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Local France
21-05-2025
- Local France
French property: What to know about buying a second home in the south-west
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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement 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." Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement "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 .
Local France
20-05-2025
- Local France
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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'. Advertisement "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. Advertisement 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 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.
Local France
19-05-2025
- Local France
French property: What to know about buying a second home in Paris
Paris is the dream for many people looking to buy a second property or pied-à-terre in France, despite the high prices. The bustling, international city has plenty to offer in easy, walking distance. However, it also comes with some downsides. As part of an ongoing series about second homes in France, The Local asked readers and experts inorder to get the full picture of what it is like to buy property in Paris, from the pros and cons to the advice you should know before making a purchase. What readers had to say "[Buying a second home in Paris] was a dream come true for me and my husband," reader Jodi Kasper, who purchased property in the Marais, told The Local. "There are endless advantages of living in the Marais. The entire city is on my doorstep. I can walk everywhere except the 16th. Most of the museums are in our neighbourhood, cool restos, great shopping and the history is amazing. Our first flat was built in the 17th century," she said. Advertisement Another reader, Bill Hebert, also mentioned the positive aspects to being in walking distance from many activities. "There is no need for a car. Our French is just OK, and English is widely spoken, so it makes living easier. Excellent food and restaurants. Access to cultural events (museums, opera, ballet), easy transportation within the city and nearby, easy access to the rest of France and Europe by train and planes," Hebert said. Several readers, like Helen Wilson, who bought in the Latin Quarter, mentioned that one of the 'pros' to buying in Paris is using the city as "home base for travel in France and Europe." That said, readers had warnings too. Wilson noted that one downside is "dealing with maintenance issues long-distance," and another reader, Tony Bell, also mentioned "high costs of maintenance". Others talked about the hefty price tag that comes with owning property in Paris. Kasper said "Living in the Marais, 25 square metres can range from €300,000 to €600,000." According to the property website Meilleurs Agents , as of May 2025, the average price per square metre in Paris, for apartments, was €9,468, while the price for detached homes was €10,098. In contrast, a more affordable part of the country, like the Hauts-de-France region in the north-west, saw the average price for apartments at €2,388 per metre squared, and €1,903 for detached homes. An anonymous respondent said the downside to Paris is "the estate, restaurants, etc. Everything is more expensive here than in the countryside." And of course, Paris is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations , which can be a defect for those looking for peace and quiet. The anonymous reader also said: "Paris has been getting more and more crowded every year (we have been here for 25 years)". Advertisement Another reader, Terry Caldwell, who bought in the 4th arrondissement, echoed this sentiment. "[Paris] has become very touristy with increased rents causing the local merchants to be replaced by chain stores." Bill Hebert also warned: "Paris is a busy, crowded city. The sidewalks and stores can be packed with people at certain times of the year. It can be very noisy on our street late into the evening." What property experts had to say French real estate expert Adrian Leeds told us that Paris is the first place she recommends to her clients. Leeds is the head of the real estate agency Adrian Leeds Group, which primarily works with Americans looking to buy property in France. For her, Paris satisfies the main criteria she asks all would-be home buyers to think about: proximity to travel (ie train stations and airports); access to healthcare; and a significant enough American community. Advertisement Otherwise, she warned that "Paris isn't for everybody. It's expensive, there is a lot of hustle and bustle, plus the weather is bad. "But Paris is also a cultural mecca. If you're looking for real culture, and you want to be able to get anywhere in the world, then Paris is it. For Americans, there is a huge community, and generally there are a million things to do. There is no shortage of life here," Leeds summarised. For Paulo Fernandes, the CEO for Paris Ouest Sotheby's Internationale Realty, Paris can offer the best of both worlds. "Paris is an old city, and the narrow streets are full of charm (...) Foreign buyers are often amazed by the way old buildings from over 100 to 200 years ago have been preserved," he said. Joanna Leggett, the marketing director for Leggett International real estate, told The Local "Paris is a small city. You can pretty much walk everywhere, which makes it ideal for exploring. It has a 'village' feel in certain areas. Stroll around the Marais and time seems to stand still." Leggett's warning to would-be buyers is that "demand from buyers around the world keeps prices high, which is a drawback for those looking for a cheap home in France. Advertisement "However, it does make Parisian property popular with investors who see it as an ideal hedge against inflation. Rental demand is through the roof, with some apartments fetching almost €1,000 a month for 15 square metres." Warnings and tips to consider Leeds said that her advice for would-be second home owners is to "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 Fernandes, his main piece of advice was "to think about resale". He also added that "Parisian apartments don't necessarily have unobstructed views and sometimes they let in very little sunlight, and foreign buyers (especially those from outside Europe) may be used to living in the middle of green spaces. Advertisement "These types of customers might be happier to buy a home in the greater Paris region. With the Grand Paris project, the suburbs are increasingly well served, thanks to improved public transport networks, so distance is less of an inconvenience," he said. READ MORE: Grand Paris Express: The French capital's ambitious expansion plan Meanwhile, Leggett warned: "In Paris, more than anywhere, you need to make sure that your agent lives and works locally and has a real understanding of what properties are selling for. "Create a good relationship with them and they'll also tell you when a new property is about to come on for sale - many properties in Paris are sold before they hit the market." Readers also had some tips too. Terry Caldwell said: "Do not attempt to do this on your own. Utilise a property consultant to assist. "I am an American and the way property is purchased in France is very different than the US. Despite utilising a very seasoned property consultant I had many, many challenges and cannot imagine having to navigate the process without someone on the ground who knows what to do and speaks the language. "I call my purchase - my dream, my nightmare and finally my dream come true." Kasper also warned the importance of expert advice. "Having a competent proactive Notaire is crucial. We almost got into a big mess with an offer we made. Our Notaire was extremely thorough and advised us not to go on with the sale." READ MORE: EXPLAINED: The difference between a notaire and a lawyer in France Finally, Bill Hebert advised that would-be buyers "rent an apartment there first to see if you like it. Spend some time there. "Find a good real estate agent and look at a lot of places; don't settle for something that you aren't satisfied with," he said. Each day this week we will publish an article looking at certain areas in France including Brittany, the Riviera and the South West with key tips for buying a French second home.
