The French Riviera is famous for its sunshine, Mediterranean lifestyle, fabulous cuisine and glamorous seaside resorts – and it certainly lives up to the hype. We asked the local agents at award winning Leggett Immobillier to tell us some of their favourite locations. Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes Maritimes  Four towns make up the ‘Golden Square’ of the French Riviera: Éze, St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Villefranche-sur-Mer, a town with a ‘lively but discreet atmosphere. It’s a must-visit destination for well-heeled and discerning sun lovers says agent Dan Norris. The horseshoe ..read more

The Cote d’Azur, or French Riviera, has long been a favourite for both French and international buyers seeking second, investment and permanent homes in France. However, in recent years there has been a strong trend towards buying real estate on the southwest coast, most notably in Biarritz & Saint Jean de Luz on the Basque coast, and Arcachon and Cap Ferret near Bordeaux in The Gironde. This is partly thanks to great TGV (fast train) links from Paris to Bordeaux, and partly due to the high entry cost of properties on The Mediterranean, motivating buyers to seek more bang for their b ..read more

The beautiful rural Gers department is a little-known and rather secret corner of southwest France. For those looking for a laid-back lifestyle in la France profonde, a region where the good life is revered, and the people are friendly – the Gers is a fabulous place to live. And if teleworking or working from home are an option, you’ll find that the Armagnac region of France has lots to lure you. If you are searching for your dream home in the Gers, let local real estate agent Mourréjeau Immobilier help you. With offices in Marciac and Riscle, they have great local knowledge, and get to hear ..read more

Nestled in the heart of the French Riviera and looking towards the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean, Nice is a vibrant and elegant city that has it all. From the old town, with its beautiful pastel buildings jumbled together, to the wide sea views from the Promenade des Anglais and the many parks and gardens that dot the city, it’s postcard perfect in its appeal. Our expert property guide to Nice takes a look at the lifestyle, the areas in and around Nice and the types of properties available. Sunny, vibrant Nice Festivals take place during every month of the year and with opera, concert ..read more

Do you dream of moving to France, buying a house and having a cottage or property nearby that would be an ideal gîte? You could list it on one of the many rental sites available, sit back and wait for the bookings to come pouring in… Except – there’s a bit more to it than that, especially when it comes to keeping on the right side of the regulations that apply in France. We asked the experts at French Connections HCB to share their top tips to running a gîte in France – and staying legal. Tip 1: Register your gîte with your local Mairie The Maire has the right to refuse your gîte if the level ..read more

France has long been popular for those wanting an investment property. For some it’s a way to get a foothold in the country with a permanent move planned for later, buy now, rent and move in later. For others it’s purely about profit. We asked Robert Kent of Kentingtons, professional tax and financial advisors in France to share their expertise for how to maximise your chances for success when it comes to French investment properties. Is buying a property in France a good investment? With the costs of renting out property spiralling, increasing property taxes, energy efficiency surveys and ot ..read more

Sunny, vibrant Bordeaux city offers a laid-back lifestyle within easy reach of glorious coastal towns and beautiful countryside with excellent transport links. Bordeaux is a magnet for tourists drawn to its top-class museums, including the renowned Cité du Vin, and glorious architecture. It has the largest urban area listed on the UNESCO world heritage encompassing some 1810 hectares. The Port of the Moon, once the main port for shipping wine from Bordeaux, has been regenerated and former warehouses transformed into shops, bars and restaurants. The quaysides are busy with runners, cyclists an ..read more

The French Property Exhibition, London is a ‘must attend’ for anyone who is dreaming of or planning to buy a property in France. Held in Hammersmith, London, on the last weekend of January 2024, entry is free. This is an event that’s perfect for those dreaming of a home in France, with the opportunity to connect with the full spectrum of French property professionals, all under one roof. The essential French Property Exhibition If you’re just starting on your French property journey, it’s the ideal place to browse through details of thousands of homes for sale in France, with estate agents on ..read more

Some call Languedoc-Roussillon (now part of Occitanie), the true South of France – especially those lucky enough to live here! Edged by the sea, Languedoc Roussillon always seems bathed in glorious sunshine. Its coastline stretches from very edge of Provence to the Spanish border and Catalonia – some 220kms. Joanna Leggett, Marketing Director at Leggett Immobilier reveals why Languedoc-Roussillon is a great place to live. Coast and country Languedoc’s name derives from the ancient romance language which once dominated this area. It’s still spoken, to greater or lesser extent, in southern Fran ..read more

You’re never far from the sea in Brittany in the west of France. Small bays, inlets, rocky outcrops and sandy beaches surround this luscious and beautiful country which has inspired generations of artists. This ancient land boasts menhirs and all sorts of pre-historic remains, their meanings lost in the mists of time.  As with any ancient land imbued with myths and legends, it boasts its own language. Breton (Brezhoneg) is related closely to Cornish and more distantly Welsh.  Joanna Leggett of award-wining estate agents Leggett Immobillier explains why Brittany is a great place ..read more