Best Businesses for Sale in France in 2011

A selection of ten of the best businesses for sale in France in 2011

Earning an income in France

Of the thousands of British ex-pats living in France, a goodly number are running their own successful businesses. Some have done it the hard way, and set up their businesses after moving to France, but many more decided on the security and peace of mind offered by purchasing an existing business ready to provide an immediate income to coincide with the move. (Buying a Business in France.)

Business opportunities in France

The possibilities are endless, but by far the most popular choice is a business related in some way to the tourism or leisure industries. These include hotels, B&B establishments, gites, bars, cafés, restaurants, ski chalets, fishing lakes (French Properties with Lakes, Fishing in France) or equestrian centres (Equestrian property in France). These and many more are frequently offered for sale on the market all over France, but it is worth remembering that the area you choose is often an indicator of what type of business will be likely to be successful.

Choose your area carefully

For example, seaside areas are a rich hunting ground for hotels and B&B houses, mountainous areas are good for ski holidays and adventure sports and areas like the Limousin (Limousin Property Guide), rich in lakes and agricultural land, are best for those seeking to farm or to run fishing lakes.

 

	Burgundy Shop for sale selling health and organic products 90,000 Euros  The department of the Yonne, in one of the most elegant of all the French regions, is noted for its canals and vineyards, and makes a delightful place to settle. It is also the place to find this unusual business opportunity. This shop sells health and other organic products, and would be just perfect for anyone with an interest in this burgeoning market. France is in love with organic and alternative health products, and the location in the centre of the affluent town of Autan, suggests a great future for the already successful business. At a price of just 90,000 Euros, almost anyone could afford to grab this piece of the action! More details
	Brittany Very successful and fully equipped pizzeria/bar 107,000 Euros  If you need to receive an income immediately after you move, but don't have a lot of cash to invest, consider a business that allows you to purchase the commerce but not the property. This is very common in France, where a business is offered for sale as a "fonds de commerce", but the property, the walls or bricks and mortar, are rented. Morbihan, the most southerly and arguably, most desirable department of Brittany, offers up just such a proposition in the form of this super pizzeria/bar/grill restaurant. Already very successful, the restaurant is fully equipped and ready for immediate take over. A price of only 107,000 Euros makes this a very attractive proposition. More details
	Brittany Thriving equestrian centre 199,555 Euros  Staying in Brittany, but this time in the beautiful Côtes-d'Armor in the north of the region, we find a wonderful opportunity for horse lovers to take over a successful and thriving equestrian centre. The house is a superbly renovated traditional longere, with four-five bedrooms making it an ideal family home, while the five acres of fully fenced grassland and stone built stables are the perfect home for your horses. The countryside of the Côtes-d'Armor is green, unspoiled and peaceful, and perfect for horse-riding and pony trekking. At a price of 199,555 Euros, the property represents amazing value for money. More details
	Aquitaine Well established restaurant and bar 211,000 Euros  The numbers of ex-pats already living in, or flocking to, the ever popular Dordogne department, means that British run businesses are well set for success. This property, up for sale for just 211,000 Euros, is a well established restaurant and bar, close to the vibrant town of Bergerac in the heart of the Dordogne's most popular location. For sale freehold, the property also offers scope for further expansion into the hotel or B&B trade, with extensive accommodation possible after renovation of various extra rooms and buildings. The successful restaurant and bar, which has a full alcohol licence, is ready to take over as a going concern. More details
	Poitou-Charentes Gite business opportunity 276,000 Euros  Poitou-Charentes is one of France's best loved holiday destinations, so what could be better than running a gite business in such a location. This village property in the Charente department, offers a four bedroom gite, attached to the main house. There is a large garden as well as a swimming pool, both of which will appeal to holidaymakers wanting a relaxing break in this wonderful part of France. More details
	Limousin Existing sheep farming business with gite potential 336,000 Euros  The Limousin region, with its lush, green pastures and reputation for producing top quality livestock, is the ideal location for farmers. This farm, with a full 70 acres (or just under 27 hectares) of land, has all the barns and outbuildings necessary, and has an established sheep farming enterprise already to provide immediate income. The main residence is a lovely ready to move into farmhouse, while a further building, currently used as a barn, offers potential for renovating back to the house it once was, to offer a potential gite income as well. The price? A mere 336,000 Euros. More details
	Poitou-Charentes Successful carp fishing business 395,000 Euros  Poitou-Charentes is an ideal location for fishermen, who flock to enjoy the region's well stocked lakes and rivers set in the peaceful, rolling countryside for which the area is known. This business opportunity is to buy a very successful carp fishing business, complete with owner's residence, twelve acres of land and a beautiful eleven-acre carp lake. The fishing business is already almost fully booked for the upcoming year, so an instant income is guaranteed. The price of 395,000 Euros makes this a real bargain that won't stay on the market for long. More details
	Rhône-Alpes Beautiful chalet hotel close to ski slopes 1,260,000 Euros  If your French fancy is for a chalet business amid the ski resorts and mountains of the Alps, then this one could be for you. The Alpe d'Huez is a well established and very popular holiday area, offering excellent skiing and glorious scenery that attracts thousands of holiday makers every year. This beautiful chalet hotel is the stuff of dreams, south facing and full of Alpine charm. The hotel has a long established reputation, with many British guests who return year after year to enjoy the skiing and the unique ambience it offers. At 1,260,000 Euros, the property is well priced for its location and the income it provides. More details
	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Luxury guest house in sought after location 1,300,000 Euros  If you are one of the many for whom France simply has to mean Provence, take a look at this little beauty. Gazing out over the idyllic Vaucluse countryside, this stunning luxury guest house has been doing a roaring trade for discerning holidaymakers for the last fifteen years. Everything is ready to go and superbly presented, and bookings have already been taken for the coming year so all you have to do is move in and take over the reins. The house offers six en-suite bedrooms for guests plus a separate owner's apartment. The price of 1,300,000 Euros is well justified by the success of the existing business, beautiful property and sought after location. More details
	Languedoc-Roussillon Vineyard with lovely main residence 1,600,000 Euros  The Languedoc region of central southern France is well known for its wine trade, so if you have a cherished dream of owning a vineyard in the sun and being a part of this age old tradition, this could be the place to look. Set in the Hérault department, near the Mediterranean coast, is this fabulous property that comes complete with an organic wine business that will really set it apart from the crowd. Organic wines are increasing in popularity rapidly, so this really is an opportunity to get ahead of the game. The price tag of 1,600,000 Euros is high, but the stone built main property is stunning and comes with a pool, stables, wine cellars and outbuildings with potential for further expansion. More details

Not just a new home in France, but a new business too

The above is just a small selection of the business opportunities currently available, and shows the variety of possibilities for purchasing not just a new home in France, but a new lifestyle and an income too. When buying a business, make sure you take expert legal advice, as there are differences between French and English commercial law as well as the ins and outs of the property buying process.

Additional articles which may be of interest:

Owning Gîtes and Chambres D'Hotes (B&Bs) in France
The Best Lakes for Sale in France - September 2011
The Best Chateaux on the Market in 2011
Gites for sale
Ski property
Best Renovation Property for Sale in France in 2011
Best Non Constructible Land for Sale in France in 2011

About the author

Joanna Simm moved to the Languedoc area of south-west France in October 2004 having found her property through French Property Links.

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