Just had a client email in to us their criteria and thought I would share it with everyone, having a solid criteria helps us find a selection of properties for you to visit and although we will need a little more to go on.... this criteria is a good one!

Our criteria is:

Don't mind some work

Got to be have good workshop

An hour from serviceable airport

An hour to get to coast

Detached, edge or not too far from town with train access

Cheap wine

Good food

Sunshine

Relaxation

They are looking for property in Herault in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon with Cle France.

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

Fancy running your own vineyard, of course you do!

Set near to a lovely town bursting with art and culture, 20 minutes from the sea and not far from the A9 and A75 motorways in Languedoc-Roussellin. 

A change of lifestyle, a change of context, living closer to nature and creating noble products: wine, olive oil, truffles! 

Become a wine, truffle and olive oil producer in the south of France! Here on this small estate, on a very human scale, which can be run by a couple, find everything you need to produce quality, live close to the elements, and provide an income by the fruits of your labor, while living on site in the simple cosy home of 70m2. 

Find here 1 hectare of olive trees (230 trees) with a half in Lucca variety, in total producing between 260-500 litres of oil per year (2000 - 4000 kg of olives per year depending on the year).

And the vineyard, planted in wide rows and on wire, offering 1.5 hectares with 5000 plants, planted around its beautiful underground winery, with a production capacity of 80 hecto-liters representing about 8000 bottles a year (white and red combined). All winemaking equipment included (barrels, fibre-glass tanks, press, tractor, etc.) so no additional material investment required. 

In addition, 120 truffle oaks just starting to produce, so additional revenue coming! 
To live off of this activity, you must do all the work yourself (no full time employee), but that's the beauty of this place, it can be done by a couple (or family). 

Property ref: SLR00497

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

Many people ask us to suggest properties that have income potential or properties suitable for a B&B style venture, we have a lot that fit that purpose, but it is surprising how many people don't start with the location?

It is an old adage but "location, location, location" is never more apt than when you are looking to start a 'host style" business, the B&B may well be in a nice property and you may be the best Host in the world but will people want to visit you in your location? what is there to do? where is there to go?

I know of a great little B&B just a few kilometres from Mont St Michel, so it's a great location. 

Before starting up a B&B it is essential to know the market you will be aiming for.

Property viewing trippers, Business trips, International, Family holidays? Romantic breaks? Hen nights or Stag weekends?

Sleepy village, busy town or coastal?

Are you going basic one-night stopovers or high end?

The location of your B&B, its decor and layout must be geared towards the type of guest you hope to attract.

Do your research, see what else is on offer, what kind of B&B’s are doing well, which are not and check out prices they charge. You don’t want to price yourself out of the market and people don't always look for the cheapest rates so research as much as possible.

What kind of breakfast you serve can be an interesting issue, to you go 'full English' for British tourists who expect a full hot breakfast or do you go for continental or buffet style breakfasts because 'when in Rome'. There is so much to think of but focus in on location and do your research!

This one is in a good location, set in a 'medieval' town slap bang in the middle of lots of things to see an do and a popular "House Hunting" location.

Blog submitted by: Alex at Cle France.

A neighbour of mine once said of the hunt or "chasse" that took place in the adjoining fields that the morning session is safe but after a calvados lunch they often shoot each other by mistake!

Now I read last week that an "anti-chasse" organisation is calling for the banning of hunting on Sundays, as well as other measures after an increase in the number of accidents due to hunters and possibly the result of the liquid lunch my neighbour spoke of.

In a statement, the "Association pour la Protection des Animaux Sauvages" (APAS) said that in the hunting season 21 people were killed, with all but two being hunters themselves.

In total there were 179 accidents in the last hunting season, compared to 143 for the season before, and APAS says change is necessary.

The organisation is calling for a ban of hunting on Sundays, as it believes with more people taking up cycling, walking and outdoor past-times, France needs to change.

NOTE: don't wear those reindeer antlers you thought were so much fun at xmas time whilst riding your bike through the undergrowth!

APAS says that France is the only country in Europe where hunting is allowed on every day of the week. They also say that the law should be changed to make local hunting bodies more responsible for accidents, firmer regulation should be introduced to ban hunting close to property and that hunters should be required to take regular eye tests!

Blog submitted by: David at Cle France.

Despite a poll last year claiming that the majority of french people believe there are too many foreigners in France, Interior Minister Manuel Valls has just announced new plans to make it easier to gain french citizenship. The multiple choice test has been scrapped, along with the requirement that applicants must hold a permanent job (CDD); neither is it compulsory to own a property in France. This latest decree marks a changing of attitudes within government departments towards immigration; in 2011 only 40% of applications were approved rising to 61% in 2013 to date. To qualify, foreigners should have lived in France for 5 years. Forms are available from your local prefecture.