Where should I buy a holiday house in France?
There are so many wonderful regions in France that you need to consider carefully where might be best for you personally to buy your holiday house.
There are a number of factors to take into account when weighing up the options, especially regarding the type of lifestyle you are hoping to create/enjoy. Some people are looking for a super cute beach house in a lovely seaside town with amazing cafés and restaurants. Others wish to be surrounded by spectacular vineyards with breathtaking views. Or perhaps you’re more of a “château in the countryside” kind of person?
To help you sort out whereabouts is the most suitable location for you, we have put together this short guide on some of our most popular destinations.
I want a beach house…
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
St Tropez, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, Cannes, Marseille. These are just a handful of some of the more well-known places in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. They certainly tick the “I want my holiday in an impressive sounding place” box. For those who prefer a less glitzy (and touristy) seaside option, we highly recommend Sanary-sur-Mer. Charming, understated and picturesque are just some of the descriptors that spring to mind. It’s a stunning harbourside town that looks like something straight out of a Monet painting, with its waterfront homes and historical buildings. It also has a fabulous café and restaurant scene and welcoming locals.
Brittany (Bretagne)
For those looking for the beach vibe who also need proximity to Paris, we have the perfect solution that allows you to have your cake and eat it too.
Stunning Brittany.
Granted, the water is colder here than the Mediterranean, but Dinand, Dinard and St Malo are all so superbly charming and divine that Brittany certainly has “dream holiday home location” written all over it. Brittany has very distinct architecture as well as a fabulous culinary scene and breathtaking scenery for days.
I want to enjoy the French Countryside…
Chantilly and Senlis
I want to enjoy the French countryside … but I also want to be close to Paris. In that case you can’t go past Chantilly and Senlis. Both are gorgeous towns, bursting with charm and character, and are situated just north of Paris in the L’Oise region. L’Oise boasts an array of historic monuments and châteaux, as well as picturesque villages and even theme parks. It’s just a short 30-minute train journey from Chantilly into Paris making it the perfect place to enjoy the French countryside with convenient access to all the wonders of the city of lights and love. As an added bonus it’s also not too far from Charles de Gaulle airport so it’s super easy to zip in and out if you’re coming by plane.
La Dordogne
Arguably France’s most picturesque region, La Dordogne is found in Aquitaine, in the South West of the country. La Dordogne is home to an incredibly long list of UNESCO sites, none more well known than Rocamadour (see image below). La Dordogne has everything you can imagine and more: some of the most beautiful villages in France, pre-historic sites, exceptional gastronomy, sports and mind-blowing architecture. No wonder it’s so popular amongst the English community!
I need a chalet in the French mountains…
Chamonix
Chamonix is the quintessential French town in the mountains. It’s located at the base of Mont Blanc (the highest mountain in Europe) in the heart of the Haute-Savoie region in South Eastern France. Chamonix offers all year round activities with skiing in the winter and hiking and biking in the summer months. Especially with the way summers have become scorching hot across much of Europe, Chamonix (and the Alps more broadly) is a fantastic option in the warmer months, enjoying pleasant temperatures in the 20’s celsius. Surrounded by panoramic views that are to die for, Chamonix is the perfect place for your new ski chalet.
Get me a Château..!
The Loire Valley
Undoubtedly the most famous region in France for châteaux in France is the Loire Valley. It’s where all of your château dreams can turn into reality. Similar to La Dordogne above, the Loire Valley has countless UNESCO world heritage sites. There are over 300 châteaux in the Loire Valley, dating back as far as the 10th century through to more “recent” châteaux that were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. French royalty and nobility were drawn to this stunning part of France and brought with them the most celebrated architects of their time. The end result is a region that needs to be seen to be believed. Add to this the production of some of the country’s finest wines, gastronomy and abundant culture, you’ll never want to leave once you’ve found your little pocket of peace.
I need a pied-à-terre in the city…
The city of lights and love – Paris
It almost goes without saying that if you need a city apartment in France, it should of course be in Paris, the city of lights and love.
Paris, darling Paris, has it all. Some of the world’s most breathtaking architecture, history, culture, fashion and of course a world-class wine and culinary scene. Paris has that big city vibe with bright lights and glamour as well as some of the most stunning parks and understated locales. If this is what you need from your holiday home destination, Paris will not let you down. And for anyone needing a pied-à-terre in Europe for work reasons, Paris is at the very centre of Europe making it the perfect home base. It connects to most other capital cities by short flight or better still, fast train.
Bordeaux
For anyone who enjoys city life but is looking for something a little more quaint than Paris, allow us to suggest Bordeaux. The city centre is simply stunning and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a city rich in history and culture and boasts cathedrals, monuments and architectural wonders everywhere you look. Its South Western location takes you away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, whilst still offering all the conveniences and luxuries of a larger city. The food scene is world class and it’s of course home to arguably the most famous wine regions in all of France. Bordeaux is the largest city in the South West and makes a great base for exploring other parts of the region such as the Pyrénées mountains, La Dordogne (see above) and Biarritz.
While you’re here, check out some of our other blog posts:
Trusted Partners of Buy Property in France:
If you need assistance with purchasing a property in France, we suggest the team at Milieux Property. They are international buyer’s agents who specialise in buying property in France for English speakers.