Regions of France

French Property

Regions of France

Finding Property

The French mainland is divided into 21 regions, each of which is subdivided into about 5 departments. Choosing where to make your home means choosing a region first of all. Each has different things to offer: wine, sea, mountains, city or rural land. This is your first stop page showing the prices locations and benefits. Your next stop should be France itself when you visit the regions to see first hand. So let's take a tour starting from the most expensive down.

The prices shown are average cost per square meter of habitable space. This is only a guide since it does not take into account factors such as land costs.

Provence Alpes Cote D'Azur (€3030/m)

In the South West corner of France, the Cote D'Azur is famous as the rich persons playground. Along the coast the resorts of St Tropez, Antibes, Nice and Cannes are famous the world over. Here you will see many of the worlds largest privately owned superyachts moored while their rich owners take in the sea air and high-life. Monaco is a separate principality where gambling brings in money making this the most expensive place to buy property in France.

Further inland Provence is quieter and more affordable though it still boasts some of the most beautiful countryside. Bordering Italy, the region encompasses the lower foothills of the Alps and a a hinterland of steep, forested hills. To the West the Camargue is famous for its wild horses and has established itself as a popular country retreat for Europeans and Americans.

In the summer the French themselves flock here. The roads can be blocked for days on end the beaches are packed. Still many would not miss it for the world.

Isle de France (€2720/m)

This is the heavily populated region in and around Paris. You might choose to live here for work or for the city culture. With its famed Art galeries and Brasseries and landmarks, Paris is one of the most visited centers of Europe.

The land beyond the suburbs of Paris features forests and parks with lavish Chateaux such as Fontainebleau and Versailles to the South. Some of the most desireable areas are along the banks of the river to the North-West.

Rhone Alpes (€2210/m)

The Alpine scenery of the Rhone is stunning. It includes Mont Blanc, Europes highest peak. It is particularly well known for its ski resorts and other mountain sports, but is also one of the countries premier wine growing areas.

Lyon is one of the largest French Cities after Paris and shares its culture. The surrounding country is dotted with idillic villages where many foreigners make their homes.

Languedoc Roussillon (€2200/m)

Prices here have risen more steeply than any other region of France. The long beaches of the Mediterranean coast are one of the reasons. Here it is much less crowded than the Cote D'Azur. Add to that the Pyrenean scenery to the South and it is easy to see why so many are making this area their home.

Inland the wine growing regions become arid and hot before giving way to lusher countryside.

Alsace (€1990/m)

In its turbulant history Alsace has changed hands between Germany and France several times leaving it inhabitants with a culture and language of their own, and a mistrust of strangers. Outsider will have to make a effort to fit in here. If they succeed they will enjoy its very special architecture and, of course, the glorious white wines.

Aquitaine (€1900/m)

Here is another region that shares the benefits of high mountains and sea. This time it is the cooler Atlantic. This region stretches from the Pyrenees in the South to Bordeaux in the North where the wine alone is enough to draw in many English settlers. Here you will find no shortage of friends from home.

Pays de la Loire (€1830/m)

Famed above all for its magnificant white stoned chateaux, the Loire Valee is also known for its fine white wines. The region stretches across to the West coast yet land here is relativly cheap away from the more touristic sites.

Midi Pyrénées (€1820/m)

Throughout much of this region the snowcapped chain of the Pyrenees is visible to the South making it a spectacular place to live. Although it has no coast, the Mediterranean to the East and the Atlantic to the West are not too far away. In the center the countryside is dotted with old farms many of which are sold to the English for Renovation. Often they have significant areas of land attached but a flat area can be more expensive.

Bretagne (€1800/m)

Brittany is a popular choice for English settlers because of its proximity and its Cornish-like coast. Think of Seafood and Cider and you haved summed up what it means for many English tourists. Add to that its special culture and you know why people want to stay here for life.

Northern Regions (€1660/m)

Normandie, Nord/Pas de Calais and Picardie are home to many English who want to stay close to home while benefiting from the quiet open spaces and cheap property prices of France. Although prices remain relatively cheap, it is no longer so easy to pick up an old ruin to renovate here, but you may just want to buy something that someone esle has renovated for you.

Central Regions (€1550/m)

The less well known centre of france offer some of its best bargains. Centre, Bourgogne, Auvergne, Limousin, Poitou-Charentes fill a vast area of France stretching over to the West coast. These are now target areas for the English who want to find Frances real cultural heart arther than just its resorts.

Eastern Regions (€1500/m)

Finally, why not consider the less sought after eastern areas. Here we include the flat plains of Champagne Ardennes whose name is better known than its towns. Further East are Lorraine and Franche Compté, where you can find the lush Vosegian mountains and the fotthills of the Alps. The extension of the TGV into these areas will make them more accessible. If you don't mind being cut off from the sea you will find plenty to enjoy here.

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