It is one of life’s greatest puzzles that the Auvergne has hereto been overlooked by British buyers in favour of France’s southernmost regions, for property prices are cheap in comparison and its enviable position offers easy access to Paris, ski stations along the Massif Central.
In fact, property prices are cheap in comparison with anywhere – with even the most expensive department, Puy-de-Dôme, commanding an average price of just €1,401 per square metre.
The city’s Basilica de Notre Dame du Pont is a UNESCO world heritage site and perfectly illustrates the Auvergnat style of Roman architecture. Meanwhile, Volvic water springs forth from stone fountains dotted throughout the quaint pedestrian streets, which are lined with antique shops and art galleries. The Montferrand district features houses built between the Middle Ages and the 18th century. The town’s TGV link to Paris and its proximity to the Mont Dore ski resort make it an attractive rental prospect, although tourism is not yet as fully developed as it might be.
Prices are lower in the department of Cantal, averaging out at €1,179 per square metre. Aurillac is the department’s most successful district – with property prices rising to €1,689 per square metre around this bustling, modern town. Aurillac offers the best of both worlds to residents and tourists alike with a winding old quarter and a modern district that provides entertainment and employment for the local population. Aurillac is the historical capital of the umbrella, but don’t let that deter you, the weather isn’t that bad – despite its (unjustified) reputation as one of the coldest cities in France.
Good neighbours
Next door, the department of Haute-Loire is home to magnificent views, with volcanic spurs crowned by religious buildings hogging the horizon. Property in parts of the department is the least expensive of the whole region, for example, in the charming town of Le Puy-en-Velay, with its UNESCO-protected cathedral. Le Puy acts as an artistic and cultural centre for the department, hosting conferences throughout the year. House prices average out at €1,167 per square metre in Le Puy district, rising to €1,298 towards the smaller, more rural Yssinguex near the border of Languedoc-Roussillon.
The northern department of Allier houses the spa town Vichy, a town that has become increasingly popular with Brits thanks to its booming tourism trade and therefore lucrative rental market. That doesn’t mean that property is prohibitively expensive, however – in fact the Allier department is Auvergne’s cheapest, with apartments costing €1,222 per square metre and house prices averaging out at €1,144 per square metre rising to €1,331 for property in Vichy.
Meanwhile, Montluçon, one of Bourbonnais’ oldest towns, offers incredible value, at just €1,112 per square metre. The town has been designated a Ville d’Art for its 15 listed buildings and 22 works of art and its medieval roots are clear in the abundance of cobbled streets and halftimbered houses.
Last but not least is Moulins-sur-Allier, a designated Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, thanks to its timber-framed houses and winding medieval streets.
Source: French Property Buying Guide 2010 / 2011
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