Brittany's property market is extremely popular with British expatriates, not only
for its historical connection with the British isles, but also because of its long-established
transport links with the UK.
The Brits have been blamed, unfairly, for driving up house prices in the area, although
statistical evidence bears testament to the fact that prices in Brittany have not
risen at an accelerated rate when compared to the regions that are more popular
with French (particularly Parisian) holidaymakers. The British love of old, country
properties for restoration means there is little competition between them and the
local population, who as a general rule prefer the convenience of suburban properties
with all mod cons.
However, it is true that, thanks to its many ferry links and historical connection
with the UK, the property market is more developed than that of the more central
and southern regions, which have only recently become accessible via low-cost airlines,
and the eastern regions which have become decidedly more popular since the combination
of the high-speed Eurostar and TGV Est cut journey times considerably.
This means that ruins going for a song are few and far between and keen DIY-ers
looking for a steal would be better off seeking out a building plot, or looking
further afield.
Brittany's architecture is characterised by its grey slate roofs and granite walls
in coastal areas as well as an abundance of half-timbered houses and medieval citadels
further inland. The area also boasts many magnificent stately homes. The region
is split into four departments: Finistère, Morbihan, Côtes d'Armor and Ille-et-Vilaine.
Finistère, which literally translates as land's end, is Brittany's furthermost department
and houses the city of Brest and towns of Quimper, Morlaix and Carhaix. The average
price stands at €1,480 per square metre for old apartments and property values here
increased 7.1% over 2007, although for houses, this increase was markedly greater,
up 11.6% bringing the average price to €150,300. Picturesque departmental capital
Quimper is the priciest district, with prices topping €1,670 and, thanks to its
continuing popularity with French holidaymakers, rental prices are steep. And no
wonder, given its pretty cobbled squares, Gothic cathedral and rich Breton cultural
life. The area also boasts its own airport and offers easy access to the beaches
nearby.
Meanwhile, university city Brest offers better value at €1,420, although following
its almost complete destruction during World War II, the city is not renowned for
its architecture and can appear somewhat bleak in places. For this reason, coupled
with the fact that Brest is lumbered with the heaviest rainfall in France, the tourist
industry is less advanced and the rental market less developed. To the north of
Brest, Morlaix is cheaper still, with apartments valued at an average of €1,120
per square metre. Easily accessible by the ferry routes from Plymouth, Cork and
Rosslare, which sweep into nearby Roscoff, this small town is surrounded by châteaux
on all sides and the sand marshes along the nearby Baie de Morlaix, together with
its many satellite islands, boast several nature reserves, parks and gardens. The
megaliths at Cairn de Barnenez are another popular tourist attraction.
East of Finistère, sitting on Brittany's northern coast is the department of Côtes
d'Armor. Thanks to its proximity to St Malo, it has benefited from the several ferry
routes that deliver passengers from Weymouth, Portsmouth, Poole, Guernsey and Jersey
into St Malo's port, and coupled with the airport at Dinard, this has contributed
to the department's thriving property market. Average prices here reached €1,660
per square metre at the end of 2007, representing a rise of 11.3%.
Naturally, this area is popular with Brits, not only for its superb transport links,
but also because its key town, Dinan, is one of Brittany's most picturesque. Dinan
is renowned for its half-timbered houses and enjoys a bustling tourist trade and
therefore a strong rental market. Property prices are highest in the Lannion district,
reaching €2,050 per square metre, whereas towards Guingamp and St Brieuc – despite
Guingamp's pretty cobbled streets and pedestrianised centre and the area's popularity
with tourists – prices drop to around €1,520 per square metre.
Morbihan and Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany's southernmost departments, are also its
priciest, with an average of €2,270 a piece – although Ille-et-Vilaine is the more
dynamic of the two markets, with prices growing an impressive 12.1% over 2007, compared
to 8.2% in Morbihan. Both can lay claim to particular advantages – in Ille-et-Vilaine's
case it houses the region's capital, Rennes, and bustling port St Malo, while Morbihan's
coastline enjoys its own micro-climate and its clusters of small islands therefore
boast sub-tropical vegetation and the longest rental season in all of Brittany.
Rennes is a cosmopolitan city, with a similar air to Paris – due in part to its
destruction by fire in 1720 and subsequent redesign. St Malo, however, is the department's
most expensive district at €2,910 per square metre thanks to its medieval citadel
and well developed transport routes.
Source: French Property Buying Guide - French Property
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