French property: What to know about buying a second home in the south-west

Local France

21-05-2025

Long popular with Brits, the French south-west - ranging from the coast near La Rochelle to Basque country along the Spanish border and further inland with Dordogne and the Périgord - has a lot to offer.
The area is prized for its warm weather and adorable villages, as well as the rolling hills, wine country and forest that offers an authentic, French countryside ambience.
Nevertheless, there are some downsides to purchasing a second home in this part of France, particularly for those opting for rural life, where public transport and health services might be limited.
What readers had to say
"Stunning scenery, excellent for outdoor activities, like mountain biking, road biking, climbing, hill walking, skiing, and canyoning", said reader Irene Hope, when asked about the positive aspects of owning a second home in the south-west.
She purchased a second home in the border département of Pyrénées-Orientales and her explanation was largely in line with many respondents, particularly those who prioritised the warmer climate and scenery.
Reader Christine Dao said she would recommend Hautes-Pyrénées for people who "like nature, nice people, good products and wines, cycling, hiking and skiing in the mountains."
She added that the département is "underrated" and offers "value for money and proximity to Basque Country and Toulouse with easy access with TGV."
Although, on the topic of weather, Mike Shepherd warns that in Ariège, "winters are cold and pipes have to be preserved if you are not there."
While some readers did opt for cities like Bordeaux and Toulouse, many chose the south-west for the countryside and the quiet life. Fiona Cownie said she picked the south-west because of "the pace of life (slower, more relaxed). The food - excellent fresh local produce and great cafés and restaurants.
She added: "Also a lot of historic villages and beautiful countryside to explore. Very friendly neighbours and friendly people in our little town."
Jennifer Woodside, who bought in the Tarn-et-Garonne département, said she had looked at 52 homes before landing on the right option.
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"We spent time looking around the Charente, Dordogne, Gers and near Albi before settling on our preferred location near the Lot Valley. We love the rolling hills and proximity to nice villages, rivers, lakes - while more expensive than the Charente, it's cheaper than the Dordogne," she said.
Along with the natural environment, several readers mentioned the affordable prices, particularly in rural areas.
In the Tarn-et-Garonne département, for example, the average price per metre squared as of May 2025, according to
Meilleurs Agents
, was €1,764 for apartments, and €1,811 for detached (single family) homes, though this can decrease if you move further away from Montauban.
In Dordogne, it was €1,571 for apartments, and €1,767 for detached homes, while the prices in Charente were €1,599 and €1,534, respectively.
In comparison, the average price per square metre in Paris, for apartments, was €9,468, while the price for detached homes was €10,098. Whereas, in the overall PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur) region had average prices at €4,047 for apartments and €4,059 for detached homes.
That said, readers had some warnings too. Several British respondents mentioned frustrations about Brexit, which means they now need to have a visa to spend more than
90 out of 180 days
at their second home.
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British readers also noted that the south-west can be quite the distance to drive from the UK.
Jennifer Woodside said: "It is quite far from the UK, so when we visit our home, we need to go for more than a week to make it worth our while. EasyJet closing off routes to Toulouse hasn't helped!"
READ MORE:
The alternative travel options to get to south-west France
Other readers warned that some airlines do not fly the same routes in the winter, meaning options can be limited in the off-season for those who don't want to drive.
Rural parts of France, particularly the south-west, can also be quite far from the necessities, like healthcare. As such, you might need a car. Several readers mentioned the issue of 'medical deserts' (areas with a shortage of healthcare professionals, like GPs).
Helen Bambrough warned that the part of the south-west she bought in - located between Gourdon and Cahors - is "very rural. There's no commerce and you need your own transport. It is definitely not suitable for older people who are not fit and mobile."
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What experts had to say
Joanna Leggett, the marketing director for Leggett International real estate, told The Local that the prices are one of the benefits of the south-west.
"Property in the south-west is exceptional value and you can still pick up a lovely family home with pool for under €300,000 in many départements."
"There is a large expat community in the south-west, which some buyers might see as a downside. Towns like Eymet, Civray and Confolens have many Brits/Americans living full-time, or with holiday homes," she said.
Overall, Leggett described the south-west as "still authentic".
"In a 24-hour world of global brands like McDonald's and Starbucks, the shops here still close on Sundays, you can still get the "
plat du jour
" for under €15, people buy local produce from the market stalls and the kids still greet each other with kisses on both cheeks.
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Another property expert, Jennifer Parrette, of Renestance real estate, told The Local "the south-west is some of the most varied terrain in France".
"Owning a second home here plants you right in the centre of interesting historic sites, and the transportation network is excellent with TGV. The Bordeaux line reaches Paris in 2.5 hours, and prices are much less than in the south-east or Paris.
"The downside is that unless you are in one of the larger cities, it is more likely that you will want a car for your daily life to take advantage of all that this part of France has to offer.
"In addition, just like in the Var or Vaucluse, villages can become almost dormant in the winter months."
However Adrian Leeds, of Adrian Leeds Group, whose clientele is largely American, said she does not typically recommend the rural south-west to her clients.
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"It is mainly because of access. For older people, especially those over 50 or 60, you won't be happy if you are far away from healthcare services. You don't want to find yourself in a 'medical desert'.
READ MORE:
MAP: Where in France has the best access to healthcare?
"What if your spouse or partner has an emergency and the hospital is an hour away? That would make it hard to visit them, not to mention the fact that doctors may not be nearby," she said.
She said: "Try to get closer to Montpellier and Marseille. These cities are closer to the water, and they are a faster train ride to Paris. Toulouse can be decent too, but it is a long train ride if you need to get to the capital."
For those intent on buying a second home in the south-west, Joanna Leggett recommended taking your time, as there are many places to choose from. "The south-west is big! If you are coming on a viewing trip don't book appointments in Poitiers and Perigueux on the same day.
"Country lanes can be slow, and maps can be misleading - take your time, the whole point of buying here is to de-stress and sniff the flowers along the way," she said.
As for readers, Jeanne Fry-Thomas, warned that: "Brits should not expect the cost of building work to be the same as the UK. It isn't, it's more. Don't rely on budget airlines to always fly to your local airport.
"Make sure you visit your local Marie when you first arrive and make a big effort to join in with your local community, I've always found washing up at the Salle des Fête an excellent way to make friends.
"Try to speak French, regardless of how bad you think it is. Also remember, in the countryside, neighbours are very important, far more than you may have been used to."
Reader Gina Jolliffe, said she was pleased with the village she had chosen, but she tempered her recommendation, saying: "We struck lucky (...) Some houses are very dilapidated. Artisans can be hard to get, and Brit artisans may not be properly qualified."
And finally, American reader Earnest Chambers, who bought a second home in Dordogne, advised that "it is not easy to find renters and rental prices tend to be low. The [home] values do not go up much."
Still, he said he would recommend it: "You get a lot for your money and the French residents are very welcoming."
Each day this week we will publish an article on the challenges of buying a second home in certain parts of France including Paris, the Riviera and Brittany as well as an article on key tips for buying a French second home. Find the full series
HERE
.