Ever increasing travel opportunities in France
Fortunately for those of us who have moved to live in France, or who own holiday property in France, there is an ever expanding network of travel possibilities making it easier than ever to get to France from the UK (French Connections). The TGV is constantly opening or planning new routes, there are excellent and ever improving auto routes and routes nationales, and more and more airports are opening or adding new routes and airlines to their services.
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Brive Souillac Airport - a new development
One such development that is planned and under construction, is a new airport south of Brive-la-Gaillard or Brive (Brive-la-Gaillarde Property Guide) called Brive Souillac, in the Corrèze department (Corrèze Property Guide) of southern central France. There is already an airport at Brive to the west of the town, but this is very small and currently offers flights to Paris only. The new Brive Souillac Airport is important not only in terms of providing convenient flights for those who already own property in the area, but it will almost certainly also impact on the property market and affect the decisions of those who are considering buying property in central France. It is also likely to make a difference to the tourist trade in the area.
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Controversy surrounding Brive Airport in France
There is a certain amount of controversy surrounding the decision to build Brive Airport, for although easier transport from the UK is welcomed by many, there are also those who find themselves living on the new flight paths and close to the site. They will of course, suffer any nuisance noise or increase in traffic on their roads, and obviously not all of those thus affected see the move as good idea.
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Does Brive need a new airport?
There are also those who are wary of this rapid expansion in the number of airports being opened in France, and there seems to be a legitimate question to be asked regarding this. How many small airports can a region sustain? Already there are two airports not far from Brive that offer flights from the UK. These are at Bergerac (Bergerac Property Guide) and Rodez (Rodez Property Guide). Bergerac is served by Ryanair and flybe, whereas Rodez has only Ryanair providing flights. It is yet unknown what airlines will operate from the new airport, or even, for certain, what routes will be flown, although it has been stated on the airport's website (in French) (www.aeroport-brive-souillac.com) that there will be flights within France (Paris and Lyon) and also flights to and from London.
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Airline speculation at Brive Airport
A budget airline has also been mentioned, and there is increased speculation that this could be Ryanair, although nothing is known for sure as yet. Places to watch for information include the airport's site, as above, and also www.ryanair.com as announcements will be made closer to the time of opening. You may also wish to keep an eye on the websites of easyJet and flybe, as these have also been mentioned as being possibly connected with the airport.
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Brive Airport likely to be popular with Brits
The airport at Brive is likely to prove a hit with many British ex-pats and holiday home owners, however, despite the foregoing arguments. Anything that makes travelling easier is a boon, especially for those who have to make frequent journeys to and from the UK. Those with gîtes (Owning Gîtes and Chambres D'Hotes (B&Bs) in France,
Gites for sale) and commercial enterprises in the area will also be watching developments very closely.
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Brive Airport is in a great location
The new airport certainly has a great location, being set south of the town of Brive-la-Gaiilard, on the main A20 road between Paris (Paris Property Guide) and Toulouse (Toulouse Property Guide), and close to the A89 road that links Clermont Ferrand (Clermont-Ferrand Property Guide) to Bordeaux (Bordeaux Property Guide). This is bound to improve its popularity with people bound for various destinations within the region.
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Brive Airport is shrouded in myth and magic
Perhaps due to the lack of concrete information regarding the progress of this project, and definitive planned outcomes, the whole issue appears shrouded in myth and magic, with much speculation among those most likely to be affected. Plans have changed numerous times over the course of the last few years, with the projected opening for business in 2007 being set back to, apparently, 2009... or even later according to some sources. The fact that even the airport's official website gives little away in terms of progress reports adds to the uncertainty and the feeling that there is something going on! Some are even considering the possibility that the airport will not, in fact open for business at all.
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Difficulties with Brive Airport
Certainly, the construction and plans of the airport have hit some difficulties. Having done the groundwork for the airport, the authorities found themselves short of money, and work was held up resulting in the failure to meet the planned opening in 2007. At first the new date was set at 2008, although this has now changed again. Sources from the area say that work has now recommenced, and the development is definitely going ahead, although it is difficult if not impossible to put a date on the likely completion of the project. The best case scenario seems to be sometime in 2009, assuming there are no further major setbacks.
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Butterflies at Brive Airport
Yes, really, a rare breed of butterfly has been another problem that has caused headaches for the planners. Close to the airport site a rare species of butterfly has a breeding ground, and in order to protect these insects, the airport has had to agree to the following terms:
No night flights
No freight flights.
So Brive Airport can be said to be an environmentally conscious airport... at least in that respect!
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So what does all this mean for the property market?
Any new airport, TGV route or auto route is likely to impact on the property market in the region. Not only does it attract investment in property from those who want to live in France permanently but need easy access to the UK for return trips (and for friends and relatives to visit), but it also has a huge effect on those who want to purchase a holiday home, or a buy to let property.
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Tourism and business should improve
Tourism should see an increase, with the knock on effect that other commercial property becomes more financially viable, and values will rise. Those considering, for example, the purchase of a house with a fishing lake (French Properties with Lakes) and/or a caravan site or campsite (Buying a campsite in France), will be more likely to choose a property within reach of good transport links such as this airport, knowing that the tourists will be able to get easy access to the area. Business in general tends to improve, as transport is vital for a healthy enterprise.
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Investing just because of Brive Airport
However, the difficulties and delays that have affected Brive Airport to date mean that it could be unwise to make a major investment in the area based solely on the planned opening of the airport. If you are already considering a property in the area close to Brive by all means go ahead, as even if the airport did not come to fruition for some time, there remain two airports within reasonable travelling distance. The Corrèze is a wonderful department, and there are some of the best property bargains in France to be had there.
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A word of caution
It does, however, always pay to be cautious, and there have been occurrences regarding airports in France in the past that provide cautionary tales. Pau (Pau Property Guide) in south-west France is a case in point. Here Ryanair pulled out at the last minute, leaving some with their fingers burned. These were the people who had speculated on property in the locality purely on the premise that the services provided by Ryanair would raise values.
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Property buyers in France should consider all factors
When buying property, especially if it is important that it increases in value quite quickly, you should always consider the bigger picture, and look at all the factors involved. TGV routes and auto routes can prove a greater boost to property prices than airports and airline services, as they tend to be harder to move and therefore are more stable influences.
Additional articles which may be of interest:
Travel France
Life in France
Brits in France
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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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