 |
If you position your cursor over the following map, you will see the average price for each region. Click on a region to see property in that region.
The prices on this map are based prices in France at the end of 2005. They are calculated using an exchange rate of 1.46 euros to the pound and 0.84 dollars to the euro.
Please note that the prices shown for each region are average prices. The price of a specific property may be much lower or much higher than this. Typically:
-
Older houses are less expensive than new-built
-
Houses in the countryside are cheaper than those in villages and much cheaper than city accommodation
-
The price per square foot is less for larger houses than for smaller ones
-
A house requiring redecoration or renovation will sell for less than an equivalent one in top condition
-
House with attractive features (e.g. a swimming pool, vineyard, attractive stonework) will be more expensive than one without
The most important factor in determining the price of housing is the location (city, town, village or countryside). Major cities are of course more expensive (Paris in particular) due to the relative scarcity of accommodation, the relative abundance of employment prospects (often at above average pay), the availability of shopping and cultural facilities and the difficulty of commuting from outside the city. For similar reasons, city outskirts and towns are the next most expensive, followed by villages. In general, accommodation in the countryside is by far the least expensive.
Within these broad generalisations, there are a number of additional factors. If you are buying a property in the countryside, especially if it has a substantial amount of land, the price can often depend on the state of the local agriculture. In particular, land in the best wine-growing regions can be extremely expensive. Outside the premium agricultural areas, houses and land are often relatively cheap. A fashionable part of Paris will be substantially more expensive than one which is out of favour.
The least expensive property is often not the best buy. Typically the best facilities are in prosperous areas, which are correspondingly expensive. In some parts of France, especially rural France, the failure of a local employer or rural depopulation can result in houses going for a song. However, one must factor in the resulting increase in crime rates, the closure of local stores and the generally depressing atmosphere that can eventually result from this.
|
