In the current climate, you may be looking for your very own bolthole to escape to for a much-needed getaway. Look no further than rural France, where you can avoid the crowds, enjoy the countryside and relax.
Here we highlight 4 of the best places to buy a holiday home or forever home in rural France.
Limousin
The Limousin area in southern-central France is sparsely populated and perfectly encapsulates a quintessential life in the French countryside. It is made up of the three departments of Creuse, Corrèze and Haute-Vienne. When visiting this area, you can expect to see lush, rolling hills, farmland, woodland and beautiful river valleys.
There are no large cities in this region, just small towns and villages boasting a wealth of history and culture. Many date back to medieval times and are perfectly preserved, making them perfect places to explore. The region’s centre is a town called Limoges. Famed for its enamel and porcelain, this town has is full of historic buildings, culture and very reasonable property prices, at an average of approximately €1,160 per sq m.
Dordogne
The Dordogne continues to be a firm favourite with expats, and for good reason. With a mixture of flat and hilly landscapes, you can find meandering rivers and beautiful vineyards here.
Like the Limousin, there are many quaint French villages, some considered the most beautiful in France. Stand-out villages include Sarlat, just north of the Dordogne river and the backdrop to many historical films, Rocamadour, a landmark for pilgrims on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle and Beynac-et-Cazenac, with golden stoned houses and cobbled lanes. Prices average at approximately €1,130 per sq m.
Occitanie
Occitanie in the south-west of France is an area that includes some of the most beautiful cities, towns and villages in France. It’s also part of the Midi-Pyrenees area, which means that the landscape here is extremely varied.
Apart from Toulouse, a large city, this is a very rural part of France. Pretty towns and villages are dotted all over the area. The Pyrénées-Orientales is perfect for those who love nature and the sea, with the Mediterranean coast and Vermillion Coast nearby, as well as the mountains. Prices average at approximately €1,810 per sq m.
Brittany
In the west of France lies Brittany, an area popular with expats and holidaymakers alike. An ideal destination for nature lovers, you can enjoy the beach, the green countryside, the Black Mountains and much more. It’s a large region made up of four departments: Finistère, Côtes d’Armor, Ille et Vilaine and Morbihan.
Brittany boasts many small, rural towns that are full of character. The likes of Tréguier, with its pretty waterside harbour and the 11th century town of La Roche‑Derrien, are just two of many. Prices in Tréguier average at approximately €1,240 per sq m.
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If you would like further advice on the selling process in France, download your free France Guide.
Why not split the cost and double the fun of owning a holiday in France by buying with family or friends? Read our guide to Buying Abroad with Family
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