The Best Lakes for Sale in France - September 2011

A guide to ten of the best French lakes for sale in September 2011

Buying a property with a lake in France

A country as large and diverse as France offers many possibilities for anyone seeking something special when buying property. In France you can find mountains, plains, pasturelands, calm sea, wild ocean, sophisticated cities and rustic hamlets. Whatever your dream, there is a good chance that you can find it in France. One type of property purchase that is difficult to achieve in the UK is the purchase of a lake. Whether it is a fishing lake, pure and simple, or a property with its own lake within the boundaries, France offers many chances to make this dream come true (French Properties with Lakes).

Lakes for all reasons

There are as many reasons for wanting to own a lake as there are lakes… well, almost. Keen fishermen, it goes without saying, dream of their own, well stocked private lake, a place to invite friends, maybe to share their passion for peaceful days by the water's edge, and for bringing home the catch of the day for tea (Fishing in France). Then there are those who hope to build a business around their lake, perhaps running fishing or sailing holidays in conjunction with ownership of gites (Owning Gites and Chambres D'Hotes (B&Bs) in France) or a hotel or campsite (Buying a campsite in France). A lake, after all, is a great selling point for any leisure industry enterprise.

A lake adds something to property

Lakes can also be sporting centres, if large enough, or just for your own enjoyment if smaller… somewhere you can enjoy a peaceful evening, drifting around in a rowing boat, or where the kids can paddle their canoes. It can make a great focal point for a party too, a place for all your guests to cool off before the barbecue gets going! Of course, a lake doesn't have to be used for anything, it can just be a calm point of beauty to enjoy. Large or small, a lake adds something to a property and makes it really special.

French lakes and where to look for them

Lakes are plentiful in France, in fact, almost everywhere you go you will see them shimmering in the sunlight, seemingly one around every corner. The Limousin region (Limousin Property Guide), in particular, has so many lovely lakes of all shapes and sizes that it is known as the Lakeland of France, but there are lakes everywhere. Some of the prettiest of lakes are found in the mountains of the Pyrénées, the Alps (Rhône-Alpes Property Guide, Alps property) and the Massif Central, but you don't have to limit your search to any one area. Follow this guide to the best lakes that have come onto the market in 2011, and take your pick.

 

	Loire Valley Well stocked fishing lake 18,000 Euros  You may be more likely to think of grand chateaux and elegant living than a fishing lake at a bargain price when you think of the Centre Val de Loire or Loire Valley, but this great little fishing lake, well stocked and secluded, is exactly that, a real bargain at just 18,000 Euros. You can't build a house there, hence the low price, but if fishing is your passion and you don't have too much cash to spare, this could be just the ticket. The lake is situated close to the little market town of Saint Sévère, and lies in the Indre department. More details
	Burgundy Dreamlike cottage with a lake in the garden 350,000 Euros  Totally private, this little lake is a picturesque addition to an already lovely home, located in the affluent region of Burgundy and the glorious winelands of the Côte-d'Or. The charming perched town of Avallon is nearby, while the unsoiled countryside of the parc regional is all around. At 350,000 Euros, the property is very good value for the region, and exceptionally well presented. More details
	Poitou-Charentes Former water mill 499,000 Euros  The Charente-Maritime, that seaside area of Poitou-Charentes, is the venue for another fabulous property that comes with its own beautiful lake. This property dates back to the 17th century, and comes complete with a gite, a large pocket of land and of course, the stunning lake. It's also ideal for the ecologically minded, as it offers the possibility of generating your own electricity! The property stands close to the market town of Mirambeau, which has all amenities and a terrific atmosphere. At a price of 499,000 euros, the property is not cheap, but well priced for the standard of house, land and business potential. More details
	Midi-Pyrénées Private lake and stunning farmhouse with B&B or hotel potential 780,000 Euros  Close to the great city of Toulouse, with all its amenities and handy international airport, is the town of Caraman, in the Haute-Garonne department. It is also close to Caraman that you can find this truly fabulous property. With no less than eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms, this gorgeous farmhouse lies within the grounds of an ancient castle, and with the added appeal of a private lake and a lagoon-style swimming pool, the property cries out to be turned into a successful hotel or B&B business. The beauty and potential of this property more than justifies the price tag of 780,000 Euros. More details
	Brittany Old trout farm requiring renovation 75,000 Euros  This one represents an amazing opportunity for a buyer with a keen eye for a bargain, and a willingness to put in a little work. Once a successful trout farm, the package includes a cottage, a water mill (which has the potential to generate its own electricity), a lovely fishing lake and the old trout pools, all with need of a little hard work and TLC, but all offering the potential to be restored to their former glory. You won't find too many like this on the market at such a low price, and set in the highly sought after Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany to boot. The nearest town is the tranquil, mediaeval haven of Plélauff, close to all the region's best attractions. More details
	Aquitaine Established carp fishing business 295,000 Euros  Set in the Dordogne, this fantastic established carp fishing business comes complete with an attractive bungalow, land with further potential for building, an angler's lodge, barns and, of course a fabulous carp lake. Everyone loves the Dordogne department, so it comes as quite a surprise to see that there is such a great property available for a price of just 295,000 Euros. Mussidan, the nearest town, is a vibrant and thriving market town which has excellent shops, services and restaurants for your enjoyment. More details
	Auvergne Idyllic renovated watermill with 32 acres of land 690,000 Euros  Near the pretty town of Moulins, in the Allier department of the fertile and volcanic Auvergne region, is this idyllic former watermill property. Surrounded by 32 acres of its own land, and complete with a picturesque and very sizeable millpond, this property is one to fulfil your dreams in every possible way. The main house offers six bedrooms, with potential to create more, while outside there are stables and two further houses offering an infinite number of possibilities! The price is set at a reasonable 690,000 euros. More details
	Limousin Lake and land with planning permission 89,380 Euros  A beautiful, three-acre lake set in pretty wooded countryside is on the market near the town of Saint Junien, in the Creuse department of France's own Lakeland region of the Limousin. The lake is licensed for fishing for the next 30 years, and what's more, this lake and land (total of four and a half acres) come hand in hand with planning permission for a house, making this a somewhat unique opportunity. The truly amazing thing about this property is the price, 89,380 Euros. More details
	Languedoc-Roussillon 19th century chateau with a lake in its grounds 1,500,000 Euros  This property, in the Mediterranean department of the Aude in Languedoc-Roussillon, comes straight from the pages of a fairytale. A superb chateau, dating back to the 19th century and complete with turrets and other original features, is set in 10,000 sq metres of parkland. And, with the added charm of a small lake, this is surely the one to buy should those elusive lottery numbers come good! What's more, the property is set close to the colourful city of Narbonne, and to all the beaches and other attractions of this highly desirable area. The price tag, a cool 1,500,000 Euros may be high, but only reflects the quality of this wonderful property. More details
	Lower Normandy Fishing business and B&B potential 795,000 Euros  This property is located close to the town of Tourouvre, amid the stunning, unspoiled forests and countryside found in this part of the Oise department, in Lower Normandy. The property has a three-hectare carp lake, well stocked and in great condition, and a beautiful mill house which is presented to a really high standard. The five/six bedrooms offer scope for a B&B business to complement the potential for a fishing business. All of this is yours for an investment of 795,000 Euros. More details

Take your pick of wonderful French lakes

So, there is a selection of lake properties currently on the market, from a simple private fishing lake to a grand chateau or renovated water mill, the choice is yours.

Additional articles which may be of interest:

Leisure Lakes of the Languedoc - Perfect Property Location?
Gites for sale
The Best Chateaux on the Market in 2011
French Mills
House Renovations in France

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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