Aquitaine Property For Sale

Aquitaine property is much more than just the coveted stone farmhouses and picturesque dovecotes set in the gently rolling landscape of the Dordogne. Aquitaine property can equally be found among the world’s largest wine-growing region, on 200 kilometres of unspoilt Atlantic coast, in the French Basque country or in the Pyrénéen mountains.

Dordogne property is still the most popular for British homebuyers and holiday-makers, with cheap flights to Bergerac ensuring that the love affair continues and that prices continue to rise. Dordogne property in the southwest enjoys a warmer, drier climate whereas the north, around Nontron, is where any remaining Dordogne property bargains can be had - although even here Dordogne property to renovate is exceedingly rare. Bergerac property is at a premium because of its airport and a medieval quarter so atmospheric that you expect to bump into Cyrano de Bergerac at any moment. Sarlat property is the most coveted of all because of the picture-perfect tourist appeal of a medieval town seemingly untouched by the hand of time. Sarlat property is also perfectly situated for surrounding tourist hotspots such as Grotte de Lascaux, Gouffre de Padirac and Rocamadour. Perigueux property has good long-term letting potential as this is the administrative capital of the department; while its medieval old town, famed gastronomy and ancient Roman ruins can ensure supplementary income from summer tourists.

Gironde property benefits from the proximity of Bordeaux airport and from the kudos of this department’s world famous wines. The presence of the top chateaux such as Margaux, Lafitte and Latour (to name but three) ensures Gironde property can bring good rental income from connoisseurs of fine wines. Bordeaux property gives you access to a dynamic city with a university and international school but, as the city is primarily an area in which the French live and work, Bordeaux property gives only long-term local lets. If you’re buying Gironde property to let to holidaymakers, then the star buys are found on the coast. Cap Ferret property and Arcachon property attract both international and domestic buyers as well as holiday makers drawn to these exclusive resorts on the Bay of Arcachon. Arcachon property is divided into the Ville d’Ete (summer town) or the more upmarket Ville d’Hiver (winter town). Cap Ferret property falls within a protected area and gives access to miles of stunning beaches and coves.

Lot et Garonne property is sought after for its position between Bordeaux and Toulouse, it can also be accessed by Bergerac airport. This is the agricultural heartland of Aquitaine - rich with orchards, vines and picturesque villages. While Agen property is not noted for its rental potential, Lot et Garonne property in the countryside has a guaranteed rental season from June to September.

Pyrénées-Atlantiques property is popular with the French and is forecast to be the next up-and-coming foreign market; while prices are rising it’s still the cheapest part of the region. Pau property is well situated between the Pyrénées and the Atlantic and offers good rental potential as a centre for ski-surf packages. Cheap flights to Pau have driven up prices – particulary for coastal homes – but inland you’ll find cheaper Pyrénées-Atlantiques property and renovation projects. Biarritz property has been sought after since the 19th century when this was the ‘Monte Carlo of the Atlantic coast’, buying in this chic resort is expensive as it has been rediscovered by Parisians, celebrities and surfers. Biarritz property affords a warm winter climate and provides a good balance between the glitzy world of the casino and an authentic Basque town with all amenities and a sheltered family beach. Located in an exclusive up-market holiday destination with an international clientelle, Biarritz property will yield good rental income. Bayonne enjoys a less glamorous, more authentically Basque reputation, but with its own airport for domestic flights, Bayonne property is very popular and prices are still high. St Jean de Luz property is expensive but this unspoilt Basque harbour town on the Spanish border is a sheer delight and a classy holiday destination.

On the coast, Landes property boasts Europe’s longest uninterrupted beaches and highest dunes bordered by seemingly endless pine forests. With the Atlantic winds buffeting the beaches, Landes property can offer some of the best surfing, windsailing and kite-surfing in Europe – perfect for some niche marketing. Inland, Mont de Marsan property would meet local long-term letting needs in this the departmental capital. Dax property – properly marketed – could be highly lucrative as this is a thalassotherapy centre of international renown. But apart from these hotspots, the Landes hinterland is so vast, and the population so small, that you can snap up some Aquitaine property bargains and renovation projects for a fraction of their price eleswhere. Getting there is easy too, Landes property is perfectly situated between Bordeaux and Pau airports!

So while Aquitaine property can be expensive, if you know where to look and are prepared to go off the beaten track, Aquitaine property bargains can still be found.