Town and City Living

More and more people, as working days become longer and lives increasingly stressful, look to having a French bolt-hole to relieve the pressure. If you simply don’t have the time to lose on a two-day return journey to a home in the countryside, or you just don’t want to chill out that much, the answer for many is a house or apartment in a major town or city. With good air links, travel from a UK regional airport to your holiday or short-break haven only takes a couple of hours, and after a short taxi ride you are through the door and already slowing down. And when you’ve taken a breath or two, there’s all that tempting vibrant French life going on around to distract you from life’s worries and tension - a change is as good as a rest..

What about the financial side though – is buying in town a better bet than in the country? The answer depends of course on how you want to use it, what you buy and how you buy it. 

Larger, older properties in towns are significantly less expensive than their counterparts in the country, the reason being simply that the French often cannot afford, or don’t want to afford the relatively higher living costs of a large house in town – higher taxes and of course the decoration/refurbishment and heating costs - especially if the children have already flown the nest. So it isn’t too difficult to pick up, say, a 4 bed house in town for 250,000€ with a short walk not just to ‘the boulangerie’ but to the market, shops, doctor, cinema, - everything. The only drawback may be that will usually come with smaller gardens than their country cousins – but then you don’t have the upkeep! Renting a property whilst you are not there is a good way of putting it to work for you financially but it may not be too easy with a house to ensure it will be available when you want to use it. Have a look at our selection of town houses by entering ‘town’ in our search facility.

So what about a nice apartment then, perhaps previously occupied or maybe off-plan. Right in the heart of the town or city, or maybe overlooking a river or pretty canal, or perhaps with a view of the sea and a stunning coastline or marina where your boat lies at anchor. Apartments are often placed just where you would like to be if you could instantly transport yourself from your office to a place of relaxation – seaside, golfcourse, marina, city centre life, the snowslopes, mountain views. Appealing isn’t it? Of course, that’s why they build them there! And no work to do, just relax! And if you want the facility for a management company to rent it out when you aren’t there, that can often be arranged as part of the purchase, with a guarantee that it will be available for your holiday dates! Depending on how much time, if at all, you want to occupy it there are some very special, tax and income efficient, purchase options available – see our investment section and talk to our advisor partners. And now that there are low price fights from the UK covering the whole of France, practically every major town and city is accessible within a couple of hours. Sounds good doesn’t it?  So whether you want close-by market stalls; city theatres and restaurants; seafront or boating marina; river fishing, golfing, mountains for walking and skiing; have a look at our developments section. Whatever you want, France has it, you just have to choose where and when. And we’re here to help you do that.

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click on the reference or photo for more details of the property for sale in France

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Lot et Garonne - Aquitaine €450,000 Sleek & contemporary this luxury villa must be seen to be believed 6 BEDROOM luxury with panoramic views over Agen and Sun drenched rooms open out onto a conservatory & terrace French property in Aquitaine Ref: 7373DW47 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Agen, Lot et Garonne, Aquitaine, France Ariege - Midi Pyrenees €162,000 Stunning 18th century watermill to renovate This wonderful and original property has bags of character and charm and is located just south of Foix, in the Ariege. It sits amongst 9 hectares of woodland on the outskirts of a small village, and is waiting for the right person to come along and restore it. property entered: 23 Jun 2008 Ref: 8518NK09 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Near Foix, Ariege, Midi Pyrenees, France Herault - Languedoc... €143,100 Brand new apartments in languedoc-roussillon, close to mediterranean coast Leaseback investments or for straightforward freehold purchase...these are off-plan, high quality apartments in cosmopolitan Montpellier and surrounding areas French property in Languedoc Roussillon Ref: AL34000 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Montpellier, Herault, Languedoc Roussillon, France Aude - Languedoc... €371,000 A rare opportunity to own a piece of french history! beautiful 16th century historical house set in the bastide of carcassonne. Price reduced from €403,000 to €371,000 ! 32000 Euros reduction for this outstanding and truly original property. DONT MISS OUT!!! From the moment you step through the large wooden entry door, this wonderfully renovated house, which has kept many original listed features, envelops you in history and charm and transports you back in time. The lay out of rooms... French property in Languedoc Roussillon Ref: CKA5833 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Carcassonne, Aude, Languedoc Roussillon, France Charente - Poitou Charentes €141,700 Secure 3 bed appartment just a bus ride from the centre of angouleme, france. This is a third floor appartment with secure parking in a very quiet area close to all shops and amenities. Angouleme centre is only a 5 minute bus ride away where you will find all the shops and restaurants, as well as the TGV and the airport with flights to the UK. property entered: 02 Jun 2008 Ref: 8240JC16 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Angouleme, Charente, Poitou Charentes, France Aude - Languedoc... €932,800 Business development opportunity Set in an old wine domain just 5 minutes from Carcasonne, this sale will include two attached houses which will need renovation and have a total of 8 bedrooms. They come with just over 5000m2 of land. In addition there is a massive opportunity to own a barn of around 1200m2 (yes, you read the size correctly!) which has electrics but will need converting into something amazing.... property entered: 20 May 2008 Ref: 7994JB11 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Carcassonne, Aude, Languedoc Roussillon, France Lot et Garonne - Aquitaine €433,500 Art deco and the city Price reduced from €461,000 to €433,500 ! THIS FABULOUS PROPERTY HAS JUST BEEN REDUCED IN PRICE FOR A QUICK SALE Elegant styling with a hint of glamour makes this Art Deco house stand out from the rest French property in Aquitaine Ref: 7376DW47 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in AGEN, Lot et Garonne, Aquitaine, France Aude - Languedoc... €318,000 New villa with swimming pool, on the outskirt of the citée of carcassonne, 15 minutes from the airport. Price reduced from €349,800 to €318,000 ! Fabulous new house, No work, great central location MUST SELL SOON Situated in a quiet lotissement at the edge of town, this comfortable 1 year old single level villa offers 3 bedrooms (1 with en-suite) + office, garden with swimming pool and garage. Absolutely no work required, unpack your bags and start enjoying life... French property in Languedoc Roussillon Ref: 6553NK11 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Carcassonne, Aude, Languedoc Roussillon, France Lot - Midi Pyrenees €376,000 Cosmopolitan town meets countryside hideaway Price reduced from €386,600 to €376,000 ! GREAT LOCATION GREAT PRICE - VIEWING RECOMMENDED Detached Villa within a 5 minute drive of cosmopolitan Cahors and yet enjoying a peaceful setting with the added bonus of UPVC double glazing, air conditioning, central heating, two garages and possibility of gite income. French property in Midi Pyrenees Ref: 6790DW46 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in CAHORS, Lot, Midi Pyrenees, France Charente - Poitou Charentes €455,000 Attractive town house with superb views, peaceful position garage and garden in the centre of angouleme Great views ,edge town centre, good position, walk to the market in two mins, yet maintaining tranquillity, Impressive property, with garge and good size garden. Top city friendly destination, Fly in from Stanstead Uk land 10min away French property in Poitou Charentes Ref: 7362SH16 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Angouleme , Charente, Poitou Charentes, France Lot - Midi Pyrenees €359,999 Superb medieval manor house with swimming pool for sale in the lot - near cahors. This superb medieval manor house has been part renovated to provide 5 huge bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a swimming pool, wonderful views over the river and 1 hectare of land. French property in Midi Pyrenees Ref: 7415RM46 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Cahors, Lot, Midi Pyrenees, France Tarn et Garonne - Midi Pyrenees €508,000 Less is certainly more with this luxury property Luxurious new detached villa set in 2.5 ACRES with stunning far reaching views, pool & stables. French property in Midi Pyrenees Ref: 7293DW82 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in MONTAUBAN, Tarn et Garonne, Midi Pyrenees, France Creuse - Limousin €85,200 Detached cottage with stunning views over beautiful landscape Price reduced from €87,200 to €85,200 ! This is a rare find. A very cute detached house in a lovely little hamlet with a nice manageable garden 2 minutes from a village with basic services and only ten minutes from Gueret capital of the Creuse. It has Stone Walls, Oak beams and an original Flagstone floor in the kitchen.The owners have already committed to another... French property in Limousin Ref: 6730SA23 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in La Chapelle Taillefert, Creuse, Limousin, France Dordogne - Aquitaine €2,120,000 16th century - gorgeous turretted chateau with additional houses in 25 hectares private estate Dreamy is the word. This stunning property comprises: the beautiful old chateau itself; 3 staff houses to renovate; a 3 appartment building and a 7 appartment building to finish; a barn and an outbuilding. All perfectly placed within a secluded, wooded, 25 Ha private estate not far from Brantome and Perigueux. property entered: 23 Apr 2008 Ref: PA2650JH24 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in PERIGUEUX, Dordogne, Aquitaine, France Charente - Poitou Charentes €450,000 Impressive town house in the heart of the cobbled streets of angouleme If you looking for a large well situated impressive town house in the heart of the beautiful city of Angouleme not far from the Cathederal then this could be for you. French property in Poitou Charentes Ref: 6851SH16 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in Angouleme, Charente, Poitou Charentes, France Dordogne - Aquitaine €172,800 Old stone house with attached barn and 2091m² of land. Lots of potential for this old stone house comprising (66m²) : entrance (12m²), kitchen (5,39m²), dining room(19,15m²), two bed (11,71 et 14,53m²) and shower-room(3,40m²). This property is situated in the hamlet between Périgueux and Saint-Astier with all amenities and services. French property in Aquitaine Ref: ICD5794 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in GRAVELLES, Dordogne, Aquitaine, France Dordogne - Aquitaine €164,240 Prettty pavillion style Great 6 bedroom Pavillion house, with good sized garden and nothing to do! French property in Aquitaine Ref: JK30301 The French Estate Agents for property and houses available in , Dordogne, Aquitaine, France