So you want to buy a property in France. But where to look? You might have a favourite region in mind or prefer somewhere that’s super easy for transport links. Wherever you look, the best way to enjoy la France profunde is to immerse yourself in village life.
You’ll want a pretty village, bien sur, with a characterful property, so why not take a look at some of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, an association which highlights 176 rural communities. They’re much in demand for investment properties as prices tend to hold firm, say estate agents – although they are still competitively priced. ‘Prices in France are mostly half or less than you would pay in the UK,’ says Mike Braunholtz, owner of Prestige Property. And if you’re looking to make some extra income, some can be run as gites or B&Bs.
They’re much in demand for investment properties as prices tend to hold firm, say estate agents – although they are still competitively priced. ‘Prices in France are mostly half or less than you would pay in the UK,’ says Mike Braunholtz, owner of Prestige Property. And if you’re looking to make some extra income, some can be run as gites or B&Bs.
1. Menerbes, Vaucluse
History and scenery are in abundance in this area brought to life in Peter Mayle’s book A Year In Provence
You can’t beat the Luberon for its quaint villages, described by Peter Mayle in A Year in Provence. He lived in Menerbes, with its citadel, abbey, and beautiful 16th and 17th-century houses strung along a rocky spine. Now the fame from his 1990s book has died down, it’s quieter here than the other big-hitting villages in the area: Gordes, which spills over the hills of the Monts de Vaucluse, and Roussillon, with its strikingly coloured earth. ‘It’s a great time to invest now as property prices in Provence have fallen by 15 per cent since 2021,’ said a spokesman from Emile Garcin.
On the market: This beautifully restored four-bedroom stone property with internal courtyard has a roof terrace overlooking the vineyards and citadel. £832,383 with Emile Garcin
2. Fources, Gers
The famous circular main square in Fources was originally built around a castle
Quaint timber-framed buildings are part of the appeal in this beautiful ancient village
There was once a castle in the middle of a circle of shops and houses that give the main square in Fources its unique circular design. The castle has long since been replaced by plane trees, but the area makes a great place for festivals. ‘It is one of the most active villages in Gascony with markets/activities all year (flower, antique, Christmas, Easter, concerts),’ says Erik van der Linden, owner of Ma Maison Immobilier. ‘Properties in this part of the south west rarely come on the market.’ You’re in the middle of Armagnac country here, with other beautiful villages of Larressingle and Montreal within six miles.
On the market: On the village square, this beamed three-bedroom building could be used as a small shop or the perfect lock-up-and-leave property. £172,441 with Rightmove
3. La Roche-Guyon, Val-d’Oise
Despite its tranquility on a bend in the Seine, Versailles and Paris are within easy reach
When you see this medieval castle, standing guard over a loop in the Seine and linked via a secret staircase with the elegant 18th-century chateau clinging to the chalkface below, you can understand why it featured in many impressionists’ paintings. Monet’s home in Giverny is on the doorstep. The village’s strategic importance in the north was recognised by German field marshall Rommel who set up his HQ to protect the Atlantic Wall there. Versailles is just an hour away, and Paris not much further.
On the market: A seven-bedroom stone house, built in about 1900, has an independent annexe. £658,109 with Luxresidence.com
4. Bonneval-sur-Arc, Savoie
If the altitude of 1,800m doesn’t take your breath away, the views certainly will in Bonneval-sur-Arc
On the market: With three ensuite bedrooms and a professional kitchen, this three-floor 17th-Century house has been beautifully restored
The village snuggled against the Italian boirder is overshadowed by an amphitheatre of glaciers
High in the Savoie mountains of south eastern France, snuggled against the Italian border, this picturesque village of just 272 inhabitants has an end-of-the-earth feel to it. If the altitude of 1,800m doesn’t take your breath away, the views certainly will; the grey stone houses topped with slate tiles are overshadowed by an amphitheatre of glaciers. In winter, the Bonneval ski area comes into its own, while in summer, there’s a choice of exploring the Vanoise national park or Italy’s Gran Paradiso national park. ‘Property here holds its value very well; the area is so exclusive there’s rarely anything for sale,’ says a Leggett Immobilier spokesman.
On the market: With three ensuite bedrooms and a professional kitchen, this three-floor 17th-Century house has been beautifully restored. £1,063,470 with Frenchestate agent.com
5. Charroux, Allier
This fortified trading town flourished in the Renaissance, its streets teeming with history
Once a tax-free stronghold, this fortified trading town in central France flourished in the Renaissance, its streets named after the economic activity practised there, from poultry house to tanner. Now with village status and just 330 inhabitants, Charroux still has plenty of facilities, including schools, doctors, and restaurants, says estate agency Prestige. Local artisans have revived its trading past and sell candles, pottery and soap as well as the exotic mustards the village is known for. There’s a covered market, a church with a truncated bell tower, a handful of museums, plus a charming B&B in the former House of the Prince of Conde.
On the market: A seven-bedroom manor house on the top of the hill, this property was previously used as a B&B. £416,349 with Prestige Property
6. Veules-les-Rose, Seine-Maritime
Visitors often say the vibe in Veules-les-Rose is similar to St Ives with its arty shops and pretty coastline
Much beloved by painters, poets and writers, Veules-les-Rose is home to plenty of half-timbered cottages and local oysters as well as the smallest river in France. ‘It is a bit like St Ives – very arty with a pretty coastline,’ says Dominic Hilton, director of La Residence agency. ‘There’s a good selection of shops, some lovely seafood restaurants and a beautiful beach, with white cliffs.’ What’s more, it’s conveniently located just half an hour from the northern port of Dieppe.
On the market: A renovated two-bedroom apartment in a brick and flint building makes a good pied a terre or letting investment. £332,386 with La Residence
7. Gargilesse-Dampierre, Indre
With views of the chateau this one-bed property in Gargilesse-Dampierre has gardens leading to the river
The 19th-Century novelist George Sand fell in love with this village in central France, and her holiday home in one of the houses that slope down to the river is now open to the public. Artists, too, were inspired by Gargilesse-Dampierre, which has beautiful frescoes in the crypt of the medieval church; one of several art galleries is in the chateau. An August art exhibition in the streets is followed by a harp and chamber music festival. The local hotel is unsurprisingly called Le George Sand.
On the market: With views of the chateau and the river, this one-bedroom property is arranged on three floors and has gardens leading to the river. Reduced to £131,808 with www.frenchestateagents.com.
8. Barfleur, Manche
A picturesque fishing port, Barfleur is famous for its mussels and the building of William the Conquerer’s flagship La Mora
With Cherbourg’s ferry terminal less than half an hour away, beaches on the doorstep and delicious Blonde de Barfleur mussels, this picturesque fishing port makes a great place for a second home. Now with a population of just 530, Barfleur was once a busy Norman port; it was here that William the Conqueror’s flagship La Mora was built before his invasion of England. Bakeries, shops, a supermarket, post office, a library and primary school are all present. Barfleur’s medieval buildings have been replaced by granite houses with slate roofs.
On the market: This six-bedroom house was built in 1850 and has a large terrace, garden and garage. £384,869 with Cle France
9. Vouvant, Vendée
Great weather, a medieval castle, biking and hiking trails and the arts are on tap in Vouvant
The idyllic setting of Vouvant, surrounded by a bend in the Mere river, with a Romanesque stone-arched bridge, means it is much loved by artists, who hold regular exhibitions here. The village, in western France, with a medieval castle tower, ramparts, church and monastery, is also a great place for nature lovers; it is surrounded by the forest of Mervent-Vouvant, with plenty of walks and bike trails that also incorporate local lakes. ‘It is still an easy journey from the northern ferry ports but you get significantly better weather than in Brittany or Normandy,’ says Dominic Hilton, director of La Residence. ‘There is quite a large British population.’ The Vendée beaches are a 40-minute drive away.
On the market: A one-bedroom apartment in a converted monastery shares a pool and six acres of riverside grounds. £139,952 with La Residence
10. Ars-en-Ré, Charente-Maritime
Visitors head for the Ile de Ré in summer time, to enjoy the lovely beaches and pretty villages like Ars-en-Ré and its famous steeple
Parisians flock to the Ile de Ré in summer time, where they cycle between the lovely beaches and pretty villages. Among the latter is Ars-en-Ré in the north west, with its hollyhock-lined streets of white houses and green shutters. Standing tall above its salt pans and oyster beds, its black and white church belltower once guided boats arriving into the harbour. Perfect for boat lovers, the village has a small marina and a thalassotherapy resort, where treatments are based around the benefits of the sea.
On the market: Close to the bell tower, this renovated house with plenty of beams has three bedrooms with bathrooms plus an independent bedroom and bathroom in an outbuilding. £653,443 with Prestige Property
11. Moncontour, Cotes d’Armor
Impressive merchant houses line the streets of fortified village Moncontour, just an hour from St Malo
An hour from the ferry terminal at St Malo and full of Breton charm, this fortified village surrounded by ramparts still retains 11 of its 15 towers. Its important role in the cloth trade before the industrial revolution is evident from the impressive merchant houses, while St Mathurin’s church has an interesting bell tower and 16th-Century stained-glass windows. Outside the village, there are plenty of hikes in woodland and moors, while beach resorts such as Erquy are within a 40-minute drive.
On the market: An investment property in the heart of the village, this three-level building has a shop with basement, a one-bed duplex and a two-bed duplex with separate entrance, all of which are currently rented for a total E1,140 a month. £181,875 with Cle France (clefrance.co.uk)
12. Vezelay, Yonne
The basillica in Vezelay is on the walking route to Santiago de Compostela in this Unesco listed area
Both the Basilica of Sainte-Madeleine, said to hold Mary Magdelen’s relics, and the hill on which Vezelay’s Romanesque and Renaissance residences spill down are Unesco listed – for good reason. ‘The view is sublime,’ says Anne Delacour from Emile Garcin estate agency. ‘People also come here as it’s on the walking route to Santiago de Compostela.’ Beyond the church’s hallowed walls lie plenty of open countryside to explore as well as the Burgundian vineyards – Vezelay has its own AOC label and Chablis is just 45 minutes away.
On the market: This 15th-Century house with spiral staircase, wooden gallery and listed facades has three bedrooms plus a one bed guesthouse with room to expand the vaulted basement. £1,103790 with Emile Garcin (emilegarcin.com).
13. La Roque Gageac, Dordogne
A picture book scene awaits in La Roque Gageac, where the buildings are reflected in the glassy water
Best seen from the Dordogne river where you can swim or drift along in a boat, this village on the water’s edge is overshadowed by the sheer cliff rising behind. Some of the yellow-stone buildings climb the slope, including the Manoir de Tarde, the former residence of the Bishops of Sarlat and the ruins of a troglodyte fort. With a handful of shops and restaurants, the village is perfectly positioned to explore the Dordogne valley – the market town of Sarlat is within a 20 minute drive and Beynac with its castle ten minutes away. Bergerac airport is just an hour away.
On the market: This three-bedroom house by the river with independent one-bedroom gite has a large terrace, private parking and a garage. £374,039 with La Residence
14. Olargues, Herault
It’s just a 15-minute walk to Olargues from this four-bedroom property with swimming pool, terrace and mountain vistas.
Perfect for outdoors enthusiasts, with nearby rock climbing, canyoning and hiking trails in the surrounding Haut-Languedoc regional nature park, Olargues sits in a bend of the river at the foot of Mont Caroux. ‘People who buy from us find the Cote d’Azur too expensive and discover that this area is cheaper and very pretty,’ says a spokesman from Leggett estate agents. ‘The village has an excellent bakery, a dynamic grocery, restaurants from pizza to gastro, schools, doctors and a pharmacy.’ An ancient bridge leads to cobblestone houses with barrel tiles and a 17th-century church.
On the market: It’s just a 15-minute walk to the village from this four-bedroom property with swimming pool and terrace complete with mountain vistas. £304,063 with Leggett
15. Seillans, Var
This chateau for sale, that dates to the Gallo-Roman period, has seven bedrooms, elegant decor and spectacular views
If you jump on a plane to Nice, it’s just a hour’s drive to this Provencal village, tiered down a hillside with plenty of olive trees and vineyards nearby (an olive festival is held in November). The surrealist artists Max Ernst and his wife, Dorothea Tanning, moved here – their work is displayed in the museum. As well as a medieval castle and Romanesque church, there’s a maze of narrow alleyways and streets. One, the Rue de la Perfumeries, is a nod to its relationship to the nearby town of Grasse, which was famed for its perfume production.
On the market: A chateau that dates to the Gallo-Roman period has seven bedrooms, a small infinity pool and panoramic view. £1,041,311 million with Home Hunts
16. Cordes-sur-Ciel, Tarn
You could snap up this four-bedroom house in the village centre with twin courtyards and tasteful interior
As its name suggests, this medieval bastide (fortified town) with cobbled streets and fortified gates grew up with its head in the clouds on a hilltop. Much beloved by local artists, it has an imposing covered market of Les Halles, which is listed as a historic monument, a good choice of restaurants, and a couple of museums and gardens on its fortified terraces. Other bastides such as Puycelsi are in the vicinity and Albi with its fortress Cathedral and Toulouse Lautrec museum is just 15 miles away.
On the market: A four-bedroom house in the village centre with two wings has twin courtyards and a large garage. £374,872 with Healy Fox
17. Minerve, Herault
In the heart of the village, this two-bedroom property has a covered terrace and pool
An hour east of the fortified city of Carcassonne, this little village of less than 100 inhabitants balances on the edge of two deep river gorges. Despite its impregnable position, the Cathar stronghold was forced to negotiate a surrender to Simon de Montfort’s crusading army in 1210; the Rue des Martyrs is named after the scores of citizens subsequently burnt at the stake. According to Leggett estate agency, the local baker comes daily at 9am, one of the restaurants has a Michelin star, and fibre optics is about to be connected; a supermarket is within a ten-minute drive. Beyond the maze of narrow alleys and cobbled streets lies a sea of vines (Minerve has its own AOC label).
On the market: In the heart of the village, this two-bedroom property has a covered terrace and garden. £124,874 with Leggett frenchestateagents.com
18. Semur-en-Brionnais, Saone-et-Loire
An old fortress dominates the panorama in Semur-en-Brionnais which has a maze of cobbled streets
The southern Burgundian countryside is full of Charolais cattle, elegant chateaux and pretty villages such as this one, with its old fortress and Romanesque church. The 18th-century law courts in the main square have been converted into the town hall and the salt store with its allegorical paintings is the place for summer exhibitions. As well as the local Brionnais wines, Macon is just over an hour’s drive away.
One the market: A one bedroom pied a terre close to the historic centre is ripe for renovation. £54,148 with Fernandez Immobilier
