Finding property to buy in Aquitaine

A fascinating mosaic of attractive landscapes and romantic places - Périgord, Guyenne, Gascogne, Armagnac, Béarn and the Pays Basque to name just a few. Bounded by the Bay of Biscay to the west and the Pyrenees to the south, unspoilt space is a characteristic of this region which, despite healthy economic activity, has largely resisted the onslaught of development.

The Romans were the first to plant vines in the region enabling the creation of the largest fine wine producing area in the world. The 100 years war between the the English and the French left its mark in the form of numerous châteaux and bastide towns built in the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, you can discover the many historical treasures of the region in your own time, enabling you to savour a quality of life long gone elsewhere.

In 2008 the property market was surprisingly stable, despite the global cataclysm. According to the FNAIM, prices of existing properties fell by about 10% between the end of 2007 and the end of 2008.

Whilst the UK market has, of course, been badly affected by adverse exchange rate fluctuation, this has prompted one of our developer clients to offer special exchange rates of 1.30 € to the pound on selected properties. The average price of property for sale in Aquitaine is still less than in the UK.

New-build starts in Aquitaine have been affected by lack of confidence in the economy generally, although there is still good demand both from the local market and 'incomers'.

Compared to other favoured regions of France such as Languédoc-Rousillon, Aquitaine offers exceptionally good value for money, with property prices substantially lower.

French banks are still lending to good customers (!) with fixed rates now around 4.5% pa.

The French government is making massive efforts to keep the economy moving at every level and the smart money is on the French property market regaining momentum before the UK market does.

All these factors, combined with the attractions of the French way of life, make buying property in Aquitaine a good investment decision in 2009.

Sports and Leisure in Aquitaine

Aquitaine boasts 250km of beaches, making it a paradise for swimmers and surfers. If you're interested in wine or good food, there's plenty of opportunity to indulge your passions. Golf, skiing, climbing, cycling, walking, boating and other healthy activities are also available on your doorstep. In the summer, you can visit a different fête de village most nights if you have the energy, and take in a few world-renowned performance arts festivals as well. Bordeaux is a cultural centre par excellence.

Travel in Aquitaine

Bergerac and Bordeaux airports are well placed for UK flights. Road transport infrastructure is good with motorways criss-crossing the region, including the new A89 that now links Bordeaux to Clermont-Ferrand. The journey time by TGV from Bordeaux to Paris is around three hours. Mainline railways (Corail) are efficient, while local railways (TER) are inexpensive and full of character. Using the new tramway system in the regional préfecture of Bordeaux is an adventure in itself.

Climate in Aquitaine

Average temperatures in the Aquitaine region range from 10°C in January to 25°C in August. However, summer temperatures sometimes hit 35°C plus and the region is by no means exempt from wintry cold snaps. The sunshine and quality of light throughout the year are superb - fantastic for the painters and photographers out there.