Everyone loves a bargain, so this issue reveals the 10 cheapest places in France to buy a property – and you won't need to compromise on location either as they're all rural gems. We also dig deeper into the charming département of Mayenne, which often slips under the radar of British househunters but has so much to offer. And while we're on the subject of value for money, don't miss our 'Three of the best' property picks under €100,000!
Still need some location inspiration? How about features on Gascony, the Pyrénées, the vibrant city of Amiens, and the Chemin de Stevenson as it winds its way through Haute-Loire, Lozère and Gard.
We'll also be talking to three sets of expats who found their forever home in France second (or even third) time round – find out how and why their needs changed and how they eventually discovered what they really wanted.
If you're just starting out on your own property hunt, our feature on how to choose the right property for you will be essential reading. Is a swimming pool on your wish list? Our pools expert explains what you can expect if you buy a property with a pool in situ but needing a little attention.
Find out too what the notaire is responsible for; how to insure your car in France; new rules for holiday rentals and gîtes; and the different stages of a property purchase and how you can schedule your currency transfers at the right time – plus, your Q&As on visas for second-home owners, using an architect, French mortgages, choosing a school in France, notaire’s fees and inheritance law.
Finally, readers share their experiences of decades spent in France - 20 years in Normandy and Puy-de-Dôme and a whopping 30 years in Gironde! And you never know what you'll find in France, as one couple discovered when they unearthed a World War II battlefield at their chateau in Calvados, which led them to help revive the local branch of the Royal British Legion.