Find Your Dream Home in France
With almost one hundred "departments", five overseas territories and twenty two regions, France has much to offer in terms of history, culture, cuisine, climate and sightseeing. Whether you live in Paris, Marseille in Provence, Nice by the French Riviera, in Normandy, Dordogne or close to the Alps Mountain, there is always something unique and quaint to experience in France.
As a French native, born in Paris but with roots in Normandy, raised in the Loire Valley area, and well-traveled in France and Europe before embracing San Jose, CA, in Spring 2007, I am well aware of the extraordinary diversity of the French regions.
This website was designed with you in mind and will provide you with a brief overview of the French regions where you might want to purchase a property.
I look forward to assisting you in your quest to find the perfect home in France.
The Anjou Region in France
French History at Your Doorstep
The Anjou Region in France is a history, a region and a rich heritage, all in itself!
Anjou, which is mostly associated with the departement of "Maine Et Loire" (49) in the west side of France, is above all a magnificent French region.
Anjou evokes not only the “Anjou sweetness” of French poet Joachim Du Bellay, but also the “little corner of France more French than any other,” according to former French President Georges Clémenceau.
From the deep blue of the Loire river which runs throughout Anjou, to the luminous and fertile green of the countryside and the bright white of freestone, Anjou offers colours that recall a rainbow.
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Famous Anjou towns like Angers, Brissac and Saumur (home to
the world-famous equestrian team Cadre Noir) provide exceptional sightseeing (e.g. The Castle of Angers, see opposite) and delightful historical downtown and city center areas.
Above all, Anjou is mostly known for its revered gastronomy and
well-appreciated wines of rich and noble quality, providing food and wine gourmets from all over the world with an absolute delight all along.
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For many real estate investors in France, the dream becomes reality in Anjou: Anyone discovering this region is struck by its beauty, its uniqueness and its Art of Living (Art de Vivre) that has seduced many past French kings and has thrived over the centuries.
The many charming homes of Anjou against an enchanting backdrop will make you feel that you are travelling back in time. Investing in Real Estate in Anjou gives you the assurance of owning a restored farmhouse or a manor that will reward you with its simple pleasures.
The Provence Region in France
The Land of the Joie de Vivre
Provence is a mythical name, a magical place under the Mediterranean sun and occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of many artists.
In everyone’s imagination, this corner of France is built around nature and a unique Art de Vivre and lifestyle.
The Provence region combines an exceptional natural, cultural and artistic heritage, synonymous with the harmony of life. In Provence, everything is color and sensation: sky light, colored stone country houses of the region (aka Bastides), shimmering colors of nature.
Its food, traditions, landscapes make Provence a place
where everyone wants to live. As beautifully written by André Chénier " Provence [...] the slope of stony hills form the fat olive tasty liqueur".
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Shaped by the hand of man, the hinterland of Provence contains many architectural
gems. The Bastides combine the Provencal lifestyle and the riches of the
region.
Who has never dreamt of owning a country house in the Alpilles,
the Lubéron or in the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence. Haven of artists,
perched fortress of tranquility prized by foreigners, no one remains indifferent
to the powerful charm of
a region blessed by the Gods!
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The feeling is the same for many real estate investors in Provence: they wish they had invested earlier and wish they never have to leave this land of enchantment.
Investing in Real Estate in Provence is like opening a door to a sweet paradise offering a unique and long-forgotten "Joie de Vivre".
The Dordogne Region in France
The Land of French Gastronomy
The Dordogne Region is synonymous with the ancient county of Perigord, the area of France world famous for its fine gastronomy.
Dordogne is a place where the good life, good people and good wine meet! It’s as though this region exists solely to remind us of how France truly beautiful and unique is.
It has been said about Dordogne that Mother Nature amused herself by mixing and matching the tools at her disposal to create a rustic and pastoral countryside that is unparalleled in France.
There is a sweet charm that radiates from the forests, valleys and rivers that join together to form a haven of fresh air and relaxing calm. And, as if to put the finishing touches on a painting, this scenic region is dotted with homes that are as distinctive as they are pretty and loaded with cultural significance.
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From the legendary stone village of Rocamadour to the prehistoric caves of Lascaux and the medevial castle of Beynac, Dordogne has unforgettable sights to offer to both locals and tourists.
Gourmets will indulge in Dordogne's outstanding cuisine, which is often rated even in France as the country's best. Dordogne is the famous home region of Foie Gras (duck liver), Confit de Canard (slow cooked duck leg) and the amazing black truffles of Perigord.
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As a real estate investor in Dordogne, you will not only get to enjoy every day the magnificent scenery of timeless landscapes but also get exposed to centuries of story books castles and manors and picturesque stone houses.
Dordogne is definitely a living tableau of what France has best to offer in terms of natural beauty and culinary arts.
The Loire Valley Region in France
The most famous part of the Loire Valley area (aka Touraine) spread over 310 square miles in the center of France. Its melancholic landscapes, its architectural richness and historical heritage make it one of the most convenient and pleasant areas to settle in France.
The Touraine in the Loire Valley area is world famous for two things in particular: Tasty and light wines (such as Vouvray, Saint Nicolas de Bourgeuil, Sancerre) and countless castles (aka Chateaux in French) formerly occupied by many French Kings and noblemen, among the most famous the castles of Chambord, Azay le Rideau, Blois and Cheverny (immortalized by Belgian cartoonist Herge, the creator of Tintin, under the pseudo Moulinsart).
One little known fact about the Loire Valley and Touraine region is the fact that this is the place where the purest French is spoken. So if you are looking to perfect your French language skills, the Loire Valley is the top spot to visit.
The Loire Valley region is often referred to as the Garden of France due to the richness of its agriculture: Orchards, vineyards, vegetable gardens and nurseries abound.
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The Loire Valley region is an open book of history since the dawn of
Humanity. It has been populated since the middle paleolithic era, boasts
a strong Roman heritage and is the cradle of Renaissance architecture
and design through its many Chateaux. In the year 2000, UNESCO added the
central part of the Loire River valley to its list of World Heritage
Sites.
A rare pleasure as well to enjoy while staying in the Loire Valley is the opportunity to go on a hunting trip. If you are lucky or well
connected, you might even be invited to hunt the wild boars and ducks in the gardens of the former French Kings' Castles!
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If you like the past as much as the present and feel comfortable in a well balanced traditional but still modern environment, 45 minutes away from Paris, the Loire Valley and the Touraine region might be the gateway to your dream of owning a home in France.
Living in the Loire Valley is to enjoy life in a serene, refined and traditional environment shaped as much by the early Men than by some of the noblest Frenchmen who ever lived.
The Normandy Region in France
The Green Pastures of France
The Normandy Region in France is associated with the vision of an endless greenhouse filled with lush green pastures, hedges and thatched "chaumieres".
Normandy, which is divided in Upper Normandy and Lower Normandy, includes 5 French departments in the North Western part of France, including eure, Manche, Orne, Seine Maritime and the eponymous Calvados.
Normandy is probably one of the most celebrated areas of France for its production of Cider (fermented apple juice) and Calvados (apple-based Brandy). The Normandy Region also produces 60% of dairy products in France and is world-renowned as the cradle of Creme Fraiche.
Besides its agricultural traditions, Normandy has many attractions to offer during every season of the year to its visitors and residents who are interested in particular in horse breeding (an ancient tradition of Normandy), movie-going (Deauville Film Festival) and historical tourism (e.g. Tapestries of Bayeux, Claude Monet's Home in Giverny and the world-famous Mont Saint Michel).
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Normandy also has an extensive coast line worth visiting, which spread over 600 kilometers. Coastal landscapes of Normandy range from dune sands, high cliffs, sand beaches and remote wild and rocky creeks.
The French Region of Normandy is also dear to the hearts of many Americans who shaped World History during the large scale landing on Normandy beaches of American troops on D-Day in an effort to liberate France from German occupancy, which eventually led to the end of WWII.
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It is also no accident that the coastal location and the fertile grounds of Normandy led to a rich culinary tradition dominated by fish, seafood, dairy products, apples and delicious pastries (Normandy is the home of Brioche if you did not know!).
Normandy is the perfect French haven for real estate investors looking for a peaceful and comfortable life in a farm or in a traditional half-timbered home in the the middle of a preserved "Bocage", only a stone throw away from natural wonders and some of the most significant places in the History of the World.
The French Riviera Region in France
The Royal South Coast of France
The French Riviera aka "The Azure Coast" of France (known in French as La Cote D'Azur) is one of the crown jewels of France.
The French Riviera, immortalized by famous French playwright and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol who highlighted the unique accent and culture of this French region, is known as the playground and favorite resort of celebrities, royals and aristocrats from all over the world, even more so today.
The French Riviera boasts a 71-mile long coastline which spreads from Toulon all the way to Monaco and the Italian Border but also include a beautiful back countryside on the south side of the Alps Mountains (Alpes Maritimes, Var), which provide for the hot and dry summers and the mild winters.
The entire French Riviera is ideal for pure relaxation and entertainment for all the senses all year round. The most famous events of the French Riviera include in particular the Cannes Film Festival, the Jazz festival of Juan Les Pins, the Automobile Rally of Monte-Carlo to the Carnival of Nice and the Rose Festival of Grasse.
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The French Riviera is also synonymous with gambling, yachting, cruising, skiing and golfing. At any moment during the year, visitors are bound to see the mega yachts owned by the world's most famous businessmen and celebs.
Above all though, the French Riviera is world-renowned for its food specialties which have a lot in common with Provence and Italian food. Some of the most delightful dishes include Ratatouille, Bouillabaisse (local fish soup) and Salade Nicoise.
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Many real estate investors in the French Riviera though are not just wealthy businessmen or Royals or Celebs. The French Riveria housing market offers homes for all tastes and all means, ranging from apartments with sea views, villas, waterfront properties but also quiet rural homes with character.
With over 160 different nationalities living in this part of France, and English probably being as frequently spoken as French, there is no question that anyone from anywhere in the world will feel at home in the French Riviera.
Investing in Real Estate in the French Riviera is guaranteed to give you an early taste of paradise (over 300 days of sunshine!) with solid assurances of a high resale value in the event you may need to divest.
The Sarthe Region in France
The Grove of France
If you are looking for bucolic beauty and rural tranquility within reach of Paris (55 min away by TGV), the Sarthe Region of France is for you.
The Sarthe Region is traditionally associated with landscapes of hedged farmland, charming remote villages, old water mills standing by the Loire river and Roman ruins.
Tucked between the Normandy Region (North), the "Region Centre" (East) and the Anjou Region (West), the Sarthe Region has two antagonist faces: the first one is slow and rural, the second one is fast-paced and cosmopolitan and is embodied by the world famous race car known as "Les 24 heures du Mans" (24 hours of Le Mans).
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Sarthe boasts a magnificent historical heritage which goes back to the Roman Empire but will also enchant amateurs of the urban architecture from the Middle Ages. Sarthe was also one of the key battlegrounds of the Hundred Years War (aka "La Guerre de Cent Ans") which opposed the ruling dynasties of the Kingdoms of Great Britain and France on French soil.
The world famous delicacy of the Sarthe Region is known as " Les Rillettes" (spread of shredded pâté of pork, goose or duck), which goes back to the 14th century rural tradition of "Slaughtering the Pig".
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Real estate investors in the Sarthe Region will be able to choose from a wide selection of rural properties, farm houses, town homes alongside the cobbled stones streets of the medieval villages and cities of Sarthe at affordable prices. Investing in Real Estate in Sarthe is like owning a piece French history from the Middle Ages and enjoying the simple and durable pleasures of the "Terroir".
The Paris Suburbs in France
The backdrop of The City of Lights
The vast and many charming suburbs of Paris are commonly referred to as the Ile De France Region, literally the Island of France, possibly meant as the land caught between the many rivers (e.g. Oise, Marne, Seine) which flows in and divide this area.
Ile de France, which covers 8 French "departements" with an area of 12,000 sq kms and a population of 11+ million, is not just the first economic metropolitan area of France and Europe but also a popular tourist and week-end destination for Parisians and tourists from all over the world.
It may not be a well known fact but the Ile de France region is actually 80% covered with natural parks, forests and agricultural land. The Ile de France boasts some of the most beautiful natural areas in France (e.g. the Valley of Chevreuse, the Forests of Fontainebleau, Saint Germain and the famed Bois de Vincennes among many others) and famous historical French cities and villages (e.g. Provins, Marne La Coquette, etc ).
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Ile de France has much to offer for both newcomers and city-weary folks: cathedrals, castles and medieval abbeys abound in a province marked by the many kings of France. Magnificent valleys, forests and natural parks all around Ile de France are restful havens for local and foreign travelers.
Besides the many starred restaurants and "auberges" (inns in English) in peaceful settings, Ile de France boasts many local culinary specialties such as the Navarin d'Agneau (lamb stew) the world famous creamy Brie cheese (from Meaux) and well-known French desserts (Paris-Brest, Chouquettes, etc).
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For real estate investors, Ile de France offers both urban and suburban quality homes and apartments as well as traditional homes in the countryside ideal for families, nature lovers, from a few minutes to an hour away from Paris.
Investing in Real Estate in Ile de France will always be a long term secure placement as it is likely to remain both the economic lung of France and the favorite getaway destination for city-dwellers for the many years to come.
Paris, France
The City of Light
Paris needs no introduction.
Paris, also known as the City of Light, is one of the world's leading tourist destinations, a global historical and World Heritage landmark with over 1,800 monuments, one of the world's largest economic center (GDP in excess of $850bn) and one of the largest populated cities in Europe (with over 12m residents).
Beyond any doubt, Paris is the number #1 romantic capital of the world. Celebrated throughout history, in all forms of art and media (songs, books, art, sculptures, etc), Paris has countless spots (plaza, gardens, bars, restaurants, bridges, museums, etc) for lovers of all ages and all countries. To some extent, just being in Paris is probably the most romantic thing to do for many couples around the world.
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Famous Paris landmarks include the Gardens of Luxembourg, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the Church of the Sacred Heart, The Opera House, The Concorde Plaza, The Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees to name just a few.
Paris is also the capital of Fashion, home to some of the top luxury brands in the world (Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Dior, etc.) and a shopper's dream come true with its world famous department stores (Printemps, Galleries Lafayette, Bon Marche, BHV).
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Paris Real Estate Market is very regulated and constantly evolving. Housing inventory is hugely diversified, ranging from charming medieval flats (in the historical center of Paris along the river Seine) to ultra-modern condos and penthouses, students housing, charming homes nested in back alleys, large mansions with gardens in the posh 16th arrondissement, dome-shaped flats on top of the many buildings erected by Baron Haussman, etc. Paris is also one the most dynamic markets in the world for commercial real estate and retail inventory.
Investing in Real Estate in Paris requires careful preparation and time given the breadth of choices available to individual and institutional real estate investors.
Owning a home in Paris is like owning a piece of a never-ending romantic dream in which all senses are constantly solicited by the many pleasure the City of Light has to offer.