perceived as lazy, and certainly working hours might suggest that they are work-shy. British guests are always baffled that shops in a city the size of Perpignan are shut on a Sunday, even in high season. And some on a Monday. And between midday and two o’clock. And before 10am. A

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© Goodshoot – Getty Images

is for idiosyncrasies

friend recently commented how only in France could a new organic food shop open next to a school but remain resolutely closed until well after school drop-off time! And yet, France is up there in national productivity tables.

Perhaps it’s an example of how that old adage ‘work hard, play hard’ can get results.

As strange as their idiosyncrasies may sometimes seem to us, there are lessons we can all learn from the French. They stay slim and hangover-free because they belong to the ‘a little of what you fancy does you good’ school

of thought. And when it comes to work-life balance, they seem to have got it right. That’s certainly one of the reasons why we can’t imagine ever moving back to the UK. ■ Mark Sayers is head of the Perpignan office of Artaxa, an estate agency in Languedoc-Roussillon Tel: 0033 (0)4 68 56 54 22 artaxa.com

June 2017 French Property News 67

LOCATION

Fit for a

president

B

y the time you read this, we will have a new French president, either Emmanuel Macron or Marine Le Pen. At the time of writing the only thing we know for certain is that it will not be the present incumbent, François Hollande, who is not standing for re-election. Five years ago, just after he took the top job, I was talking to a French estate agent who said everyone was waiting to see “à quelle sauce on va être mangé”, a delightful Gallic expression meaning we’re nervously waiting to see what’s in store for us. “I imagine it will be a sauce hollandaise,” I replied. He thought that was very funny.

Seven hills

A ‘gabarre’ in the Dordogne gorges; these traditional boats were used for transporting merchandise and now ferry people along the river

68 French Property News June 2017

©Olivier GACHEN / ADRT Corrèze

© Frédéric MAGNOUX/ ADT Corrèze

The historic town of Tulle in Corrèze has much to attract househunters – and presidents too, as Carolyn Reynier explains

Monsieur Hollande will presumably be spending more time in his constituency. His fiefdom of Tulle, in the préfecture of Corrèze, is in the region formerly known as Limousin, now within the enlarged Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

This small rural medieval town ‘of the seven hills’ lies above the River Corrèze and is well known for its needle lace and that most quintessential of Gallic instruments, the accordion. Indeed, it is home to the largest public accordion collection in the country. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Tulle’s major cultural event Les Nuits de Nacre festival (14-16 September). In the streets, concert halls and on the quays of Tulle, you will be able to listen to the full repertoire of accordion music – from bal musette to classical, via jazz, contemporary, traditional and world music.

The squeeze box is not just for accompanying those old Edith Piaf numbers.

As well as the seven hills, you are surrounded by varied and lovely countryside.

In small towns and villages, you find the old half-timbered or granite houses with roofs of slate or lauze, scale-shaped schist tiles often found in Corrèze. To the west lie the marshland and forest sites of the Brezou valley, renowned for its flora and fauna; to the north, the massif des Monédières with the Suc au May (908m) and its orientation table offering magnificent panoramic views. Below, the Cirque de Freysseline, carved out of the granite, marks the boundary between plateaux and mountain, a landscape of heather, bracken and broom, myrtles and wild raspberries.

The regional park of the Millevaches en Limousin lies further off to the north-east, and due east of Tulle you come to the Etang de Ruffaud, a classified zone of ecological interest.

If that is not enough natural loveliness for you, there are also the stunning Dordogne gorges to the south-east.

In business in Tulle for almost a century, Maugein, which holds the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, is the oldest and last remaining industrial manufacturer of accordions in France

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© Gilles BERGEAL / ADT Corrèze

LOCATION

Strolling through the town, which is built on a slope rising up from the riverside, you discover a maze of architectural jewels, inscribed on the historic monuments around the cathedral (l’Enclos) and in the Trech quarter. The cathedral of Notre-Dame, started in the 12th century and finished 200 years later, was built in a light, airy Gothic style with a bell tower (clocher) rising 75m into the sky. The Gothic arcades of the early 13th-century cloister – the only remaining one in the Bas-Limousin – surround a medieval garden.

Marie Renaudie-Bousquet, of Agence Besse-Renaudie in Tulle, says her British clients in the past have preferred houses with some land to apartments. Being “of a certain age” and given Tulle’s steep topography, they have usually bought properties on flatter terrain outside the town, she explains.

If, however, you are a citadin and want to be in Tulle, most detached properties, built circa 1980-1990, are at the top of the town (sur les

Above: Maison Loyac in Tulle - this late 15th/early 16thcentury house was considered to be one of the loveliest in central France by 19th-century dramatist Prosper Mérimée, once an inspector of historic monuments Below: The Gothic cathedral of Notre-Dame was started in the 12th century but not finished until 200 years later

© Office de Tourisme de Tulle en Corrèze

The ville vibe

hauteurs). You will pay around €130,000€140,000 for a three-bedroom house with basement and around 700m2 of land. Shops and services are down below on the banks of the Corrèze, within walking distance – but it’s the return journey back up the hill, isn’t it?

Further down, nearer the centre, you could buy a large five-bedroom family home with garden for €130,000; there is a garage, workshop, and a loft for conversion (Blayez Immobilier). There are also similarly priced detached houses with gardens in the Auzelou quarter near the river just a couple of kilometres from the town centre.

Another attractive and popular area worth a look is near the préfecture. Here the large houses, built in the 1930s, have a certain cachet which adds a little to the price. Expect to pay around €160,000 for three or four bedrooms and a garden.

If you prefer apartment living, a two-bed sells for around €70,000. Some have small balconies or terraces but they are few and far between, according to Marie. I did find one, however – a spacious two-bedroom apartment with terrace, garage and garden access, sur les hauteurs, with an “unrivalled view” over the town from its balcony (€81,030, Blayez Immobilier).

You can find property for renovation too. In the historic Trech quarter, close to the shops, an apartment for sale at €56,000 offers over 100m2 of living space, with garage attached.

Another interesting possibility in the same quarter are two 38m2 apartments for €67,200, which could be joined together to create a duplex overlooking the cloister garden, (both available from Blayez Immobilier).

On the market

€312,000: In the perched village of Aubazine, south-west of Tulle, and close to the Coiroux golf course, this character five-bedroom property is set in grounds of 2.96 hectares with a small lake

€147,000: South-east of Tulle, at La Roche-Canillac near the Dordogne river, this renovated two-bedroom stone house has open beams, a traditional fireplace and a stone barn, plus over 6ha of land

€330,000: In Naves, 10 minutes from Tulle with easy access to the A89 motorway, this modern three-bedroom property in grounds of 3,074m2 offers lovely views over the Monédières Massif

€173,250: In Tulle town centre, close to the lycée and préfecture, in a tranquil 1930s quarter, this four- bedroom property comes with a basement, garage and ornamental garden (all Agence Besse-Renaudie)

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June 2017 French Property News 69

LOCATION

© Dan COURTICE / ADT Corrèze

© Josselin MATHIAUD / ADT Corrèze

St-Mexant north of the river are popular with folk working in Tulle and Brive, or indeed further north in Uzerche or Limoges.

From fishing to rugby The area around Tulle is popular with buyers from northern climes – the Dutch, Belgians, British – because it’s a welcoming region with an oceanic climate so it’s sunny, green and not too hot. “And it’s nearer than the Mediterranean and cheaper, too,” adds Marie.

She reels off a list of activities which are enjoyed by the Corréziens (and could be by you) such as fishing for trout, sander, pike, perch; the department has some 4,000ha of lakes and hydroelectric dams and 10 main

©Christelle BOUYOUX / ADT Corrèze

Surrounding areas that have appealed to British buyers tend to be those to the north of Tulle in the direction of Limoges, says Marie.

The communes of Naves and Seilhac (she has a second agency here) are popular because they are small towns with the usual healthcare services, schools and colleges for younger buyers with children, and various sporting activities. Here, detached properties come with more land, sometimes as much as 3,000m2, and prices are around €150,000.

Further north, Chamboulive, near the Vézère river, is worth looking at, along with villages like St-Salvadour and St-Augustin near the Massif des Monédières. Not much in the way of shops, it’s true, but they have a certain charm.

A renovated 1930s stone house in St-Salvadour with a couple of thousand square metres of land is on the market for €130,000. You can still find countryside properties for renovation too. Be warned though, average temperatures are lower here and you can sometimes get some snow.

To the east of Tulle, just to the south of the A89 motorway, you come to pretty Gimel-lesCascades in the Corrèze valley. As its name indicates, this is steeper, more rocky terrain.

Houses are terraced with not much land, just enough for a little table. Marie recently valued a terraced village property here at €60,000.

Espagnac further south is also mignon, with its stone houses, but there is not much life.

“You’d have to do your shopping in Tulle,” says Marie. If that’s not a problem, she is marketing a renovated 1750 stone property with roof slates from the Travassac quarry (north of Brive) and three bedrooms, one on the ground floor, for €157,500. Houses in neighbouring Pandrignes often come with a fair bit of land, handy if you have green fingers (la main verte), or want to keep a horse, she adds.

Heading south-west of Tulle along the Corrèze towards sous-préfecture Brive-LaGaillarde, the terrain is flat and buildings more recent (1990s), with motorway access nearby.

Most of Marie’s clients buy main homes here and places like Chameyrat, Favars and

© Dan COURTICE / ADT Corrèze

Out of town

70 French Property News June 2017

Top: One of the three main waterfalls, a few kilometres from Tulle, that give Gimel-les-Cascades its name Above left: Paragliding in the Massif des Monédières north-east of Tulle Above: The 12th-century Cistercian abbey of St-Etienne of Aubazine south-west of Tulle - Coco Chanel stayed in the orphanage here in the early 20th century Bottom left: Riding in the Monédières

fishing rivers in the Corrèze Basin around Tulle. Plus there’s walking, cycling, tennis, riding and golf. And it’s not just water you find everywhere in Corrèze. This is a department where the oval ball (l’ovalie), reigns supreme.

“Le rugby, oui, partout en Corrèze, partout,” Marie says with a laugh.

The departmental tourist office slogan is ‘Corrèze tout de suite ailleurs’. And you really do have the impression of being immediately somewhere else as soon as you come to this lovely unspoilt area of France. It is not just appealing for holidays, either. If you are an artisan or thinking of becoming one you will be happy to know that artisanal businesses make an important contribution to local economic life, with 65% established in rural zones compared with the regional average of 52% Our former French president may well be spending more time in and around Tulle. And once you discover this charming corner of the Corrèze, you may well want to, too. ■

agence-besserenaudie.com blayez-immobilier.fr ville-tulle.fr peche19.fr

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June 2017 French Property News 71

REAL LIFE

Escape to Creuse

For Vicky Burkinshaw and her husband, crossing the Channel marked the start of a fresh future beyond Brexit

S

in the bedroom, the upstairs windows were broken and hanging off. There was a brand new jacuzzi bath in one room still wrapped in plastic. It was not what I was expecting.

House two was an old schoolhouse with a clock tower, complete with boys’ and girls’ playgrounds. The attic revealed an actual hangman’s noose over the joist, while the amazing space that would have made the most fantastic open-plan kitchen was almost completely filled with a 20-foot oil tank that conveniently wasn’t in the photos.

House three was in a great location, though much smaller. It had an extremely strange layout and a vertical climb to a garden that lay above, that we’d have been sharing with neighbouring sheep. Not quite as crazy as the other two, but still not right.

o much has happened these last few months with the inauguration of Donald Trump and the uncertainty around Brexit, that the world seems just a little crazier and people a little less kind. It was this new atmosphere that cemented our desire to plan a future outside the UK in France, where we’d already lost our heart to the Creuse area.

I’m now 41 and my husband Craig is 38. At the point of the referendum last June we were five months down the road of our property purchase. While the referendum result made me wobble a little, we didn’t change our minds and I’m glad we didn’t. Yes, Brexit brings uncertainty, but what is a little uncertainty versus the prospect of a better life?

Making the dream a reality We were initially drawn to Creuse as my lovely in-laws had retired there some years ago. It didn’t take us long to see the appeal, and we loved the beauty of the area, not to mention the cheese, the fresh air, the wine and the temperate climate.

We’d always enjoyed looking in estate agents’ windows when on holiday, sighing “If only we could win the lottery”. In Creuse though, it was followed by an incredulous “How much?!” in tones of ‘that’s-five-times-less-than-my-housein-Leeds’. We gazed on in wonderment, and back in the UK we spent hours on estate agents’ websites on rainy afternoons, frantically emailing each other buildings with lakes and turrets, land and chickens, as well as any combination of wells, wood-burning bread ovens, or mountain/sea/forest views.

We would drink a few glasses of wine over a weekend and mull over how lovely it would be if we could do it one day. Buying a property in France seemed like something for other people, who were retired or wealthy, but not for the likes of us.

The seed was sown in our minds about two-and-a-half years ago about buying a property in Creuse, and to our surprise it didn’t relent. The idea remained, constant and steadfast, and for me at least would become my happy place during long, dreary and frustrating meetings, or when life in general was just being a bit difficult.

A pivotal point for us was a trip in 2014 when we had seen a property for sale that was just 20 minutes away from my parents-in-law for the princely sum of €19,000. We went for a casual ride past, and we were on our tip-toes peeping through the window when a friendly voice hailed us in French from a passing moped. It turned out to be the owner, asking if

72 French Property News June 2017

PART ONE

Love at second sight Vicky and her husband Craig have no regrets

we’d like to look around. We said yes, and the owner turned out to be from Leeds as well.

Having relocated to France by herself 20 years earlier, she was now selling after marrying a local man from a neighbouring village. We were astounded by the potential of the property, and loved the village, but the absence of adjoining land for our two rescue dogs meant it wasn’t for us. However, having this tangible example of the dream we had talked about, and being inspired by the owner’s arrival completely alone 20 years before and making a life for herself there, really did leave a lasting impression on us.

We decided that on our next trip we would compile a shortlist of properties in the area and book some viewings. The general lack of photos and floorplans left us frustrated compared to the in-depth UK estate agent profiles we’d been used to, but, soon realising that we’d become a little spoiled, we went off with our list of five properties almost blindly, not knowing what to really expect. Crammed in a tiny car with our jovial estate agent, we began our search.

Property viewing pointers The first property high up on a hillside showed us why there’s sometimes a reason for a lack of photos, and we soon learned the importance of going to look at houses yourself. House one was viewed by torchlight due to no electricity.

The kitchen had dead flowers in a vase on the table, the possessions from the previous owners (assuming deceased) were everywhere, their slippers still on the stairs. There was a dirt floor

Before beginning our viewings, my in-laws had taken us on a slight detour on our way from the airport to look at a house belonging to a friend-of-a-friend of theirs wishing to downsize. We hadn’t envisaged this and, at the time, were so overwhelmed by the size and price that we almost immediately discounted it.

We took in the acre of land, the separate vegetable garden, the potential of the big house, plus the two-bedroom self-contained annexe, barns, chicken run and wood-store. It even had an orchard with apple, pear and walnut trees. For some strange reason – and I still don’t understand it even now – it wasn’t love at first sight.

Then we went away and thought about it. By the time we spoke about it again we were ready to go and have another look. This was in February, and we shook hands on the deal there and then. With no estate agents involved, it was then a long wait to sign the compromis de vente, which we did the week of the referendum result, and we completed the sale on 4 November after a small delay due to a French bank holiday.

We have been overwhelmingly happy from the minute the key turned in the front door, and ecstatic the first time I lit the woodburner without personal injury. ■

Next month The work starts at Vicky’s new home

Follow Vicky’s story at rosbifblog.com

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REAL LIFE

❝ What is a little Brexit uncertainty versus the prospect of a better life? ❞

Stepping through the door to their new home

The house came with a vegetable plot

Lighting the woodburner without injury was the sign of success for Vicky

It wasn’t love at first sight, but Vicky and her husband have found their happy place Vicky and her husband have always loved French food, particularly the cheese!

The couple shook hands over the sale back in February

The orchard has apple, pear and walnut trees

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June 2017 French Property News 73

An

ARCHITECT’S DIARY It’s all in a week’s work for France-based Neil Vesma MONDAY

Another tough day in paradise. On my way to measure up a stone barn for conversion, I cross the bridge at Beaulieusur-Dordogne and see a gabarre, a traditional flat-bottomed sailing barge that was once used to transport wine barrels up and down the river. They would float down on the current to the grand merchants’ warehouses in Bordeaux, and the prevailing westerly wind would then push them back up to the vineyards inland. This arrangement of opposing current and wind is the same as the ancient Egyptians used on the river Nile, but with fewer crocodiles.

These days, gabarres are diesel-powered and fitted out for tourists on sightseeing trips. There’s no better way to appreciate this magnificent castle-strewn landscape on a day like today, with the heat bouncing off the cliffs and a cool breeze rippling the water.

The barn itself is tiny, and measuring Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne

74 French Property News June 2017

up only takes a couple of hours.

I used to get a surveyor to do my relevés for me, but these days, I find spending this time on site with a tape measure and laser allows me to soak up the atmosphere of the surroundings. It helps me get to know the building better so I can come up with a more sensitive project that responds to the site’s true character. Let’s hope so anyway.

TUESDAY

A traditional gabarre at Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne

A young English couple is in the office this morning; he’s a carpenter and she’s a joiner.

For the uninitiated, a carpenter (charpentier in France) does the heavy, rough timber work so doesn’t know how to use a plane, while a joiner (menuisier) does the fine finished timber, so doesn’t know how to use any tool that takes two hands to lift. They have bought a tumbledown property near one of the Dordogne châteaux – though sadly not with a view of it – and want to renovate and extend it

❝ I find spending time on site with a tape measure and laser allows me to soak up the atmosphere of the surroundings ❞

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An upside-down approach for the Gers barns

Condom's cathedral with its musketeers

THURSDAY

Off down to Gers today, that open rolling landscape on the way to the Pyrenées and the Spanish border. I stop to stretch my legs at Condom, unfortunately named but a very pretty town with its riverside walks, bustling historic centre and its statue of the four musketeers by the austere buttressed cathedral.

My clients are looking to convert their barns into gîtes, and it’s striking how different the building vernacular is here from just 100km further north. Instead of our creamy white limestone, here the walls are built of galets, river boulders washed down from the mountains in the tributaries of the Adour river on its way to the Atlantic. Hay lofts are enclosed in diamond-pattern trellises that let in the air, unseen elsewhere. And 100km further south, in the mountains, it’s all change again with granite and slate to keep the rougher elements at bay.

So it’s a question of making the barns habitable while retaining their character, and even enhancing it. For once, an upside-down approach might just work, with the bedrooms snuggled inside the thick stone walls of the ground floor, and the living spaces with sliding glass walls behind the trelliswork upstairs to take advantage of the views of the mountains on the horizon. in a funky eco style. They had engaged an English architect in Yorkshire and submitted a permis de construire application, but it has been refused because any project over 150m2 has to have a French-registered architect involved.

They ask if I will stamp and sign the drawings for them so they can resubmit.

I decline as it’s illegal. What I can do however, is help them develop their ideas so they work better, and then submit the permis for them. At first sight I can see they have massive south-facing windows unprotected against the sun, which is lovely in the temperate climes of northern England, but will roast them whole here. I’m sure there are other issues I can help them with too once we get into the detail.

I can also see that their submission dossier is missing quite a few elements and would have been refused anyway. The French administration, in trying to simplify the permis process, has ended up making it significantly more complex for lay people. Good news for me, but frustrating for my clients.

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WEDNESDAY

I’m drawing up the tiny barn survey when Pierre, my project manager, comes in for a coffee, his Gauloise cigarette in the corner of his lips but thoughtfully extinguished before entry. While I’m finishing off, he starts looking at the English architect’s funky eco-renovation plans, which include a pitched roof using planks instead of tiles, and walls covered in roof tiles.

He is visibly affronted at this assault on every tradition he holds dear. “Qu’est-ce que c’est ce b*rdel de m*rde?” he enquires, and I try to explain modern architectural notions of volume, enclosure, place and habitat to him. He’s having none of it.

“C’est pas moi, et ce n’est pas toi non plus!”

He’s right, it’s not really me but if I’m appointed, I shall still do my level best to do the right thing by my clients. He heads off again to cheer himself up by shouting at plumbers.

FRIDAY

Back in the office, our street is nearly blocked by our local roofer’s crane as he replaces the tiles on No.26. We’ve all been asked to park elsewhere while it’s there, and to get past you have to mount the pavement and squeeze hard up to the beauty salon’s shop window to avoid running aground on the hydraulic jacks holding it in place. Sadly one car didn’t quite manage it and ended up beached with two wheels in the air. Luckily there was a crane there to pick it up and drop it gently on the other side. Encore une dure journée au paradis. ■

Neil Vesma’s architect’s practice is at Villeréal near Bergerac Tel: 0033 (0)5 53 01 74 20 neilvesma.com

June 2017 French Property News 75

The ceiling collapsed into one of the first-floor bedrooms

REAL LIFE

The house is set in two acres with stunning views

A completely new roof was needed

❝ We stood in the grounds, watching the sun setting over the water and we knew we had found ‘The One’ ❞

The house now has comfortable and stylish interiors

L’Isle-Jourdain

76 French Property News June 2017

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REAL LIFE

A

healthychange Buying in France proved remedy enough for one property owner after a medical diagnosis, says Allison Sanders

A The property comes with a lake and vast grounds

After salvaging the furniture left behind, Karly has created a welcoming home

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Immobilier, and in February s a high-powered last year became proud fashion executive for a French property owners. well-known luxury designer, Karly HollandTaylor’s working life is far After the purchase removed from the peace and Once in possession of the tranquillity of rural French keys, a new chapter in their living. You could imagine lives began. that being backstage at “We had buckets prestigious fashion events collecting rainwater on the would be a dream, but while first floor, a leaking toilet, Karly admits it’s a wonderful damp walls, not to mention Rob and Karly job with some fantastic the bug life – stink bugs, perks, the pressure of spiders, swarms of working up to 70 hours a week and managing ladybirds. It was dreadful,” explains Karly.

80 staff in two different countries can take its A month later, on their second visit to the toll on your health. property and after a 10-hour drive, they In the summer of 2014, Karly began to feel discovered the ceiling had collapsed into one of quite unwell, and after several hospital the first floor bedrooms. “It was 4am and we admissions, she was eventually diagnosed were cold and exhausted. So we lit the fire, with myocarditis, an extremely serious pretended everything was OK and promised heart condition. ourselves we’d deal with it after a good sleep.”

However, it soon became clear they would need a completely new roof. “We found a great Decisive action local builder, as well as a plasterer who had the “It could have killed me,” she admits. “But it unenviable job of plastering our walls and made me take a good hard look at my lifestyle. ceilings. He said it was the worst house he’s Things had to change. So we came up with a ever had to plaster. It took four full coats just to plan to buy a holiday home in France, with the cover the Artex ceilings!” Karly laughs. view to retiring there one day soon.”

Karly and her husband Rob scoured the internet for properties in their price range and A home from home above, and found six properties in l’IsleThe new roof and plastering wiped out their Jourdain, in the Vienne valley, an area between furnishing budget, but they didn’t let that spoil Poitiers and Limoges in south-west France. the fun. They set to work salvaging the “The problem was,” Karly recalls, “that the furniture that had been left behind by the one I really wanted was way over budget. But previous owners, giving it a new lease of life we decided to look anyway.” with a coat of paint. They visited local brocante With the advert describing the property as flea markets and dépôt-ventes, purchasing ‘everyone’s childhood dream’, they set their interesting pieces which Karly cleaned up, sat nav with the address of their ideal home. painted or skilfully recovered.

En route and realising they were heading in the “We had a house warming party at the end wrong direction, they were put on the right of May last year and were joined by 26 of the path by a phone call to the estate agent who loveliest people, without whom we wouldn’t explained that there were in fact two places have got this far. Everyone has been so helpful with the same name. and we can’t thank them enough,” she says.

Though it was nearing the end of the day The speedy renovation has transformed their with only an hour or so before sunset, the wind property into a beautiful home and a was behind them and they eventually found restorative getaway. All that’s left to do now is the house and pulled into the drive with to sit back, relax and enjoy the results of their minutes to spare. “We stood in the grounds, hard work. ■ watching the sun setting over the water and we knew we had found ‘The One’,” says Karly.

Nestled in two acres, with a lake and stunning views, the house really was loved at Follow Karly’s story on Instagram first sight. They negotiated a price to suit their @ourmaisondulac budget with the help of estate agency Leggett

June 2017 French Property News 77

The

KNOWLEDGE Knowledge is power and when it comes to buying a French property, it’s important to understand as much as possible about the process

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Don’t pay your taxes and you could end up in jail – and it’s unlikely to be as charming as Château d’If, Marseill’s island prison, now a tourist attraction

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IS H THONT M

79

TAX Did you know that French capital gains tax can apply to furniture as well as property?

CURRENCY How is the pound/euro exchange rate faring a year on from the EU Referendum?

LAW A round-up of court cases to help buyers avoid pitfalls over the finer of French law TAX The second part in our in-depth explanation of income tax in France Q&A Answers to your questions on healthcare, mortgages and broadband FRANCE PROPERTY SHOP The latest from our leading online property portal

EXPERT ADVICE

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CAPITAL GAINS

You are probably aware that capital gains tax is payable on the sale of a French property, but did you know it could apply to furniture too? Sean O’Connor looks at the quirks affecting CGT in France

W

hen you sell a French property, you have to pay French capital gains tax (CGT) at 19%, which may be bumped up to 33% when Brexit takes effect. You also have to pay 15% social charges, which have been reintroduced with effect from 1 January 2016, having been ruled contrary to European Union law for 2012-2015 by the European Union Court at Luxembourg. So the total tax that you have to pay is 34%.

However, the CGT whittles down to nothing after you’ve owned your property for 21 years, and the French social charges sink to zero after 30 years of possession of the property. During the first five years of ownership, there is no reduction for years of possession, neither with regards to the CGT nor to the social charges.

The French CGT is deductible against UK CGT on the same sale under the double tax treaty. The French social charges, however, are not so deductible.

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Revolutionary ideas

In view of the fact that you may be paying 34% on your capital gain, it is useful to know whether your furniture included in the sale is subject to these taxes or not.

According to Article 150 UA of the French general tax code, household furniture, household electrical goods and motor

instruction thrown at me by a French notaire recently.

The answer to this is that the administration does not call for invoices or valuations by an auctioneer if the value of the furniture etc does not exceed 5% of the price of the real estate. You should bear this in mind if your notaire seeks to clobber you with

❝ It is essential for your contract and deed of sale to set out the furniture in an itemised inventory valued item by item; if you do not, the stamp duty will be levied on your furniture and the property ❞ vehicles are not included.

However, administrative instruction 8M-1-05 Number 135 of 4 August 2005 says that this only applies if you can produce purchase invoices or if you have had the furniture etc valued by an auctioneer. I have had this

CGT and social charges on furniture included in your sale.

It is essential for your contract and deed of sale to set out the furniture in an itemised inventory valued item by item. If you do not, the stamp duty, which amounts to 5.80665% of the price, will be

For more advice about the French tax system visit completefrance.com/ french-property/tax

levied on your furniture as well as on the property. This is laid down in Article 735 of the Tax Code, which repeats word for word Section 9 of the Law of 22 Frimaire year VII of the French Revolutionary Calendar (which had 10-day weeks), that is to say 12 December 1798. The Revolutionary Calendar was abolished by Napoleon with effect from 1 January 1806.

Tontine clause

There is another interesting matter concerning French CGT. Let us say that your father and mother bought a property en tontine in 2005. Your father died in 2010, and your mother died in 2015. You are the only child and have inherited the whole property. Now you want to sell it. Is your acquisition price the value of the property when your mother died in 2015?

The answer to this is ‘no’ because under the tontine clause, your mother is deemed to have been the owner of the whole property since 2005, so the starting value for the whole property is the price paid in 2005, not the value in 2015 when you inherited the property, and not the value when your mother inherited your father’s half in 2010.

In my opinion the whole French CGT system is weird and highly artificial. The best that can be said of it is that it consists of rules of law. France is not a country of whimsical decisions taken by local tax inspectors. The administration always follows and clanks through clearly ascertainable and foreseeable legal and administrative provisions. ■ Sean O’Connor is a solicitor who specialises in French property law Tel: 01732 365378 seanoconnor.co.uk

June 2017 French Property News 79

In the BREXIT BALANCE

One year on from the EU referendum, how is the GBP/EUR exchange rate fairing?

Currency expert Laura Parsons takes a closer look

B

elieve it or not, it’s been 12 months since Britain took to the polls in the EU referendum to decide whether to stay part of the European Union or to ‘Brexit’. The result of the historic vote took many by surprise, particularly as all the polls leading up to the event indicated that the ‘Remain’ camp would emerge victorious.

Despite the widespread belief that the UK would ultimately remain part of the EU, 51.9% of the population voted to leave – and that triggered a chain of events that no one seemed prepared for. The major political parties were swiftly thrown into total disarray and the lack of an obvious plan for the UK’s next steps left financial markets in turmoil and UK expats panicking about what the decision would mean for them.

While many of the big questions are still to be answered one year on, the situation has at least stabilised somewhat and the latest Brexit developments aren’t having the shattering impact on financial markets they once were.

With that said, the GBP/EUR exchange rate has still been significantly altered by the momentous events of 23 June 2016 and the shifts the pairing has seen in the wake of the vote have had a serious impact on overseas currency transfers to Europe.

■ Pound riding high before referendum: On the eve of the vote, expectations that the UK would vote to remain in the EU were high, and the pound subsequently strengthened against currencies like the euro and US dollar. In fact, GBP/EUR rallied to within touching distance of €1.31, its best levels since May 2016. But

confidence in the outcome of the vote turned out to be misplaced…

■ 15 cent loss for GBP/EUR on Brexit result: When it became clear Britain was on the path to Brexit, the pound dramatically plummeted to €1.23. If losing eight cents in a day wasn’t enough, the pound proceeded to fall further over the days which followed, ultimately hitting €1.16

80 French Property News June 2017

the most popular transfer solutions provided by currency brokers: Spot transfer – for when you need to make a transfer right now. With a spot transfer, the broker will secure you the most competitive exchange rate available at the time and make the transfer ‘on the spot’ – so you’ll have access to the funds as soon as possible.

Forward contract – for when you want to budget for a future transfer. The currency market is really volatile and exchange rates can shift dramatically in a relatively short amount of time. If you know you’re going to need to make a currency transfer in the future and you want to safeguard against shifts in the market, you can use a forward contract to fix

To illustrate the point, a £150,000 currency transfer would have been worth €196,500 before the vote but €174,000 by July – a whopping €22,500 less.

■ Sterling driven to worst levels of €1.10: And the pound’s losses weren’t over. In October a ‘Flash Crash’ in the currency market saw GBP/EUR fall as low as €1.10.

However, economist predictions that the pound could fall to parity with the euro before the end of 2016 never came to pass and since November GBP/EUR has been trading within the range of €1.13 and €1.19.

Article 50

The activation of Article 50 at the end of March 2017 didn’t inspire the level of currency movement some had anticipated, largely because the event had been so long expected that the pound had declined as much as it was going to in the build-up.

Although GBP had become pretty impervious to UK economic

❝ The activation of Article 50 didn’t inspire the level of currency movement some had anticipated ❞ by early July 2016. This slump caused chaos for international money transfer providers as people with GBP/EUR transfer requirements tried to cope with the significantly reduced purchasing power of their pounds.

HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOUR CURRENCY TRANSFERS? With so many variables in play, planning the best time to make a currency transfer to Europe can be tricky. If you’re concerned about the impact the ongoing volatility could have on your international money transfer, it’s worth talking through your requirements with a reputable currency broker and benefiting from their guidance on which options could best suit your own needs.

As well as being able to keep you informed of the latest moves in the currency market (with free exchange rate updates) brokers are able to offer a far wider range of currency transfer solutions than banks – giving you the ability to safeguard your funds from unexpected shifts in the exchange rate. These are some of

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EXPERT ADVICE

an exchange rate for up to two years in advance of a transfer.

Limit order – for when you have a specific exchange rate in mind. If you’re not in a rush to make your currency transfer and would rather wait until the market hits a certain level, you can use a limit order to target a specific exchange rate. The broker will then automatically make your transfer when your target rate becomes available so you won’t miss out.

Stop-loss order – for when you don’t want to make a transfer at a poor exchange rate. With a stop-loss order you have the ability to set a worst-case rate. If the exchange rate deteriorates to that level your transfer will occur automatically, limiting the risk if the market moves against you.

data releases in the months immediately following the referendum, with shifts in sterling being instead driven by Brexit news, the currency started to return to cyclical trading patterns in the spring.

In fact, the pound moderately strengthened in the weeks following the activation of Article 50 as UK data releases showed three-year high inflation and resilience in the dominant services sector. By mid-April the pound was trading at around €1.17 and was hitting multi-month highs against currencies like the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar.

What next?

While the pound was largely holding its own against the euro as Q2 got underway, the gains in GBP/EUR were as much the result of euro weakness as pound strength. In the run-up to the French elections, concerns that France could be on the verge of a ‘Frexit’ kept the euro under pressure. Rising geopolitical tensions between the US, Russia and North Korea also bolstered the US dollar at the expense of the

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euro. As the year continues, there is the potential for the GBP/EUR exchange rate to experience something of a reversal.

Some financial institutions have argued that there are a number of reasons why the pound has the potential to fall, with financial services company UBS stating in early April that growth in the UK’s services, manufacturing and construction sectors had been slowing. The Swiss global financial services firm added: “In addition, rising inflation is likely to squeeze into real earnings further and weigh on consumption. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is unlikely to turn outright hawkish any time soon… We expect the Bank of England to revert to a more accommodative policy stance towards year-end as economic activity gradually softens, which would provide an additional headwind for sterling.”

Interest rates

With one member of the BoE voting for an immediate increase in interest rates back in March, there were hopes that the Central

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EXPERT ADVICE

Bank would start moving towards increasing borrowing costs more quickly than previously projected.

However, various BoE officials have done their best to quash these hopes and if the Central Bank does indeed start hinting that interest rates could actually be cut in the face of faltering economic growth, the GBP/EUR exchange rate could actually be driven lower.

Of course, any progress made in

the Brexit negotiations will also have a significant impact on the direction GBP/EUR takes in the months ahead. Indications that the UK is headed for a ‘hard Brexit’ – where it would lose access to the single market – are liable to weaken the pound. Conversely, if the negotiations appear to be progressing cordially there is every chance GBP/EUR could rise.

Where GBP/EUR will be in

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another year is hard to predict. If you’re planning to move money to Europe in the near future and want to make the most of your money in the post-Brexit environment, it really pays to stay on top of the latest currency news and take advantage of all the options available to you. ■

Laura Parsons is a currency expert at TorFX Tel: 01736 335250 torfx.com

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June 2017 French Property News 81

EXPERT ADVICE

BUYER BEWARE

For peace of mind, it may be worth double-checking certain points of French law during the conveyancing process, as David Anderson explains

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number of matters which can arise in a purchase are set out below, but the main lesson is to take action early on if you feel things are ‘not right’ or you have any concerns, and make sure you raise these issues with your notaire or estate agent. Be suspicious if a property is an obvious bargain too; this could mean there is a problem in waiting, although it could, of course, just be a bargain!

Ensure seller’s marriage contract is checked Marriage contracts are effectively unknown in UK law but have a major impact in French law, not only between the husband and wife, but also to third parties.

In a French court case, a couple were married under the ‘separation of assets’ French matrimonial regime. The husband signed a contract selling the family home. The contract had been drafted by an estate agent – which is not unusual in France – who had

82 French Property News June 2017

not sought the wife’s agreement.

The contract contained the usual provision for a penalty payment if the seller did not complete.

On the completion date, the wife refused to sign the transfer.

The buyer then sued the sellers, the estate agency and the notaire involved in preparing the transfer documents, for payment of the agreed indemnity in the contract.

The French Supreme Court decided that, because the Civil Code requires couples married under separation of assets to both agree to the sale of the matrimonial home, this meant that the whole transaction was void and no payment of any compensation needed to be made.

The buyer could get no compensation under the sale agreement because, legally, there was no contract to enforce.

The lesson to be learned from this case is that buyers should, regardless of the seller’s marriage contract, ensure that the contract is signed by both husband and

wife and indeed any other interested party.

It is not unusual in France for the contract to be signed by the estate agent as the mandataire of the sellers. This, however, carries the obvious risk that if one of the spouses is not aware of the sale, or has not been informed and signed the estate agent’s mandate, then the buyer may find they have no rights to the property nor to any compensation.

If it is obvious that you are buying a matrimonial home and you do not meet one of the seller spouses, it is sensible to make enquiries and ask the agent to confirm in writing that he has all the signatures needed.

The agent will be unlikely to show you the mandate as it may contain a minimum price the seller will take and other sensitive information.

Can the same property be sold twice?

It is possible for circumstances to arise in which the seller has purported to sell a property twice.

The simplest scenario is when he agrees a sale to one purchaser and has usually signed some documentation, but then receives a better offer from another party and signs a contract with the second buyer.

It could also arise if a tenant has a right of first refusal and there is confusion as to whether or not the tenant has exercised that right, but the owner goes ahead and sells to a third party anyway, usually at a higher price.

The basic principle under French law is that if there are two people who have exchanged

contracts on the same property, priority is given to the party who first registers his title, even if he signed the contract after the first buyer. In other words a second buyer in time, who registers his contract first, will defeat the first buyer in time.

This does not, however, apply if one of the buyers colluded in any way with the seller in order to defeat another buyer’s rights. In such circumstances, the bad faith on the part of the buyer does not allow him to obtain priority over the other purchaser.

In many cases, contracts for the purchase of land are signed and not registered in any way, the parties only registering the sale once the acte authentique, or a transfer, is signed before the notaire. I believe, however, that there is a strong case for saying that you should always ask the notaire to register the contract as soon as it is signed.

You cannot obtain such a registration if the contract has not been prepared before a notaire because it is not then viewed as authentique. It is said to be sous seing privé. There is normally a fee of €125 for this registration as well as some additional registration costs.

I would advise that this should always be done if there is a long period between exchange of contracts and completion, or if the seller’s financial position causes concern.

Check the surface area of the property for sale There is, under French law, an obligation to state in the sale contract the usable surface area

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EXPERT ADVICE being sold, which has to be calculated in a prescribed way excluding, for instance, areas with low ceilings. In a French court decision, a buyer noticed after completion that the surface area of the property he had bought was less than that stated in the transfer document prepared by the estate agent. He sued both the seller and the notaire for a reduction in the price. The plans, which had been provided by a géomètre (a surveyor), did not have the area calculated according to the prescribed law (loi Carrez) and the works, which the seller had carried out, had not followed the plans set out by the architect.

The Supreme Court decided that there is an obligation on a notaire to decide, from the documents which he has been sent, whether he has any reason to believe that the surface area is not correct, and whether he has fulfilled his obligation to notify the parties of the legal effect of the surface area not being as stated in the transfer documents. French property prices, especially in cities, depend to a large extent on the area. If you are in doubt, measure the area (or get an expert to do it) before you sign the contract.

Has the notaire obtained the copy of the title early enough?

In a Supreme Court decision, a contract was entered into under which a buyer agreed to purchase some land with a suspensive condition linked to obtaining planning permission and the absence of an easement over a certain land. The suspensive conditions allowed the purchaser to pull out if planning permission was not obtained or if there was an easement over the land.

The purchaser, after exchanging contracts, incurred costs in preparatory work. At this stage,

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the notaire did not obtain a copy of the seller’s title. After the costs had been incurred by the purchaser, the purchaser found out that there was an easement which reduced the area which could be built on. The purchaser sued the notaire requesting the return of his costs for the preparatory work. The purchaser argued that if the notaire had obtained the French equivalent of office copy entries, an état hypothécaire, then it would have been obvious there was an easement and the works would

ESTATE AGENTS’ MANDATES In France, estate agents are typically given a mandate which contains various powers for them to advertise and show the property, and usually includes powers for them to sell the property. This is unusual in the UK where agents cannot usually sign contracts for sale.

The mandates can be exclusive (only the particular agent has power to sell the property) or non-exclusive (a number of estate agents can be given instructions to sell the property). Estate agents are usually keen to have an exclusive mandate which is usually not in the seller’s interests.

In order to have the power to sell the property, the estate agent’s mandate needs to expressly state that the agent has the power to conclude a contract.

This often appears in standard printed estate agent’s mandates which sellers are invited to sign.

In our experience, British sellers rarely read these and fewer still understand exactly what they are signing.

In one case, an individual signed an exclusive estate agent’s mandate at a specified price. The property sold quickly and the seller then decided not to proceed with the sale and sought a way of escaping from the contract signed by the estate agent. There is a requirement under French law that if the mandate is an exclusive one, then the estate agent must give a copy of the mandate to the seller when he signs the same.

In this particular case, the French Supreme Court decided that this did not just apply to whether or not the exclusive

not have been undertaken.

The Supreme Court decided that the notaire had not been negligent in that he had done enough in putting in a suspensive condition which did not require the notaire to obtain details of the title before preparing the contract.

This decision is somewhat surprising and buyers are best advised to insist upon a notaire obtaining an état hypothécaire at the outset if they have any doubts about the position or are proposing to carry out any works to the property.

nature of the contract was valid, but was a basic condition of the entire agreement. In this case, the agent had not given the seller a copy of the mandate and the court held that this made the sale null and void. The seller was lucky in this instance.

The difficulty for bona fide buyers is that they will be relying upon the estate agent’s representation that the mandate has been properly signed. It seems reasonable for a buyer to ask to see a copy of the mandate if the agent is proposing to sign the contract to make sure the agent has all the necessary powers to sign. However, it is impossible for a buyer to check that the selling agent has complied with the minutiae of French law and provided the seller with a copy of the mandate.

This may result in a buyer committing to buy a property and then being told that the estate agent had no power in fact to sell the same.

Sellers should be careful before signing any exclusive mandate, especially one which gives powers to the agent to sell the property. An exclusive mandate allows the agent to appoint sub-agents who then report directly to the main agent involved. It also prevents the seller from going out into the market and selling through other agents. The seller has to be careful if any other agents approach him during the specified exclusivity period, as he may end up having to pay a commission to the exclusive agent as well as to the other introducing agent. Standard printed contracts usually provide that a fee will be payable whether

We have noticed that notaires are often reluctant to obtain the état hypothécaire early on. In general, it is a good idea to insist on the title being deduced early on, especially if there is any complexity in a land purchase. ■

David Anderson is a solicitoradvocate and chartered tax adviser at Sykes Anderson Perry Limited Tel: 0203 794 5959 saplaw.co.uk

or not the introduction comes via any agent. Estate agents’ mandates are a frequent source of disputes.

EXCLUSIVE MANDATE In another case, the sellers signed an exclusive mandate with an estate agent for the sale of their apartment. Some 10 months later, the estate agent had still not found a purchaser. The sellers decided to unilaterally end the exclusive nature of the contract by sending the estate agent a recorded letter under which the original agent could carry on selling the property but not on an exclusive basis.

A second agent was appointed and quickly found a purchaser with whom a sale was concluded.

The initial agent then sued the seller on the basis that he had an exclusive mandate and the unilateral actions of the seller could not terminate this. The French Supreme Court decided that the seller had the power to terminate the mandate and that this could extend to a partial revocation of the mandate. The seller had the power to totally revoke the mandate and, accordingly, could also revoke part of the mandate.

There is, in fact, an express law which provides that, after a period of three months from the date of signature of an exclusive mandate, either the seller or the agent can terminate the mandate by notifying the other party at least 15 days in advance by a registered letter. This case shows that you need to know the French rules and follow the procedural requirements carefully to avoid paying a double commission.

June 2017 French Property News 83

EXPERT ADVICE

© Booka1 – Getty Images/iStockphoto

INCOME TAX – the next steps

What happens after you file your French tax return? Kate Prigent explains the process

F

ollowing on from May’s article where we looked at filing your French tax return for 2016 income, this month we run through the next steps. Here’s an overview of how it all works.

Income tax due in 2017 Currently, French income tax is paid in arrears. Tax demands for 2016 income will be issued in late summer/early autumn 2017 and, for people who arrived in France in 2016, the full balance will be payable upon receipt, with a deadline for payment specified on the demand.

If you have been in the system for more than one year already, and assuming that your income tax liability in the previous year (2015) was more than €347, you will be paying your tax in three instalments: one in mid-February 2017 and a second one in mid-May, with the balance becoming due in autumn upon receipt of the final tax demand.

The February and May instalments are each calculated as one-third of the previous year’s liability.

Alternatively, you may have

opted to pay in 10 monthly instalments, running from January through to October, each calculated as one tenth of the previous year’s income tax liability, followed by a balancing payment due in November.

In cases in which your income tax liability has fallen, and your interim payments are greater than your final liability, this will be shown on your tax demand and the balance refunded to you accordingly. Late payments of the interim and balancing/full payments attract penalties and interest charges.

Additional social surcharges, such as the contribution sociale généralisée (CSG), are paid in different ways. Some are collected at source (on French salaries/ pensions, for example, and on French bank interest – with the exception of tax-free accounts).

Some are collected with social security contributions for self-employment earnings (for example through quarterly micro-entrepreneur returns).

Others are payable at the same time and on the same demand as

your income tax liability (for example on UK bank interest).

What’s changing As from 2018, France will be implementing a system of taxation at source. The name is slightly misleading as, for some types of income, tax will not be withheld at source but will instead be paid on account monthly and taken directly from the taxpayer’s bank account. Examples are business and freelance income, French property income and non-French pension or salary income which is taxable in France.

For French salaries and French pensions, it will be withheld at source by the employer or pension provider, and it will be the provider’s responsibility to pay this over to the French tax office.

For the sake of ease, both the

payment on account and tax at source methods are referred to jointly as PAYE in this article. The new PAYE system will apply to both French income tax and the additional social surcharges (such as CSG, etc).

Certain sources of income will, however, be excluded from the PAYE system. Most importantly, foreign source income which remains taxable in the country of origin, but is declared in France and benefits from a tax credit (UK property income and UK exgovernment service pensions, for example) will be excluded.

In addition, investment income and gains are excluded from the system, as are exceptional items and items already taxed at source (micro-entrepreneurs who have opted for monthly or quarterly income tax instalments when paying their social security contributions, for example).

It is important to point out that the PAYE system will not do away with the need to file French income tax returns. Tax returns will still be required annually, and the tax calculated for the year will be reduced by the payments made under the new PAYE system, leaving either a balance payable or refundable.

During 2017, every French taxpayer will be issued with notification of their coding. This is basically the rate at which tax will

❝ Tax returns will still be required annually, and the tax calculated for the year will be reduced by the payments made under the new PAYE systeme ❞

©Tanja Krivich – Getty Images/iStockphoto

be recovered under the PAYE system (whether withheld at source or paid on account) and will initially be based on the income declared on your 2016 French income tax return, filed in May 2017. We expect that the notification of the coding will appear on the 2016 French tax demand due late summer/early autumn 2017.

The coding will apply to payments made in January 2018 through to August 2018. A new coding notice will be issued in August 2018, based on the 2017 French tax return which would have been filed in May 2018, and this new coding will apply to payments taken in September 2018 to August 2019.

84 French Property News June 2017

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EXPERT ADVICE With this in mind, it is anticipated that: 1 Some taxpayers will be able to opt for quarterly instalments rather than monthly ones, 2 Freelance/self-employed people will be able to adjust their instalments to take into account any seasonal fluctuations and so ease cash flow 3 Where there are significant changes to the taxpayer situation or income during the year, they will be able to adjust the coding notice accordingly.

If the tax office does not have sufficient information to provide a coding notice, a neutral coding will be applied. This can be the case for new arrivals to France, or where employees does not want their bosses knowing their personal financial position as the coding notice which the employer would have access to will give an indication of the employee’s income, both salary-wise and from other sources, and so raises privacy concerns for some.

Finally, for those whose French tax demands in the previous two years have been nil, and whose

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MORE ONLINE

More information about the French tax system completefrance.com/ french-property/tax

2016 revenu fiscal de référence (the net taxable income as will be shown on the 2016 tax demand) is lower than €25,000, there will be an exemption from the new PAYE system.

A tax-free 2017?

One issue with the implementation of the PAYE system is that, in 2018, people would have to pay two lots of income tax – tax on 2017 income (under the previous system, paying tax one year in arrears) plus tax on 2018 income (under the new PAYE system).

To mitigate this, the French tax office is instituting a special tax

credit (the crédit d’impôt modernisation du recouvrement or CIMR) which would have the effect of cancelling the tax due on 2017 ‘regular’ income, so that the only income tax paid in 2018 would be under the PAYE system on 2018 income and on 2017 ‘exceptional’ income.

This cancellation, or neutralisation of income tax for 2017, means, in simple terms, that although you will still file a 2017 tax return, you will not pay any French income tax on the ‘regular’ income earned in 2017 (i.e. salary, pension, rental income etc).

However, if you receive any ‘exceptional’ income in 2017 (pension lump sums for example, and more generally any income which is not received on an annual, regular basis such as capital gains), this will continue to be taxable and the related tax, paid in 2018.

Of note, it is currently understood that income which is already taxed at source (French bank interest, French dividends, certain capital gains on investments and so on) will also

fall outside of the scope of the CIMR tax neutralisation and so the income tax withheld at source in 2017 will not be refunded.

It is anticipated that any tax credits (for example, for renovation works carried out in 2017) that may have been claimable for 2017 and are subsequently unused due to the cancellation of tax on ‘regular’ income, may be carried forward and used in 2018. There will be certain anti-abuse legislation created to stop people exploiting the CIMR. Finally, it is currently understood that the cancellation of tax for 2017 ‘regular’ income will apply both to the income tax and the social surcharges (CSG etc) liabilities. ■ Kate Prigent, DALF, DipTransIoLET, MCIL, works as a microentrepreneur in France providing tax advice Tel: 0033 (0)2 33 91 61 13 kate@labellevieguernsey.co.uk

June 2017 French Property News 85

Q&A ASK THE EXPERTS Need advice? Put your problems to our panel

Cash buy vs mortgage

Aurore Davis of VousFinancer (vousfinancer.com) replies: Being mortgage free remains little more than an aspiration for most of us in the UK so if you have enough cash, buying a second home in France outright might seem too good an opportunity to pass up. But there are some considerations worth taking into account.

The pound took a serious hit with Brexit and is unlikely to regain its strength while negotiations are underway. If you buy your property in cash, you are exposing a large sum of money to an unfavourable currency exchange rate. If you take out a French mortgage you are only exposing approximately 30% of the purchase price in the form of the deposit and fees (which cannot be added to your mortgage and have to be paid upfront).

With interest rates in France at a historic low (e.g. 2% fixed over 15 years), you are much better off taking out a mortgage and discussing your options regarding your extra cash with a financial adviser, as investing your money elsewhere might be to your advantage.

Releasing equity from your French home if you need cash is certainly possible, but it is not as straightforward as it is in the UK. Equity release will also cost more for projects other than home improvements, and you would need to take out a special mortgage that is only available through a limited number of lenders.

Your mortgage lender will also provide valuable support and reassurance. They will carry out their own legal checks on the property and arrange for a valuation to take place to ensure you are not paying over the odds for your property. All lenders will also request that you take out life insurance so, should anything happen to you, your mortgage will be paid off and your extra cash will still be available to those you leave behind.

Finally, taking out a French mortgage allows you to take full advantage of your borrowing capacity so you don’t have to compromise on your acquisition and can afford that home you’ve been dreaming of.

© Tuned In – Getty Images/ iStockphoto

W

e want to buy a property in France this summer and have the cash from an inheritance to pay for it. But, taking into account the pound-to-euro exchange rate and the really low interest rates available on French mortgages, we were wondering if we should buy the property using a mortgage, either for the full amount or part of it. What would you advise?

Jennifer Graham

Healthcare: registering with the French social security system

I

am in the process of moving to France this year.

How do I go about obtaining medical cover?

Name Supplied

David Atkins of Axa Assurance Banque Marthon (agence.axa.fr) replies: Once you become legally resident in France, it is essential to make arrangements to meet your medicals costs by accessing the French social security system. Obtaining medical cover in France depends on three main elements: 1 If you are of official retirement age in UK, i.e. in receipt of an old age pension, you will be entitled to apply for an S1 form. This is a document provided by the Department for Works and Pensions. It is free and gives you cover under the

86 French Property News June 2017

existing reciprocal European agreements. On presentation of this form to French social security, you will be allowed entry into the medical system.

2 For inactive people, or those ineligible for an S1 form, entry can be achieved by applying to Protection Universelle Maladie Assurance (PUMA).

This is intended for people who are habitual/stable residents (having lived in France for more than three months).

3 If you decide to be self-employed in France, you can register your business, which usually gives access to the system via the Régime Social des Indépendants (RSI), which is social security for self-employed people.

Of course, should you work for another party, you would become salaried and access would be automatic and set up by your employer.

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Get in touch!

Ask your questions about French property or life in France...

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Email: FPN@completefrance.com or write to: Sophie Gardner-Roberts, FPN, Cumberland House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham GL50 1BB. Alternatively, you can post your question on our Facebook page

How do I get high-speed broadband in rural France?

M

y wife and I are looking for a home in the south of France where we can enjoy peace, rural beauty and a slower pace of life. However, I think, realistically, the novelty of living in a digital dead zone would wear off pretty quickly! We want to be able to Skype our grandchildren back in the UK and to stream or download the occasional English language film. So finding a place where we can get high-speed internet will be pretty important. Could you advise us on how we go about finding out about everything and an idea about installation costs?

Name supplied

Bob Elliott of UK Telecom (uktelecom.net) replies: With the average UK home having six internet connected devices you are likely to want a good service in France. It seems that most of our commercial activities, such as banking and shopping, are moving to online suppliers and, if you or your visitors want to use Skype or similar communication apps, you’ll want to ensure your property search takes account of this.

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You will need a minimum speed of 2Mb to be able to view video and download films, so the rural idyll you contemplate may not be compatible with your internet requirements.

Use the website observatoire.francethd.fr to find out what the general broadband speed is in any town or commune where you are searching for a property. In the event of there being no service or a very slow one, your telecom company can tell you if there are any upgrades planned for the near future at your local exchange.

When you have found your property, use the site degrouptest.com to see what broadband speed you will get there. If there is no line going to the property use the number of your nearest neighbour to get an indication of the likely speed you will get. Ask your telecom company to help you with the interpretation of the results if you are struggling.

The likely cost of setting up broadband will be about €60 to get a line connected, with a line rental of about €18 a month plus €25 a month for broadband.

There are many call packages that you can

add as well. However, if the broadband speed is 2Mb or faster – which is what you will need – you can have all your calls put over the broadband service, resulting in a lower combined voice and broadband service of about €37 a month. Do remember that where you locate your modem can have a big effect on the speed of the wifi link. Your telecom company should advise you.

If you must have a property that is in an internet black hole, consider a satellite service. This has monthly data allowances compared with the normal service, which is unlimited. Downloading films and using Skype is data-hungry, so this might be too expensive to consider. Expect to pay around €300 for the equipment and a further €200 for a professional installation. A new satellite service will be launched in about two years’ time, so look out for promotions then.

France is in the middle of a €22bn investment in its national telecom network and this will be completed in 2022. So while the current service in any town or commune you have researched may be poor, it is likely to improve as the programme completes. For the latest news, visit the mairie where you are looking. However, very remote areas may not benefit from the improvements.

June 2017 French Property News 87

.com Buy a...

water mill €194,750 Although it may look small, this pretty mill in Côtes d’Armor boasts four bedrooms, (one of which is en suite), two bathrooms and a spacious living/dining room. A bucolic little stream trickles past the side of the house and the large garden has a pond and some trees.

The lovely terrace is ideal for evening apéritifs.

Ref: 281262

Spotlight on Maine-et-Loire €93,500

Beautiful three-bed hamlet property set in open countryside near Noyant (Ref: 426934)

€267,500

€509,000

Country manor with gîte on two acres of land near Châteauneuf-sur-Sarthe (Ref: 434230)

19th-century manor near Saumur with a guesthouse and old stables (Ref: 367770)

W

If it’s history you’re looking for, this beautiful mill in Lot dates back to 1849. The main house offers four bedrooms and some lovely character features. The property is located near the popular tourist spots of Padirac and Rocamadour, so the little gîte in the garden will be a great asset for new owners.

Ref: 414615

€278,025

Capital: Angers Recently named France’s greenest city, Angers is full of history too. Its castle overlooking the river houses the famous ‘Apocalypse tapestry’, and the medieval heart of the city is lovely to take a stroll in.

It is a very economically dynamic city which is constantly evolving and offers an excellent quality of life.

Nestled in a charming valley in Ille-et-Vilaine, with a river rushing past, this renovated mill is located a few minutes’ drive away from villages with all amenities. It boasts three bedrooms and comfortable living spaces. The property still has a room with mill machinery, a wine cellar and a workshop.

Ref: 256366

88 French Property News June 2017

€130,800

One-bed cottage to expand in Vernoil, comes with outbuildings to convert too (Ref: 430207)

ith the grand River Loire crossing through it, this department of the royal Loire Valley offers a diverse landscape, blending elegant châteaux overlooking the river with fields of vineyards and farmland as far as the eye can see. Famed for its Anjou and Saumur wines as well as ancient troglodyte dwellings, Maine-et-Loire is a tourist haven. Key towns include Saumur, with its impressive pale stone architecture, and the textile town of Cholet.

€237,000

This month’s visit to our market-leading French property website

Highlights History buffs and castle fans will be in heaven as Maine-et-Loire offers a wealth of religious and architectural heritage. The Château d’Angers and the Abbaye de Fontevraud are two of the most visited sites in the department but it also has plenty of smaller villages to visit such as the Plus Beau Village of Montsoreau which

has its own little castle. Saumur, where you can see some intriguing troglodyte dwellings, is also a major landmark. For wine enthusiasts, the many vineyards dotting the department will provide plenty of tasting experiences.

Local specialities The caves dug in the soft stone of the area provide the perfect environment for growing mushrooms and so they’re found in most local dishes. River fish, tender meats and an abundance of fresh vegetables also influence the cuisine. Wash this all down with any of the 32 appellations of Anjou and Saumur wines.

Access • By air: Angers has seasonal flights to London City airport • By Eurostar: Angers is 5h10 from London via Paris • By road: Angers is 509km from the port and Channel Tunnel at Calais Climate (Angers) • Average annual temperature: 7.9°/16.6° • Average annual rainfall: 693.3 mm • Average annual sunshine hours: 1,798 hh Average house price €146,000

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Team FPN’s coup de Outdoors living coeur This month, we go out and about hunting for homes for nature enthusiasts Vendée

Although I love the great outdoors, I wouldn’t want to be too isolated so this six-bedroom property set within a historic village in the heart of the Mervent forest really appeals.

It’s just 12km from Fontenay-leComte, one of the most beautiful towns in Vendée, and is close to the tranquil waterways of the Marais Poitevin too. Priced at €299,900, it comes with a pretty garden and a swimming pool so I could enjoy my very own ‘great outdoors’ too.

Ref: 399368 Karen Tait, Editor

April’s most viewed property on France Property Shop

Tucked away in the PérigordLimousin regional park this property, on the market for €265k, comes with seven hectares of land including woodland and two lakes – perfect for nature lovers. The lake was stocked with fish in 2003 and has a 30-year fishing licence so there is potential to run it as a fishing business. The one-bedroom log cabin overlooks the lake and has a great terrace to sit out on in the summer. Limoges airport is only a 40-minute drive away.

Ref: 431786 Emma Rawle, Digital Editor

Haute-Vienne

Gard

Jumping off waterfalls, swimming in rivers, hiking, exploring and sleeping under the stars – this is how I spent my childhood summers in the lovely Cévennes national park.

Every morning my dad fetched croissants from the village of Aulas, near Le Vigan, where this gorgeous stone house and attached gîte is on sale for €409,500. Set in almost three acres, the main house has two bedrooms and a large basement while the gîte is a comfy studio.

Ref: 396877 Ruth Wood, Assistant Editor

Ariège

Your chirps, comments and chats:

530 , 7 2 €1

France Property Shop @franceprop Follow us and get in touch on social media

A 19th-century four-bedroom house in Creuse with plenty of character and a large garden. It appears many of you were seeking peace and quiet because the property is set in woodland with no immediate neighbours. Or perhaps it was the attractive price tag of €127,530? (Ref: 428925)

Top three properties on FPN’s Facebook page this month

1

2

3

€29,900: A stone cottage to renovate in Charente (Ref: 433164)

€63,960: A gorgeous two-bed house in Morbihan (Ref: 414339)

€100,000: A two-bed cottage in the Dordogne countryside (Ref: 433312)

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I couldn’t resist this property set in the heart of the regional park of the PyrénéesAriègeoises.

Recently renovated, the house has four bedrooms and an independent apartment, offering that ever popular home-and-gîte combination. In a private setting outside Massat, the house has unspoilt views of the park and, with the Arac river flowing below, I think this house is set in an outdoor lover’s paradise. Priced at €269,000.

Ref: 401951 Sophie Gardner-Roberts, Staff Writer

@mkkid @franceprop can you recommend a book, describing the different areas in France? @franceprop The French Property Buying Guide written by our colleagues @FrenchPropNews incls guides to all French departments!

@roadtrippingroy @HHLifestyleTrav and I bought a house in France last year, so many great deals on property. Plus, it’s France :-) #jadore

June 2017 French Property News 89

JOIE de

experience the joy of French living

IS H THONT M

Epoisses cheese Š N. CARNET / CNIEL

Enhance your life and home and

VIVRE

92

Reviews Three takes on French rural life, two poetic films & a fun social media account

93

Food and drink We look at six of our favourite French fromages and let you in on some fun cheesy facts

94

French lessons Find a quiet corner and put your French language skills to the test with our puzzles

95

Interiors: marinière Decorate your home with the traditional striped pattern worn by French seamen

96

Rural Riddles Our France-based countryside correspondent solves more of your pastoral problems

98

Your Photos Celebrate French life through the camera lens with our pick of the best reader photos

Compiled by Sophie Gardner-Roberts

REVIEWS

Three expat views of rural France, a fun Instagram account and two poetic films in this issue’s pick of the best of French culture FILMS

WIN!

BOOKS

We have two signed copies and two ebook copies of Fat Dogs and ay.

French Estates to give aw / com ce. ran tef ple Visit com competitions to enter.

The closing date is 13 June 2017

Fat Dogs and French Estates, Part III Beth Haslam, £11.99, Ant Press ISBN 9781540599162 “Something strange happened when we’d viewed the property. Without exchanging a word, we ‘d both experienced the same incredibly strong emotion – yes, this was the place we’d been looking for.”

Frantz (released 12 May) Filmed in black and white and directed by prolific French director François Ozon, this period drama is an adaptation of the 1932 drama Broken Lullaby. Anna mourns the death of her husband Frantz, killed in World War I. One day, she sees a young Frenchman, Adrien, laying flowers on Frantz’ grave. They soon bond over their shared grief but Anna is puzzled by the enigmatic relationship Adrien had with her late husband as secrets quickly emerge, rocking the pair’s lives. A poetic and elegant film about grief, healing and forgiveness.

The Red Turtle (released 26 May) The story of a man shipwrecked on an island which is inhabited by turtles, crabs and birds, this dialogue-free animated film recounts the different milestones of human life. A Franco-BelgianJapanese production, this minimalist film goes back to basics with simple, beautiful imagery and sound, highlighting the importance of love, companionship, family and the power of nature.

92 French Property News June 2017

After a long and somewhat frustrating search, amusingly recounted in the first two instalments of Fat Dogs and French Estates, Beth, her husband Jack and their two dogs have finally found their dream home in France, a large domaine with plenty of land and several outbuildings. They soon realise, however, that all is not as it seems and that

the property needs a lot of work.

Despite their original wish not to buy a renovation project, the couple set off on a nightmarish journey involving eccentric builders, invading wildlife and a thick, mysterious forest in the garden. Illustrated again by Maggie Raynor, the third book of Beth’s series offers another useful and hilarious insight into buying a French home.

Beth leaves nothing out and includes the scary events and fun experiences of renovating in France.

Don’t miss Beth’s ‘Real Life’ article in the August issue

At home in the Pays d’Oc

My Good life in France

Patricia Feinberg Stoner, £6.50, Fascom ISBN 9780995746206

Janine Marsh £9.99, Michael O’Mara Books ISBN 9781782437321

“Suddenly the fantasy began to take on ominous overtones of reality. Were we really going to go house hunting? It seemed we were.”

“Times were hard and we were poor. So how, you might ask, did I end up living in rural bliss in France? Well, it took a few years and a lot of hard work but the real journey started on that cold, wet, dismal day.”

Having bought a holiday home in a quiet village in Languedoc some 16 years earlier, Patricia and her husband Patrick became accidental expats in 2003.

As they were both enjoying the summer in their holiday home, they stumbled upon Purdey, a white and brown spaniel which they knew they could not bring home to London.

They decided to move to the village and thus embarked on the charming and confusing adventure of expat life in Languedoc where they lived for four years. From strange encounters with neighbours to communication difficulties, former journalist Patricia Feinberg Stoner recounts the joys and occasional obstacles of living in a foreign country with a witty and insightful tone.

London city girl Janine Marsh sets off one day across the Channel to buy some wine with her husband and her father as they have so often done before. They end up driving around the Seven Valleys, casually looking at a couple of houses, and Janine returns home having fallen in love with an old longère and its garden.

She eventually quits her London job and moves to Pas-de-Calais with her husband in the hope of living the good life in France. However, with the house needing extensive renovation, Janine soon understands that life in rural France might not be as simple as it first appears. Today, Janine still lives in northern France and works from home on her blog while tending to several animals that have found shelter in her home.

SOCIAL MEDIA BighelloFrance @bighellofranceofficial This fun Instagram account has had the brilliant idea to literally translate French expressions into English with hilarious and, sometimes, bewildering results. A great way for Brits to get acquainted with French expressions while learning the language.

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FOOD AND DRINK

FORK AND CHEESE

With over 1,000 varieties of cheese, the French pay real homage to their fromage. Here we pick out some of our favourites and let you in on the secrets and stories behind their manufacture

The number of French cheeses with their own AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlée)

Epoisses This pungent cow’s milk cheese is produced in the village of Epoisses in Côte d’Or. It was apparently very popular with noblemen during Louis XIV’s reign when it was imported from Burgundy to the court by a certain Comte Guitaut. Napoleon I also grew a taste for it when he simultaneously discovered Chambertin wine which, even today, is said to be the perfect wine-pairing for Epoisses.

Camembert

16

Munster

Mont d’Or

Produced in Alsace, this creamy cheese’s name derives from the word ‘monastery’.

When the village of Munster was created some time in the eighth century, the local monks produced this cheese to feed the community and villagers.

Locals devour the cheese with hot potatoes or in a salad while elsewhere in France, it is often paired with spices such as cumin or caraway.

Originating in the Haut-Doubs mountains of Franche-Comte, this creamy cheese is made with raw cow’s milk and ripened in a round wooden box. In France, it is sold from mid-September to mid-May and is a real favourite in the cold winter months.

Recipe: pour some white wine over the top of the cheese still in its wooden hoop.

You can stab the cheese with a knife and insert some chopped-up garlic cloves if you wish. Pop in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for about 30 minutes. Serve immediately, still piping hot, and dip chunks of bread or hot potatoes into the creamy, melted cheese.

%

One of the most exported and therefore The percentage of French one of the most famous people who claim they could French cheeses, not live without cheese Camembert comes according to an Ipsos from Normandy. survey completed in According to French law, January 2016. the AOC ‘Camembert de Normandie’ must be made with milk produced from cows Roquefort that are bred in Normandy.

This sheep’s milk blue cheese is Camembert wasn’t always white. The produced in the dark caves and cellars of crust used to be grey with hints of blue or green the village of Roquefort in Aveyron. The and brown or red specks. However, customers caves were formed naturally after the always used to pick the clearest crusts. It was collapse of the Combalou mountain.

Louis Pasteur’s work that inspired scientists to Legend has it that one day a young use a different kind of Penicillium microorganism shepherd left some bread and sheep’s that stopped the colouring of the cheese and cheese in a cave. When he returned, he produced a white crust. found his cheese had gone blue with mould but that it tasted delicious!

Fun fact: it was the first French cheese to receive its own AOC in 1925.

30g www.completefrance.com

Reblochon With its own AOC appellation, Reblochon is produced in Savoie and used in typical mountain recipes such as tartiflette.

In the 13th century, farmers would pay the owners of the land they farmed with a fraction of their produce. Dairy farmers would only partly milk their cattle to give a smaller amount of milk as payment. Once the owner collected their ‘payment’, farmers would go back and finish milking the cows.

That milk was not very abundant but richer in cream and ideal to make cheese.

The cheese was named Rebloche, in honour of the trick. The name comes from the old verb ‘reblocher’ which meant to pinch the cows’ udders a second time.

The recommended maximum amount of cheese you should eat a day. Nutritionists recommend soft cheeses, such as goat’s cheese, as hard cheese has more fat.

June 2017 French Property News 93

FRENCH LESSONS Put your French to the test and have fun with our puzzles

Les idiomes

Wordsearch

Match these French idioms with their English equivalents

Find the French translation for these English words related to pets

1. avoir le moral dans les chaussettes

leash vet vaccinations fleas kitten neuter

2. faire une belle jambe 3. mettre sa main au feu a. to do a fat lot of good b. to have your heart in your boots c. to bet one’s life on it

Y K K O Y F I R T F U P B W N

B G P R B P L V A C C I N S I

I V F I O T K M A T H J H I D

Q K E J D M T B T I A Y N E M

S A Q T A K X V H K T V S P T

U Y A V E U M E T K O H E R L

C Q E O V R L E V R N O J K M

A S O A F R I H E S H G P E A

S A K L L N F N I A F O R D E

T O V S I D H N A E S S I A L

R G I E L F U O R I M L I S G

E E A C C A X N W H R A H L T

R P P U B U V Y J I E E A I X

T J B P J L I L R Q J B A V P

Les anagrammes Unscramble the letters to find four French bakery items

Les associations Match these types of vegetables with their English equivalents 1. épinards 2. betterave 3. poireau a. beetroot b. leek c. spinach

TEQUOSHUCET _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SIAPR-REBST _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ TESTATRELET _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GETINEB _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Where am I? Use the clues to work out the correct French location Je suis un village de Côte-d’Or où le film Chocolat a été tourné...

Word on the street Guess the English meaning of the French slang word pinard 1

2

3

ANSWERS: Wordsearch: laisse, vétérinaire, vaccins, puces, chaton, castrer Les idiomes: 1 = b, 2 = a, 3 = c Les anagrammes: chouquettes, Paris-Brest, tartelettes, beignet Les associations: 1= c, 2 = a, 3 = b Where am I?: Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Etretat, Manosque Word on the street: 3 (pinard = plonk, bad wine)

94 French Property News June 2017

Je suis un village Norman connu pour mes falaises blanches qui ont été une source d’inspiration pour le peintre Claude Monet...

Je suis la plus grande ville du département de Alpes-deHaute-Provence...

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INTERIORS

NAUTICAL STRIPES Nothing says French style more than a marinière so why not decorate your interiors with this iconic pattern?

Ideal for both indoors or outdoors, this stripy cushion is the perfect marinière accessory. £60, dashandalberteurope.com

Give your decor a maritime feel with this sturdy lampshade. £25, lovefrankie.com

/6 e3to n+ s tripe watshe

r The B created by hey lly a in ause t ig or vy bec trast of a N h Frenc ht the con asily thoug es could e e th rip the st n beneath be see n’s surface ocea

Keep this cute hot water bottle handy for those cold evenings when you need to snuggle. €49.90, ksl-living.fr

This laundry basket is so stylish, à la française. £12.99, maisonsdumonde.com

& ! k'

Add a chic touch to your floors with this hand-loomed rug. £49, darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

Simple but elegant, the nautical stripes on this chest of drawers make all the difference. £299, made.com

Follow our interiors board: Pinterest.com/frenchpropnews/interiors

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I love the wobbly lines on this ceramic vase; they give it a unique yet tasteful style.

A perfect addition to any room as the marinière pattern is a timeless classic. £24.99, maisonsdumonde.com

June 2017 French Property News 95

Compiled by Sophie Gardner-Roberts

Sit back in this comfy deck chair, inspired by vintage beach chairs. £75, gardentrading.co.uk

RURAL RIDDLES

Jeremy Hobson solves more of your pastoral problems The answer is transparent!

Ant antics

We have quite a collection of orchid plants bought since we’ve lived in France and are wondering whether to repot them as they are getting a bit top-heavy. Can we use ordinary plant pots or is there a specific reason why all the orchids we’ve bought have come in transparent ones?

Angie Gibson The orchids sold in garden centres are in transparent plastic pots as you describe because light helps photosynthesis to occur in the roots. The pots you buy them in are small for reasons of economy, spacing, and transport. If you grow them on for a second and future years, you should have a much larger ‘branch’ of flowers and they will, as you are now finding, become top-heavy. A larger pot would certainly give them more stability and make them easier to handle.

An orchid grower of my acquaintance to whom I talked in connection with your question, had this to say: “When they finish flowering, take out any support canes, trim the old flower stems down close to the plant and re-pot into a pot 15cm in diameter. They should then never need re-potting into anything larger. Use a very well-draining compost such as that with a base of chipped bark which ensures that the water runs straight though, wetting the roots on the way, but that the plant (roots) are never standing in water. Note the aerial roots at the sides and don’t be tempted into trying to tuck them inside the pot – eventually they will grow much longer and if you are able to place the root end in a separate pot and do not disturb for a month or more, it will most likely form another plant.”

Wild delights We know you can get wild garlic and wild fennel growing in France – but is there such a thing as wild chives? Back in early March we saw what looked suspiciously like chives and, on breaking off a stem and crushing it, it smelt like chives. If so, are they truly wild or likely to be escapees out of someone’s herb garden?

Martin and Bella Hudson

Wild chives: a springtime hedgerow bonus

96 French Property News June 2017

Yes, wild chives do grow well in France (as does wild garlic and, in some places, particularly in Languedoc and elsewhere in southern France, wild fennel). So it’s likely that your identification was correct.

© Dirk van de Made (wiki commons)

The roots of the issue

Regular readers might recall the ‘Mystery Object’ query published in last October’s Rural Riddles column (FPN 308) and the many fascinating comments from several readers in the January issue (FPN 311) explaining that the mystery objects in the photo were in fact, cyclamen corms and seeds.

In the February edition (FPN 312), Peter Moseley added that his cyclamen had “multiplied like rabbits, producing examples just like the photo, and can now be found all over our garden.” He then asked, somewhat rhetorically: “How they have moved around, I have no idea.”

An extremely recent email from a Rural Riddles reader, who just gave their name as Ish, seems to provide an answer: “Re Peter Moseley’s comments…cyclamen seeds are coated in a sweet material which makes them irresistible to ants, and it’s these that transport the seeds away from the plant.”

I’ve said it before – and hope to be able to say it again – FPN readers in general, and Rural Riddles followers in particular, are an undeniably interesting and extremely knowledgeable lot!

Could ants be responsible for the transportation of some cyclamen seeds?

Although there are restrictions regarding the picking of some wild plants, I doubt that anyone would be overly concerned if a person were to harvest a few seasonal wild-growing herbs for their own culinary use. It’s my experience that wild herbs thus picked have a more intense flavour when cooking (particularly wild garlic when incorporated into a risotto).

Wild chives, like wild garlic – depending on whereabouts in France you are – are likely to be at their best in March/April. Wild fennel is, however, more of a summer find (and great with fish on a barbecue). Next year, if you are tempted into trying the wild chives, make sure you pick and use them before they gain the little globular purple flower, otherwise they might be a little tough.

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GET IN TOUCH!

If you have any ‘rural riddles’ for Jeremy, contact him either by email: jcjhobson@wanadoo.fr, or via letters sent to the FPN offices.

Jeremy Hobson is a France-based writer who specialises in all country matters j-c-jeremy-hobson.co.uk

Surgically clean Regular readers will know that I sometimes get little tips sent to me as a result of this column and it’s always a pleasure to pass them on in the hope that they may be useful to others. Charlotte Field wrote on another matter concerning windows in French rural properties which I sadly didn’t think quite suitable for Rural Riddles. However, during the ensuing emails, she just happened to mention that when it comes to window-cleaning, one should “forget all the old wives’ tales of using vinegar and scrunched-up newspapers” and that instead she swears by “a mix of one part surgical spirit to nine parts water” wiped over the glass panes with a cloth. Though Charlotte had household windows in mind, I wonder whether her tip might help in keeping greenhouse windows clean too.

With lots of windows to clean, is surgical spirit the solution?

The hunt is on In late February, while out for a ramble – and for the first time in the 11 years we’ve lived here – we came across the mounted chasse. They looked quite splendid in their uniform! How can I find out which hunt they were? I believe they came from Cadouin, Dordogne. Might the name be something like ‘Venneree’?

Joyce Miller

A ‘wild card’ – which pack?

A stitch in time I never cease to be amazed by the coincidences that crop up as a result of compiling these pages.

Not long after receiving the above query from Joyce Miller, I had another (albeit loosely connected) similar query from Jessica Wheeler who lives north of Saumur in the Loire Valley.

Apparently, because she showed a casual interest, her elderly neighbour had gifted her a pair of French riding boots which – or so the neighbour said – had been previously owned by an instructor at the Cadre Noir in Saumur, the French military riding academy L’École Nationale d’Équitation.

Because of the historical interest (the academy was founded in 1828) and the fact that

www.completefrance.com

I suspect the ‘venneree’ part of your question – possibly given in conversation by one of the followers – is actually vénerie, an old French term for hunting on horseback. Whether one agrees with it or not, such hunting is a time-honoured tradition in France and goes back to the days of William the Conqueror and beyond.

I’ve tried to find out which pack it might have been that you encountered but with well over 300 packs in France – and not knowing whether the people and hounds you saw were intent on hunting deer, boar (grande vénerie) or small game (petite vénerie) such as hare – it’s quite difficult to pin down a particular pack for certain. With that in mind, I suggest that you look online at: venerie.fr and go to ‘Trouver un équipage’.

she’d just read The Horse Dancer by Jojo Moyes, Jessica was thrilled by the unexpected gift.

Unfortunately though, the boots “are very dry and the stitching up the back is a little fragile” so she asked for ideas as to how best preserve the boots for as long as she possibly can (as a “decorator’s piece” rather than for practical wear). She doesn’t want to use any oil-based product as she’s worried about it “wrecking the age-old patina on the polish”.

Normally I would suggest a tack conditioner or a leather balm, but very dry leather doesn’t always take to such treatment very well.

While there are many French artisans who are willing and able to rehydrate vintage leather boots it will, no doubt be rather expensive.

Can any FPN readers possibly help with tried and trusted remedies?

Putting the boot in!

June 2017 French Property News 97

ST★R PHOTO Se

e this p and more hoto Instagram on our @FrenchP account – ropertyN ews

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YOUR PHOTOS The best photo will win a year’s subscription to French Property News We always enjoy looking at your photos of France, so if something catches your eye while you’re holidaying or househunting then we’d love you to share it with us!

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3

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1. What a picturesque and colourful boat!

Dee Murray took this evocative picture at the salt marshes of Ile St-Martin near the village of Gruissan, in Aude. You can almost smell the warm maritime air.

2. Debbie Folkes never tires of Normandy where she’s owned a second home for 25 years. She snapped this photo of Isigny-sur-Mer on a cloudy day, yet the colourful houses brighten up the scene beautifully.

3. Attention to detail has Ben Prior capturing the essence of French village houses: pastel shutters, a flower pot on the window sill and a typical girouette (weathercock). He was exploring Montsoreau in Maine-et-Loire.

4. We liked this different view of Albi, the Pont Vieux spanning the River Tarn and the cathedral jutting out from the trees, captured by Eleanor Manning. The episcopal city is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site.

5. Tom Preece has us dreaming of hot summer evenings and al fresco dining in France with this pretty photo of a hotel in the little fishing village of Collioure, in PyrénéesOrientales. Summer, where are you?

Send your pics

We love seeing your photos of France. If you would like to share them with us, then email: FPN@completefrance.com or post to: Sophie Gardner-Roberts, FPN, Cumberland House, Oriel Road, Cheltenham GL50 1BB.

98 French Property News June 2017

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PROPERTY Showcase 100

On the market Properties for all budgets

106

France Property Shop Our pick of properties from our market-leading website

108

Classifieds Find everything from architects to accountants

FACTFILE

3 simple steps to French property ownership 1 Property viewings

The property market is strictly regulated in France and estate agents must hold a carte professionnelle – you can ask to see it if it’s not on display. Agents tend to accompany househunters on viewings.

2 Initial contracts

Once an offer has been accepted, the buyer/s and seller/s sign a legally binding sales contract, usually called the compromis de

vente. There then follows a 10-day cooling-off period, during which time the buyer can pull out for any reason without penalty.

A deposit (usually 10%) is paid at this stage, to the notaire or into the agent’s escrow account (never directly to the vendor).

3 Completion

The conveyancing process usually takes around three months and is carried out by the notaire. It is followed by the signing

(by the buyer/s and seller/s) of the deed of sale or acte de vente, usually in the notaire’s office. If the buyer can’t attend, they can appoint power of attorney to someone else to sign on their behalf.

The balance of payment is made to the notaire at completion, along with agency and notaire’s fees. The notaire gives the new owner/s an attestation de vente and final ownership papers are posted around six months later.

O N TH E MARK ET

CHARENTE, SOUTH WEST FRANCE

NR BEAULIEU-SUR-DORDOGNE

TARN

Great potential for this habitable house, a few minutes drive from the market town of Ruffec with all amenities. 3 Bedrooms, numerous outbuildings, courtyard and large garden 3200m2.

Agency fees included.

Renovated 3 bed character farmhouse with 1.3 ha land. Many character features, including magnificent fireplace, and chef’s kitchen.

Resident peacock included!!

Set in a pretty village 45 minutes Toulouse.

An historic dream with exceptional charm, character and comfort. Chateau property of 16thC origins with magnificent accommodation including 4 reception rooms, fully fitted dining kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 4 bath/shower rooms. All elegant and stylish. Also landscaped gardens and swimming pool.

Exclusive mandat

Ref: AI3800 Price: 99,000€ www.actous.com

Ref: P9670E Price: 199,995€

Tel: +33 (0)555 284640 or +33 (0)553 560935 contact@allez-francais.com

Ref: 5445 Price: 665,000€ Telephone: 0033 (0)563 306024 www.agencelunion.com

ALENÇON, NORMANDY

NEGRELAT NEAR CUSSAC

LAKES FOR SALE, HAUTE VIENNE

Detached village house, excellent condition, 45 mins south of Caen. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms/WCs, kitchen, dining-room, sitting-room, conservatory, courtyard, separate garden. Furniture and appliances available.

Charming French cottage with large barn and authentic features situated in a small hamlet, offered fully furnished. There are two large bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and room for expansion (large attic and adjacent barn). Ideal family home for both permanent habitation, or the holidays. The 650 m² garden contains lawns and fruit trees.

Three lakes set in beautiful parkland consisting of mature trees and bushes, fenced with entrance gates off minor road. Within walking distance of a village with restaurant, bar and convenience store. Property consists of: Large chalet (38 m²), rendered concrete block construction with covered terrace (30m²). Small chalet (10 m²), timber construction on concrete base.

Log cabin (12 m²). Total area approx. 5 acres.

Price: £95,000

Price: 189,000€

Price: 98,500€

francoisebm@orange.fr

Email: paulinehandover@gmail.com

Email: paulinehandover@gmail.com

CHASSENEUIL AREA

TARN

DEUX SEVRES, SOUTH WEST FRANCE

Renovated stone cottage with 153 m² of living space. Large reception room, fitted kitchen, 3 bedrooms & office. Attached barn & nearly an acre of mature grounds. Quiet hamlet setting, 5 minutes from the local town.

Impressive double fronted stone built village house – fully restored with light and bright accommodation. Spacious living room and dining room plus fitted kitchen, 3 double bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms. Small front garden plus 10 acres of additional land and ruined barn.

Easy reach historic St Antonin Noble Val.

Wonderful property providing a haven of peace.

Magnificent longère, renovated, 290m2 living area, with almost 3 acres of land. Stocked lake, swimming pool, woodland, geo-thermal heating, solar panels.

Agency fees included.

Ref: 7177 LR Price: 159,000€ Tel: 0033 54 53 76 990 www.tourdeclefs.fr

Ref: 5580 Price: 175,000€ Telephone: 0033 (0)563 306024 www.agencelunion.com

Agency fees included.

Ref: AI3712 Price: 420,000€ www.property-sales-france.com www.actous.com

ON TH E MARK ET

CREUSE, LIMOUSIN

CHARENTE – SOUTH WEST FRANCE

PIÉGUT-PLUVIERS (DORDOGNE, 24)

This 2-bed detached property is actually two adjoining cottages, one of which is used as the main house, the other is currently used for storage but could easily be converted into further living space.

The property is in a beautiful location with lovely views over the surrounding countryside.

This renovated and extended renovated stone farmhouse is in a secluded position with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. There are more than 260m2 of living space, in-ground pool, 5 acres of garden and paddocks, large barn, garage and stables

Attractive, fully renovated 3 bed stone cottage with attached barn, set in tranquil location. 1.5 acres of land with lovely views and various stone outbuildings that could be renovated to create gîtes.

Ref: 7566 Price: 87,450€ www.laresidence.co.uk

Agency fees included

Exclusive mandat.

REF: AI3736 €273,000

Ref: R9728E Price: 199,000€

www.property-sales-france.com www.actous.com

Tel: +33 (0)555 284640 or +33 (0)553 560935 E-mail: contact@allez-francais.com

INDRE-ET-LOIRE, CENTRE

LOT ET GARONNE

NANTEUIL-EN-VALLÉE

Character property in the Tours area of the Loire with luxury accommodation for family and friends, a swimming pool and wonderful views over the valley.

Very special, and just reduced.

3 Bedroom Country House On 2.5 Acres With Heated Swimming Pool : Large family kitchen with wood burner, sitting room with wood burner, bathroom, shower room and 3 bedrooms.

Heat pump heating which reverses in the summer to provide air conditioning.

Agency fees included.

A beautiful stone built property in good overall condition throughout. The property offers a peaceful and calm location in the countryside with a swimming pool and establish gardens with woodland offering a good stock of wood. 5 minutes drive into Lauzun with all its amenities including shops and restaurants. Bergerac airport 30 minutes drive. Land : 5000m² with woodland.

Agency fees included.

Ref: MFH-LOR1889N Price: 500,000€

Richard Immobilier Price: 220,000€ www.richardimmo.com | 0033 0553833046

www.tic-ruffec.com info@tic-ruffec.com

EAST CHARENTE

NEUVIC (DORDOGNE, 24)

VAR, PROVENCE-ALPES-COTE D’AZUR

Two independent properties. Main house: 130 m²: sitting room, kitchen, 3 beds & office. Covered terrace, garden with pool. 2nd property, 2 bed bungalow with terrace & garden.

Quiet rural hamlet setting.

Agency fees included.

A charming restored stone-built 4 bed character house in a quiet hamlet with 4 bedrooms and swimming pool. Dating from around 1790, this pretty property has oil central heating, a new roof and a wealth of period features.

Charming and lovely villa set on a flat and fenced plot of 2,200 sq m with a pool just 1km from the golf of Saint Endreol in the Var.

www.my-french-house.com

Ref: R4810 Price: 161,000€

Exclusive mandat.

Ref: D9697E Price: 199,950€

Price: 179,900€ TEL: 0033 545376990 Ref: 7062 CK www.tourdeclefs.fr

Tel: +33 (0)555 284640 or +33 (0)553 560935 Email: contact@allez-francais.com

Ref: MFH-PROB-1648 Price: 470,000€ www.my-french-house.com

O N TH E MARK ET

GARD, OCCITANIE

AUDE, OCCITANIE

DEUX-SEVRES, NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE

Enjoy the provencal dream with income. Two beautiful bastide style properties. In a village close to Mediaeval Uzès with views of vines and olive trees, these modern properties comprise our spacious home with under floor heating/cooling, three en suite bedrooms, 2 with dressing rooms and a second delightful residence with proven income.

Restored village house in wine producing area surrounded by vineyards yet within minutes of Narbonne and Lezignan Corbieres. The house has been gradually restored and improved to provide a spacious, light and comfortable holiday home, with flexible accommodation, while still retaining a number of original features.

Stunning maison de maitre with 2 luxury gites in the pretty riverside village of Coulon near La Rochelle.

Enjoy a warmer relaxed lifestyle in the calm of the regional park of the Marais Poitevin known as the Green Venice. Live the friendly life in a charming touristic village with 8 restaurants. Soak up the sun on the unspoilt sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast.

Price: 850,000€

Price: 100,000€

Price: 840,000€

philip.congdon@orange.fr

dptstandre@gmail.com

www.lelogisdebellevue.com/forsale

LIVRADOIS FOREZ

MONTMORILLON, VIENNE

CLOSE TO LILLE

Beautiful traditional stone farmhouse dating from 1890. Located at an altitude of 1000 m, south facing.

The house has been completely renovated and offers a habitable surface of 185 m². Barn with 2 levels of 60 m². Grounds of 4150 m².

Agency fees included.

A showhome finish to this historic 6 bedroom residence with gîte. The main garden is low maintenance and has many attractive features.

The property also boasts an income-producing two bedroom gîte finished to a very high standard, with garden overlooking the river.

Environmentally friendly four bedroomed home, two bathrooms with gorgeous conservatory.

House 220m2 plot 680m2 by Saint-Amand dominical forest, all amenities at hand.

Includes furnished flat/gîte for extra income.

Ref: 63001493 Price: 199,500€

www.mybvi.fr/14835 www.beauxvillages.com/en

Price: 333,900€ www.auvergne-properties.com

Price: 390,000€ mavisbedford@gmail.com

GIRONDE, AQUITAINE

AUDE, OCCITANIE

TARN ET GARONNE, GASCONY

Panoramic views and peaceful situation for this renovated 3 bedroom Perigordian-style house which sits in the middle of 6.3 acres and is close to a popular market town, with all amenities, between Bergerac and Saint Emilion.

Lovely 3 bedroom/2 bathroom town house in Carcassonne close to the river and the town center.

Borde Basse, a spacious country house with established rental business, which was converted in 2000/1 into two spacious interconnected houses.

Set in nearly 3 acres of wooded park with extensive views over surrounding farmlands, it is a haven of peace and tranquillity. Each house has its own terrace, swimming pool, entrance and driveway.

Agency fees included.

Price: 595,000€

Ref: 75089JZ33 Price: 251,450€ FAI

Ref: MFH-MSA8409 Price: 267,000€

mikeandkate@bordebasse.co.uk www.discovergascony.com

www.leggettfrance.com

www.my-french-house.com

ON TH E MARK ET

CHARENTE, SOUTH WEST FRANCE

TARN ET GARONNE

LE BUGUE (DORDOGNE, 24)

Location, location for this 4 bedroomed house situated within walking distance of all amenities, on the edge of the small town. Mains drainage, oil fired central heating, pizza oven, garage, outbuildings, and plot size of over half an acre.

Agency fees included.

Charming, character country house on the edge of a village 7kms from a market town.

With 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms (2 of which are in the interconnecting self contained guest suite), a large 12m x 5m swimming pool, delightful garden and 5 acre grounds. 2 car garage.

Beautiful Perigordine manoir and gite complex (12 beds total), situated at the centre of an impressive 56 acre estate in the Perigord Noir.

Nr Sarlat, Les Eyzies, and the R Dordogne

Ref: AI3470 Price: 144,720€

Telephone: 0033 (0)563 306024 www.agencelunion.com

www.property-sales-france / www.actous.com

Ref: 5144 Price: 450,000€

Ref: A9700D Price: 979,650€

Tel: +33 (0)555 284640 or +33 (0)553 560935 contact@allez-francais.com

AUNAC, CHARENTE

TARN ET GARONNE

MORBIHAN, BRITTANY

A stunning stone property, full of character, just a 10 minute walk away from amenities in the village of Aunac. The property is comprised of a living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room/bathroom, three bedrooms and a shower room. There is also an attached barn (which offers great scope for development), a lovely patio area, and gorgeous garden.

Striking restored house with charming main rooms and 4 to 5 bedrooms set in 2 ½ acres with superb country views. Swimming pool, 2nd house to restore, range of outbuildings and, amazingly, walking distance to lively local village and leisure lake.

1 hr. Toulouse.

A fabulous 2 bed stone cottage with a walled garden patio, gardens laid to lawn, wooded area to the front, 2 good size outbuildings and a swimming pool with decking for those warm summer days. Fully renovated with new roof with insulation and double glazing.

Ref: F0503 Price: 149,950€ FAI Tel: 00 33 545 30 35 31 www.properties-in-charente.com

Ref: 5491 Price: 342,000€ Telephone: 0033 (0)563 306024 www.agencelunion.com

Ref: LBVIMMO1258 Price: €98,325 www.lbvimmo.com

NIEVRE

CEILLAC, HAUTES ALPES

NEAR EYMET

A delightful cottage dated 1828 and completely renovated, still under guarantee. 2 Bedrooms easily made into 3. Energy costs approx. EUR 400 pa.

Set on 1 Ha land, partly forested with charming garden in small peaceful hamlet.

Less than 20 minutes from N7.

1,615 sq ft chalet, 1 living, 1 dining room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car garage, 1 utility room, 1 habitable attic. Fully furnished and equipped, 61,247 sq ft of land.

Liveable 12 months of the year.

A substantial stone built property offering spacious living in a sleepy elevated French village a few kilometers from Eymet bastide town. The property is situated in a quiet location with gas central heating & two stone barns which would convert into two gites and a good sized established garden. Bergerac airport 20 minutes drive. Land : 2000m² approx Agency fees included.

Price: 125,500€

Price: 495,000€ (negotiable)

Price: 367,500€

ymeuniermd@gmail.com

www.richardimmo.com

Tel: Nicky Hall on 07549 675271

O N TH E MARK ET

ELNE, PYRÉNÉES-ORIENTALES An old winery built into the medieval castle walls, this beautiful and unique stone building (350 m²) with its stunning zinc covered doors and 800 years old walls comprises, on two floors, 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms.

The pretty enclosed garden of about 500 m² is planted with trees and includes a swimming pool.

Price: 693,000€ www.mybvi.fr/16942 www.beauxvillages.com/en

CHEF-BOUTONNE, DEUX-SEVRES

MAYENNE, PAYS DE LA LOIRE

A superb property maintaining all of its character features and with lots of scope for development into the beautiful outbuildings. There is a courtyard and large garden behind the property too. The property itself is comprised of a dining room, living room, kitchen, storerooms, bathroom, five bedrooms and a convertible attic. A rare find and a real gem!

Agency fees included. Tel: 00 33 545 30 35 31

This beautifully renovated property consists of a main house and a separate gite. There are fabulous views over the surrounding countryside and there is a popular market town a few kms away.

Ref: F0425 Price: 205,200€

Ref: 7806 Price: 156,000€

www.properties-in-charente.com

www.laresidence.co.uk

LOT ET GARONNE, AQUITAINE

CHEF-BOUTONNE

RURAL CHARENTE

A lovely old stone built farmhouse to restore with attached barn and other outbuildings including an old pigsty and separate barn on good sized grounds.

Situated at the entrance of a historical village yet in quiet countryside with views and all shops and amenities within a 5 minute drive. Bergerac and its airport 40 minutes. Land: 5000m² Agency fees included.

Pretty Longère on the edge of a river.

Recently renovated “Longère”, in a village not far from Chef-Boutonne. The only word for this property is tranquil as it stood in a beautifully plot of land of 1,608m² on the banks of the small river “Aume”.

Stone cottage to renovate with 85 m² of living space, plus attic suitable to convert. Many of original features including exposed beams, fireplace and pebble floor. Stone barn, outbuildings & an acre of attached land.

Agency fees included.

Price: 97,200€ www.richardimmo.com

www.tic-ruffec.com info@tic-ruffec.com

COTES D’ARMOR, BRITTANY

NEAR VERTEUIL-SUR-CHARENTE

CHARENTE LEISURE LAKES

The perfect Brittany village home, charming and spacious interior, lots of character, 3 beds, Tastefully furnished and that’s included, garden and great location. Access is easy, just 76km from the ferries of St Malo which arrive from Portsmouth, Poole and the Channel Islands

Beautifully renovated country house.

This country house situated in a pleasant environment thanks to wonderful views over the surroundings, a well-kept garden and not far from one of the prettiest villages in the Charente.

An excellent barn conversion with 190 m² of living space including a 60 m² reception room with central staircase, sitting room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms & mezzanine. Garage, workshop & enclosed garden.

Immaculate throughout.

Agency fees included.

Ref: R4983 Price: 194,000€ Price: 56,900€ TEL: 0033 545376990 Ref: 7178 CK www.tourdeclefs.fr

Ref: R4980 Price: €175,000 Ref: 67102MLG22 Price: 87,500€ FAI www.leggettfrance.com

www.tic-ruffec.com info@tic-ruffec.com

Price: 225,750€ TEL: 0033 545376990 Ref: 7152 CK www.tourdeclefs.fr

ON TH E MARK ET

CÔTES-D’ARMOR – BRITTANY

MANCHE, NORMANDY

TARN-ET-GARONNE, OCCITANIE

This is a quite stunning house in a beautiful setting. The house comes with electric heating, fitted kitchen, double glazing, veranda to the front, large double garage and the immaculate landscaped gardens which are the real star of this property. The local village is a 5 minute drive away.

Gorgeous 3-bed country cottage in peaceful, private location with pretty rural views, includes a large outbuilding and gardens of 1080m2.

If you're looking for a move-in ready property, this one is perfect for you!

A pretty ensemble of renovated stone farmhouse for sale with a large stone barn set in 9 acres grounds with far reaching views in South West France.

Ref: LBVIMMO1278

Price: €103.787

www.lbvimmo.com

REF: 75165CMR50 €125,350 FAI www.leggettfrance.com

Ref: MFH-CVS82597 Price: 369,000€ www.my-french-house.com

HAUTE-VIENNE - LIMOUSIN

GERS

SPEZET – FINISTÈRE

A splendid 3 bedroom detached stone built property situated in a hamlet of approximately 45 houses.

This property has lots of space and the garden is a real suntrap with lawns and a vegetable garden.

Two of the bedrooms have pretty Juliette balconies adding to the charm of this lovely property that is ready to move straight into.

Agency fees included.

Make your dream of living in a French Château a reality by taking on this historic château ready to have its restoration completed. With over 6 hectares of terrain and located on a proximate hill top.

Renovated Manor (XVIII) on large plot of land in peaceful setting. Over 3 floors with 7 bedrooms and wood fired central heating. Numerous outbuildings including; converted house, as well as a stable and workshop ready for conversion. Living space: 500 m² No neighbours. Land: 7ha 16a 84ca.

Price: 695,000€

Ref: SP133C Price: 680.000 € + Fees

Ref: LBVimmo1165 Price: 129,500€ www.lbvimmo.com

www.troquette.com

www.lemeur-gourin.notaires.fr

NANCLARS, CHARENTE

LANDES, AQUITAINE

ORNE, NORMANDY

Set in a sought-after village, not far from Angoulême, this is a beautifully renovated 3-bed village property with a gorgeous, large garden of 1,454m² with a terrace and outbuildings too! The property has lots of character and is comprised of a kitchen, dining room, living room, conservatory, three bedrooms (one ensuite) and a bathroom.

9 bedroom basque property (2 independent houses connected by dining terrace) with multiple income opportunities. Bar, games room and gym and 1.5 acres of woodland gardens. Just 45 minutes from the sandy beaches of Biarritz and 90 minutes to the ski stations of the Pyrenees.

HOUSE (4 bed) and CHALET (4 bed), terracing, lake access, swimming pool, spa, sauna, 2 garages, car park and woodland.

Ideal for the sports enthusiast who wants access to the lake, a retiring couple who can enjoy the potential supplementary income from the chalet and those who want to be in France but then not too far away for a quick drive back to the UK.

TEL; 00 33 545.30.35.31 Ref: F0423 Price: 156,600€ FAI www.properties-in-charente.com

Live there, use part as a gite or take over the business.

Price: 399,000€

www.frenchfusion.com

Price: €299,900 andrew@andrewhodges.com

Go to www.francepropertyshop.com for thousands more properties for sale 424078

434430

434426

Orne, Normandy

Dordogne, Nouvelle Aquitaine

Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle Aquitaine

HOUSE (4 bedrooms) and CHALET (4 bedrooms), terracing, lake access, swimming pool, spa, sauna, 2 garages, car park and woodland.

Characterful stone property for sale in the Perigord Vert, totally renovated with heated swimming pool, Dordogne, Nouvelle Aquitaine.

Fabulous setting for this character property in 5.4Ha’s, Deux-Sèvres, Nouvelle Aquitaine. The surrounding countryside is perfect for nature lovers, those looking for a small holding and for equestrian usage.

299,900 €

249,100 €

286,200 €

434424

434405

434389

Morbihan, Brittany

Eure, Normandy

La Reunion

House, Séglien, Morbihan, Brittany

This beautiful property, which offers around 200sq m of living space, combines charm and comfort and is ideally situated in a village 10 minutes from Pacy sur Eure and 50 minutes from the west of Paris.

This quiet apartment, which offers 74.45sq m of living space with terrace (14.76sq m) and private garden (135sq m) and 2 parking spaces, is located in a secure residence.

192,400 €

396,000 €

210,000 €

434336

434309

434303

Dordogne, Nouvelle Aquitaine

Vienne, Nouvelle Aquitaine

Morbihan, Brittany

This lovely 4 bedroom barn conversion is truly the french dream. The stone built property sits in its own garden of nearly 3000 msup2; with a 12 m x 6 m swimming pool and sunbathing terrace overlooking the idyllic rolling countryside.

Four bedrooms and two bathrooms in the main house with two further double bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms and a wonderful first floor living area in the annex.

This large and beautiful longere is oriented in a south and south-east configuration and has its own unique and charm. It is composed of a main building and has a clear view on the peaceful surrounding countryside.

365,000 €

235,400 €

320,000 €

NEW AND IMPROVED SITE www.francepropertyshop.com

and make sure to SIGN UP for our weekly newsletter 434299

434277

434261

Lot-et-Garonne

Côtes-d’Armor, Brittany

Manche, Normandy

A lovely 3 bedroom country house with exceptional views, with swimming pool and 2+ acres of pasture woodland, completely private and calm ~ between Marmande and Casteljaloux, and 85km to Bordeaux.

Character 3 bedroom house in immaculate condition within walking distance to pretty town of Belle Isle en Terre and 20 minutes to the coast. Ideal family home or holiday residence with great road links to the coast and ports.

Fully renovated stone house in a beautiful valley set within 2.5 acres of land. The land includes 2 spring fed ponds, an orchard with various fruit trees plus a vegetable plot and with a large and pretty garden area around the house.

394,000 €

119,900 €

165,000 €

434256

434231

434226

St Simeon

Charente-Maritime

Finistère, Brittany

A pretty cottage, in beautiful, rolling Normandy countryside, just outside the centre of the village of St Simeon - 61350 - with good sized rooms, wood shed and storage for garden equipment.

This large, stone-built property with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms has been fully renovated with taste and flare and comes with a garden of a little less than half an acre, with plenty of space for a pool.

Great little house with 2 verandas sitting in a quiet hamlet but only minutes from the city center. Ideally situated for Quimper, Concarneau, Pont Aven and the fabulous coastline.

120,000 €

296,800 €

108,900 €

434161

434364

434243

Lot-et-Garonne

Eure, Normandy

La Roche Guyon, Val-d’Oise

Contemporary villa on a hill with stunning views of the countryside. Land of 7.6 ha adjoining. This home is composed a living room stay 40 m2, cooks equipped 12 m2, cellar 5 m2, 3 rooms from 10 to 11 m2, room of bath 8.5 m2, toilet.

Offering 300sq m of living space, this property is arranged over 3 floors. On the ground floor, the entrance hall leads to a lounge opening onto a terrace, a dining room, a kitchen and WC.

This magnificent property, which offers around 198sq m of living space, is located in the centre of La Roche Guyon and has been lovingly restored by ‘Les Compagnons du Devoir’.

299,000 €

598,800 €

555,000 €

FPN Classified

To advertise call our advertising department on 01242 216099

PROPERTY FOR SALE Allez-Français – leading property specialists for South West France since 2002

www.allez-francais.com 05 55 28 46 40 / 05 53 56 09 35 A small business, but big on initiative & ideas

P9706AFD Sousceyrac en Quercy (Lot, 46) R9671 Saint-Estèphe (Dordogne, 24) Lovely renovated 4 bedroom house for sale in gardens of Immaculate light and airy 3 bed house for sale, fully 6200m² overlooking stunning countryside close to St Céré fenced garden of 2700m² just a short walk to leisure lake.

Price 334,400€ Price 185,000€

MAISON DE MAITRE

VAR – FLAYOSC

€895,000

Stunning maison de maitre full of period features which has been renovated to the highest standard and is situated in a lovely village close to Carcassonne with its airport and train station. The property consists of the main house with 8 bedrooms, a 3 bedroom gite, barn, large independent office/conference space, garage, summer kitchen, heated pool and 1944m2 of garden/land.

Barry Stephens: 07841 341809 | domainstroch@gmail.com

One-seventh share for sale in 16 year old 3 bed property, situated on high ground with super uninterrupted views. Pool, boule court on 1 acre.

7/8 wks occupation each year.

Price £60,000 rjw14@mac.com 01883 623 782

Located within the striking rural Loire Valley, an engaging and extensively converted house which combines superb character and modern facilities.

BUSINESS FOR SALE near Cognac, Charente Successful, 3 star, award winning business set in a popular tourist location near Cognac, offering - main house for B&B and three self-catering cottages with heated pool and jacuzzi set in beautiful grounds of 6000m2. 600,000€ email: info@cognac-country.com Tel: +33 5 46 59 01 31 www.cognac-country.com

1,950m

FOR SALE

Noyant-la-Gravoyère, France

Ceillac, Hautes Alpes €495,000 (negot.)

1,615 sq ft chalet | 1 living, 1 dining room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car garage, 1 utility room, 1 habitable attic | Fully furnished & equipped | 61,247 sq ft of land | Liveable 12 mths/yr ymeuniermd@gmail.com

St.Nicolas de la Grave, Tarn et Garonne

Beautifully renovated farmhouse in the heart of peaceful orchards and open countryside, set in 3 acres of land 403m2 main house + 80m2 separate maisonette. Includes paddock, 3 indoor & 3 outdoor stables, lunge ring & automatic walker, swimming pool and lovely gardens.

Price €495,000 jongne@icloud.com 0033 6 86 57 04 52

3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

Circa 2500 sqft. of well proportioned accommodation established in a quiet farming hamlet and approximately 10km from a town centre.

€184,950

Call 01428 602943 or email hilljohn353@yahoo.co.uk

FOR SALE, BUSINESS/INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY Opposite the church centre of Naucelle, Aveyron Two lock up shops. Living accommodation above divided into one 1bedroom flat, two 2 bedroom flats, one 3 bedroom flat. Potential income €1,500 PCM. Will make up to 14 bedrooms Bed and Breakfast accommodation. One shop let as Pizzeria €250 PCM Other shop usable but vacant. All major structural work done but still some work to do to make it habitable.

More information 00 33 (0) 565299624 email: richard.derrick@wanadoo.fr

Offers in the region of €129,000

www.richardimmo.com

Hundreds of properties in DORDOGNE or LOT et GARONNE

7 rue du Château 47410 Lauzun Tel: 05 53 83 30 46

Luxurious family home in the beautiful Normandy countryside, within the Normandie-Maine national park - €245,000

NORMANDY, near Alençon Village house, excellent condition, 45 mins south of Caen.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms/WCs, kitchen, dining-room, sitting-room, conservatory, courtyard, separate garden.

£95,000 Furniture and appliances available Contact Francoise or Mike 00 33 553 31 67 63 or francoisebm@orange.fr

108 French Property News June 2017

Limousin, Rochechouart Superb 3/4 bedroom, 220sq.m SousSol House, 30sq.m. lounge + balcony, 12sq.m. fitted kitchen, two 14sq.m. bedrooms, bathroom, toilet, on upper floor. At ground level, large apartment (lounge/ diner, family bedroom, shower, toilet), utility room, garage. Airport 25 minutes.

145,000 Euros/Sterling equivalent

billandmaro1210@gmail.com

Tranquil situation but not isolated three miles from small market town with all amenities. Far reaching views from garden and all windows, southerly aspect. Situated on a quiet country lane leading in half a mile to the Paris - Mont Saint Michel voie verte, a peaceful, traffic free and scenic bridle path ideal for walking, riding or cycling.

Contact Jim or Moyra on 0033 233 496 666 jimandmoyra69@yahoo.co.uk

www.completefrance.com

To advertise call our advertising department on 01242 216099

Classified FPN

PROPERTY FOR SALE Three lakes set in beautiful parkland with mature bushes and trees in excellent state, fenced with entrance gates off minor road. Within walking distance of a village with restaurant, bar and convenience store.

The property consists of: ●

● ●

Large chalet (38 m2), rendered concrete block construction with covered terrace (30m2) Small chalet (10 m2), timber construction on concrete base Log cabin (12 m2) with outside BBQ area.

Three lakes all conforming to correct legislation: 3,000m2, 2,000m2 and 1,000m2, all to norms. Total area aprx. 5 acres.

Price: 98,500€ Contact: paulinehandover@gmail.com

Looking to buy or sell?

Or looking for a job in France?

4,000 properties for sale in France Select choice of character properties near Narbonne and the Canal du Midi. +33 (0)4 68 48 84 03 info@pullenfrance.com www.pullenfrance.com

Traditional village house near Chablis, northern Burgundy Village House in Melisey. Located in beautiful countryside near to Chablis.

Fully furnished house and attached small garden/orchard. Two bedrooms, upstairs bathroom with WC, downstairs WC, kitchen, store room & living room.

55,000€ o.n.o E-mail: melisey@btinternet.com Tel: 0208 393 9535

BEAUTIFUL RENOVATION

Maison de Maître with 3 bedrooms, spacious living areas and large cellar. With beautiful views of the countryside and land with 120 truffle oaks. €234,000 Contact Kate on 0033785073790 or c.mudie2@gmail.com

Tel: 020 7428 4910 www.sextantproperties.com

CARS FOR SALE

PROPERTY SERVICES

ARCHITECTS AD

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Based in Dinan and covering all of North-West France Tel: +33 2 96 83 47 25 Email: allen.architectes@orange.fr www.architectbrittany.com

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www.adamsdesign.org

June 2017 French Property News 109

FPN Classified

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PROPERTY SERVICES

Bromleighs

Anything less is a compromise

Midi-Pyrénées. Our residential design studio offers a complete architectural service from conception through to planning permission and site management.

For a current brochure or further information, please call the team on 01208 79490 or visit www.bromleighs.com

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BUILDING IN THE

AVEYRON AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Experienced builder for all your refurbishment and repair work References available Tel: 0033(0)5 65 29 49 25 Mobile: 0033(0)6 79 39 17 68 Email: david.bull@wanadoo.fr

Free home design consultation www.ifonlybydesign.com

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NIGEL WHITE ARCHITECT

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Siren No 477655542

To advertise For further details of our services please go to www.jon-thecarpetman.com Tel: 0033 (0)5 55 73 63 16 Email:jonthecarpetman@gmail.com

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A family business established over 30 years offering a reliable & flexible service. For a free quotation contact us on:

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110 French Property News June 2017

Man with a van service Friendly, Mature Service, Ex-Police Living in Limousin, specialising in moves between UK and France Competitive Rates Fully Insured Please call Mick for further info UK: 03330 220 359 Fr: 05.55.71.73.87

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SURVEYORS BUY WITH YOUR HEART BUT TALK TO US FIRST! Structural Building Surveys.

Floor plans, advice on renovations, tailored surveys.

25 years experience.

Matthew Noble BSc(Hons) MRICS.

www.SurveysinFrance.com (Bi-Lingual Property Consultants)

Chartered Surveyor resident in South West France offers: ■ Comprehensive written pre-purchase Surveys ■ Feasibility of Renovations with Costs ■ Over 35 years of experience

www.mkn-surveyors.com matthew@mkn-surveyors.com FR: +33 (0)602 520 895 UK: +44 (0)74 8464 6778 UK: +44 (0)1944 768 561

Pre-Purchase Surveys - Planning - Project Management RICS Registered & Insured Gordon P. Barnes MRICS FCIOB Tel: 0033(0)553 24 28 13 Mob: 0033(0)6 30 62 60 07

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BRITTANY HOUSE SURVEYS

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n a n o t u o Missed g article? interestin For a full list of all back issues still available call ☎ +44 (0)1858 438788 PRICE PER ISSUE, INC P&P: • UK £4.50 • Europe £5.50 • RoW £6.50 www.completefrance.com

June 2017 French Property News 111

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FRENCH PROPERTY

JULY ISSUE

On sale 14th June

Don’t start on that renovation project until you’ve read our guide to sympathetic restoration

● Sympathetic renovation How to update your period property without losing its authenticity and charm

● Affordable France Which areas offer the best value for money across the southern half of France?

● From Brest to Biarritz What can househunters expect along the stunning Atlantic coast?

● From London to Bèziers Why this southern town was the perfect choice for a young Francophile couple

● Don’t split heirs Why you can’t afford to ignore inheritance and succession planning

● Green fingers Why finding a home for newts is all in a day’s work for a property developer

● Nantes vs Bordeaux Which of these historic Atlantic estuary towns wins out in a property battle?

● There be dragons Discover monster myths and charming homes in Provençal Tarascon

● Stories from the slopes Author Emma Henderson talks about running a ski chalet in the Alps

● Good neighbours Keep on the right side of your ‘voisins’ for invaluable property and DIY advice

● Horsing around Why France is the ideal location for equestrian properties and lifestyle

● 3 of the best We pick out three smashing new-builds where all you have to do is unpack

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Plus... all the usual regulars, expert legal and financial advice, real life stories and property and travel news June 2017 French Property News 113

MY DREAM HOME

A château with a romantic history and modern comforts enchants Joanne Davey

Joanne Davey of French Character Homes explains why she is drawn to this château in the foothills of the Pyrénées, on the market for €848,000.

W

ho could resist a château that once belonged to one of the legendary Three Musketeers?

Some 350 years ago, this historic building in the heart of a popular village in the Béarn area belonged to Isaac de Portau, who inspired the character of Porthos in Alexandre Dumas’ iconic novel.

Today it is being run as a B&B but it would equally well make a wonderful family home with its six en-suite bedrooms and living accommodation spread over four floors. It is ready for someone to arrive with just their suitcases in hand.

114 French Property News June 2017

Having lain abandoned for nearly half a century, the château was bought in 2005 by its current owners, who have fully and sympathetically renovated it.

Wooden windows were handmade to replicate the originals and the impressive central staircase was professionally restored.

The original kitchen and former chai for storing wine were preserved in the basement and the oak floors, exposed stonework and beamed ceilings are back to their original glory.

Inside, you are instantly transported back to the 16th and 17th centuries without missing out on modern comforts. The rooms are very large with incredible views onto beautiful meadows framed by mountain peaks. My favourite features are the original château kitchen and the dining terrace.

The village has a bakery, post office and

restaurant/bar, and is only 20 minutes from the ski slopes of La Pierre St Martin and the Nordic ski resort Issarbe.

The neighbouring village has a renowned rugby team and even hosts the National Junior Championships. There’s also the Fête des Bergers, a long-weekend celebration of the shepherds and their flocks returning from the mountains after the long summer months.

Outdoor lovers can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoe walking, canoeing, birdwatching, horse-riding and excellent fishing.

To top it all off, there are several airports in easy reach – Pau, Biarritz, Lourdes, Bordeaux and Toulouse. No wonder I’m not the only one at the agency who has fallen for the former seat of a musketeer. You could say we’re all for one, because this château is certainly one for all. ■ frenchcharacterhomes.com

www.completefrance.com

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