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Ten French manors for the price of a London flat

Oliver Gee
Oliver Gee - [email protected]
Ten French manors for the price of a London flat
An idyllic rustic cottage surrounded by spectacular scenery or a 23 metre studio in Mayfair (right).

The average property in London is now topping €700,000 (£500,000) - but can you imagine what you can get in rural France for that kind of money? Take a look at these ten rustic paradises in France and try to pretend you're not tempted.

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The average price of a London flat soared over the £500,000 mark in September last year, and shows no signs of stopping. That figure is the equivalent of a touch over €700,000. Shocking, we know.

But across the Channel in France, things are a little brighter. Considering the double whammy of low interest rates and highly favourable exchange rates to the pound, you'd be forgiven for suggesting that now was the time to actually move to France. 

So what can you get for just under €700,000 in France? With the help of estate agents Leggett Immobilier, we've gathered ten French options seriously worth considering... And yes, there's even a chateau.

1) Libourne, Gironde - southwestern France

This renovated home sits on almost one hectare, boasting four bedrooms and three bathrooms. It's five minutes away from the local village, with the charming provincial town of Libourne just ten minutes away and Bordeaux around 30 minutes down the road. 
 
You'll be greeted by an authentic - and electric - gate at the entrance, followed by the sound of running water and chirping birds. Indeed, you have your own stream that could almost pass as a mote (see picture below).
 
Thrown in are a romantic terrace, a huge 47 square metre kitchen, and beautiful beams by the old stone walls. 
 
 
Price: €652,000
 
Read more about this property here.
 
 
2) Eymet, Dordogne - southwestern France
 
 
This home is less than ten minutes walk from the historic town centre, 30 minutes from the Bergeac airport, and ninety minutes from Bordeaux. It has five bedrooms, feature fireplaces, and original ancient colombages.
 
There's an up to date kitchen, four lovely bathrooms, and exposed stone on the inside. 
 
Let's not forget the impressive outdoor features, including a lounge adjacent to the banquet room linked by huge patio doors, as well as the large and well-kept gardens.Not to mention the swimming pool with terraces, lawns for ball games and lots of shady spots for relaxing with a good book and a glass of rosé.

Price: €667,800 

Read more about this property here.

READ ALSO: Ten things to think about when buying in France

3) Le Bar Sur Loup, Alpes Maritimes - southeastern France

This hideaway stone house offers three double bedrooms, three-metre high ceilings, and solid timber floors laid in a herringbone style.

Outside is a large private garden and a number of level terrace areas for outdoor entertaining when the weather is good (and let's face it, it usually is in these parts). There's even a lovely shady terrace off the kitchen (see picture below).

There are superb views towards the gorge from the garden and views back to the historic village from the house itself. And for those who can't get enough of the outdoors, there is alpine skiing just 34 kilometres away at Greollieres les Neiges.

Price: €650,000 
 
Read more about this property here
 
 
4) Near Hautefort, Dordogne - southwestern France
 
 
What has five bedrooms, is covered in French doors, and has its own private island? This property!
 
It's situated by a river that has your own private island on the opposite riverbank. The island is literally yours, it belongs to the property. The garden space is incredible, it even has a 167 square metre barn, a 12 by 6 metre swimming pool, and a spacious covered terrace. 
 
The house itself has oil central heating, loads of bedrooms, and would be ideal as a big family home, a holiday house, or a beautiful touristic project. It's just five minutes from a village with restaurants, a school, shops, and pretty much everything else you'd need. The airport of Brive is 49 minutes away.
 
 
Price: €657,200 
 
Read more about this property here.
 
5) St Genis Pouilly, Ain - eastern France
 
 
This charming stone house dates from 1621 and boasts 218 square metres of living space alone. The home has a mezzanine that's used as a library, three bedrooms, and an open fireplace.
 
Outside you've got 481 metres squared of garden space - including fruit trees and a vegetable garden - so let's hope you've got green thumbs. 
 
The location is great too, just minutes from Geneva, skiing in Crozet, and the large shopping center in Val Thoiry.
 
 
Price: €657,000 
 
Read more about this property here.
 
6) Essay, Orne - northwestern France
 
 
Here you have eight main rooms with all the mod cons, together with a spiral oak staircase tower with meutriers, mullioned windows, a monumental fireplace, and a vaulted basement.
 
The property overlooks an old medieval village  and some amazing walled gardens, measuring 7,725 square metres. 
 
Garden experts can appreciate a blend of gardening themes from around Europe, including the French garden with box hedging and topiary, the Italian garden with a theatre of lawns and patio areas and the classic English garden with mixed borders and climbing roses.
 
 
Price: €695,000
 
Read more about this property here
 
7) Deauville, Calvados - northwestern France
 
 
Why not buy your own 16th century manor just five minutes from Deauville?
 
The home includes five rooms, two bathrooms, and massive living space - not to mention the dining area and fitted kitchen. It's close to the beach, countryside, and gold courses, with shopping and restaurant options for those who prefer their free time indoors.
 
And if you're itching to get to the UK, then the Saint-Gatien Airport is just a few kilometres east of the Deauville and, of course, flies direct to London. 
 
 
Price: €551,200
 
Read more about this property here.
 
8) Brélidy, Côtes d'Armor - northwestern France
 
 
Here are two hectares of land featuring a manor packed with original features from the 15th to 17th centuries. It has a proven track record as a gîte that can earn up to £4,000 a week. 
 
The property is situated in a beautiful part of Côte d’Armor within easy reach of the northern coast and the sandy beaches of the south.
 
Inside: wood panelling, tiled floors, nine by nine metre banquet room, granite fireplace, large kitchen, and four bedrooms. And a pool. Yes, an indoor pool that's nine by five metres.
 
Outside: Garden with shrubs, fruit trees, lawn, paddocks and plenty of scope for further landscaping or grazing for animals.
 
 
Price: €689,000
 
Read more about this property here.
 
9) Langoelan, Morbihan - northwestern France
 
 
This is a castle. Yes, a castle. Right in the heart of Brittany, this chateau has a pool, two outhouses, and an enormous garden. Follow the path and you'll get to a local lake big enough to sail in (and fish, and swim...)
 
Inside, there are nine bedrooms, five bathrooms, a billiards room, and two enormous dining rooms. And don't worry - the whole place was redone 10 years ago with new geothermal heating. Upstairs, four of the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and two of them have private terraces. 
 
Unless you think you'll be happy living there by yourself, you can always do like previous owners have done and rent it out as a "Gite de France" - the potential is as enormous as the castle.
 
 
Price: €689,000
 
Read more about this property here.
 
10) Queaux, Vienne - western France
 
 
And lastly... this millhouse boasts 17 acres of land and views over the river Vienne. Well, let's not underplay it - this place basically sits on the river Vienne. Imagine sitting on your terrace watching the river trickle past your islands (yes, your islands - they belong to the property), while the kingfishers, herons and falcons all pop by. 
 
And if it's a secluded paradise you're after then you're in luck. There are no visible neighbours across the river either.
 
Inside there's a large kitchen with exposed beams, an open stone fireplace, six bedrooms, and four bathrooms.
 
We'll leave you with what could be your view as you enjoy your morning coffee in a rural French paradise. Enjoy.
 
 
Price: €689,000
 
Read more about this property here.
 

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