Property in France: the lowdown on Dordogne
What’s the cheapest property you have on your books right now? Describe it.
We have a stone village house for sale that needs a great deal of renovation work. It comprises one room and a small courtyard but there is no heating, septic tank or mains drainage. It’s on the market for €38,150 (£27,399).
What’s the most unusual property you have sold?
Last year we sold a battery farm for chickens to a British couple who were farmers. The farm sold for €136,000 (£97,673).
What’s the most unusual request you’ve had from a client?
We managed to find a large plot of land for a British couple who wanted a set up a camp site – for yurts!
How much would you expect to pay for:
- a detached property with land in good condition?
You need to budget between €250,000 (£179,546) and €350,000 (£251,365) for this in Dordogne.
- a 3-bedroom town house?
Around €170,000 (£122,091) should get you a sizeable town house.
- a renovation opportunity?
You could find a renovation project for between €70,000 (£50,273) and €80,000 (£57,455).
Is there a typical architecture or style in Dordogne?
Old stone properties are very typical of Dordogne and in particular, two types of stone house. Firstly, you are likely to come across a lot of longères which are groups of terraced stone barns that have been converted into houses. Secondly, you may see properties known as chartreuses. These are bigger properties, thought of as gentlemen’s residences.
Why do British people buy houses in your department?
The main reason has to be the fact that it’s easy to get to. There are ten different flights from the UK including low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Flybe. But also, Brits love the sunny climate, the lush green countryside, the excellent food and, of course, the wine!
What advice would you give to somebody who is thinking of buying in your area?
I would advise people to do some initial research in the UK and contact estate agents in France to see what kind of properties are available. It is also important to get a flavour of what you will be able to get for your budget. I would also advise people to trust both their chosen estate agent and notaire to guide them through the purchase process as it is their job to ensure that the sale goes through efficiently and according to the law.
What are your predictions for the property market in Dordogne?
Studies show that many British people are going to move abroad in the next few years and mostly to France, so I think the market is either going to remain stable or to increase.
Is your department easy to reach?
Bergerac airport has grown a lot over the past two years: there are now ten different flights from the UK. There are daily flights from London Stansted as well as regular services out of regional airports such as Southampton, Manchester and Leeds. A new service from Edinburgh began last year.
What local attractions are there in Dordogne?
The area is full of history so you will find splendid castles all over the region dating from different centuries. There are many bastides or small, walled towns that are lovely to explore and of course, you have the Dordogne river which is beautiful. The area also produces wine so you will come across lovely vineyards and there are lively markets, flea markets and some night markets and concerts for late-night entertainment during the summer nights.
What’s your favourite corner of the department?
Where I live of course, near Lalinde as it’s the best! In particular, I love the areas 30km to the east and south of Bergerac in the Dordogne valley. They are known as Périgord Pourpre and Périgord Noir – just come over and you’ll see!
Contact details:
ORPI Lalinde
15 rue des Martyrs
24150 Lalinde
Tel: 00 33 (0)5 53 57 21 32
orpi.lalinde@wanadoo.fr
Immobilier Eymet
5 rue du Temple
24500 Eymet
Tel: 00 33 (0)5 53 22 34 30
orpi.eymet@wanadoo.fr
Agence de la Place
9 place Centrale
24440 Beaumont
Tel: 00 33 (0)5 53 27 65 90
orpi.beaumont@wanadoo.fr