Mushy peas can be a hit with French diners – and 7 other things we learned from the March issue of French Property News

Find out what’s happening to house prices in rural France and why you should bring a hammer to property viewings, in the March 2019 edition of French Property News, out now!

1. A home on the Mediterranean doesn’t have to cost megabucks

The cheapest department along the Mediterranean coast is Aude in Occitanie where an average house costs €132,000 – quite a contrast to house prices on the glitzy Riviera. Read our guide to waterfront homes on page 26.

2. A dramatic gulf has opened up between the urban and rural property markets in France

As growing numbers of people seek jobs in the cities, prices have rocketed over the past 10 years in urban centres such as Toulouse and Nantes but plummeted in more sparsely populated areas such as Corrèze, Côtes d’Armor and Creuse – which could be good news for British buyers. Read our news story on page 8.

3. You can buy snail sausages in Charente-Maritime

But don’t let that put you off, as you could always follow this up with the legendary local toffee made from butter salted from the salt flats, all washed down with delicious Pineau, the region’s apéritif. Find out more about this sunny department on page 32.

4. You might need to renew your passport

If you are planning to visit France this year and will have fewer than six months left on your British passport at the time of travel, you are advised to renew it because of Brexit uncertainty. Read our Brexit column and more news starting on page 8.

5. Mushy peas can be a big hit with French diners

Fancy taking on the Rose & Crown, an English-style pub in the Pays-de-la-Loire? Contrary to what you might think, it has a loyal French clientele and has been ranked the best restaurant in town! Meet the owner who is selling up on page 18

6. Leave Fido and the family car out of photos of your rental property

Unless you are offering pet-friendly holidays or catering to car enthusiasts it’s best not to include too many personal belongings in marketing pictures of a property that you hope to rent out. Get the lowdown on page 46.

7. It’s worth taking a screwdriver or hammer with you to viewings of old French properties

That way you can tap the exposed beams and see what is solid and what is dust. This month we speak to the experts on how to care for and replace wooden beams, windows and shutters on page 38.

8. Coco Chanel learned to sew in an orphanage

And as a teenager she worked at Vichy’s thermal baths. We trace the legendary designer’s footsteps to Allier where you can buy a stylish abode for a fraction of the cost of a pad in Paris, where she spent her final years. See page 58.

If you want to read and learn more about buying property in France you can buy the March 2019 issue of French Property News here.

Or, you can take out our great subscription offer and get the magazine delivered to your door every month!