LOCATION


Popular with tourists, Mont-St-Michel sits off the coast of Normandy


Honfleur’s old harbour with its cheerful period houses has been the subject of many artists’ paintings


pastoral landscapes, while the proximity to the capital means that it’s extremely popular with well-to-do Parisians, whose influence can be felt in the elegant coastal resorts of Deauville and Trouville. Other than Paris, Normandy is the most-visited part of France and it’s easy to see why. If you’re looking to invest in property here, you can take advantage of the region’s natural beauty, its history and heritage and also its impressive accessibility from the UK and elsewhere.


MATCH THE PLACE TO YOUR POCKET According to house sale statistics from SeLoger, France’s national average for property prices is currently €3,132/m2


with properties in


Normandy costing an average of €2,225/m2


Orne and Manche can be just €622/m2


but some areas in , while Deauville soars to €7,337/m2, proving the


adage about choosing your location wisely. Unsurprisingly, inland


areas that are furthest from amenities or easy transport links tend to be cheaper, and the most costly areas in Normandy are those along the coast – particularly resorts that are popular with Parisians – and those in work hotspots such as Rouen.


WHERE TO FIND WHAT YOU WANT Despite Normandy’s popularity with tourists, the French statistics institute INSEE confirms that 82% of properties in the region are a main residence, so it is overwhelmingly populated by year-round residents. Two- thirds of properties here are houses rather than flats, and 60% of residents are owner- occupiers rather than tenants.


With its beautiful half-timbered houses, Rouen is a favourite with buyers


“If your French dream is a terribly chic and desirable coastal resort, look no further than Deauville or Trouville”


This overview shows that there is plenty of scope to buy – whatever type of property you are interested in. If your French dream is a


terribly chic and desirable coastal resort, look no further than Deauville or Trouville, where truly elegant, new- build apartments can fetch nearly €2m (that’s €14,000/ m2


) but you can also track


down apartments in a serviced complex with a pool for €165,000 if you are a serious property hunter. If you prefer a balance of


accessibility, green space and history, try Alençon in Orne.


Only three hours from Paris and five and a half hours from London, it’s a relatively bustling spot with a population density of 2,420/km2


(on a


par with Bournemouth or Tamworth) and is surrounded by national parkland. Here, a budget of €500,000 buys a detached, five-bedroom home with nearly 3,000m2


of land,


and studio flats can cost under €60,000 so this location offers something for all pockets. In Rouen, it’s also possible


to buy a studio for less than €60,000 but it will be tiny; the majority of apartments here cost between €200,000


4 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: March/April 2024 25


© SHUTTERSTOCK


© SHUTTERSTOCK


© SHUTTERSTOCK


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