The Best Plots of Land for Sale in France - September 2011

A selection of ten of the best plots of land for sale in France in September 2011

Finding land on which to build your own French home

Building your own home in France (Building or extending property in France) is a very popular way to achieve the dream of owning a holiday property or beginning a new life in France (Life in France). Building your own house can be considerably cheaper than buying, and of course, carries the advantage of being able to control the design and the quality as well as the cost. Whether you decide to go it alone and do the work yourself, or to employ a project manager to oversee the build in your absence is up to you, but whichever of these options you choose, the whole thing begins with finding that perfect plot of land. (Land for Sale in France.)

The perfect plot of land

As always in the case of property, location is vital. However, one man's perfect location is another man's nightmare, and France, being such a large and diverse country, offers a vast choice of location. The building industry is alive and well in France, in spite of the economic downturn, and everywhere you look you will see houses being built. To find the perfect plot, you need to choose your area, whether it's beside the sea, in the mountains, in a village or a town. If you have children, you may decide that to live in a village with a school, activities and shops is the best choice, while couples may prefer a plot in the country, in a more isolated position.

Many choices to be made

Only you can decide, but the choices aren't over once you have made that first decision. The size and aspect of the plot, the cost, of course, flat or sloping, all of these things are important to get right. Don't forget too, that if you are looking for a plot on which to build your house, you must be sure that the land is being sold with permission to construct a residence!

Consider a lotissement

At the bottom end of the price scale, plots on a lotissement can offer great value for money, and also be used to create an easy to manage holiday property or a small family home. Lotissements are the French equivalent of a housing estate in the UK, and while perhaps not offering the glamour of a grand house in the country or an elegant townhouse, lotissement living can carry many advantages. In a new lotissement development, everyone is building so there are unlikely to be complaints about the noise or mess, and also, everyone is new to the place making it easier to make friends and not feel so much of an outsider. Lotissements tend to be close to amenities such as schools and shops, as they are created for families. The presence of neighbours also means that should you spend periods of time in the UK, your home is less likely to be broken into, and any problems such as water leaks will be reported swiftly.

 

	Brittany Eminently affordable lotissement plot 7,938 Euros   Brittany is one of France's most desirable locations, and it is hardly surprising as this beautiful region of north-west France has it all, with historic towns, atmospheric fishing villages, stunning countryside and ease of access from the UK. If money is tight, and the idea of a lotissement plot appeals, there are several plots still available on this development, near the village of Paule in the Côtes-d'Armor. With prices beginning at an incredible 7,938 Euros for a plot of 725 square metres, the plots are eminently affordable. Paule is a pleasant village with good basic amenities and an attractive location near the Nantes Brest Canal. More details
	Auvergne Flat plot with services connected 11,000 Euros  The Auvergne is a brilliant place to find cheap property, and building plots in the department are no exception to this rule. The Auvergne may be lesser known than many parts of France, but for true Francophiles it is in many ways La France Profonde: a region where life goes on as it always has, to the rhythm of the seasons, where the landscapes are unspoiled and where the historic villages and towns are a never ending joy to discover. This plot of land, approved for building, has services connected and is a lovely, 1104 square metres flat piece of land on the edge of a pretty hamlet. At a price of 11,000 Euros, it won't stay on the market for long! More details
	Limousin A real bargain beside Lac de Saint Pardoux 16,540 Euros  Beside the glorious leisure lake of Saint Pardoux sits this pretty plot of land, offered for sale with a Certificat d'Urbanisme (outline planning consent to build). Imagine summer holidays spent here, just moments from the lake and its lovely beaches and extensive water sports. The village of Saint Pardoux is only five minutes away, and is full of historic country charm as well as having basic useful amenities. The plot measures 2,000 square metres, and is up for grabs at a recently lowered price of 16,540 Euros, making it a real bargain. More details
	Central Loire Valley Building plot minutes from Argenton sur Creuse 19,500 Euros  Right in the heart of France is the region of the Centre Val de Loire or Central Loire Valley, known for its elegant chateaux and classic French countryside. This is the setting for a wonderful building plot, not isolated like so many plots seem to be, but just minutes from the centre of the beautiful town of Argenton sur Creuse. The land offered here costs a more than reasonable 19,500 Euros, and measures some quarter of an acre, allowing for the construction of a 300 square metre house. More details
	Poitou-Charentes Planning permission granted for timber-framed house 23,500 Euros  Of all of the lovely departments of the Poitou-Charentes region, perhaps the most coveted is the Charente-Maritime, where the Atlantic Ocean and its fabulous beaches are always within reach, and where the countryside is lush with rolling fields of golden sunflowers and neat vineyards. If this sounds good, don't waste any time in considering this super plot of land near the small town of Montelieu la Garde, which offers good amenities. The land, 1070 square metres of it, is offered with a small ruin, but this can be demolished and there is an established planning permission for a timber-framed house of your own choosing. The land is very pretty, with mature trees and is offered for sale at a bargain price of 23,500 Euros. More details
	Nord-Pas-de-Calais Fabulous location and easy to get to 45,000 Euros  If you are hoping to use your new home for weekends and short breaks, it makes sense to stay close to home, and this is exactly what a purchase of this great little plot in the Pas-de-Calais department would give you. Ease of access, minimal travelling time and a fabulous location close to the Spanish influenced town of Hesdin to add to the attractions. The plot is of a good size, 1,550 square metres, and is south-facing bringing wonderful views over the Canche Valley. The price of 45,000 Euros still allows a good budget for building. More details
	Aquitaine An opportunity to build in the Dordogne 53,000 Euros  It seems that everyone and his Auntie wants a piece of the breathtaking Dordogne department in south-west France, and here is an opportunity to have exactly that for yourself. What's more, this plot, which extends to 1,600 square metres, sits within just five minutes of the fairytale mediaeval town of Sarlat le Canèda, claimed to be one of the most beautiful towns in France. Sarlat offers everything you could want for everyday life and more, and all in a setting so beautiful that it is often the location for filming in addition to being one of the most desirable destinations in the region. The price for a little piece of paradise? A mere 53,000 Euros. More details
	Pays de la Loire Large plot in a pretty, rural location 55,000 Euros  If Dordogne is not for you, this extensive plot of land in the Sarthe department of the Pays de la Loire may be just the ticket. A large plot of 1.3 hectares, the land sits in a pretty rural location yet within easy reach of towns and villages with all amenities. The planning permission is already granted for a sizeable property (up to 300 square metres) and essential services are installed on the edge of the plot. With this amount of land there is the possibility of keeping a pony, or establishing a smallholding to grow your own fruits and vegetables and really experience the good life en France! More details
	Languedoc-Roussillon A chalet as well as land for sale 66,000 Euros  This property, for a chalet is offered in addition to land for building, is found in the old village of Trilla in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. And it is something rather special. The land extends to 800 square metres, and already has a chalet building on it which can be extended increase the living space and upgrade the property, or knocked down to allow the construction of a new house. The views from the plot are superb, and the land includes mature cherry trees. A snip at 66,000 Euros! More details
	Rhône-Alpes In a stunning setting with magnificent views 85,000 Euros  For a stunning setting in which to place your new home, you can't beat this one, near the village of Abondance in the French Alps. Abondance is a picture postcard village, typically Alpine in every way, and retaining all the original buildings and features of a Savoyard village. The views all around are magnificent, and this plot of land, although not cheap at 85,000 Euros, actually represents quite a bargain for constructible land in this highly sought after region. The land is approved for construction of a 107-metre chalet. Access to the ski slopes and popular resorts is good from Abondance. More details

Start your new life in France and start building

The selection above is simply that, a selection of the available building plots around the country. With prices shown starting from a lowly 7,938 Euros, there is something here for everyone. Time to stop dreaming and start building!

Additional articles which may be of interest:

The Best Cheap Properties 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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