Find your new life
In search of peace and quiet, space and quality of life, more and more buyers are turning to the French countryside. But not all regions are equal: some offer an exceptional natural setting, others an attractive return on investment, and some combine charm and accessibility. In this article, we have selected 7 ideal destinations for investing in a country house, based on their dynamism, their living environment and their real estate attractiveness.
Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Puy-de-Dôme is a perfect choice for lovers of nature and tranquillity. With a population of around 664,000, the region is known for its volcanoes, forests and lakes. There are stone houses, renovated farms and chalets, offering excellent value for money with an average of €1,839 per square metre.
The Puy de Dôme, the highest point of the UNESCO-listed Chaîne des Puys mountain range, is a true paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The region is well served by the A71 and A75 motorways, Clermont-Ferrand railway station and its regional airport.
Ideal for: those looking for an exceptional natural setting with good value for money.
Puy-de-Dôme offers modern, renovated lofts, mainly in city centres such as Clermont-Ferrand, where former industrial buildings are being transformed into bright living spaces. Surrounded by volcanoes and green landscapes, the region offers a unique setting between nature and urbanism.
The average price per square metre is around €2,500 to €3,500. With 660,000 inhabitants, the department is well connected thanks to the A71 motorway, the Clermont-Ferrand SNCF train station and Aulnat airport. Between hikes in the Chaîne des Puys, local markets and museums, it is a perfect region for a loft combining modernity and the charm of the Auvergne.
If you want to enjoy the charm of the countryside while remaining close to the capital, the Île-de-France region may be an option. There are renovated farms, millstone houses and detached houses with large gardens. Even in Île-de-France, it is possible to find an old mill, often nestled on the banks of the Seine, the Marne or in the Chevreuse Valley. These rare properties offer a bucolic setting while remaining close to Paris. However, the property market is tight and prices are high, often exceeding €10,000 per square metre in Paris and €5,000 in the outer suburbs. Fortunately, some rural areas such as Gâtinais, Brie or Vexin offer more affordable prices.
The Île-de-France benefits from a dense transport network (metro, RER, TGV) and two international airports (Roissy-CDG and Orly).
Ideal for: those who want a compromise between nature and accessibility to Paris.
The Ile-de-France region is home to many prestigious châteaux, ranging from historic residences to fully renovated estates, often with landscaped parks and outbuildings. These properties, steeped in history, are particularly prized for their proximity to Paris while offering an exclusive and green living environment.
The landscape alternates between forests, valleys and vast estates, with emblematic sites such as Fontainebleau, Rambouillet or Chantilly, where some of the most beautiful castles in the region can be found. The average price per square metre varies considerably, ranging from €3,500 per square metre for properties in need of renovation to €15,000 per square metre for exceptional châteaux close to Paris.
With more than 12 million inhabitants, the region is extremely well served, with a dense motorway network (A1, A6, A10, A13), several TGV stations (Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, Massy) and the international airports of Roissy-CDG and Orly.
The Île-de-France offers a prestigious living environment, with cultural events, state-owned forests, golf and horse riding, making this region a prime destination for investing in a characterful château.
In Île-de-France, contemporary and architect-designed houses are appealing due to their sleek design, large bay windows and high-end materials. There are ultra-modern cubic villas, glass and concrete houses and contemporary extensions to classic buildings.
In Paris, architect-designed houses are becoming increasingly rare but stand out for their bold integration into the urban fabric, often with green roof terraces and private patios. In the inner suburbs, municipalities such as Neuilly-sur-Seine, Boulogne-Billancourt and Saint-Cloud offer avant-garde residences combining space and light.
Brittany is an ideal region for buying a farmhouse, an old house, a stone house or a mill, offering a preserved setting between green countryside and wild coastline.
The farmhouses, typical of Morbihan and Finistère, are often long, stone buildings with outbuildings, large plots of land and slate roofs. They appeal to those interested in renovation and agricultural projects or tourist accommodation.
The old houses of Finistère and Morbihan are recognisable by their thick granite walls, exposed beams and monumental fireplaces. They are located in towns and villages of character, such as Quimper, Pont-Aven or Vannes, and offer timeless charm.
The stone houses of Morbihan are ideal for those looking for a characterful home close to the ocean or in the countryside, with materials typical of Breton architecture.
Breton mills, often nestled by rivers or streams, are rare and sought-after for their bucolic setting, their history and their potential for renovation. They can be found in the Blavet and Oust valleys, among others.
Prices are generally affordable, with an average of €2,500 per square metre, although coastal areas (Morbihan, southern Finistère) are more expensive. Easily accessible by TGV (Rennes, Brest) and with several regional airports, Brittany also attracts visitors with its many activities: hiking on the GR34 trails, sailing and cultural festivals. Ideal for: lovers of nature, the coast and traditions.
Brittany is an ideal region in which to acquire a manor house or a castle, offering a unique architectural heritage and a preserved natural environment between wild coastline and legendary forests. In the Côtes-d'Armor, particularly in Guingamp, the Breton granite manor houses are characterised by their slate roofs, monumental chimneys and vast wooded estates.
Often steeped in history, these properties offer a rare authenticity, perfect for a prestigious residence or a charming accommodation project. The Breton châteaux, scattered throughout the region, bear witness to Brittany's noble history.
Whether in Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine or Finistère, these residences offer landscaped parks, outbuildings and breathtaking views of the countryside or the sea.
Brittany is a prime destination for buying an apartment, house or villa by the sea, offering an unspoilt coastline and a unique living environment of cliffs, beaches and characterful ports.
In Morbihan, seaside apartments, particularly in Vannes, Carnac or Quiberon, offer panoramic balconies, direct access to the beach and breathtaking views of the gulf. These properties are very popular as second homes or upmarket rental investments.
The seaside houses, located in Finistère, Morbihan, Côtes-d'Armor, Dinard or Saint-Malo, are appealing for their granite architecture, their vast gardens and their proximity to wild beaches. These typically Breton residences combine traditional charm and modern comfort, with breathtaking views of the ocean. The more exclusive seaside villas are nestled in privileged environments with swimming pools, panoramic terraces and private access to the beach. They can be found in particular in La Trinité-sur-Mer, Perros-Guirec and Belle-Île-en-Mer, true havens of peace for a clientele in search of prestige.
Brittany offers a wide choice of contemporary, manor, architect-designed and luxury houses, combining character and modernity.
Burgundy is a popular destination for the purchase of a wine estate, a stone house or a mill, offering a preserved setting between prestigious vineyards, forests and rivers.
Burgundy is world-famous for its exceptional wines and is home to some of the most renowned wine estates, particularly in the departments of Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire and Yonne. These properties offer classified vineyards, vaulted cellars and wine châteaux, attracting those who are keen to invest in wine heritage.
The stone houses, typical of the region, are mainly found in wine-growing villages and rolling countryside. Built in local limestone with glazed tile roofs, they are seductive with their rustic charm and authentic character.
The Jura mills, often located by rivers or in the heart of wooded landscapes, offer an exceptional natural setting, perfect for a second home or gîte project. Carefully restored, they have preserved mechanisms and large green areas.
Ideal for: lovers of the great outdoors and exceptional wines.
Burgundy is a land of historic and prestigious residences, ideal for the purchase of a manor house or a château. Known for its architectural and wine-growing heritage, it offers an elegant setting of green valleys, forests and prestigious vineyards.
Burgundian manor houses, often built of freestone with glazed tile roofs, can be found in sought-after areas such as the Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire and Yonne. These properties generally have large, moulded reception rooms, wooded parks and outbuildings.
The châteaux, whether Renaissance or classical, are exceptional estates with vineyards, moats or vast French-style gardens. Burgundy is home to some of the most beautiful stately properties, particularly around Beaune, Dijon and Cluny.
Burgundy is home to elegant mansions, often with cut stone, glazed tile roofs and vast wooded parks. These properties offer spacious lounges, stone fireplaces and convertible outbuildings.
With its renowned vineyards, green valleys and winding rivers, Burgundy seduces with its peaceful and authentic setting. The average price per square metre varies between €2,500 and €5,500, depending on the condition of the property. With a population of around 1.6 million, the region is accessible via the A6 and A31 motorways, the TGV stations in Dijon and Mâcon, and Lyon airport nearby.
With prestigious wine tastings, hikes in the Côte-d'Or and historical heritage, Burgundy is an ideal region for a mansion full of character.
The Gers is a land of typical stone houses, often in golden or white stone, with large plots of land and outbuildings. These charming buildings blend into a rolling landscape of sunflower fields, vineyards and forests. The average price per square metre remains affordable, at around €1,800 to €2,500/m², depending on the location and condition of the property.
With a population of 190,000, the Gers is less than an hour from Toulouse, where the TGV station and Blagnac international airport are located. The region charms with its lifestyle, its gastronomy (foie gras, Armagnac), its local markets and its festivals such as Jazz in Marciac.
Ideal for: those looking for a peaceful life, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Var, in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, offers a sunny setting popular with lovers of Provençal houses with gardens and swimming pools. Here, property is more expensive with an average of €3,800 per square metre, particularly on the coast and in the hilltop villages of the hinterland. Very well connected (motorways, TGV in Toulon, Nice and Marseille airports), the Var is ideal for those who wish to combine nature, sunshine and quick access to the beaches. Activities include hiking in the Esterel Massif and water sports.
Ideal for: those who want a second home in the southern sun.
The Var is a dream location for buying a villa with a sea view, often with Mediterranean gardens, swimming pools and direct access to the beach. The most prestigious properties are located between Saint-Tropez, Hyères and Bandol.
With its fine sandy beaches, wild coves and wooded hills, the department offers an exceptional setting. The average price per square metre varies from €6,000 to €12,000 depending on the location. With a population of over 1.1 million, the Var is well served by the A8 motorway, the Toulon TGV station and Hyères airport.
A popular destination for the purchase of a farmhouse or an old house, offering an authentic living environment between green valleys, medieval bastides and listed villages.
The farmhouses, typical of the Périgord Noir and Périgord Vert, often consist of long, white stone farmhouses with slate or tiled roofs and large agricultural outbuildings. Located in a preserved natural setting, these properties are perfect for a second home, agritourism or rural gîte project.
The old houses, particularly in towns such as Sarlat-la-Canéda, Bergerac or Périgueux, combine exposed stone walls, wooden beams and imposing fireplaces. These charming residences, often located in historic villages, offer a medieval atmosphere and a peaceful setting
Ideal for: lovers of heritage and unspoilt nature.
Country houses for sale in the Dordogne
The Dordogne, a land of history and nature, is a favourite destination for those looking to buy a manor house or a château, offering an unspoilt setting of green valleys, rivers and medieval bastide towns.
In Bergerac, the manors in blond Périgord stone are characterised by their flagstone roofs, wooded parks and vast interiors with monumental fireplaces. These charming residences are often located in the heart of wine estates or along the Dordogne, perfect for an exceptional residence.
The châteaux of the Dordogne, particularly in Bergerac and Périgueux, offer remarkable architecture with moats, medieval towers and period reception rooms. Many are surrounded by forests, farmland or vineyards, ideal for a family home or a prestigious hotel project.
The Dordogne is renowned for its blonde stone houses, often nestled in the heart of green estates, with large gardens and interiors of noble architecture.
Between valleys, rivers and forests, the region offers an exceptional natural setting. The average price per square metre varies between €2,000 and €4,500, depending on the location and surface area of the property. With a population of around 410,000, the Dordogne is well served by the A89 motorway, Périgueux railway station and Bergerac airport.
The choice of your country house will depend on your expectations:
