With some of Picardy's westernmost departments already within spitting distance of Paris, this region has always been prized for its potential as a base for those who want a country camp to retreat to after the hustle and bustle of the city. Now, however, thanks to the new high-speed Eurostar, Picardy and Nord- Pas de Calais' commuter potential has racked up a notch. The Eurostar stops three to four times per day at Calais Frethun, and the journey to central London takes a paltry 55 minutes. Meanwhile, Calais' Channel Tunnel and ferry connections mean that London is a mere two- to three- hour drive, while Lille benefits from even more frequent Eurostar services (10 per day) delivering passengers to London St Pancras in just 70 minutes. It should be no surprise then, that house prices are soaring across the regions – up 13.1% in Somme, and 10.9% in Pas de Calais. Still, in stark contrast to London's more traditional commuter belt, what is surprising is that bargains can still be found throughout the two regions.
The regions' architecture is most celebrated for its traditional Flemish heritage; examples of terraced houses with their distinctive gabled roofs can be clearly seen on the streets of Lille. A Gothic influence is also prevalent throughout the region, particularly in Arras' celebrated squares. Picardy boasts several beautifull ypreserved medieval citadels, while the white limestone used in Senlis' cathedral is starkly beautiful. In the Picardian countryside, houses are built from red brick.
In Pas de Calais, prices may well reach the heady heights of €3,410 per square metre in St Omer, but drop as low as €1,670 per square metre in Montreuil. The Pas de Calais department is made up of several distinct districts – each with a personality and landscape of its own. Calais and its surrounding countryside (Calaisis) dominated by its port and lace-making industry, is remarkably cheap given its impressive connections with the UK – averaging €1,770 per square metre. Below Calais is Boulonnnais, which despite boasting the first fishing port to be established in France, is a less frenetic and altogether more rural outpost. Boulogne sur Mer is its principal town and the sector's property market reflects its idyllic setting and convenience, with prices reaching an average of €2,210 per square metre .
Canche-Authie, Audomarois and Les Sept Vallées are renowned for their natural beauty – with beaches and agricultural land providing an attractive, if at times, isolated setting. Prices along the Canche river, in the vicinity of Montreuil, reflect this, commanding a minimal €1,670 per square metre. Haut-Artois and Artois, meanwhile, house Pas de Calais' industrial centre. Cities such as St Omer and Arras are pricey, ranging from €1,820 per square metre in Arras to €3,410 in St Omer. Béthune offers a cheaper alternative (€1,680 per square metre).
Predictably, Lille is Nord's priciest district, with prices hitting an average of €2,250 per square metre, but there is no doubt that the department offers better value for money than its rival. Largely given over to agriculture and mills, Nord's territory is less built up than its neighbour and therefore bargain hunters looking for a room with a view should take advantage of its less competitive property market. In Avesnes sur Helpe, for example, prices drop as low as €1,340 per square metre.
Picardy's Oise department is its most expensive district thanks to its proximity to Paris. Many inhabitants commute to Paris, and Chantilly, one of Oise's most picturesque towns, is considered a satellite of Paris, being just 24 miles from the metropolitan's centre. The city boasts a château with garden designed by Le Notre and the Condé Museum, second only to the Louvre in size. Prices here average out at €2,510 per square metre, compared to €2,280 for the Oise district as a whole. The area also benefits from Paris- BeauvaisTillé airport, served by low-cost carrier Ryanair, which is currently being upgraded to provide a better service to passenger airlines.
The Somme district, meanwhile, lays claim to a thriving tourism trade thanks to its World War I museums and memorials and city of Amiens, with its UNESCO-protected cathedral. Property in the St Leu quarter of Amiens is much soughtafter thanks to its colourful and lively streets. Here apartments cost an average of €1,970 per square metre, consistent with the Somme's €2,020 average.
In Aisne, meanwhile, there are bargains to be had in the medieval city of Laon, which boasts 80 classified monuments; its strategical position on top of a hill affords views over the surrounding countryside. Prices here are as low as €970 per square metre, below even the Aisne department's average – the cheapest of both regions at just €1,380 per square metre – but it won't be cheap for long; prices rose 11.1% in 2007.
Source: French Property Buying Guide - French Property
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