LOCATION On the market
Medieval Curemonte has three castles and was once home to Collette
According to France’s statistics agency, INSEE, employment rates of those aged 15 to 64 are just under the national average (74%) and unemployment is at 11.2%, below France’s average (12.7%). You might think that given
the low cost of property here, salaries would be pitiful. The latest INSEE figures give average annual earnings as €21,610 in Haute-Vienne, €21,590 in Corrèze and €20,130 in Creuse; across France, the average is €22,400, so there is not a huge gap in earning potential here, meaning that your annual salary goes much further in the property market. Indeed, 68% of Limousin’s residents own their property, which is 10% above the national average. As for types of employment,
only the department of Creuse is hugely agricultural (14%, versus the national average of 4.8%). Proportionately, employment is higher here
for industry, and for public education, health and social work, particularly in Creuse, where the latter is at 22% compared to 12.6% across the country. One final point for entrepreneurs: there is an upward trend in new businesses being established, and around a third of those are created by people who have moved here from other areas.
TRANSPORT With its central location, the original Limousin capital, Limoges, has always had enviable transport links: in addition to its international airport, the train service can take you to Paris or Toulouse in around three hours. For road access, Brive is also
in an excellent location at the crossroads of the north–south A20 autoroute and the east–west A89 – and it has an airport too. Wherever you choose to settle in the Limousin, you can still be accessible by air, rail and road. ■
WHAT THE AGENTS SAY…
Carole Cusworth is a regional manager with Agence Newton working within the Limousin. Here, she shares her knowledge of the region when it comes to househunting. “The Limousin is known for inexpensive properties,
and there are bargains to be had throughout the region, whether in the Corrèze, Haute-Vienne or Creuse. This means that househunters can choose any of the three departments to pick up properties for a small budget. British and American buyers prefer the old stone buildings, probably because this type of property would not be affordable in the UK. The British also like to have good access to the UK, so they like to invest in homes near to airports, for example. “The market really boomed aſter 2020, with people looking
for countryside properties, and although it has slowed down again over the past 18 months, it certainly hasn’t come to a halt. I would say that the whole of the Limousin is popular, and all our properties sell to the right buyer.”
26 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: May/June 2024
€500,000-€1M Riverside living Set in 8.5 acres of wooded parkland, this riverside home has been completely renovated by an interior designer, and includes two guest properties. Quirky architectural details are complemented by the decor and fabulous rural views. €745,000 (French Entrée, ref BVI72210)
OVER €1M Luxury property Ten minutes south of Limoges, this stunning château, with 11 bedrooms and a potential loſt apartment, is currently used for weddings and luxury stays. It has a pool, five acres of grounds, tennis court and six-car garage. €1,664,000 (French Entrée, ref AM3785- CC-3774-agencenewton)
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UNDER €100,000 Perfect lock-up-and-leave A small two-bedroom village house with a lounge/salon, kitchen, cellar, roller-shutters, double-glazing and mains drainage. There’s no garden, so it’s low maintenance! €38,500 (French Entrée, ref AM-3831- agencenewton)
€100,000-€200,000 Grand village house Located in St-Chamant, near Argentat-sur-Dordogne, this grand five-bedroom stone house, set within gardens of 3,112m2
, has
a pretty two-storey outbuilding, and a spacious rear terrace. €157,500 (French Entrée, ref CC-3774- agencenewton)
€200,000-€350,000 Equestrian dream Horse-lovers will adore the facilities and setting of this 14-acre property, which comes with two fully renovated homes and a third that's been partly updated. Between Limoges and Poitiers, it’s ideally situated for an equestrian/tourism business. €336,000 (French Entrée, ref 75011145676)
€350,000-€500,000 Château and guesthouse This impressive château – located 20 minutes from Bellac and Le Dorat – has exposed beams, wooden panelling, a 25m2
living
room and dining room. There’s a separate three-bedroom guest house, outbuildings and fabulous views from its 14 acres of land. €490,000 (French Entrée, ref BVI 72353)
© SHUTTERSTOCK
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