http://www.housesandapartments.fr/ Articles EN Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/icon_rss.gif http://www.housesandapartments.fr/ http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-cavalaire-and-la-croix-valmer-two-desirable-addresses-in-the-var--308_1.html Situated on the Mediterranean coast between Saint-Tropez and Le Lavandou, Cavalaire and La Croix-Valmer play host respectively to 6,350 and 3,300 inhabitants. Encircled by magnificent beaches and natural surroundings of impressive beauty, they are exemplary ambassadors of the Var’s vocation for seaside resorts. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-a-home-in-anglet--307_1.html Partly covered by pine-trees, this town in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques has 37,650 inhabitants. A stretch of sand starting 200 km to the north ends in Anglet, boasting a coastline 4.5 kilometres long and no less than eleven beaches. On this large and airy commune, houses reign supreme. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-the-region-fronting-savoy-a-multi-facetted-site-306_1.html Forming a meeting-point between Savoy, Le Dauphiné and Le Bugey, this contrified area lies at the extreme west of the “département”, between the Rhône and River Guiers, the mountain chain of L’Epine and La Chartreuse. Wide open spaces and affordable property prices attract young workers from Chambéry or even Aix-les-Bains. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-mandelieu-la-napoule-a-town-on-a-human-scale--305_1.html Situated between Cannes, Théoule-sur-Mer and Pégomas, the commune is home to 20,850 residents, on the shores of the Mediterranean, directly beneath the mountains of Le Tanneron and the Estérel. The deep blue sea, mimosa forests, marinas, yacht harbour and airport compose its varied scenery. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-town-houses-in-montpellier--304_1.html Thanks to a steady rise in its population, year-round economic and cultural attractions, and a unanimously acclaimed life-style of genuine quality, the capital of L’Hérault has shown particular resilience to the crisis. Like high-class apartments, town houses represent a buoyant market. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-highly-prized-neighbourhoods-in-aix--303_1.html 26 km from Marseille, a 30-minute drive from the Mediterranean and 2 hrs 40 from Paris by TGV, the historic capital of Provence looks towards the future without denying any of its illustrious past. Founded by the Romans in 122 B.C., it hosted the first political bodies in the Middle Ages. Since the 1920’s, its population has grown steadily. The authorities are thus rethinking town planning, designing main roads, tourist facilities and new neighbourhoods. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-bordeaux-the-golden-triangle--302_1.html The sixth largest city in France with 235,900 residents boasts a very lovely historic centre, popular with seniors in search of convenience, occasional residents from the Parisian region or even abroad, as well as investors, disenchanted by prospects on the stock market. Our experts fill in the details... Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-buoyant-sectors-in-toulouse--301_1.html France’s fourth largest city after Paris, Marseille and Lyon, with 439,450 inhabitants, the birthplace of Airbus is known as a hi-tech centre at European level thanks to its strong aeronautics, space and IT sectors. In addition to an encouraging bill of health on the business front, Toulouse offers a pleasant climate and a very appealing location between the Atlantic, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. Our real-estate experts focus on the city's most buoyant kinds of properties and neighbourhoods... Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-vaison-la-romaine-bountiful-nature-300_1.html Surrounded by forests, hills, pine-groves and vines, this town of almost 6,250 acres, with 6,420 inhabitants intra-muros, 14,000 in the “canton”, stands at the foot of Mont-Ventoux, not far from the Rhône valley. Tourism and wine production are its main sources of income. A little tour… Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-housing-on-the-outskirts-of-perpignan--299_1.html 283,000 people live in the greater urban area of Perpignan, whereas the prefecture of the Eastern Pyrenees itself is home to only 116,700. The difference speaks volumes about the development of villages in the first belt around the town. Dreams of space, tranquillity and affordable housing prices… There are lots of reasons for hunting down a house. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-saint-julien-a-close-neighbour-of-geneva--298_1.html Located between Le Vuache and Le Mont-Salève, this resort rises to an altitude of 460 metres above sea level, covers about 3,750 acres of land and is home to over 11,000 people. Its main asset lies in the immediate vicinity of the business hub of Switzerland. A geographical feature to which the sub-prefecture of Haute-Savoie owes its steady population growth and flourishing real-estate market. Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-albi-at-the-heart-of-le-tarn-297_1.html This town in the Midi-Pyrénées, an archbishopric and birthplace of the artist Toulouse-Lautrec, is home to 51,200 residents, 92,930 in its urban area. Located near the vineyards of Gaillac, 50 minutes from the Prefecture of Haute-Garonne, between the Aquitaine basin and the Massif Central, it is slowly but surely getting over the crisis. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-at-the-gateway-to-monaco--296_1.html The second smallest state in the world with a surface area of less than 2 km2, yet the first worldwide in terms of density, Monaco employs nearly 40,000 people, the majority of whom make daily round-trips to towns in the Alpes-Maritimes. Let’s take a look at the surrounding communes... Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-cavaillon-betting-on-the-future-295_1.html The former episcopal see in the valley of the Durance has all the characteristics of a town undergoing change. 24 km from Avignon and 59 km from Aix-en-Provence, this commune with about 26,000 inhabitants now offers a healthier property market with more afforable prices compared to other towns in the Regional Nature Park of the Luberon. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-la-combe-de-savoie-near-the-main-urban-centres-of-departement-73--294_1.html Before construction of the tunnel of L’Epine, La Combe de Savoie, 37 km long, was the only route leading to Chambéry, Albertville, the valleys of La Tarentaise, La Maurienne and Chamonix. If it is no longer of strategic importance, the region remains active on the economic and tourism fronts. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-rental-investments-in-the-cub--293_1.html The “CUB” (Urban Community of Bordeaux) came into being on January 1st, 1968. The 27 towns of which it is comprised pursue three main aims : provision of major infrastructures, economic development and modernization of urban amenities. Today, France’s 6th largest urban area attracts various types of investors, motivated by the prospect of immediate returns or the guarantee of a sound long-term asset. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-la-seyne-sur-mer-and-ollioules-a-diverse-area-292_1.html While the second largest town in the Var, home to 57,550 inhabitants, concentrates on gilding its image since the closure of the shipyards, the Provençal village of Ollioules relies on the genuine charm of its peaceful location. The first is within the reach of all budgets, the second targets fans of individual homes with more substantial means. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-la-vaunage-a-highly-prized-address-in-le-gard--291_1.html With harmonious scenery composed of hills and plains, this area of almost 25,000 acres between Nîmes and Sommières is a real source of attraction for people from Le Gard, L’Hérault, other French regions and North Europeans, drawn as much by its geographic location as its quality life-style. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-pays-de-gex-the-advantages-of-a-frontier-region--290_1.html With an open outlook towards the international scene in general and Switzerland in particular, Le Pays de Gex lies between the Jura and Lake Geneva, at the gateway to the Swiss economic capital. Hiking, skiing, spas, golf... It offers a wide choice of activities. But its key asset is the proximity of the cantons of Geneva and Vaud. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-saint-remy-de-provence-a-sound-investment--289_1.html In 2008-2009, the property market all over France registered a decline in both prices and activity, yet Les Alpilles in general and Saint-Rémy in particular put up real resistance. Estate-agents are optimistic... Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-the-pays-cathare-a-sound-value-for-the-future-288_1.html In 1991, the General Council of the Aude patented the name in order to promote the tourist industry in this “département” situated between the Eastern Pyrenees, L’Ariège, the Upper Garonne, Le Tarn, L’Hérault and the Mediterranean. Its varied scenery is one of its most precious assets… Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-saint-vincent-de-tyrosse-and-tosse-a-trip-into-les-landes-287_1.html Two addresses both located 25 km from Dax and Bayonne and less than 10 km from the Atlantic Ocean. The resemblance between these two towns in the southern Landes stops there. Saint-Vincent attracts first-time buyers, while Tosse provides solutions for buyers who can’t afford the coast. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-romans-very-well-connected--286_1.html At the heart of the Drôme, on the right bank of the Isère, Romans combines history, culture and a quality life-style. With 33,000 inhabitants, 50,000 if one counts those of Bourg-de-Péage, it is the second largest town in the “département”. Its geographic position is its greatest asset. Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-apartments-in-biarritz--285_1.html A real magnet for surfing fans, the magnificent ocean owes its international character to an extremely busy airport, an illustrious golf-course, thalassotherapy institutes, luxury hotels and boutiques. On the property market, seven clients out of ten are looking for 2-bedroomed apartments in prestigious buildings. Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-the-tarentaise-valley-an-uneven-balance-sheet-284_1.html Lying in the upper reaches of L’Isere, this province forming part of Savoy boasts some of the most renowned skiing domains in Europe. With homes ranging from 1,500 €/m2 in villages down in the plain to 30,000 €/m2 for luxury apartments in Courchevel 1850, the site is characterized by incredible disparities in prices. Similarly, some municipalities are thriving again, while others are still reeling from the blow… Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-gateways-to-the-verdon-gorges-283_1.html Hollowed out by a strong current of water, this huge limestone canyon straddling the Var and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence is home to a bountiful Nature and colourful villages. Listed as a nature park in 1997, it has won international fans drawn by rafting, hiking, mountain-biking and para-gliding. The popularity of these famous gorges inevitably rubs off on communes located within a 10 to 30 minute radius... Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-toulouse-an-attractive-job-centre-282_1.html With 437,715 inhabitants, 891,000 within its greater urban area, the fourth largest commune in France after Lyon and before Nice can now claim to be a technopolis at European level. It also scores the highest growth rate in the country, which it owes to the quality of its living conditions and its geographic location. Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-the-centre-of-nice-a-heterogeneous-market--281_1.html From the Old Town to the expressway, the heart of Nice, now crossed by Tramline 1, lies on both sides of Avenue Jean Médecin. Encompassing localities characterized by remarkable variety, it is shared by locals and foreign holiday-makers. Basic ingredients for a sound investment... Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-the-6th-5th-and-4th-arrondissements-of-marseille-a-central-location-280_1.html With respectively 43,800, 44,700 and 47,000 residents, these districts, more or less well-catered for in terms of transport, enjoy a strategic position within the Phocean city. The proximity of amenities, access roads, infrastructures, sporting and cultural facilities determine the ratings of the various neighbourhoods. Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100 http://www.housesandapartments.fr/the-real-estate-magazine-holiday-homes-in-departement-34-279_1.html If the Hérault region welcomes employees transferred from all over France, it also smiles upon occasional residents, both French and foreign. It owes its popularity to a wide range of attractions, from crowded seaside resorts to the wild districts of Les Hauts Cantons and the inevitable Bassin de Thau. Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:30:00 +0100