A recent study by recruitment company APEC found that young professionals considered the Rhône-Alpes, Midi-Pyrenees and Aquitaine as the most economically dynamic regions and the best places to live in France for quality of life. Aquitaine’s capital, Bordeaux, came third in the ranking for most appealing city.
This combination of quality of life along with economic opportunity and stability makes Aquitaine an attractive choice for property investment opportunities, second home owners and those who want to settle permanently in France. Kirsten Pollard, Manager of Aquitaine for buyer’s agents Home Hunts, believes “the quality of life remains quintessential” in this region, which is the reason for the continued increase in the region’s property sales.
“The Aquitaine region continues to be a popular region for both foreign buyers and French buyers and demand and prices have remained relatively stable,” said Kirsten.
The fact that charming, traditional countryside properties can enjoy all the benefits of fast internet access and good infrastructure means that, if desired, residents can earn a living while soaking up the lifestyle of one of the most beautiful regions in the world.
“It is an area where you can still ‘get away from it all’ but the moment you want to tune back in, the infrastructure and technology is there to get you there in a flash,” said Kirsten.
In terms of transport, European and international flight destinations from Bordeaux have increased and the city connects with Paris in three hours by TGV. “Bordeaux centre is a one of the top hot spots in France and the already rapidly increasing prices are predicted to rocket in the next years in the most popular areas,” said Kirsten.
The types of properties available in the region that particularly appeal to foreign buyers include stone village houses, new builds with views, renovated farmhouses, maison de maîtres, bourgeois town houses, chateaux and vineyard properties.
Last year Home Hunts made over £80 million of sales because it is experienced at finding in-demand properties for its clients – such as this old stone 12th century property in Domme, rated one of the “most beautiful villages of France”.
“This is a rare find and it was sold to our client, who is based in Hong Kong,” said Kirsten. “He also purchased a bourgeois apartment in Bordeaux and we have provided a property manager to manage the properties and rentals in his absence.”
Properties like this are in high demand, but there is also high demand for chateaux, properties with typical Dordogne architecture (with towers and stone roofs), and vineyards.
“This demand is both from investors and people wanting a change of lifestyle or semi-retirement income – combing this with gite activity is also popular,” said Kirsten.
A vineyard property that Home Hunts currently has available in its portfolio is a six-bedroom maison de maître with 35 hectares of Bordeaux appellation vines (currently producing 200,000 bottles annually), wine-making equipment, swimming pool, tennis court, staff apartment, offices and a gite. The price is €3,710,000.
But often it is the real character properties that buyers will wait for to come on the market, like this immaculately restored 15th century chateau set in 40 hectares of grounds. “Properties in this kind of setting and fully renovated are in high demand,” said Kirsten.
She added: “It is located within the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the Dordogne, which boasts the most picturesque landscape either side of the Dordogne river valley – and living in that area myself I can confirm that it merits that label.”
