French property: What to know about buying a second home in Brittany or Normandy
The north-western countryside and coastal areas are an appealing location to purchase a French second home, from delicious seafood and easy beach access to affordable home prices, a cooler climate during the summer and proximity to the UK (for British would-be second-home owners).
That said, this region is known for chilly, rainy weather, and some parts of Brittany, Normandy and northern France can be quite rural, meaning you'd likely need a car.
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As part of an ongoing series about second homes in France, The Local asked readers and experts to build a full picture of what it is like to buy property in north-western France, from the pros and cons to the advice you should know before making a purchase.
What readers had to say
"It's very lovely with a great personality," reader Tony Webster said to describe the part of Normandy - the Pays d'Auge located at the border of the Calvados and Eure départements - where he opted to buy a second home.
"It was easy to get to, I had cycled there and liked it. We didn't want the super heat of the south (...) It's truly French with no great expat community," Webster said.
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While one reader, Camilla Bunt, warned that in Normandy and further up the coast, "the climate is barely warmer than the UK", for others this was a benefit.
Lucy Hughes, who purchased property in central, rural Brittany said "we previously owned a house in Poitou-Charentes but decided to move further north as the summers are too hot that far south."
"Our property is a renovation project, which we hope to make a lovely home so we can split our time between Wales and France in retirement.
"We wanted somewhere that we could visit more frequently and the shorter driving distance makes Brittany more accessible for us. It is also very lush and green which we love," Hughes added, hitting on another common point many other readers mentioned: affordability.
"Our property only cost €30,000 and we are adding an extra section of building, barn and land for another €10,000. We have a lovely area of woodland and get the peace and tranquility of the countryside which is the perfect antidote to busy working lives".
Hughes did not have any downsides to list, but she did warn that "in coastal areas, there can be a bad feeling about the 'holiday homers' pricing locals out of property".
As for prices - according to
Meilleurs Agents
, the average price per metre squared for Normandy apartments as of May 2025 was €2,202, while for detached homes the price was €2,181 per m2. In Brittany, the average was €3,088 for apartments, and €2,666 for detached homes.
In Hauts-de-France, which includes Calais, the average for apartments was €2,388 and for detached homes it was €1,903.
Reader Andrew P, who purchased a second home in Normandy, told The Local the area was appealing thanks to its "low price, big rolling hills and proximity to Paris by train", in addition to being close to beaches.
While he cautioned that the nearest town, Vire in Calvados, "isn't so cute", he would still recommend buying a second home in this area, especially for those on a tight budget.
Other readers mentioned accessibility to the UK as an important factor.
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Lucy Hughes noted that central Brittany was accessible to several ferry ports. "We generally travel over by Brittany Ferries which is very lovely but not as cost effective as the tunnel and we find the return ferry times less convenient. Minor things that really don't cause any bother as all outweighed by the pros!," she said.
Camilla Bunt, who bought in the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy, said she opted for this area because of the "cheap, mostly stone properties" as well as how "easy [it is] to get to the UK by ferry."
Bunt explained that she has owned property in France for 36 years and spends six months a year here. She also appreciates "kilometers of empty, beautiful beaches; unspoilt, undulating countryside; few English & Parisians", plus the "excellent local oysters and mussels."
Reader Craig Mills opted for the north-west thanks to its "beautiful, uncrowded beaches with easy access from London."
What property experts had to say
Joanna Leggett, the marketing director for Leggett International real estate, told The Local there were several benefits to buying a second home in north-west France, such as "ease of access from UK, as many clients prefer drive/ferry to flying, particularly when it comes to furnishing a second home and making it 'theirs'.
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"For American clients flying into Paris it is also easy to get to. The area offers a cooler climate for those who don't like the heat. Many 'climate migrants' are now buying in Grand Ouest, to avoid the
canicules
(heatwaves) and extreme weather of southern Europe," she said.
READ MORE:
Why more and more tourists are flocking to Brittany
French real estate expert Adrian Leeds, the head of the real estate agency Adrian Leeds Group, which primarily works with Americans buying property in France, said: "I normally do not recommend this part of France mainly because of accessibility to travel (eg international airports) and the rest of the country.
She did have one location to recommend: the north-western city of Lille, which comes in third place in her ranking of cities she advises her clients to buy property in, behind Paris and then Nice.
"Lille is a sleeper. Yes, the weather is awful. It's the north along the Belgian border, so it's cold and rainy, but there are some fantastic things about Lille.
"The high-speed train from Lille easily gets you to Brussels, London, Paris and Amsterdam, which means you can live in a smaller community that costs a third of what Paris costs. Lille also has great infrastructure in terms of public transport and you can wander around by foot," Leeds said.
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As of May 2025, the average price per metre squared in Lille was €3,199 for apartments, whereas in Paris it was €9,468.
Leeds went on, noting the travel benefits: "The TGV train even goes straight to Charles de Gaulle airport - in under an hour and a half - so you can fly to anywhere.
"I'd say that if you are living in a suburb of Paris, it can take you just as long to get to CDG airport, because you take the RER to get into the city and then the RER again to get to the airport.
"And because of the ease with which you can get to other European cities, you can also check airfare prices from those airports too," she said.
Warnings and tips to consider
As with second home purchases in other parts of the country, Leeds advised that would-be second home owners 'think about how and if you will rent it out.
'Learn the local rental rules before buying, and think about whether you know someone in the area who can check on your property from time to time when you are not living there.'
READ MORE:
France introduces strict new laws on renting out holiday homes
As for her best tips, Leggett said that in Brittany, a hidden gem would be the Gulf de Morbihan. "Everyone thinks of Brittany's coastline as rugged (which it is) but the 40 islands and inland sea of the Gulf de Morbihan is one of the prettiest bays in the world.
"The water is an indefinable colour....some call it green, some call it blue, but it's far removed from the granite cliffs further west. Also, there are some really good restaurants, it's not just crêpes!"
Reader Andrew P said people looking to buy should remember "the bigger the lot, the bigger the upkeep".
Meanwhile, Lucy Hughes, had a warning for people looking to do renovation work. "Make friends with the Mairie (town hall) and understand their importance and function.
"Understand the costs of installing a
fosse septique
(Septic tank), and never be tempted to try to put British plumbing or electrics into a French property," she said.
Each day this week we will publish an article looking at certain areas in France including Paris, the Riviera and the South West with key tips for buying a French second home.
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