A highlight of France’s coastline, both Atlantic and Med, are its charming old fishing towns – not only picturesque places to own property, but ideal for feasting on fresh seafood! These five give you a flavour of what’s out there, with a great value home in each…

Honfleur, Normandy
A national treasure on the southern shore of the Seine estuary, Honfleur is a medieval port famous for its majestic half-timbered houses that line its ancient harbourside, known as the Vieux Bassin. Impressionist artists, including Claude Monet, helped make the town famous by featuring it in their 19th-Century paintings, attracted by the light and views across the estuary to the Atlantic.

The town-centre is a beautifully preserved maze of winding streets that fan out from the harbour, where markets are held regularly. The ferry port of Le Havre sits opposite on the northern estuary bank and Rouen is a short drive inland following the Seine.

Audierne, Brittany
Tucked into an estuary on Brittany’s pretty Finistère coastline, Audierne is an ancient fishing town, known today for its oysters, which doubles as a charming beach resort in the summer. Oozing Breton authenticity, it has an historic old centre with narrow streets for exploring, while its quayside and seafront are lined with grand old houses, with cafés and restaurants below.

Other highlights include a promenade that follows the Goyan estuary south of the town as far as the sandy beach at Trescadec, another popular subject with artists.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Pyrénées-Atlantique
Just about still in France, the old fishing town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a short drive south of Biarritz near the Spanish border.

Set within a bay and sheltered from the Atlantic by three sea walls, the town’s historic wealth is evident in the grand old houses that overlook its harbourside, towering over the streets of the town centre and in Louis IV square.

The main beach in the town centre is protected, so ideal for families, but there are others nearby that are popular with surfers. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is more than a lively harbour resort – it’s also the ideal spot to experience the Basque gastronomy and culture!

Collioure, Languedoc
Tucked away in the southern-most corner of France’s sunny Mediterranean coastline, picturesque Collioure is often referred to as the St-Tropez of the Languedoc.

There might not be superyachts moored up or top-dollar seafront properties there, but it has all the charm and beauty of any Côte d’Azur resort.

The town’s picturesque setting in a bay, with vineyards and the Pyrenees as a backdrop, combined with its ancient buildings and soft light has attracted artists, including Picasso, over the years. Today, the appeal stretches to discerning second homeowners.

The town, complete with cobbled streets and flanked by a majestic medieval castle, has a strong Catalan identity, reflected in its food and wine – it was once famous for its anchovies.

La Ciotat, Provence
In a bay on the western fringes of the glamorous Côte d’Azur, La Ciotat might be less known than other resorts further east. But for many people, it’s what an idyllic Provençal harbour town should be.

The ancient quayside, which has been regenerated, is lined by ochre-shaded houses, beneath which are rows of pavement cafés and restaurants. The centre has pretty squares, dotted with ancient chapels and shady backstreets. The town continues to live off its rich maritime history – today it has no less than four port areas, including the main harbour, the leisure marina and two smaller ones.

It is a place that is made for strolling and soaking up the relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, whether during the day, when one of the many markets are held, or in the evening as the sun goes down.