Off-plan developments in exclusive locations
What can there be left to say about the joys and benefits of owning a property in France? Its favoured place with the property-buying British public is firmly established and has been well-documented in magazines, newspapers, books and television programmes for many years now.
And the popularity of La Belle France is quite understandable. The pace of life is relaxing; the population work to live rather than live to work. The magnificent quality and excellent value of the food and wine need no further endorsement here. In this one country you can find so many things to enjoy. Skiing, driving holidays, beach holidays, visits to chateaus and vineyards, to name but a few. There has to be a why reason the majority of French people shun annual foreign holidays, preferring to explore previously unvisited regions of their own country.
An obvious choice for the discerning buyer is the South of France. With it’s glorious beaches, around 315 days of sunshine a year, picturesque fig and olive groves and stunning views, it is little wonder that the great and the good have made homes there through the ages. Everyone, from Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald to Ivana Trump to Tina Turner, has been drawn to this beautiful part of the world.
It is easily accessible from the UK and those wishing to fly can now do so economically as there are 19 flights a day to Nice from London’s airports, with carriers such as Easyjet and British Airways. A return ticket can cost as little as £75 and the flight takes less than two hours, thus making it feasible as a commuter destination. Of course, for people concerned about their carbon footprint, it is now simple to reach that part of the world from London via Eurostar and TGV.
Also well worth consideration is the region of the Alps. It is close enough to the Cote D’Azur to share many of the location benefits, yet is of such a different character that it offers visitors a contrasting, though equally appealing, vacation experience. Of evident attraction to skiers, this region is stunningly beautiful all year round and the buy-to-let market is strong. Chalets and farmhouses are possible options, but both UK and French developers are currently targeting this area with plans for new builds and renovations of gorgeous old buildings into internally modern apartments.
Further points to bear in mind, if considering an investment property or second home in France, are that the cost of living is comparatively (to the UK) low, and the standard of education is high.
The new Sarkozy government, with their commitment to ‘pouvoir d’achat’ (buying power) have plans afoot that should make the property-buying process for Brits in France even simpler. These include tax breaks, to encourage more home-ownership in general, and inducements for small businesses that will aid people planning to run gites, etc.