HOUSES AND PROPERTY FOR SALE IN Aquitaine

Bordeaux, is the world capital of wine, and you will find glorious chateaux and country houses keeping watch over the surrounding vineyards. Globally renowned for its beauty, property in Aquitaine is seen as an excellent investment.

Vineyards dominate the landscape in Gironde but don’t be fooled. There are five departments in Aquitaine, each with a diverse landscape and a mixture of property styles. The Pyrénées Atlantiques run down to the Spanish border and are heavily influenced by Basque culture, whilst in the north of the region, the Dordogne is a rural department, long popular with UK buyers looking for "a place in the sun".

The main international airport is in Bordeaux, with regular flights to North America, Africa, Asia and throughout Europe. You will find other regional airports in Bergerac, Biarritz, Tarbes and Pau.

The high-speed rail link between Bordeaux and Paris takes just over 2 hours, meaning the area is popular with Parisians seeking a second home. Eurostar is planning a special “wine train” with a direct service between Bordeaux and London, with an opening as soon as 2026 being discussed. Travel time would be around 5 hours.

Many visitors prefer driving to Aquitaine, as it is easy to access from all directions. The A10 motorway runs directly to Paris, the A62 runs west to east (giving access to Toulouse, Barcelona and the Riviera), and the A63 runs straight down to the Spanish border.

For an in-depth analysis, read our latest Nouvelle Aquitaine market comment (below), which includes average prices in all the major towns and cities.

Last year, prices rose in all five departments, with the biggest increase in the Pyrenéés-Atlantiques (8.1%). The strongest demand is for country property, with plenty of space and fresh air. French buyers have dominated the market, often snapping up properties before overseas buyers have had a chance to view. However, this is now changing, with increasing sales to clients from the UK, Belgium and Netherlands in particular. High-end properties are also selling well, with US buyers cashing in on the strong dollar.