J’adore la France! Buyers from around the world wooed by France’s romantic offering this Valentine’s Day
- French is world’s most romantic language (Google Translate)
- France is world’s most visited country (UNTWO)
- French property market offers something for everyone to fall in love with (FrenchEntrée)
With its alluring scenery, fine wines and plentiful summer sunshine, France has built up a reputation as one of the world’ most romantic countries. From swanky hotels on the banks of the River Seine in Paris to rustic country retreats with open fireplaces and miles of lavender fields around, France offers something to suit every couple’s taste when it comes to Valentine’s Day breaks. It’s also home to some incredibly romantic properties, perfect for those looking to buy a second home or fulltime residence to keep the love alive year-round.
“Whether your idea of romance is a fairytale château with formal gardens, a period apartment just steps from the Seine or a cozy chalet in the mountains with an open fireplace, France has the perfect property. French is widely known as the language of love and the country’s properties certainly further its reputation as the home of romance.”
Fleur Buckley, Property Services Manager, FrenchEntrée
French is not just rumoured to be the language of love – its position as such is backed up by data from Google. According to Google Translate, 34 in every 1,000 French phrases that are translated are of a romantic nature, putting French ahead of every other language in terms of its romantic credentials. Indeed, after “bonjour,” “je t’aime” is the most requested French translation.
It is also the most visited country in the world, attracting some 82.6 million visitors in 2016, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTWO). And for those who want more than a holiday from the home of romance, a French property is the perfect answer.
Perfect for those with romance in their soul, this beautiful château is just a short drive from Saint Valentin. Nestled in the heart of Champagne Berrichonne, the “village of lovers” hosts a spectacular Valentine’s Day celebration weekend each year with a festival, marriage ceremonies and renewal of vows services. For those wanting more than just a weekend of romance, the 19th century château offers ten bedrooms, eight bathrooms, an array of reception rooms and a wine cellar. Parquet flooring, decorative panelling, marble fireplaces and exposed beams create a wonderful sense of grandeur inside, while outdoors the meadows and woodland provide spectacular views over the Creuse valley. As well as a guest house and an apartment, the outbuildings also include a chapel – the ultimate romantic property feature!
Another superb property with its own chapel is this 19th century château in Carcassonne. The home has been restored beautifully, from the formal grounds – which would make an idyllic setting for a wedding – to the modern yet authentically charming interior. Marble floors with underfloor heating, high ornate ceilings and elegant fireplaces make this an unforgettable property.
Fleur Buckley, Property Services Manager at premium French property agents FrenchEntrée, shares what buyers are loving most about French property so far in 2018:
- Brittany and Languedoc-Roussillon have so far been the two most popular regions for new enquiries, accounting for 13% and 12% of all enquiries respectively. Brittany remains steady even in the colder months, as buyers are accepting of the variable weather and cooler temperatures – so the region doesn’t see as much seasonal variation in sales as the warmer southern areas. The Languedoc region is popular thanks to low cost flights from the UK, which mean that buyers can take advantage of school holidays and long weekends to visit their second home.
- As the pound stabilises and fluctuations in its value decrease, buyers have felt more comfortable in increasing their budgets. Compared to this period last year, we’ve seen an average 12% increase in budget. This reflects buyers’ increased confidence in the French market (which went from strength to strength last year), as well as what they can afford at current rates.
- When it comes to the most popular areas of Paris, the fashionable 16th arrondissement, the historic Marais and the fabulously Parisian Saint-Germain-des-Prés all look set to attract buyers in their droves in 2018.
If France is the home of romance, then Paris is unquestionably the city of love. From rendezvous in impossibly chic pavement cafés to strolls along the river as evening falls, past incredible buildings oozing with history, it is a city that charms lovers of all ages and nationalities – and it seems that its property market does the same. According to Insee, 20% of Parisians are immigrants, reflecting the city’s vast international appeal.
FrenchEntrée have long understood the draw of the Parisian property market. From light-filled residences just a stone’s throw from some of Paris’ best restaurants to feature apartments in the city’s trendiest areas, the company has witnessed countless homes being snapped up by those who have fallen for France’s capital city.
For further information, contact FrenchEntrée on +44 (0)1225 463752 or propertysales@frenchentree.com. You can also visit https://www.frenchentree.com/property-for-sale/.