The report, featured in the Sunday Times, puts the popularity of France's property market down to a mixture of factors including strong price inflation and the sheer diversity of the landscape.

In recent years overseas property investment has caused a real buzz in Europe and has become popular with entrepreneurs, speculators and families alike. Places like Bulgaria and Croatia have gained in popularity and investors have flocked to buy up land and houses in the next up-and-coming area.
 
However, according to the report, thanks largely to its close proximity to the UK and the variety of property and lifestyle choices that it offers, France remains one of the most appealing options to Brits. Ski properties remain hugely popular but investors are also opting for areas that remain popular with tourists throughout the year.

France's Mediterranean coast is still the big draw from this point of view and is still at the top of the list as far as Brits are concerned. Frances McKay from property agents Francophiles says, "Whilst the world famous locations of Cannes, Nice and St Tropez are terribly expensive, foreign buyers should remember the cheaper alternative of the Languedoc-Roussillon. With a similar climate, and excellent motorway, air and rail access, the region offers much lower property prices."
 
The report suggests that investors have continued ploughing their money into the south because its record speaks for itself. Figures released by the National Federation of Estate Agents revealed that in the past ten years prices in the South have risen an average of 54 per cent throughout the region. "Modern villas are more expensive but are still relatively affordable in comparison to the Côte d'Azur and a character family house in a typical village with amenities and within striking distance of the sandy beaches near Béziers can still be purchased for under 250,000 euros", McKay adds.

There have been some rumours of instability in the French market recently but experts have suggested that the growth in the southern regions is set to continue. The growth of house prices in the region will undoubtedly be helped by the ever increasing accessibility. Getting to the South of France is becoming increasingly hassle free with more and more flights giving access to the area. If flying is not your thing then it is worth knowing that you can now book iDTGV rail tickets on the newly launched English language website.
  
The service offers passengers the chance to book seats up to four months in advance for as little as 19 euros for a one way ticket without having to break out the French phrasebook. People who want to relax can also hire DVD players and sleeping packs or book wine tasting sessions at the bar. iDTGV services take over entire trains running on routes south from Paris including Marseilles, Nice, Cannes, Bordeaux and Nimes.

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Read other articles about France:
Discover the Averyon department of France
For authentic France think Burgundy
How to obtain French planning permission

Article first published on 6 July 2006