Languedoc-Roussillon Property For Sale

With Provence and Côte d'Azur property prices out of most people’s reach, many see Languedoc-Roussillon property just along the Mediterranean coast as a gilt-edged investment for the future. Languedoc-Roussillon property shares the same climate but enjoys fewer crowds and emptier roads - and it is secured at a fraction of the price. With budget flights from the UK to Perpignan, Carcassonne, Beziers, Nîmes and Avignon, and the recent completion of the A75 motorway, the smart money is on Languedoc-Roussillon.

Benefits include vast family-friendly beaches, good skiing in the Pyrénées mountains, the tranquility of national and regional parks and the buzz of living in forward-looking cosmopolitan cities like Montpellier. Throw into the mix wonderfully intact Roman arenas and aquaducts, spectacular medieval castles and the picturesque Canal du Midi wending its way between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and the rental potential of Languedoc-Roussillon property is clear to see.

Gard property and Hérault property command the highest prices, Montpellier is the most expensive city in the region. Aude property outside of Carcassonne offers better value to house-hunters, as does Pyrénées-Orientales property inland of Perpignan. Landlocked Lozère is largely undiscoverd and is further proof that you need to head inland for the best Languedoc-Roussillon property bargains.

Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales (the old province of Roussillon) and exudes a charming mix of French and Catalan lifestyles, cultures and cuisines. Perpignan property benefits from direct flights from the UK and is conveniently located for both the coast and the Pyrénéan mountains with skiing resorts such as Font-Romeu. Despite its proximity to Spain (15 minutes) and its warm winters, this is not (yet) a year-round tourist location and as such Perpignan property is best let to French workers.

Between Perpignan and the Spanish border the colourful harbour towns of the Vermilion Coast have inspired artists from Matisse to Picasso. Collioure property and Amélie-les-Bains property are particulary desirable while Banyuls property – looking out to sea from vine-covered hills - enjoys the sunniest location in Roussillon. Inland locations are slightly cheaper with Céret property much sought after by UK buyers.

Montpellier is the capital of the Hérault department and the region as a whole. Chic Parisians are increasingly drawn to this beautiful and vibrant city so close to the sea - so prices will continue to rise. Montpellier property commands excellent rental income from June to September. Villas to renovate in Montpellier are rare – try looking in one of the villages just outside the city. Seaside apartments at La Grande-Motte guarantee handsome summer rentals in a hugely popular seaside resort. Also on the coast, Palavas property is closer to Montpellier - the resort is also smaller and more authentically French than La Grande Motte.

Cheaper Hérault property can be found in the beautiful hilltop city of Béziers. Béziers is well located and close to the seaside resorts of Agde and Valras; improved infrastructure with the recent completion of the A75 motorway will push property prices up - so now is a good time to invest. Inland, St-Chinian, Roquebrun, Clermont-l’Hérault and Lamalou-les-Bains offer Hérault property in beautiful locations on the edge of the Haut Languedoc regional park.

The Aude department boasts the UNESCO World Heritage site of Carcassonne whose fairy-tale like castle attracts over three million visitors each year. With budget flights direct from the UK, good weather and proximity to Toulouse, this is an extremely popular tourist area. Carcassonne property is in great demand for holiday rentals and long-term winter lets are an option - although winter is quiet here compared to Toulouse. Good value properties can be unearthed in the villages to the north of Carcassonne. Also in the Aude, Narbonne is an attractive and peaceful university city with healthy tourist potential. Narbonne property benefits from the Canal de Robine – a branch of the Canal du Midi – which passes through the heart of the city. Narbonne-Plage property is perfect for summer lets on the beach.

The Gard department’s capital is Nimes, famous for breathtaking Roman architecture such as the Arènes amphitheatre - once the scene of bloodthirsty gladiatorial combats - and the nearby Pont du Gard aqueduct. After a recent facelift, the city is emerging as a centre of innovation determined to embrace its future as well as respect its past. Witness the 21st century high-tech retractable roof over the 1st century Arènes amphitheatre! Nimes property offers investors a stake in a forward-looking city that delivers huge numbers of tourists and easy access to the coast, Montpellier and Avignon. The rise in budget flights to Nimes airport will guarantee further growth. Uzès property on the outskirts of Nimes is particularly popular with British house-hunters.