A few things to consider even before looking! -

One of the biggest attractions for people moving over to France, especially for those with country and equestrian interests, is the value for your money in regard to property. It is true to be said, that a while ago, this was very good value for money when compared to what you could perhaps buy in the UK. Sadly with the diminishing strength of the pound and the negative equity situation, plus the fact that many people are actually financially struggling, you could be forgiven for thinking that no one would be moving. Surprisingly this seems not to be the situation and properties are still changing hands. The difference has come in the price, with a reported drop of 30% in the asking prices to this time last year.Although there are reports that things are on the move again in the UK, so anyone with available funds can pick up a bargain in France if they are shrewd.

The French property prices have always been fairly reasonable and appropriate to the property for sale. The higher prices are usually for properties that involved foreign exchange, being  noticeably buoyant in areas where English speakers were drawn towards. Professional agents do not have one price for the French and another for English speakers. Beware agents with unrealistic prices. If you have the ability to understand the language then look at the local papers to compare prices or get someone you trust to do it for you. Do not rush into anything.

One village Maire will go down in history for his announcement in the British Times Newspaper. He took out a Sunday Morning advert which invited all the good people of Great Britain to come and visit his lovely French village. He assured them of a hearty welcome and an integrated future amongst the French residents. He painted a picture of idylic living. It worked, visitors came in their droves and everyone was pleased with the welcome and the charming way of life. Many decided that living in France would be wonderful and so bought properties in this village. Either second homes or principle residences. What an enterprising Maire as he brought trade and prosperity to the village.

Unfortunately though, while this was good news for those trading it was a double edged sword for others. The increase in buyers and house sales created a sellers market. The prices in the village and close proximity shot up and therefore the locals and youngsters who wanted to stay in the village could no longer afford the prices. Yes the village survived and did not become a minimal ghost town but it is now an English dominated village. The Maire has run his term of office and moved on, and the French residents slightly resent the English enclaves as the novelty of the boost to their trade has worn off. The English speakers instead of integrating and adjusting to the French way of life have instead created a little britain. Even the local Supermarket is open on Sunday Morning to cater for the majority needs, with prices more expensive in that branch than six kilometers up the road.

This does not happen often though and most people move to France for the better, quieter way of life and quality of living. Perhaps those that return should have asked themselves sooner, why exactly they were coming to France. If you are fully prepared and have done your homework and know you will have a steady, relaible income, then you will do well and enjoy all the wonderful things that France can offer you. If you are moving to escape debt or believe that living in France is cheap then think again. How many times do new arrivals wax lyrical about their wonderful renovation project. How they are going to live off the vegetables they plant in the garden and earn money from converting some rooms to bed and breakfast facilities. Sorry to shatter anyones dream but it will not work unless you are willing to live a very modest lifestyle or you have so much money saved that income does not matter. Plan and be very realistic and nothing could be better. Kid yourself that you will sort it out when you get here and you will pay a hefty price unless you are very lucky.

Moving on then and presuming you have applied common sense and truth to your future, the plus for foreigners looking for properties suitable country properties or those suitable for equestrian use in France, comes more in the 'renovation projects.' On the whole, these properties hold no interest with the French residents. With the changing times, the rural country life holds no appeal or financial reward for many of a certain generation. The need to move away from the old family home and settle closer to towns, where job prospects are better, has left a lot of small farms and older houses, with just the parents remaining in their traditional lifestyle. 

When these properties go on the market, they are usually inherited by the children as are the succession laws in France. Local neighbours would have no use of such a property, nor would the inheritors. They are either left empty due to inner family squabbles and indecision or have tenancy issues on the land. Many a wonderful property can be seen on your travels around the French countryside, falling into disrepair and neglect. The chances of them ever selling are slim as the family issues and law become so complex, that no one could be patient enough to wait for a resolution. There are always others to choose from that are more readily available. 

 

When planning to move to France, the best advice could possibly be - Forget everything you have become accustomed to and never compare France to the place you have called home before.- France is in many ways a very unique country. It is beautiful and has so much to offer but you will have to take it on its own terms and accept right from the outset that if you do not want to become frustrated and stressed, then you will have to go with the rules and conform. If you are going to do things properly then prepare to go with the flow even if you do not agree, understand or want to. Rules are rules in France and the way of 'doing things' has not changed for some time. This is not saying it is all difficult or a criticism. It is purely advising you to be prepared to be flexible and never compare to what you have known. If you have an open mind then the way of life will be so much less stressful.

By the same token when thinking of the property you want to buy, again forget what you can buy 'at home'. For those thinking horses, the attraction is usually the amount of land you can buy with relatively little cost. If you are searching for the equestrian family home, good house, little courtyard of stables, fenced paddocks and perhaps a schooling arena, then basically forget it. In France such places are few and far between unless someone has created them already or you create that yourself. The price of this would not be cheap.

 More often you will be looking to buy an old farm, either in some need of renovation or total need. If you want to buy a property that already has equestrian facilities you will either look for a Stud (Haras or Elevage) Equestrian Centre(Centre Equestre) Training Yard (Entrainment). These will all carry premium prices and are not usually on the market in large numbers. There is an issue here, which is very important  and probably the one thing that many people overlook.  If you purchase a trading equestrian property you cannot just start trading yourself nor continue the business in France. You will have to hold the correct qualifications applicable to any business and these must be French recognised. The alternative is to employ someone who holds these qualifications. This is written not wishing to dampen anyones plans but hoping purely to be honest about the situation so you are fully prepared and can apply in advance for all you will need. Please do not plan to buy an old farm and run say a trekking centre with a bit of freelance teaching thrown in to subsidise the income, unless you are fully aware of all the required regulations.

 Some years ago it was relatively easy to find a property with a manageable piece of land attached.  Such properties are becoming more difficult to source now. The reality is that either farmers were becoming aware of the benefits of overseas buyers and therefore were keen to sell off an old barn and a hectare or whole farms witha few hundred hectares came up for sale. Too much or too little. The house, outbuildings and five or six hectares needs to be searched for today. Tenancy laws are also often an issue. The power of the tenant with a contract on land is very strong in France. Many land owners have tenanted out their land so always check first with the agent or notaire to ensure that the land you see is for sale with the property and no tenant attached.

So in a nutshell -

  • Be honest with yourself about why you want to live in France.  
  • Be honest with yourself about income realities not possibilities.
  • Do all your homework properly on which Department of France suits you and your family and facilitates your lifestyle best.
  • Do all your homework on what you would have to do to run your chosen business.
  • Forget comparisons between what you knew before and France.
  • Be prepared to adapt and accept the regulations of France
  • Ensure you integrate properly and embrace the country you have chosen to move to

 Now if you are sincere in coming to France then all of the above will not have put you off it will just have guided you to start making the right choices. Now you can proceed in finding the property that will inevitably be nothing like you had in your mind but will however with a bit of work be adaptable to what you need.

Following on we discuss what to do with the property you have bought and how to cope with the inherited facilities and ground. In other words, how to turn an old French farmhouse with some land into your family equestrian property or professional yard.