WHY FRANCE?

If you are considering buying a property abroad, why would you make France your preferred choice?

We are all familiar with image of relaxed living, good French food, excellent French wine, and stunning scenery in France. And of course France offers the additional benefit of easy access from the UK, with more and more budget airlines offering flights to regional French airports, and thereby opening up more of the previously unexplored regions of France.

THE REGIONS OF FRANCE

1. NORD/PICARDY
2. NORMANDY
3. BRITTANY
4. WESTERN LOIRE
5. LOIRE VALLEY
6. PARIS - ILE-DE-FRANCE
7. CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE
8. ALSACE-LORRAINE
9. BURGUNDY
10. FRANCHE COMTÉ
11. POITOU-CHARENTES
12. LIMOUSIN
13. AUVERGNE
14. RHONE ALPES
15. AQUITAINE
16. MIDI PYRANEES
17. LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON
18. PROVENCE/COTE D'AZUR
19. CORSICA

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2. NORMANDY

Historical Normandy has much to offer. The varied Normandy coastline has steep chalk cliffs, chains of sandy beaches and small ports and fishing villages. Inland pastoral scenery makes way for great plains, forests, gorges and apple orchards.

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3. BRITTANY

Brittany, with its strong Celtic influence, is the most westerly province of France, bordered on three sides by coastline and offering a way of life centred on the sea.

Northern Brittany has a dramatic towering coastline, dotted with islands and indented with creeks, wooded estuaries and sandy bays. Southern Brittany has a gentler coastline with a backdrop of rolling dunes and long white beaches. Inland the Brittany countryside is one of undulating hills, ancient moorland, thatched farmhouses and gothic churches.

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4. WESTERN LOIRE

Western Loire is a major wine-producing region with its world-renowned Muscadet and Saumur wines. The majestic river Loire flows from the Atlantic Coast, inland through the region, to the start of château country. Rows of vines can be seen on its banks basking in the region's mild and sunny climate.

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5. LOIRE VALLEY

The Loire Valley is world-renowned for the magnificent chateaux lining the banks and tributaries of its majestic river. The Loire River rises in the Massif Central and flows out to the Atlantic through lush green countryside and extensive woodland.

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6. PARIS - ILE-DE-FRANCE

Paris - Ile-de-France, a region of great natural beauty and rich in history has, for centuries, been an inspiration for poets, writers and artists. At the region's centre is its capital, the romantic city of Paris, offering the magnificent sights and cultural opportunities for which it is world-renowned.

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7. CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE

The Champagne-Ardenne region reaches from the Belgian border to the source of the river Seine; from the vast Ardennes forests in the north, across great open plains, through vineyards and verdant wooded valleys, down to a land of springs.

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8. ALSACE-LORRAINE

The two provinces of Alsace-Lorraine are united by the impressive Vosges Mountains and share some of the most eventful chapters in French history. Successive invasions have resulted in a wealth of cultural heritage handed down by waves of Celtic, Frankish and Germanic tribes.

Alsace-Lorraine boasts 25,000 acres of ponds and lakes, and the region is famous for its spa towns, winter resorts and fine architecture

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9. BURGUNDY

The region of Burgundy offers a varied landscape of great rivers and lakes, majestic cathedrals and picturesque villages. The ancient city of Dijon is filled with fine art and fascinating architecture.

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10. FRANCHE COMTÉ

Bordering Switzerland, the region of Franche-Comté is situated to the south and east of the regions of Alsace and Burgundy and also lies in close proximity to Germany. Franche-Comté offers an abundance of unspoiled wide-open spaces, mountains, forests and fast flowing rivers. Whether calm or cascading, the region abounds with sparkling blue lakes, scenic mountains streams, springs and waterfalls.

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11. POITOU-CHARENTES

From the sheltered sandy beaches of the Atlantic Coast stretches Poitou-Charentes, a region of gently undulating, lush farmland, interspersed with historical cities. Poitou-Charentes enjoys a mild temperate climate with plenty of sunshine during the summer months.

From the coast, the estuary of the Charente journeys inland on its way to the vineyards of Cognac. The Charente Maritime coast, bordered by the Vendée to the north and the Gironde and Bordeaux to the south, has a wealth of sandy beaches and sheltered estuaries. At its heart, the port of La Rochelle is a mecca for yachtsmen and arguably one of the most beautiful towns in France. To the south lies the Ile d'Oléron famous for its oyster beds and popular with artists who value its extraordinary quality of light.

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12. LIMOUSIN

In the beautiful region of Limousin, rushing rivers, undulating pastures, woodland and hedgerows are dotted with historical fortresses and imposing châteaux.

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13. AUVERGNE

The magical land of Auvergne offers stunning contrasts. Millions of years of volcanic upheavals, glaciations and erosion have shaped the Auvergne of today. From distinctive volcanic cones to crater lakes, wooded slopes and river gorges, Auvergne is remarkably multi-faceted.

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14. RHONE ALPES

The Rhone Alpes are the gateway between north and south France. From majestic, snow-capped mountains, clear lakes and lush meadows, to vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields, the Rhone Alps is the perfect antidote to 20th century stress. The region has arguably the world's best ski slopes and provides a perfect natural backdrop to year round sports-oriented pursuits.

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15. AQUITAINE

Aquitaine is in the rich and varied south west of France. Its broad and sandy coastline runs for miles beside the fresh Atlantic surf. Inland, dunes and forests shelter the interior from onshore winds, contributing to a perfect climate for outdoor pursuits. Further south, the Basque country straddles the border of France and Spain offering a multicultural ambience unique to the region.

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16. MIDI PYRANEES

The Midi Pyranees is also known as bastide country, where towering medieval fortresses and towns appear on lofty golden cliffs. The mighty River Dordogne, prehistoric cave paintings, the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean coast all contribute to making the Midi Pyranees the most diverse of regions.

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17. LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON

The sandy coast of the Languedoc Roussillon extends from the Spanish frontier right around to the Camargue, broken only by picturesque harbours and villages where the region's rich, earthy and distinctive wines are produced. Inland, rapid flowing rivers have cut limestone massifs into deep and impressive gorges and caves.

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18. PROVENCE/COTE D'AZUR

Provence is a region of warm and colourful landscapes. Purple fields of lavender, green hues of olive trees and yellow broom all contrast sharply against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Pastel villages perch on hillsides, breathtaking cliff roads, rocky inlets, Roman churches and Gothic palaces make Provence a lively mosaic, and its sun-drenched coast is world-famous.

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19. CORSICA

Nestling in the Gulf of Genoa off the southern coast of France is the beautiful island of Corsica. Corsica boasts luxuriant sub-tropical vegetation, dramatic mountains, creeks, bays and sandy beaches all bordered by a turquoise sea. Napoleon, histories most famous Corsican, was moved by the olive, orange, chestnut, orchid and pine fragrances of Corsica to say "I would recognise Corsica with my eyes shut, from its aroma only."

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