Esther LINLEY's selection of French property for sale

About my area

Burgundy stretches from the south-east of Paris almost as far as Lyon, and is one and a half time the size of Wales. Some of the most prized wines in the world are produced here, and it is also rightly known as the “Stomach of France”, a gourmet’s paradise. Each region of Burgundy offers it’s own individual riches, and the two “departments” that are at the centre of my work, the Yonne and neighbouring Nièvre, are both as yet relatively undiscovered and certainly unexploited, with fabulous properties at excellent prices. The Yonne, just a stone’s throw from Paris, is much coveted by Parisians “in the know” and lovers of good food and wine who wish to enjoy the peace of the rolling countryside yet stay close to the capital. This is a region of authentic villages, unspoiled rivers and canals for boating and fishing, forests for mushrooming and rambling; castles and medieval towns with markets abound. Reachable by car from Paris "Charles de Gaulle" airport in 1h 40m, or from Calais in 4h 15m, you can arrive at your home within the day. Once settled you can enjoy the lively towns of Auxerre, Sens, Joigny or Avallon with their cultural offerings and frequent markets, taste the wines of Chablis and Irancy, or just wander the cobbled lanes of perfect Noyers sur Serein. The Nièvre is more deeply rural than the Yonne, with huge spreads of fields and forests, a beautiful area ideal for those who really mean it when they say that they want to “get away from it all”. Horse riding, fishing, kayaking, hunting for wild boar, it is nature unspoilt, a sports person's paradise. These regions of Burgundy belong to the best kept secrets in France, offering myriad opportunities to buy great properties, from the most gentle cottages in creamy stone, to castles and manor houses where time seems to have stood still. Lovely, Arcadian Burgundy, linked by train and road to the historic cities of Dijon and Lyon with their splendid contemporary lifestyles, culture and gastronomy, are reachable within a couple of hours, and Paris by train from Joigny takes as little as 70 minutes.

About me

It has always been France for this Londoner! My first visit to Paris, aged 12, was the beginning of a love affair which has continued for over 50 years! After leaving the UK in the 70’s to work as a dancer and theater maker across Europe, I have always returned to France whenever time allowed, buying and restoring first a farmhouse in Brittany, and then a 13th century townhouse in beautiful Figeac. Over the years, I have loved sharing this passion with my family. As life would have it, 7 years ago, I met and married a genuine Frenchman, and our dream project has been the restoration of an 18th century town house, overlooking the River Yonne in the small market town of Joigny. Nestling among vineyards, Joigny is, at just over one hour from Paris by car, the gateway to Burgundy wines. With the renovation almost finished, and our three “Chambres d’Hotes” ready to receive guests, I looked for a way to share my growing enthusiasm for this area, and, having always been a serial house-hunter and admirer of Leggett, I applied in 2016 to become part of the team. I am now the representative for Burgundy. Every day is a pleasure, offering encounters with great homes and their owners, and with those from all over the world who are still looking to fulfill their dream of a life in France. Introducing the right house to it’s future owner is a wonderful and joyful experience, and often leads to new friendships. Helping you in your search for a home, sharing a glass of Chablis and discussing the great options this region has to offer will be my pleasure!