From renovation projects at under €30,000 to the cheapest chateaux in the country, you’ll find them all here. Increasingly popular with British buyers, the area boasts fabulous transport links to the UK by air, road and rail.

Paris is less than two hours away and you’re within a day’s drive or train ride to Bordeaux or the Mediterranean coast.

Two principal factors affect the Mayenne housing market. Firstly, thanks to its history, the area offers an abundance of vacant properties, ripe for renovation.

Secondly, forward-thinking local officials have brought the Mayenne into the 21st century, meaning the area now attracts jobs and investment from throughout the world.

The result is a strong local economy and increasing demand – and prices – for property.

A local estate agency with an in-depth knowledge of this beautiful area is run by husband and wife team Eric and Beatrice le Goff.

Renovating

Their agency has an excellent reputation throughout the Mayenne and has exactly the types of properties British house-hunters are looking for. Customer service is key to their success.

Beatrice explained: “We know how difficult it can be for people coming to France from the UK, so we can help with things like arranging a phone connection and dealing with the electricity company.”

The area also offers some of the best value for money in France. The low prices even apply to the most prestigious of properties with chateaux often available from around €400,000. That is very low compared to the rest of France.

In fact, the Mayenne boasts a large number of chateaux thanks to its proximity to Paris and the French Revolution. The capital’s wealthy began arriving here after 1789 (and subsequent revolutions) to escape violence within the city.

Another revolution to have an impact was of the Industrial type. From around the 1850s, much of France was changed forever in the race to modernise manufacturing. Except in the Mayenne. Local landowners preferred the old tenant-farmer system to ensure a good living.

However, it didn’t do much for the tenants. Therefore, the Mayenne witnessed large-scale depopulation as locals moved out of western France to find work in booming industrial towns elsewhere in the country. In 1850, the Department’s population stood at 350,000.

By 1950 it had shrunk to 250,000. As a consequence, many properties were abandoned and are often vacant to this day. However, the population is now climbing with advances in technology, more jobs available and many towns developing an industrial estate.

Families

The development of an excellent education system here means that students no longer have to travel to Rennes or Paris. The Department also has one of the highest levels of families with young children in France.

That’s why many are predicting a bright future for the Mayenne and why the time to buy property here is now. Visit Mayenne Property for Sale: Town-by Town guide for detailed knowledge and property prices for the area.

Situated in the Aquitaine region of the hilly south-west of France, the Dordogne is home to famous French wines (including Bergerac), ancient ‘bastide’ towns, mouth-watering cuisine (including the famous Pâté de foie gras), incredible historic monuments and castles (it has 4000 chateaux, 10 per cent of all in France), and a wide variety of cultural attractions

The region takes its name from the river that runs through it, although locally it is known as the Perigord, a name derived from Gaulish word ‘Petrecore’ the collective name of four tribes who used to inhabit this diverse and beautiful region.

These tribes, who once formed part of a resistance against the Romans, give their colourful names to the four parts of the region.

“Périgord Vert” (Green Périgord) a region of lush and verdant valleys with Nontron as its principal town.
“Périgord Blanc” (White Périgord) situated around the capital of Périgueux and named after the white limestone that characterizes this area and gives it its landscape of plateaux, wide valleys and meadows.
“Périgord Pourpre” (Purple Périgord) a wine growing region whose capital is the renowned Bergerac.
“Périgord Noir” (Black Périgord) situated around its capital of Sarlat and named after the Oak and Pine woods that comprise much of the region.

Weather

Despite the lushness of its beautiful landscapes, the region enjoys wonderful weather. Summers tend to be hot with average temperatures ranging between 25 and 35 degrees centigrade, while spring and autumn are only slightly milder with the range between 22 and 28 degrees. Although the region is prone to some rainfall the skies are rarely grey with sunshine averaging over 2000 hours of sunshine per year (that’s 5 ½ hours a day).

Getting There

The best way to travel to the Dordogne is by flying and continuing your journey by hire car. The region’s principal airport is situated in Bergerac and is served by Ryanair and flybe who also serve nearby Limoges. Bordeaux (British Airways, flybe, bmibaby, Aer Lingus and easyJet ) and Toulouse (British Airways, flybe, bmibaby, easyJet and bmi) are also close.

Property Prices

The Dordogne has traditionally been a popular destination for those people choosing to relocate to France. It has been particularly popular with the Dutch, the Germans, and above all the British, with young families and retirees making up the greater part of the demographic. As a consequently prices have traditionally remained high.

However due to the rising popularity of other destinations in France, prices in the Dordogne have recently stabilised, making it an increasingly affordable choice.

Although the cheapest properties tend to be those in need of renovation, potential buyers should be wary that these properties often require a major investment (in time as well as money) in order to make them habitable.

The most popular properties tend to be those that are located within their own grounds within easy access of local shops. Naturally, however, these tend to be the highest priced properties.

Those on a tighter budget should consider properties in more remote locations (attractive to more self-sufficient people) and properties within towns and villages (the best bet for those who want to get to know the locals).

The Buying Process

Once you have made the decision to buy a property in the Dordogne, the process is fairly straightforward.

1.Both parties will sign the Compromis de Vente, this is a legally binding document. As the buyer you will be required to provide various documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce or death certificates, passports as well as information regarding the financing of the purchase.

2.This will be followed by a seven day ‘cooling off period’ during which both parties have the right to pull out of the deal. After this period the contract will be binding to both parties and you will be expected to pay the deposit (usually 10%) to the notaire.

3.All property in France is registered and it is the obligation of the notaire to carry out all relevant searches including legal ownership of the property, and the land boundaries and the rights of way. He must also ensure that any essential planning permissions have been obtained for works carried out.

4.In France the form of contract that you use to purchase your property determines what happens to your property in the event of your death. As such you should seek legal advice on this point.

5.You must organise (or have someone organise for you) the reconnection of services (gas/water/electricity) to your property.

6.You must acquire full building insurance for your property from the date of completion.

7.The signing of the final contract generally comes 3 months after your initial offer. Once signed the deeds will be sent away to be registered. This will take 3 to 6 months but in the meantime you are free to move into your new property.

8.Enjoy your new home!!!

Situated in the Aquitaine region of the hilly south-west of France, the Dordogne is home to famous French wines (including Bergerac), ancient ‘bastide’ towns, mouth-watering cuisine (including the famous Pâté de foie gras), incredible historic monuments and castles (it has 4000 chateaux, 10 per cent of all in France), and a wide variety of cultural attractions

The region takes its name from the river that runs through it, although locally it is known as the Perigord, a name derived from Gaulish word ‘Petrecore’ the collective name of four tribes who used to inhabit this diverse and beautiful region.

These tribes, who once formed part of a resistance against the Romans, give their colourful names to the four parts of the region.

”Périgord Vert” (Green Périgord) a region of lush and verdant valleys with Nontron as its principal town.
”Périgord Blanc” (White Périgord) situated around the capital of Périgueux and named after the white limestone that characterizes this area and gives it its landscape of plateaux, wide valleys and meadows.
”Périgord Pourpre” (Purple Périgord) a wine growing region whose capital is the renowned Bergerac.
”Périgord Noir” (Black Périgord) situated around its capital of Sarlat and named after the Oak and Pine woods that comprise much of the region.

Weather

Despite the lushness of its beautiful landscapes, the region enjoys wonderful weather. Summers tend to be hot with average temperatures ranging between 25 and 35 degrees centigrade, while spring and autumn are only slightly milder with the range between 22 and 28 degrees. Although the region is prone to some rainfall the skies are rarely grey with sunshine averaging over 2000 hours of sunshine per year (that’s 5 ½ hours a day).

Getting There

The best way to travel to the Dordogne is by flying and continuing your journey by hire car. The region’s principal airport is situated in Bergerac and is served by Ryanair and flybe who also serve nearby Limoges. Bordeaux (British Airways, flybe, bmibaby, Aer Lingus and easyJet ) and Toulouse (British Airways, flybe, bmibaby, easyJet and bmi) are also close.

Property Prices

The Dordogne has traditionally been a popular destination for those people choosing to relocate to France. It has been particularly popular with the Dutch, the Germans, and above all the British, with young families and retirees making up the greater part of the demographic. As a consequently prices have traditionally remained high.

However due to the rising popularity of other destinations in France, prices in the Dordogne have recently stabilised, making it an increasingly affordable choice.

Although the cheapest properties tend to be those in need of renovation, potential buyers should be wary that these properties often require a major investment (in time as well as money) in order to make them habitable.

The most popular properties tend to be those that are located within their own grounds within easy access of local shops. Naturally, however, these tend to be the highest priced properties.
Those on a tighter budget should consider properties in more remote locations (attractive to more self-sufficient people) and properties within towns and villages (the best bet for those who want to get to know the locals).

The Buying Process

Once you have made the decision to buy a property in the Dordogne, the process is fairly straightforward.

1. Both parties will sign the Compromis de Vente, this is a legally binding document. As the buyer you will be required to provide various documents including birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce or death certificates, passports as well as information regarding the financing of the purchase.

2. This will be followed by a seven day ‘cooling off period’ during which both parties have the right to pull out of the deal. After this period the contract will be binding to both parties and you will be expected to pay the deposit (usually 10%) to the notaire.

3. All property in France is registered and it is the obligation of the notaire to carry out all relevant searches including legal ownership of the property, and the land boundaries and the rights of way. He must also ensure that any essential planning permissions have been obtained for works carried out.

4. In France the form of contract that you use to purchase your property determines what happens to your property in the event of your death. As such you should seek legal advice on this point.

5. You must organise (or have someone organise for you) the reconnection of services (gas/water/electricity) to your property.

6. You must acquire full building insurance for your property from the date of completion.

7. The signing of the final contract generally comes 3 months after your initial offer. Once signed the deeds will be sent away to be registered. This will take 3 to 6 months but in the meantime you are free to move into your new property.

8. Enjoy your new home!!!

Don’t rush into buying properties for sale in France. You need to decide
which area(s) of France you want to buy in, then concentrate on finding the right
French property investment. Property organisation, nvillas can help you with the
process of buying a property for sale in France. Some tips are set out below to
help you:

you may consider that you know what you are looking for, but purchasing
the first property you see might not prove to be the ideal move.
look at as many houses as possible when you are in France to help
you decide what you really want. Don’t make a snap decision to buy – when
you are right outside a house.
even if you find yourself going back to the first house you saw, you
will by that time, have gained a better understanding of French property prices.
This will allow you to be more confident when you are making an offer.
do your research and read up on this topic. A good way to find out
more is to look at the chat forums at frenchleaseback.net and housepricecrash.co.uk.
Note that these facilities do include information on leaseback property for
sale in France. This property scheme has been operating in France since the
mid 80’s and can offer a good way to part fund your property purchase.
a lot of people buy properties for renovation in France. You need
to be clear exactly what work is required to improve the property. As a general
rule, if you wouldn’t consider the renovation work on a UK property –
you shouldn’t be considering it on a French property.
Be clear about the money you can invest in renovation properties. Also, be
warned that there are some properties with half finished extensions on the market.
be careful about making sure that the property you chose is within
easy reach of leisure activities that you enjoy, as well as good travel links.
Avoid buying a property in a remote location as this can create a stumbling
block for reselling properties in France.

Investing in property in France is still a firm favourite with the Brits and there is good reason for this loyalty!

More and more foreign owners are flooding to France, either for a second home or as an investment for their future. Over the last three years, an average of 80,000 properties per year have been sold to non-French buyers, almost half of which have been UK buyers. However, just because property is popular in France does not mean that a bargain cannot be found.

France has truly embraced the investors, both domestic and foreign and offers a range of useful facilities, such as guaranteed rentals and leaseback schemes that make investing in property in France a particularly solid and, therefore, popular choice.

Guaranteed rental schemes are exactly what they say they are and developers will sell properties, normally apartments or houses on a complex, to investors whilst offering a guaranteed rental of around 6 to 6.5 percent to the new owners.

The development company then takes over the running of the property and rents it as it chooses in order to make the rental income that it has promised to the owner. If the developer does not make the required return, then they will have to make up the shortfall.

However, if they exceed the profit, they will keep the excess profit. From the investors’ point of view, this is a very low hassle, low risk way of investing in property that will hopefully gain in capital value over the years that it is being rented out.

Leaseback works in a similar way, although the property is leased back to the company on a long-term lease with set terms for the company to rent on. Although the two schemes are largely similar, with a guaranteed rental, there is more flexibility for the owner as it is simply a contract and additional terms such as owner use for X weeks a year can be negotiated.

A lease is a more formal property document and it is normally for a longer period of time than a guaranteed rental scheme, tying the owner into a longer period of ownership.

France is a lower risk option than many of the emerging markets in Eastern Europe and as such the returns both in rent and in capital are not as large or dramatic as in those countries. On average, rental yields have been around the 5 percent mark for the last 3 years and capital gains have been around the 12 percent mark.

Savvy investors will note that these figures are very similar to the UK and the property market in France should indeed be viewed in a similar way to the UK domestic market. That said, the value of property has on average risen by 87 percent between 1997 and 2005, showing the explosion that has hit the more popular regions.

One major advantage that property investing in France has over the UK is that there are still some very underdeveloped regions where real bargains can be picked up. For example, Limousin still offers investors the opportunity to buy a renovation project for less than