The French Property Market and Why are the British buying in droves

Abbey National assess that some half a million British families own a second home in France. This makes France second only to Spain where it is reckoned that over 600,000 British families own a home. It is also estimated that over 70,000 families have actually moved to France permanently. It has also been hinted that more than 50% of the English would like to settle abroad.

This says a lot about France, as it is not only attracting the young couples wanting to own a house outright and looking for work in France but also middle aged couples wishing to take early retirement.  Those already retired go to France where they can capitalise on their equity holding in the UK and buy something a lot cheaper.  Either way the last few years has seen an increase in the number of Brits wishing to take advantage of French culture.

France, colloquially known as the Hexagon because of its overall shape, doesn't just offer culture. Speaking to many people looking to buy in France, I note that the French lifestyle, the food, the climate and the history of the country also play a big part in the decision to buy there. Many people with whom I discuss the desire to move to France have told me that France, with a landmass more than 2.23 times bigger than the UK and where the population spread is much more even, is an ideal destination as it is not perceived as having a yob culture.  It is also seen as allowing us Brits to enjoy a more organic, relaxed and rural lifestyle. France, albeit the largest country in Europe, still only has the same population [60,424,213 (July 2004 est.)] as the UK [60,270,708 (July 2004 est.)].

To show that France has a more rural outlook than Britain, the migration of the population from country to town did not occur in France in the same way as it did in the United Kingdom. Unlike the UK, in France town populations did not outnumber rural populations until the mid 1930's and farming was still a major employer until well after the Second World War. A quarter of French citizens still live in the countryside and perhaps 20% of the working population is still employed in the country.

Some 80 laws have been announced to encourage people to move back to the countryside. It must be said, however, that even without these laws many people are already moving back to the country. There is definitely a trend for moving back to the country with around half a million people a year doing so. In doing so this cannot fail to have had an effect on shopping habits where, village markets and their local producers flourish. It is no surprise therefore that we Brits want a piece of this action.

When it comes to climate, July temperatures in our southern most county, Cornwall, are some 8°C lower than temperatures in the Poitou-Charentes, Limousin & Aquitaine areas of France where we note more and more Brits are looking to buy.

It must also be said that to a lot of us temperatures on the Mediterranean coast and in Spain, where up until recently a lot of Brits also headed to purchase, are now so oppressive in the summer that it is no surprise that we are targeting the south West of France for our second homes.

Looking at prices of properties, a terraced house with just 300 M² of garden in Reading, Berkshire will today set you back the best part of £180,000 (approx. €270,000). For about the same price (€275,600) one can buy a magnificent 6 bedroomed large house & gorgeous barn - both in impeccable order - on 2800 M² of land and close to Bourganeuf, a Creuse town with good shopping facilities & restaurants.

Property price rises in the UK in the last 10 years, compared to rises in France, also means that there is now even more reason for us to cash in at home and buy in France where price differences are now so pronounced.

Of course we also have to thank the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 for programmes such as 'A place in the sun', 'No going back' & many others that have even whetted the appetites of Brits who would never have thought of 'emigrating' to a country where the language was not English. These programmes have, of course, pushed the Francophiles amongst us together with those who have spent many a happy summer in France to also take the plunge. They have show us the relative ease of purchasing in France together with giving us a flavour of the French legal processes including explaining the difference between a French Notaire, who is a government employee, and a British solicitor. They have also shown those of us not familiar with population movements that when you buy in those areas of France that attracts the Brits, you will definitely not be alone.

Taking Bourganeuf, as an example - and this is true for many towns in Western France - when walking around the new supermarket you cannot fail but hear at least one other English voice perusing the isles. Checking the Internet for companies around Bourganeuf you will also find British run companies for computing, plumbing, building, suppliers of British goods, handholding companies & B&B establishments to mention but a few.  One of the café/restaurants in Bourganeuf is owned by a Englishman (with a French wife).  When staying in this part of the Creuse, two of my favourite hostelries are: firstly, a charming Chambres d' Hôtes (Bed & Breakfast to you and me).   L'Echoppe du Taileur is a typically French townhouse in the centre of Bourganeuf which is run by Andy and Jane Taylor and where 2 people can stay in beautiful, en-suite bedrooms for as little as €45.

Bourganeuf Town Hall

Another interesting Brit in the area is Diana Newnham, the owner of Absolument Anglais, who waits to welcome you to her store where you'll find everything from Digestive biscuits to quality British paints.

The local schools are also geared up for an intake of British students with French language induction classes being held twice a week for the under 11's. Only recently, Channel 4's "A Place in the Sun" has ranked the Limousin the fifth best place on the planet to purchase property.

Newspapers such as The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times & The Guardian must also take credit for the popularity of France as a place to buy. The Telegraph even has an expat writing a weekly column on the Limousin and an interesting read it is too.

We must not forget the train. Eurostar to Lille or Paris gives access to the complete French Train Network including some routes with the TGV (Transport Grande Vitesse). Eurostar can be found on eurostar.com whilst the French rail network can be found on Voyages-SNCF.com. There is, of course, also EuroTunnel where you can take your car and from £95 return.

What are you waiting for?