French Real Estate

Cognac - World famous yet still a "hidden gem". The property mantra of "location, location, location" is well known in the UK/US markets but buyers of French property would also be well advised to follow this golden rule. You may well have read that house price inflation was slowing in France (12% in 2005). However, with the European housing market in the doldrums, the French property market can still offer a great deal in terms of investment and capital growth. One of the areas tipped by the experts as a "hot spot" is Poitou-Charente and the market here was indeed active throughout the last 12 months. In particular the area around Cognac in the Charente seems both sensibly priced and, most importantly, is extremely well located for overseas buyers. Cognac is surrounded by no less than four airports (La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Limoges & Poitiers) as well as being close to both the Motorway network, allowing a four hour drive to St Malo, and TGV service at Angouleme from which it is direct access to Paris & one simple change to London Waterloo. This all provides a great deal of comfort, as well as convenience, to those who travel to/from the UK. They know that regardless of the fortunes of the low cost airlines they will always have easy access to their holiday homes. Beware those locations that are solely reliant on one of the smaller airports it could prove costly. Of course ease of travel is not the only aspect of location buyers are looking for. They want decent weather, pretty villages, friendly locals and plenty of property to choose from. The Charente has these characteristics in spades. It is the second sunniest area of France with warm but not oppressively hot Summers. It also boasts some of the most beautiful villages in France. You will find them dotted alongside the Charente river as it meanders it's way through the countryside. The towns and villages are surrounded by both sunflowers and of course the vines that produce the grapes for one of the World's most popular digestifs. Perhaps the success of the local Cognac, Pineau and wine accounts for why the locals here are renowned throughout the country for their laid back and generous attitudes. No holiday should be taken here without sampling the delights of Remy Martin, Hennessy, Courvoisier, Martell or one of the many smaller Cognac houses dotted around. All of this means that the region is popular with property buyers throughout Europe & the US - but what do they get for their money. Property here is predominantly built out of the local stone which is light in colour - take a stroll in any local village at sunset and watch how the houses take on a warm glow. But as well as stone houses & green (it's common but not obligatory!) shutters there are still excellent bargains to be had. At the base level a client of ours has just bought two excellent plots of land totalling around 4,500 m2 for 50,000