It is always nice when people around the world pick up on one of our properties and share it, this happens a lot because we have 1000s of nice houses all across France and it is a great place to live.

One of our friends from america picked up on this beauty earlier today...

QWE01477 nestled in Normandy and on the market for just 123,625 euros FAI.

It's Friday, which means we've left the U.S. in search of houses sweet enough to tempt a move abroad. And while Paris properties are still above and beyond the reach of nearly everyone on the planet, the rest of France is a different story.

For example, a mere $167K will score you this delightful stone house, a former barn, on over half an acre in lower Normandy near the tiny town of Saint-Clement-Rancoudray.

Recently renovated, the compact 2 bed/1 bath space still has old stone walls and exposed beams, but has been nicely modernized with new kitchen and bath.

At this price, you could buy it and rent it out when you weren't using. Although, to be honest, you'd probably never want to leave.

Take a closer look here.

Posted by leslie van b at 5:00 AM on www.icouldbehappyhere.com

The French property market has been a good investment for many foreign buyers over the last year with prices of flats and houses rising in the most sought after areas. In rural areas prices are stabilising after dropping for a number of months so now is a good time to buy.

Above: a lovely country cottage with two bedrooms and another cottage next door with two bedrooms for your friends! CXZ00269 - 100,000 euros FAI in Lower Normandy.

Prices have risen 4% and 8% respectively in Nice and the Cote d’Azur, whilst prices in the Paris region have risen by between 3.8% and 6.2% for houses and flats, according to data release by government controlled Notaires de France. Normally the rest of the country will follow this trend after a number of months of prices dropping then showing little movement.

At the same time, the numbers of UK buyers in the Paris region has remained stable at around 2% of all transactions, according to data from BNP Paribas, whilst for France overall, the percentage of UK buyers dropped slightly from 11% to 9%.

Buyers from the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe are regarding the Parisian market as a good buy as it is regarded as a safe haven, a bit like London.

Elsewhere in France, the story is more mixed, with prices stable or rising, but by more modest amounts, these areas not benefiting so directly from the overseas buyer.

One contributing factor to the health of the French mortgage market is certainly the willingness of the banks to lend. It is also true for the UK buyer that banks are now lending more readily, in France lenders have stood firm and continued to offer attractively prices mortgage funding.

Find out more about UK mortgages and borrowing options here.

Find out more about France mortgages and borrowing options here.

Low interest rates are going to sustain the property market in France over the next few years, with prices likely to remain stable. There are many bargains to be had in the current climate where a lack of domestic buyers is opening up opportunities for British and international buyers to snap up desirable properties.

Exchange rates also affect who is buying property in France. For the British buyer the position is now healthier than it was some months ago with the pound trading at around €1.21 from €1.14 a year ago, so giving buyers an effective price discount.

For dollar linked currencies, exchange rates have also moved broadly in their favour over the past 12 months making property cheaper for the dollar based buyer, but the euro is now strengthening again to remove some but not all of that advantage.

For more information on the currency service I can provide please feel free to contact myself Rob Harold from Foreign Currency Direct follow this link or phone and ask for myself and quote Cle France on our Freephone 0800 328 5884.

You may email me directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and quote Cle France with your requirement and I will explain the options that are available to you in getting the best exchange rate.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

We are pleased to announce around 100 new listings in the Limousin region of France . 

With property in 3 departments of the LIMOUSIN - Haute-Vienne, Creuse and Corrèze we now have a much wider choice.

Haute-Vienne... 

The department of Haute-Vienne is in the region of Limousin and boasts a varied landscape of forests, countryside and lakes that attract many tourists each year looking for a range of activities including walking, fishing, sailing, boating and skiing.

Creuse... 

The department of Creuse is simply beautiful as are the neighbouring departments of Corrèze and Haute-Vienne in the Limousin region. Like many departments it is named after the river that meanders though the landscape. Three other rivers pass through the area, the Taurion, Gartempe and Petite-Creuse rivers. Creuse is located to the north west edge of the Massif Central mountain range and is about 6/7 hours drive from Calais and about 3 hours from Paris.

Corrèze...

The department of Corrèze is located in south central France, Corrèze belongs to the Limousin region. Correze is the name river running through the department. The population is around 240,000 inhabitants and is split into three arrondissements (Tulle, Brive and Ussel), 38 cantons and 285 towns and villages. Lanscapes in this department are mountains, plateaus and valleys. The highest mountain is the Mont Bessou at 978m.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

Our property of the Week is proving very popular and generating a lot of enquiries, but it is lovely and well priced so it is no surprise!

A substantial detached French Longere Farmhouse sitting in a 2.2 hectares plot comprising large apple orchard, pastureland, woodland (ideal for fuelling wood-burners) and small stream. The garden surrounding the property is hedged and private and is lawned with fantastic views over adjoining farmland.

Visit the listing here for more information.

Blog submitted by: David at The French Property Network - Cle France.

You have go this far so I guess you are looking to buy your dream home in France?

If so then make sure you sign up to our weekly email newsletter, sent direct to your email inbox by the French Property Network team at Cle France.

Our network of professional property agents are in constant contact with buyers, sellers and all sorts of experts across France to bring your the latest properties and news from the French property market.

We are the first to know when a property comes on the market and you can put yourself in a unique position to grab the best ones by letting us keep you up to date.

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When it comes to finding the best properties on the market in France, you will be one step ahead with the French Property Network - Cle France newsletter at your disposal.

Blog submitted by: Alex at The French Property Network - Cle France.