Absolutely all the agents told us that  square meter determination is practically non-existent. This method does not reflect the real French price of a house, there are actually a lot of other criteria used:

The main method is the comparative one, which consists in comparing like for like- the property must be in the same area and in more or less the same condition. All the agents we spoke to said this was the main method used, and also the most reliable.

Each region has its own criteria, depending on its location in France (close to the sea, ocean, mountain, the weather…)

Let’s now look at a few regions to get an idea about the price differences: In the Languedoc the most important criteria is the location: facing the sea, the views, the environment around the property (other houses visible or not, forests, noisy roads)…Proximity to amenities and transport links (motorways, airports) …) is also  important.

In the Midi-Pyrenees, things work a little differently. The price of land is attached to the weighted average price per square metre. They do also use the comparative method.

In Aquitaine, the method applied is also the comparative one. Agents will consider the surroundings and environment, the condition of the house, whether it is a traditional build or not, and the size of the land. In rural Brittany, they don’t estimate per square metre but instead consider the surroundings (countryside or small town), the size of the land and condition of the house.

Paris is a case in itself. Foreign clients and the French aren’t looking for the same things, but some of the elements considered are the location (noisy or not, closeness to a Metro station) and the intrinsic qualities of the building itself- a porter, a garage or a courtyard are highly desired things.

Thus it isn’t easy to determine the price of a property- comparisons are commonly used, but a lot is down to specific criteria which varies from region to region.

Once upon a time, Johnny Depp said: “France has a great culture and an amazing history. The most important thing though is that people there know how to live”. And this statement has even been proved scientifically if we trust the quality of life index of 2009, compiled by International Living Magazine who assessed 197 countries on 9 criteria including cost of living, culture, leisure, environment, health and climate. France have always been well ranked in these sorts of indexes, with the other two countries present on the podium being Australia and Switzerland. The UK only finished 25^th, behind countries like Lithuania and Hungary.

According to the magazine, one of the key factors for France is the diversity in regions; with each one having its own culture and own way of life. Brittany is a great example as the cultural heritage in this department is quite something.
One of the key factors in the region is the thousands of kilometres of coastline and the mix between sandy beaches and granite cliffs which add  charm and give to the region its unique aspect.
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However, Brittany is also well known for its cultural heritage and tradition.  It is indeed very popular for the prehistoric caves, present all over the peninsula, and the megalithic monuments such as the ones at Carnac. The Breton architecture is also very traditional, rich and unique in its own way.

Moreover, the region is more than a cultural heritage, it’s also a  way of life. Among the favourite food and drink of any French person, a number come from Brittany, such as the world renown crepes (pancakes), galettes (buckwheat pancakes), the “quatre quart” cake, the “gateau Breton” , cider, Muscat, which is a tasty and fruity wine and its own soft drink : Breizh cola.
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Nevertheless, the main advantage of the peninsula for British people is its proximity to the United Kingdom, making the drive or the flight a doddle. And it is no coincidence that more and more British are leaving the south of France to move to this wonderful region more adapted to their culture and way of life. Moreover, it is definitely easier to feel at home in Brittany rather than in the over-crowded, busy regions along the coast line of the Mediterranean. Furthermore, the prices are a whole lot cheaper here compared to the Cote d’Azur or Provence regions, so you could buy a bigger property for an equivalent budget. As a result, some properties such as this lovely villa with good sized garden and outbuildings are underestimated and would cost more if it were located in the South of France.
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However, the element which makes Brittany so special is its architectural uniqueness with houses full of charm and character, for example a half timbered house with 5 acres of land with a spring, near Ploermel for 194,000€, or a charming ensemble of two longeres set in 6 acres, with outbuilding. Located near Callac, it’s on sale for 227,900€

-          Millau:

Millau has long been known for its traffic jams during summer holidays. The highest bridge in the world has been built there-  the Millau Viaduct, a gorgeous construction that people  from around the world come to explore its magnificent and impressive architecture. It spans the valley of the river Tarn in the South of France, in the Languedoc.

-          Les Megalithes:

At the heart of Morbihan, Brittany, follow the road to the Megalithes of Carnac Locmariaquer through the Petit-Mont. Here you’ll discover religious monuments dating back over 6000 years! The sea views and magic places such as the peninsula of Quiberon are part of  the most magnificent areas in Northern France.

-          Terres Catalanes:

This territory goes from the Mediterranean coast to the hinterlands along the valleys of Agly, the Tet and Tech. Drive along the Prehistoric roads of Perpignan (the Tautavel homo) to discover sites from Antiquity, Gothic Art, and military architecture … About forty heritage sites are to be found at the heart of the Eastern Pyrenees. One of our properties has stunning views over the Pyrenees (ref 36242).

-          Chateaux de la Loire:

The queen of French roads! Between Orleans and Angers, follow the Loire River in the Pays-de-la-Loire region and you are bound to set your eyes on the beautiful chateaux, with a reputation that precedes them. All along the Chateaux de la Loire road, over forty outstanding historical and religious sites should take your breath away, including  the magical Chenonceau with its hidden gem (ref 38582).

-          Le Haut Limousin:

This scenic route takes you to the communities located between Saint-Junien and Bessines-sur-Gartempe in the Haute-Vienne (Limousin). This itinerary will include the town of Mortemart, ranked among the most beautiful villages in France! There are typical stone houses aplenty in these parts (ref: 34632 and 36274). For those into their history, the tragic village of Oradour-sur-Glane can be visited, left as it was in 1944 when the SS slaughtered all the inhabitants .

-          Les 3 Vallées:

The 3 vallées ski resort is the largest ski area in the world and the Best ski resort in Europe. It is connected solely by ski lifts and slopes, and has over 120 km developed for cross-country skiing. But beyond its  ski resorts, its very tight bends typical of these hilly regions enable  drivers on the road to explore the magnificent landscapes of the French Alps, in winter as well as in summer.

-          Les Marches de Lorraine:

The crossroads of France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, the road of “Marche Lorraine” crosses through the departments of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Meuse, Moselle and Vosges, in a historical area.

From chateaux to monuments, you will find the figures of King Stanislaus and Joan of Arc. Multiple paths are available for you to discover. You’ll come across superb chateaux to renovate with plenty of potential.

-          Le Mont-Dore:

The main historical route in France, the Auvergne chateaux road of  comprises 4 departments: Allier, Cantal, Haute-Loire and Puy-de-Dome. Located between the mountains of the Massif Central, the tour will take you to the chateaux of Val (Cantal), that of Murol (Puy de Dome) through the residence of Polignac (Haute-Loire).

Country houses like this (ref: 32994) are often set in peaceful surroundings close to the stunning volcanoes. Its sale price is only €113,400.

The rules of the Tour de France

The cyclist who absolutely wants to win the Tour doesn’t need to win every race. The most important thing is to be steady in your tempo to do the best time on the Champs-Elysees. Many cyclists can distinguish themselves from the others by wearing a special shirt:

-          The Yellow Shirt: indicates the current leader of the Tour de France

-          The Green Shirt: indicated the best cyclist in terms of  points (i.e. the best sprinter)

-          The Polka Dot Jersey: indicates the best climber

-          The White Shirt: indicated the best young cyclist (under 25)

The very first race of the Tour called the “prologue” is always an against-the-clock to determine the identity of the four cyclists wearing the leading shirts. The faster cyclist of this race automatically gets to wear the yellow shirt. The faster cyclist in a determined place in the course (often a straight line or the finish) obtains the Green Shirt. Then, the faster cyclist climbing a hill has the Polka Dot Jersey.

The favourites

The only two cyclists able to win this year are the Spanish Alberto Contador (three-time winner) and the Luxembourg cyclist Andy Schleck. Both athletes were already fighting for first place but the Spaniard has been as cunning as a fox, so  he won the duel. But Contador did not win alone. He won with the help of his teammates. Their role is to do their utmost for their best cyclist (Contador here) so that he wins the Tour, often by elaborating strategies.

The best places in France

Obviously, the Tour de France is also the occasion for those who watch it every year, to discover some of the best places in France. The most mythical areas of the Tour de France are the Col du Tourmalet (in the Pyrenées), the Passage du Gois (on the Atlantic coast), the Mont Ventoux (French Alps) and the Alpe d’Huez. This year, the Tour starts at Noirmoutiers-en-l’Ile and ends with the famous climb to the ski resort of the Alpe d’Huez. In fact, the last race on the Champs-Elysées is rarely the last fight of the Race as it represents the end of the Grande Boucle. It is more of a festivity than the last moments before the final victory, to the dismay of fans who would prefer the fight to go on ‘til the end. So has been the tradition of the Tour de France…

The Tour de France near your property

This year, if you live near the Domaine de la Mandoune in Marseillan (ref 34516 and 36107), you can support the runners at the 16^th race. We advise you to go into the Pyrenees and watch from the top of a hill because tempo is slower there than on a flat road.  You can then take beautiful pictures of your idol – maybe Mark Cavendish who represents  Great Britain. If you live in the French mountains, you will undoubtedly cross the cyclists every year: one year in every two at the Alpe d’Huez and at the Col du Tourmalet, and one in every five years at the Mont Ventoux.

In case you own a property in Brittany, you will enjoy the most famous cycling race in the world as 3 races will take place here: the 3^rd, the 4^th and the 5^th. They will cross Normandy. You can bump into the Tour de France wherever you are in France!

1- Sète

Located between Marseillan and Frontignac, Sète is magnificent due to its unique situation between the Etang de Thau (an enclosed salt water lake used primarily for oyster and mussel fields) and the Mediterranean Sea. The view over the bay from the Mont St-Clair is absolutely gorgeous. Sète is nicknamed the “little Venice of the Languedoc” with its 12km of sandy beaches and its typical districts crossed by canals, which reflect the colourful facades of houses; Sète is a seaside resort and a town of 40,000 inhabitants active all year round.

2- Nice

The famous ‘Promenade des Anglais’ borders the magnificent coastline in Nice, one of the most expensive but glamorous cities in France. Well protected from the wind by the surrounding hills and mountains, it enjoys mild temperatures all year round and moderate rainfall. The Cathédrale Sainte Réparate de Nice remains the icing on the cake along with the Vieux Nice district (the old town) and the mountain backdrop. Its port, called “Port Lympia”, was begun in 1749. In 1770, the first basin was finished butit will be only in 1880 that it was all finally completed. Various enlargements regarding the outer harbour, the last around 1975, allowed the largest ferries to dock in the port of Nice, improving links with Corsica.

3- Marseille

From La Cannebière to the Quai Marcel Pagnol, the Vieux Port of Marseille is known worldwide. If you go to the Park du Pharo, you’ll have a charming view over the Vieux Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde, a stylish cathedral sitting on a hill. But if you visit the Basilica, the view over the Port and Marseille is absolutely breathtaking. As well as its dynamic industrial activities, Marseille is among the most powerful ports on the Mediterranean Sea with Barcelona and Athens.

4- Antibes-Juan les Pins

Close to Cannes and Sophia-Antipolis, the port of Antibes (or Port Vauban) is the biggest port on the Cote d’Azur, and  is made for the docking of large tonnage boats. Thanks to its advanced technology and its Environmental Management, Port Vauban was awarded the ‘Blue Flag of European ports’, a supreme award for any French port.

5- Grimaud

Set in the Gulf of Saint Tropez, Port Grimaud is a collection of houses emerging from the water. This port is a real maze for those who aren’t use to navigating in small spaces. The bell tower gives a stunning view over Port Grimaud, St Tropez and the Massif des Maures hills beyond. Port Grimaud has its own large sandy beach with a variety of water sports facilities. The beach faces St Tropez and the view is particularly stunning at sunset.

6- Menton

Located close to Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and Monaco, the port of Menton is set a stone’s throw away from the Italian border. Menton is also a town with a great cultural heritage- the town was Genoese and then Monegasque until it became French. With Antibes, Menton is one of the largest ports of the Riviera with around 800 moorings. The Vieux Port de Menton welcomes you with its dolphin fountain and the mermaid who scans the sea.

7- Sauzon

The port of Sauzon is located in the north of Belle-Ile, a beautiful island facing the Brittany coastline. The port is in a sort of estuary that goes into the island, which is composed of the Port d’échouage and the Bassin de Pen-Prad. The atmosphere is stylish with a charming lighthouse on the Pointe du Cardinal.

8- Honfleur

Honfleur is a commune in the Calvados department in Normandy. Though not the sunniest area in France, Honfleur boasts a charming little harbour founded by the Vikings. The port of Honfleur is known  throughout the world because many explorers left from this port to sail to America, such as Jacques Cartier, the man who discovered Canada. You can also dock below the terraces of cafés and  enjoy the landscape painted by many artists…

9- Cassis

Cassis is a small fishing port set on the French Riviera between La Ciotat and Marseille. You can have a walk on the docks where you’ll find a traditional lighthouse at the top. From here you can admire the  stunning view given your position over the port, the Mediterranean Sea and the the ocher cliffs of Cap Canaille Soubeyranes ( a huge, magnificent rock peninsula). On the other side, visit Calendau’s statue, representing the local poet.

10- Sanary sur Mer

Between Bandol and Toulon, Sanary-sur-Mer is a typical Provençal village owing to the architecture of its houses reminiscent of Nice. Sanary remains a picturesque location, and is  still a charming coastal shelter and a small active fishing port. Known as the most beautiful port on the French Riviera, its sea urchins are the delight of tourists and locals alike.

In a nutshell,  travel to France’s Riviera [east Mediterranean coast] to get a tan in a busy social hot-spot, to Brittany [north Atlantic coast] for family oriented holidays with lots of  attractions for kids, to the south Atlantic coast [e.g. bay of Biscay] for space or surfing and to Corsica [in the Mediterranean] for France’s best beaches, hiking and wilderness.

Most of France’s beaches are well-developed with plenty of amenities and few hazards, though north west beaches [Atlantic] tend to have colder, rougher, less clear water while the Mediterranean [south east] strands of sand – except Corsica – tend to be small, crowded and expensive with the best stretches taken by pay-parasol operators.

Below is a guide to some of the better of France’s beaches

**The French Riviera is the place for a terrific climate, a lively social life, good shopping, excellent eating and drinking facilities – and not necessarily costly – though beaches are often cramped, stony or pay-as-you-tan, while traffic and parking is a nightmare. Nice or Cannes are particularly good examples of the up/downsides. The cute little town of Menton, far east and next to Italy, is about as quiet as the Riviera gets.

***Arcachon, on the Côte d’Argent [near Bordeaux] is a small and delightful resort surrounded by France’s biggest pine forest, offering small and delightful beaches though if you need serious sand a couple of kilometres south sits the Dune du Pyla, the largest sand dune in Europe – more than 100m [350ft] high and long.  South of Arcachon and more or less all the way to Biarritz is 200kms of beach but with few facilities.

**Biarritz, SE France, is a large town with some fine buildings, excellent sea food, big sandy beaches and good surf, but of course chilly Atlantic water, a fairly constant breeze and frequent sea mist.

***St Jean de Luz, an incredibly lovely old Basque town just 20 minutes drive south of Biarritz, tranquil and pedestrian friendly, sports an absolutely stunning sea front of ancient basque houses and fine sand. Downsides, however, as Biarritz.

***Seignosse is a newish beach resort on the Atlantic coast 3 kms from old Seignosse village and stretches along 6 kms of surf-pounded, dune-embraced sand, offering all the necessary facilities for families and surfers alike, from surf schools, kid’s beach club, water park and forest cycle trails to a fine golf course of the same name. Seignosse is south of Bordeaux and north of Biarritz, accessed via TGV to Bayonne, then bus or taxi.

*Cap d’Agde near Montpellier is naturist-friendly, in other words get your kit off. Not just in terms of nudist beaches but the entire city – from restaurants to banks – goes for the natural look.

**La Rochelle, a charming port town on the Atlantic coast is one of the most handsome seaside resorts in France. The area has miles of safe sandy beaches especially on nearby islands, and with shallow water they are great for young families.

*La Baule, an 8 mile crescent beach on the Atlantic coast in Brittany is the longest sand stretch in Europe. Nowhere near as elegant as the French Riviera, but its good value facilities are ideal for families.

*La Sauzair, at Bretignolles-sur-Mer on the Vendée coast is the best for surf, while the resort of Bretignolles has wide sandy beaches and rocky coves.

* Belle-île-en-Mer, an island off the Atlantic coast near Brittany, has fine sandy bays and charming coves.

***Corsica Island has some stunning beaches along with panoramic walks.

Throughout France you’ll find some superb golf courses: in the north, in the south ,and even in the mountains. The most renown is The Albatros in Guyancourt/Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines but the beauty of it could be questioned, due to the airport which disrupts the quiet a golf player needs. Nevertheless, the best European players produce some of their best games there at the French Open.

Have a look at the 10 best French courses not to miss:

1-ETRETAT:

Famous for its cliff as well as its sea views, it remains quite hard to find golf courses with such a picturesque location  to attract its customers. Located between Le Havre and Fécamp on the Upper Normandy coast, golf courses can rarely enjoy such a superb site, overhanging the sea and bay of Etretat. Classified among the best golf courses in Europe by the famous specialist newspaper Golf magazine, it is easily accessible by ferry since it is near Le Havre port.  If you come to play golf in Etretat, you will discover quite a hard course as soon as the wind blows. But whatever your score, you will undoubtedly have many a magic moment- pure pleasure for golf lovers!

2-SPERONE:

Let’s stay by the seaside! A magnificent course in Corsica called Sperone is located near Bonifacio at the very south of the Ile de Beauté as it is called by the French. This time you’re faced not with cliffs but with clear waters and a magnificent view of the corals. With views over the sea, the bays and even the Sardinia Mountains, the charming creeks are sometimes flooded by the tide which means Sperone has its own natural ponds on the course.

3-DINARD:

Set in Brittany close to Saint Malo, the Dinard golf course is one of the oldest in Europe as it was built in the late 19^th century. It was founded by a small colony of British people during the Industrial revolution when the railway and the enthusiasm of a new lifestyle arrived. This course extends over 12 acres of dunes and fields along the coast. The view over the Channel is stunning and the number of lost golf balls due to the wind should be impressive as well.

4-PONT ROYAL:

Absolutely marvellous! A stone’s throw from Aix-en-Provence on the French Riviera, the Pont Royal Golf course enjoys a magnificent view over several streams and the mountains. Set in Mallemort, Pont Royal benefits from many prestigious residences with individual swimming pools enjoying a breathtaking view over the mountains and the course. It is surrounded by a nature full of fragrant herbs and undulating hills, where hikers had been coming  until 1989 when the golf was created. Nowadays, tourists and locals form the population of the area, which offers all amenities from a post office to the tourist information office. This cohabitation gives its charm to Pont Royal, as tourists bring activity, and residents contribute to the durability of the region. Classified one of the best courses in Europe, the 18-hole golf was designed by the recently late Spanish champion Severiano Ballesteros.

5-EVIAN:

Shrine of the female golfer, the Evian Masters Golf Club is one of the 4 Grand Slam tournaments on the Female Golf Tour.  Overlooking the Leman Lake in the French Alps, the view is absolutely magnificent and its greens are perfect. The resort’s residents are always welcome with no entrance fee. It is located only 45km from Geneva airport.

6-LA BAULE:

La Baule Golf courses are just a few kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean. Well known by British golfers for the quietness of the surroundings and the quality of the greens, La Baule is among some of the most challenging courses. It has three different courses:

• Lucien Barriere golf course: The presence of several water obstacles makes these greens a delicate challenge.
• Diane Barriere Desseigne: this course offers a clear contrast of styles between holes out in the wide open, and those which weave their way around a 5-acre lake.
• Francois Andre: situated in a marvellous natural setting, this golf links is suitable for all levels whilst also respecting the standards of difficulty applicable to modern courses.

7-CHAMP DE BATAILLE:

Located between Rouen and Evreux in Normandy, the Champ de Bataille Golf Course surrounds a superb castle. It has a huge garden and beautiful ponds which constitute the icing on the cake!. The course has even recently been named the finest course in the region “thanks to its design, the exceptional setting and the quality of maintenance according to European Golf, a specialist magazine”.

8- LE TOUQUET:

Set on the Cote d’Opale in Northern France, The Touquet Golf Course called La Mer has strong British connections not because it was laid out by British architects, but because it was originally the playground of the British gentry. Nominated as the most stunning golf course of the Nord Pas-de-Calais, La Mer is perhaps one of the only true links course in France with its high tees that enable a very distant view.

9- FONTAINEBLEAU:

There is one of the largest and most beautiful French forests in Fontainebleau. A place of history and royal association, the course is situated in an ancient walled site, which strengthens the historic atmosphere. Opened in 1909, its greens are small and well guarded: an excellent short game is paramount for any golfer on this course! There is a little rough here but this is offset by the thickness and density of pine and oak trees.

10-CHANTILLY:

One of the most beautiful courses in Europe and set in the forest of the Ile de France, it was built in the same years as Fontainebleau and hosted numerous French Opens; including the 1913 Open de France before the test was definitely based in Guyancourt (see above). With 36 holes, many famous players teed off here, including the great Bobby Jones and The Golf Channel’s Nick Faldo. Faldo even won the French Open at Chantilly.

This top 10 has been compiled due to their beautiful landscapes and panoramas, the course characteristics and the availability of French properties in this area. Now take your clubs and enjoy a great afternoon in one of these courses…

Here is a glimpse of the program:

Even if the creation of such a circuit in the centre of the principality seemed to be absurd, the famous circuit was built in 1929 by Anthony Noghes.

Originally Anthony Noghes was a member of the SVM club: Sport Vélocipédique Monégasque (Monaco Cycling Sport Association) then called Sport Vélocipédique et Automobile Monégasque (Monaco Cycling and Automobile Sports Association) for bicycles and automobile lovers.

In 1925, his father Alexandre Noghes (president of the club) decided to change the name to the Automobile Club de Monaco but the International Automobile Federation refused the idea and didn’t want any sporting challenges in Monaco.

After that, Anthony Noghes considered his position for 2 years and finally asked Luis Chinon’s opinion. The response of Luis Chinon was: “fantastique, merveilleux, stupefiant” (fantastic, fabulous, and amazing) and 6 months later the circuit was opened by Prince Pierre and the driver Charles Faroux. Since then, numerous improvements have taken place like the route de la piscine, in 1973 or the extension of the width of the promenade where the pits are located, in 2004.

The first winner of the Grand Prix was Grover-Williams followed by numerous famous drivers such as: Schumacher, Senna, Prost, Fangio and Graham Hill.

Each year drivers and fans can’t wait for this event that offers an unforgettable show , so even if you are not a real fan of racing sports you will love the atmosphere and enjoy the food and souvenir stands.

For more information visit the official website: http://www.acm.mc/gpm/gpm_main.php

As well as industrial activities, the Atlantic coast possesses beautiful panoramic views over the ocean traditional landscapes, and beautiful beaches bordered by exceptional dunes. Holiday makers coming from the four corners of the world spend their French holidays on the Atlantic coast, thus converting it into the Mediterranean’s rival. During the summer, many resorts such as La Baule or Royan see their population increase considerably, swelling the number of bartenders, restaurant staff, beach attendants, hotel  and camp site staff.

Islands:

Then, there are an impressive number of islands along the coast from Aquitaine to Brittany. Above the Gironde Estuary, between Bordeaux and La Rochelle, you will find L’Ile d’Oléron and L’Ile de Ré. These are very touristy places, ideal for a holiday home, with guest houses and house or flat rentals quick and easy to find. You’ll come across fine sandy beaches, forests, salt marshes and oyster parks – each offering a unique invitation to get away from it all. With regard to oyster parks, one of the best known in France is the Bassin d’Arcachon in Aquitaine. Each district of the town of Arcachon offers a special and charming atmosphere highlighted by its elegant 19^th century villas with sea viws. Many movies were shot there, emphasising the beauty of the peaceful surroundings!

In the department of Vendee,  one finds added dynamism with the “Puy-du-Fou”, an amusement park created 30 years ago that reproduces the Viking and Gladiator ages for the enjoyment of young and old alike. But one of the main attractions in this department is the island of Noirmoutiers. A paradise for those from Normandy or Pays-De-La-Loire, Noirmoutiers is not windy (unlike most of the other Atlantic islands) and the weather is excellent. A road called “Passage du Gois” is known for its annual marathon and also because it is a mythical place of the Tour de France, the famous cycling race.

The small peninsula of Quiberon is a very popular destination where stars used to spend their weekends during the spring. Still in Brittany, Belle Ile Island is ideal for those wanting to make the most of the countryside and the sea.

For those loving the dynamism and the charm of the seaside, the Atlantic coast has all that you are looking for: from the touristic towns and cities of St Jean-de-Luz, Les Sables d’Olonne and La Rochelle to the hubs of St Nazaire and Brest…

As you can see on the French calendar, there are holidays around the end of winter, that’s why ski resorts in the French Alps are full up during this period. The main advantage of these holidays is that the French don’t benefit from the same holiday zones depending on which academy they are under. It means each zone has the same duration (2 weeks) of holidays but not during the same period.

Here are the three zones:

-  Zone A: Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse

- Zone B: Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Besançon, Dijon, Lille, Limoges, Nice, Orléans, Tours, Poitiers, Reims, Rouen, Strasbourg

-  Zone C: Paris, Créteil, Versailles, Bordeaux

The ideal period for your French holidays is obviously when Paris (Zone C) is not on holiday too. Representing  20% of the overall French population, you have more chance to be stuck in traffic jams when the Parisians leave Ile-de-France. Even on weekends it is still difficult to drive because Parisians often go for spring weekends if they have a  country house. Should your French property be in Normandy or Brittany (which are often ideal places for a Parisian’s country house), you may be surprised by the number of cars on the roads going towards Paris on Sunday evenings during spring!

Despite the fact that it is always hard to know the ideal periods to go back to your French property, have a look at 3 main times when it is worth spending your time in France:

-          To avoid crowded ski or seaside resorts, it is worth going to your French property on weekends or between holiday periods. For example, why not take a weekend at the end of September just after the beginning of the new school year? At the time, the high season is over and motorways are empty. As you may know, French motorways have tolls, but prices are cheaper than during summer holidays.

-          In case you prefer the winter or you own an apartment in the French Alps, it is easy to bypass most French tourists. In late December and during the winter holidays in February or March (depending on the Zone) there is no availability in ski resorts. However, high season is far less busy between New Year’s Eve and late February and the affluence of holiday-makers as well as the resorts’ prices is lower than during the high season.

The best period to go to  France is definitely during the Ascension weekend! In the French calendar, there is a 4-day weekend in May which could enable you to spend time in your property. Many French people take a trip to the Atlantic coast rather than the south of France just to enjoy the spring sun in a very windy place: this type of trip is very common in France.