Ever since the first Brits settled in France's north-west corner back in Roman times, the UK has shared close links with the Brittany region. In fact, it was the early British immigrants who were responsible for naming the area Brittany – meaning 'Little Britain' – which they did to distinguish it from Great Britain. In time, Brittany became an independent state. It was first officially recognised as such in 845 and remained that way until it finally became part of France in 1488.

Even today the region still shows evidence of its British beginnings. From the language – an estimated one-quarter of the region's residents still speak Breton, a Celtic language similar to Cornish and Welsh – to the Cornwallesque fishing villages and craggy rock formations dotted along the coast, Brittany bears more than a passing resemblance to South West England. Perhaps then, it is this sense of familiarity which has helped to make real estate in the region popular with literally thousands of Brits who, like their ancestors, have found Brittany to be a welcoming place to set up home. "Brittany has a less 'foreign' feel to it than that of other areas of France", says Neil Harris of TJ Constructions, which operates in south-east Brittany. "So it's perfect for Brits who wish to move to France and purchase real estate without changing their culture too radically. The climate is similar, although better than that of the UK's, while Bretons themselves have a reputation for being more hospitable towards newcomers than people from most other French regions", Harris adds. This last point is something that Liz Oliver of Francophiles agrees with wholeheartedly. "The Bretons are very welcoming of the British as they recognise the many benefits they have brought to their region", she says. "Businesses have thrived through the sheer number of British holidaymakers and real estate purchasers that have arrived there, while houses, which were once little more than ruins, have now been done up, mainly by British purchasers, and helped to make the region even more attractive."

Familiarity and a warm welcome, however, are just two of many factors which can be attributed to why Brittany has long been popular with Brits seeking a home across the Channel. Its close proximity to the UK, reasonable real estate prices – the average price for the whole region is currently 175,433 euros (approximately £120,415), compared to a national average of 212,278 euros (approximately £145,705) – and attractive countryside are others. The ample coast – Brittany boasts 25 per cent of France's entire coastline – and tranquil surroundings have also helped to make the region an enticing destination for Brits.

It's no surprise, therefore, to learn that over the years all four of the region's departments – Finistère, Côtes-d'Amor, Ille-et-Vilaine and Morbihan – have experienced their fair share of Brits snapping up real estate in them. No matter what specifications a buyer has for their property's surroundings, it would seem that Brittany can match them.

For those who are seeking warmth, the southern reaches of the region will undoubtedly  suit. Thanks to the warm air which blows off the Gulf Stream, Brittany's south coast offers one of the mildest climates in northern France, particularly in the east which is more shielded from the Atlantic winds that occasionally batter the region's western coastline. "The Blavet Valley and the Morbihan areas of southern Brittany are both areas which have long been popular with British purchasers", says Bob Pearson of Breton Homes. "There is lots of beautiful countryside around this area, it is close to the southern coast and the weather is better than in other parts of the region", he adds.

For nature lovers Pearson suggests purchasing real estate and property in the central area of Finistère as being ideal. He also says that the Côtes-D'Amor department, and in particular the town of Dinard, situated in the north, is also popular, mainly due to the laters proximity to St Malo – a small port town served by frequent ferries from the UK. 
 
Brittany has been one of France's main benefactors from the introduction of low-cost airlines. While it has long been possible to sail to either St Malo or Roscoff from the UK, you can now reach the north-west corner of France from 21 airports throughout Britain and Ireland. And this has helped open up even more areas of the region to would-be real estate purchasers. "While no area of Brittany has ever really been unpopular, the central Brittany area between Plemet and Merdrignac is certainly up and coming", says Pearson. "Also, the area to the south-west of Rennes [Brittany's capital located in the Ille-et-Vilaine department] towards La Gacilly, is also gaining in popularity due to the new flights into Rennes." Harris has also noted some slight changes in where Brits are now looking to buy.

Direct air links to Lorient, Brest and Rennes have created areas of real estate demand in the same way as the Channel ports have for holiday home owners where ready access is important", he says. "The area to the East of Redon [in Ille-et-Vilaine] is attracting interest because it is well placed for the big cities of Rennes and Nantes, still has inexpensive property, and is less isolated for access to the rest of France and Europe than the Western parts of the region."

In terms of what you can anticipate paying for your real estate and property Oliver states that: "the least you should expect to part with for a habitable home would be around 90,000 euros, although prices this low are rare and confined to central Brittany away from the coast. For a habitable house in an area which is not right on the coast or in a big city but still in a reasonably popular area Harris suggests you would be looking at parting with around 180,000 euros, and 250,000 euros and upwards for a home in a prime location. For the more adventurous among you Pearson  points out that houses in need of renovation can still be purchased from as little as 15,000 euros, although he also mentions that such projects will need a lot of time and money spent on them in order to get them up to a liveable standard. With all this in mind, 'Little Britain' can rarely have been so enticing.

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For further information:
TJ Constructions  
Breton Homes  
Francophiles

Article first published in March 2006