With reduced house prices, favourable exchange rates and low interest on mortgages, France’s property market continues to offer irresistible conditions for overseas buyers. But where are the hottest property locations for luxury real estate in France and the best up-and-coming areas for investment? Frances Marcellin spoke to luxury buyer’s agent Home Hunts to find out.

Written By Frances Marcellin for Home Hunts

France is the world’s most visited country with 84 million visitors each year. It is also a country proven to be a safe haven for real estate investment, a market that thrives due to the aesthetic diversity of its locations and economic opportunities it offers.
Whether you want an Alpine getaway by a world-class ski resort or a quaint country home near a thriving smart city France is capable of exceeding even the most demanding of expectations.

1) Basking in the heart of Bordeaux

The region of Aquitaine, which has Bordeaux as its capital, is highly popular and home to around 6% of the country’s population. It was recently voted “Best Destination in Europe”.
“The area in and around Bordeaux offers great value for money and stunning landscapes, and the infrastructure is excellent,” says Rory Ramsden, Home Hunts’ consultant for Bordeaux, referring to the city’s impressive, modern tram system.
It is an ideal location for those interested in vineyard properties, as it is home to around 7,500 châteaux, but Bordeaux also offers all the vibrancy of a modern metropolis with a uniquely village feel. Chartrons, the “Golden Triangle” (a location bounded by Cours Georges Clemenceau, Cours de l’Intendance and Allées de Tourny) and the “quartier Fondaudège” are three of the city’s most coveted central locations.

2) Find the perfect property in Provence

For many looking to buy property in France, the Provence coast is the ultimate location. Resorts such as Bandol, Hyères-les-Palmiers, Saint Tropez, Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël continue to be highly desirable with Saint Tropez still leading the race for attracting the world’s rich and famous.
In terms of up-and-coming locations, villages in the Alpilles are increasing in popularity, such as Mouries, St-Etienne du Grès and Fontvieille.
“The Alpilles have performed well even in a difficult market over the past few years,” says Nicola Christinger, a Home Hunts consultant for Provence. “There is culture on offer in the larger towns, such as Avignon and Nîmes, and excellent transport links to international airports, as well as the TGV.”

3) Invest in Languedoc, the real South of France

Considered by many to be the “real South of France”, Languedoc’s 200km-long Mediterranean coastline offers spectacular resorts and golden beaches. The region’s capital city, Montpellier, offers a young, vibrant atmosphere, and other major destinations here are Nimes, Perpignan and Narbonne.
“Languedoc hasn’t been taken over by mass tourism and therefore it feels like a real French region,” says Albert van Creveld, a Home Hunts consultant for Languedoc. Buyers looking to make the most of their investment should explore the towns and the areas around Narbonne. “Narbonne has developed a great infrastructure and will have its own TGV station in the next couple of years,” says Creveld.

4) Reduced prices on the Riviera

The Côte d’Azur attracts 11 million tourists each year and locations such as Cannes, Cap d’Antibes, Valbonne, Mougins, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat are some of the most expensive and coveted in the world.
However, as property prices have dropped around 20% since 2008, the Riviera is more accessible now than ever before. “Riviera property has become a very good investment opportunity,” says Tim Swannie, Director of Home Hunts. “Rental yields are high, as with 300 days of sunshine, the Med at your feet and the Alps just behind, it really is a year-round destination.”
In terms of up-and-coming locations, Grasse is highly recommended for its excellent location and value for money, as it is less expensive than other back country Riviera locations.

5) The most popular Alpine retreats

Chamonix, located in the Haute Savoie department, continues its reign as the most desirable resort as it offers the best possible year-round use with only October and November considered as low season. Yet the resorts of the Grand Massif – Samoëns, Les Carroz, Arraches and Morillon – are fast becoming popular due to their proximity to Geneva and the fact they are considered to be “altitude resorts”.
“Samoëns is a fraction of the price of some of the ‘in destinations’, such as the Three Valleys (Meribel and Courcheval),” says Chris Leder, a Home Hunts consultant for the Alps. “Its summer activity is some of the best in the Alps. As such, year-round value for money is unbeatable.”