The region is also one of the most accessible parts of the country from the UK. Ferry connections to this area can be found at Le Havre, Cherbourg and Ouistreham (near Caen), and take as little as two and a quarter hours from Poole. Basse-Normandie is divided into the Calvados, Manche and Orne departments. There are plenty of cultural sites for visitors in these areas, including the Bayeux tapestry, the gothic Cathedral de Notre-Dame at Coutances, the Normandy beaches and Impressionist paintings in Le Havre. Seaside towns, including picturesque Honfleur and Deauville, are also popular with day-tripping Parisians.

The Manche department, surrounded on three sides by the English Channel, has beautiful stretches of rocky coastline, while in its southern corner is one of the most visited sites in France – Mont St-Michel. Gastronomes will know Basse-Normandie for producing apples for cider and Calvados, the apple-flavoured liquor. Camembert and seafood are also specialties. Caen – a university city with a population of nearly 200,000 – has seen expansion in recent years, partially due to an influx of high-tech newcomers. However, the city still has strong historic roots, with two abbeys boasting connections with William the Conqueror and museums. About 25 kilometres from Caen is 'Swiss Normandie', with cliffs and wooded hills, while southern Basse-Normandie is a densely wooded area that is great for walkers. The region benefits from close-proximity and good links to Paris plus high GDP growth and a young population.

The Basse-Normandie region is one of the closest and most easily accessible areas of France from the British mainland, allowing investors maximum use of their home abroad. However, the lower portion of Normandy is attractive to investors for more than just convenience. "Basse-Normandie is a region well loved by foreign investors," says Sarah Francis, Director of Sifex Ltd. "The Dutch and the British are the most prevalent. The result is that the market is still quite buoyant since foreigners are constantly searching for properties there." Though apparently buoyant, Philippa Weitz, Managing Director of PWT NormandyLife, which represents French property agent Maison Bleue in the UK, says the Basse-Normandie is currently a buyer's market. "There has been a 4.9 per cent drop in prices over the last two months. However, this drop in price is excellent for purchasers as prices return to a level that more truly reflects the real value of the property rather than the vendors' hyped hopes." As with any investment, considering properties with the broadest appeal to future buyers is sound advice. "When I am selling houses one of the most frequent criteria is to be within reasonable reach of a beach," says Weitz. "La Manche ticks all the boxes," Weitz continues. "And beaches all along the Normandy coast offer so much more than just the bucket-and-spade experience. There are miles and miles of sandy beaches and even at the height of the season you can park for free and find room to create your own football pitch on the beach."

Though prices have fallen in line with realistic valuations, some of the grand properties in the area do not come as cheap as they once did. "Prices are quite high and there is now a dearth of inexpensive chateaux," Francis notes. "The budget which would have secured one of these gems about five years ago is now more likely to purchase a small manoir or maison de maitre. There is a good variety of architectural styles and many pretty properties to choose from, but the days of an easy 'bargain' are gone. It is, however, still markedly less expensive than the south west or Provence." For those considering buy-to-let opportunities, the Manche, Orne and Calvados departments hold sites that draw the crowds. "There is much to enjoy in Normandy," Francis enthuses. "Such as sporting activities, including golf, riding, fishing and sailing, or just sightseeing."

Recent introductions to the region have made it even more appealing to visitors and, therefore, investors. "The arrival of an autoroute, giving access to Paris in only two and a half hours, and a new airline service – SkySouth's arrival in Caen – has made a huge difference to us in western Normandy," says Weitz. "One of the most popular parks in France – the interactive maritime museum Cité de la Mer – has also brought a great influx of tourists to La Manche."

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Article published 29 April 2008