"We'd like to
thank you for
the excellent service
we received
from Colin
Appleyard during the sale of
our property in
Bussière-Poitevine. From
the
initial meeting
and throughout the sale, we
found him to
be extremely
competent. Not
only did he find
a suitable purchaser,
he also
took us through
every step of
the difficult sale
process."
57
ONE TO WATCH
"Aubusson is a terrific place. Situated right in the heart of France,
it's
traditionally famous for its collection of tapestries, which
date back
to the 14th century. In reality, it has
much more to offer. The old town is
pretty, particularly the clock tower.
With a population of around 4,000,
it's a lovely size too. The people are
friendly and there are plenty of
decent bars and restaurants."
Mariska Smolders is one of our Creuse
agents
they are some of the lowest in
France, particularly in the Indre
and the Cher.
LIMOUSIN
The Limousin is the least
populated region in mainland
France, and is very popular with
international buyers because of
this very fact. If you're looking
for an antidote to modern day
stress and urban culture, this is
the place for you. Stroll through
country lanes, fish in the
rivers and lakes, cruise down
ready-made cycle routes and
listen to the silence. The great
news is that there seems to
be an endless supply of pretty
farmhouses, either to renovate
or to move straight into. It does
have some hidden gems, too, in
terms of towns and villages. The
city of Limoges has an airport
as well as a plethora of shops,
bars and restaurants. And, of
course, the Limousin has the
lowest house prices in France.
Head to the département of
the Creuse and you'll find an
average price of just €73,000 -
that's around £60,000.
BURGUNDY
Chablis, Pouilly-Fuissé - these
are some of the finest wines in
the world. The vineyards they
come from create a background
that is one of the prettiest landscapes in France.
Add the rivers
and canals, and the châteaux,
abbeys, churches and chapels
- and we have a masterpiece
indeed. The Swiss, Dutch, Germans and Belgians have
been
buying property in Burgundy
for years, but it's still fairly
undiscovered by the UK market.
We really can't understand why!
Prices are reasonable, and the
variety of properties means
that all tastes and budgets can
be catered for. There's a great
variation in prices from one
area to another, so make sure
you quiz your local agent and
use their knowledge to help
you pick up a bargain.
AUVERGNE
This is another agricultural
region of low population
density, although it's geographically very
different from the
neighbouring Limousin. The
' Volcanos in Auvergne
Auvergne is mountainous and
the volcanic landscape can
be quite dramatic. If you're
interested in mountain biking,
hiking, skiing or boarding,
this region - which you may
not have thought of - should
definitely be added to your list.
After the Limousin, you'll find
the second lowest prices in the
country, with properties to suit
even the tightest budget. The
average price for the region is
€116,000, which is well under
£100,000. Perhaps your dream
home in France really is affordable.
'