The Best Cheap Properties in France - September 2011

A selection of ten of the best cheap properties for sale in France in September 2011

Bargain hunting is very popular in France

Bargain hunting is something of a national pastime in France, with "vide greniers" (literally, "loft emptying" sales similar to our car boot sales) packed with people every weekend, second hand charity shops like Emmaus and Troc becoming more popular than the big, flashy hypermarkets and fancy clothes shops. Perhaps it's just a sign of the times, as in this period of economic hardship Europeans must pull in their belts a little at least, but even so, bargain hunting is definitely cool in 2011. (Second hand France.)

France is still a good place to find cheap property

Little wonder, then that bargain properties are also high on everybody's shopping lists. France has long been a rich hunting ground for cheap property (Cheap French Property), and although some say that the glory days for finding the best bargains are gone, there are still some surprising little gems to be found at amazingly low prices.

Location location - as important as ever

They say it's all about location, and this is as true of France as of anywhere. There are areas of the country where property is known to be lower priced than in others, but there are many factors that can change this in a surprisingly short timescale. Low cost airlines, such as Ryanair and easyJet opening up (or indeed, closing) routes can have a marked effect, as can the development and extension of the TGV rail service. Publicity, with television programmes like "A Place in the Sun" or the current "Little England" (based on the Dordogne) can boost the popularity of an area to quite an extent, pushing up property prices. (Most Popular TV Programmes about French Property.)

Where in France can you find cheap property?

So, where to look? Traditionally, the lower priced areas include the Limousin, parts of Poitou-Charentes, Normandy and the lesser known inland and central regions of the Auvergne. However, if you keep a close eye on the market, cheap property can be found anywhere, at any time, as the following selection of bargain priced properties demonstrates. (All of these properties are ready to live in, although some may require a little redecoration or offer the potential of improvement/extension.)

 

	Poitou-Charentes A little TLC required but habitable 24,000 Euros  This great little two bedroom townhouse in the picturesque market town of Aigre is set near to the brandy town of Cognac in the lovely Charente department. In need of a little TLC, but quite ready to live in while doing the work required, this property is a brilliant buy at only 24,000 Euros. The Charente department is positively packed with interesting places to go and things to do, and an ideal location for a holiday home. More details
	Brittany Amazing value for money 27,000 Euros  Even in the highly desirable department of the Côtes-d'Armor it is possible to pick up some incredible bargains. This little cottage represents amazing value for money at a tiny price of 27,000 Euros, and near to the centre of the lovely market town of Rostrenen too! All that's needed is some interior decoration to modernise the house, and it's ready to go. More details
	Central Loire Valley Three bedroom family house with a vaulted cellar 27,000 Euros  If you have been thinking that to find a house for 27,000 Euros means that you will have to compromise on space, think again. Even in the often pricey region of the Centre Val de Loire (or Central Loire Valley), surprising bargains come along every now and then. Like this spacious three bedroom house in the village of Cluis, near to the lively town of Eguzon Chantome. Suitable for a family, the property also offers an attic with potential for renovation into a further bedroom, and a fabulous vaulted cellar. The area is perfect for family holidays too, with Lake Eguzon on the doorstep offering water sports and spectacular scenery. More details
	Limousin Cosy detached house 45,000 Euros  The Creuse is really the heart of rural France, a land of green fields, forests and lakes. Situated near Gueret, this property is perfect not only as a holiday home, but also would make a super permanent residence for a couple or single person seeking a new life in this lovely part of France. The house has only one bedroom, but it benefits from outside space for dining alfresco or soaking up the sun, and is extremely pretty and cosy inside. More details
	Rhône-Alpes Small and charming studio apartment 45,000 Euros  The Rhône-Alpes, and especially the ski areas of the Savoie, are hardly known for their excess of low priced property, but this one is really something special. Near to the little village of Pralognan le Vanoise, in the Savoie department of the French Alps, can be found this little studio apartment. Small, but perfectly formed and full of charming features, this pretty apartment is ideally located for fans of all mountain sports, whatever the season. The building is built of local stone, and the interior of the studio beautifully presented. It lies within reach of some of the best ski slopes of the Alps, and is offered at the incredible price of 45,000 Euros. More details
	Lower Normandy Dream holiday home or weekend getaway 57,500 Euros  If you are seeking a holiday home that is as easy as winking to get to from the UK, you can't go far wrong with this super apartment in the port town of Cherbourg. Possibilities for travelling to Cherbourg from the UK include ferry crossings from Portsmouth and Poole, or the channel tunnel train and a TGV to the town. Cherbourg is bustling and exciting with excellent shopping and renowned seafood restaurants. At an almost unbelievable price of just 57,500 Euros, this charming three bedroom stone cottage, bursting with character and as pretty as a picture, can be your dream holiday home or weekend getaway. More details
	Languedoc-Roussillon Character farmhouse in a wonderful location 67,000 Euros  Can you believe that for 67,000 Euros you can purchase a farmhouse with land and outbuildings in the sunny south of France? Incredible as it may seem, this super property is near the very desirable village of Quillan, which has long been a favourite with British property seekers. A character farmhouse complete with 1,800 square metres of attached land, plus an attic for renovation if desired, the property lies in beautiful typically Mediterranean /mountain countryside and is within easy reach of the town of Carcassonne or the Mediterranean Sea. The ski slopes of the Pyrénées are also very easily accessed from Quillan. More details
	Burgundy Charming house with a good sized garden 74,500 Euros  The upmarket region of Burgundy is often thought of as expensive, but in fact it is often a location for super property at surprisingly low prices. The gorgeous mediaeval town of Semur en Auxois is the location for this particular Burgundy bargain, a charming little house all ready to move into. At present there is only one bedroom, but as the first floor of the property is untouched there is plenty of potential to increase the size of the living area and to add a second bedroom. Unusually for a low priced property there is also a really good sized garden. More details
	Aquitaine Semi-detached house priced to sell quickly 76,300 Euros  The Dordogne is ever popular with British buyers, and as a result most of the cheap properties have already been snapped up. Occasionally, however, one comes on to the market that must be seen, although they are few and far between and usually sold very quickly. This property, just into the Dordogne although close to the border of the Limousin department of the Haute-Vienne, is sure to disappear fast, thanks to its spacious nature and rock bottom selling price in addition to its enviable Dordogne postcode! More details
	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Two bedroom apartment by Ailefroide Mountain 89,000 Euros  The Côte-d'Azur rarely offers property for under 100,000 Euros, but if you are prepared to look at the more mountainous department of the region, the Hautes-Alpes, anything is possible as this property proves. The area is far less well known than the coastal parts of Provence, but it is breathtakingly beautiful and sits conveniently between the Med and the ski resorts, giving access to both within a reasonable driving distance. The main town of Gap is delightful and believed to be one of the friendliest towns in France. The village of Vallouise is the location for this utterly gorgeous ground floor apartment which sits almost in the stunning Ecrins National Park. It has to be grabbed off the shelf at a price of 89,000 Euros. More details

Ready to live in cheap properties are available in France

The above ten properties show the vast spread of property types and locations where cheap property can still be found in France. Of course, some of the properties are small, or studio apartments, but as the above shows there is also a possibility of buying a good sized family home or even a farmhouse for much less than 100,000 Euros.

Additional articles which may be of interest:

The Best Plots of Land for Sale in France - September 2011
The Best Lakes for Sale in France - September 2011
The Best Chateaux on the Market in 2011
The Best Property Near Ryanair Airports in France
The Best Properties by the Sea in France for 100K

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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