LEB. For the last couple of months, it has been all the developers can think of. Behind this expression lies a new law, which will come into force in January 2013.

In practical terms, all housing will have to use less than 50 kWh (kilowatt hour) per square meter and per year. It is three times less than the current law. But it is just a national average. “The LEB law will be adjusted according to the regions. In Marseille, where the weather is nice, it will be 40 kWh; in Paris, a cloudier area, it will be possible to reach 65 kWh”, adds Benoit Arviset, development manager in Quatrinvest, a rental property investment specialist.

Bouygues, Nexity, Kaufman & Broad but also Les Nouveaux Constructeurs, Bouwfonds Marignan… Almost every big French developer has decided to anticipate the call. From the 1st of January for some or from the 1st July for others, all their developments have the BBC (French for LEB) label.

Tax benefits
The reason for such an enthusiasm is the great benefits developers can get out of it: in 2011, only BBC-labelled buildings will allow their buyer-investors to benefit from the Scellier system at its fullest, with a tax reduction of up to 25% for French investors. Without this label, tax benefits are limited to 15%. “It is quite a big deal for developers, because investors account for almost 66% of sales in France”, Paris-X University teacher Michel Mouillart adds.

Thus, the developers’ imagination is limitless when it comes to respecting the law. “Putting in condensing boilers is a good way to save energy” adds Bruno Corinti, chairman of Nexity Logement. “The building’s insulation is also very important” continues Marc Pigeon, chairman of the FPC, the French federation of developers.

Whatever the techniques used, professionals all agree on something: the shift to Low Energy Buildings increases the costs of construction by 8 to 12%, which represents an increase of 4 to 6% on capital assets costs.

In view of this situation, 2 choices can be made. Bouygues and Les Nouveaux Constructeurs both claim that their prices will not go up. The others intend to increase their prices to face this sharp rise in costs. “Because of the BBC law, our prices will increase by 3 to 5% next year” states Guy Nafilyan, CEO of Kaufman & Broad.

To find out more you can speak to one of our French new build consultants on 020 7428 4910

Source: Le Figaro

The famous race was born in 1903 with its first edition. At this time, the race was shorter with only six stages in the main cities of France. It was “the biggest race ever organised”.  This 97th edition is organized by ASO, Amaury Sport Organisation. In fact, the race was not held every year since 1903 due to the war periods (from 1915 to 1918 and from 1940 to 1946). The race is famous for its yellow race worn by the leader of the race. But it did not exist in 1903. It has only been created after the First World War in 1919. The race also offers also famous jerseys: a green jersey for the best sprinters (created in 1953), a white jersey for the best young cyclist (created in 1970) and finally the white and red dots jersey for the best climber. Cyclists from all over other world play in this race which offers a variety of races in only one race: team race, against the clock, mountain race and plain race.

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If the Tour de France is obviously a huge sport event, it has become also a cultural and historical event. In fact, with the important media exposure, it is a great occasion to discover France, from cities to small villages. The race is also extremely popular in France with the activities that take place before, during and after the race. At the beginning, teams were representing their countries. Since 1930, the companies represent the team that have to cover large expenses such as materials, hotels accommodations. The race has also an important cost. That is why the advertising caravan has been created. It is one of the best moments for the audience. The caravan goes one hour to two hours before the race. Here, the advertisers distribute publicity materials such as caps, shirts or key rings. Of course, the media exposure with the apparition of the television gave a new dimension to the race. People can follow the Tour de France and discover different regions of France. This 2010 edition will go through various towns such as Avoriaz, Revel and Paris.

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Located in the Alps, a mountain race will take place in Avoriaz. At an altitude of 1800m, this ski resort has the advantage to be located in the middle of the “Portes du Soleil” which is a domain of 14 slopes in France and Swiss. Extremely attractive since the sixties, the resort is also known as the capital of snowboarding. If you enjoy spending time in the French Alps, you can buy an amazing new build in Avoriaz with 2 to 4 bedroom apartments available. But there are also various apartments and chalets near the station such in Morzine or Tignes.

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After this demanding step, the cyclists will go to the south region of Midi Pyrenees. It will be the occasion to discover Revel, in the Haute-Garonne department. This village of approximately 8,000 inhabitants is located at 50 km of Toulouse. Revel is also known for its craftsmen and the excellence of its engravers, tapestry-makers or cabinetmakers. Located at the foot of the Black Mountain, Revel is a fortified town created in 1342 by Philippe V de Valois and the region is amazing. You can find many properties for sale in the surroundings of Limoux.

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Like each year during 35 years, the finish line of the Tour de France will be crossed on the Champs Elysees Avenue in Paris. This step will be the smallest of this 2010 edition with only 102.5 km. It is the occasion to celebrate the bicycle in the French capital. This year, the third birthday of the “Velib” (public bicycle rental in Paris) will be celebrated with 600 km of bicycle paths and 71 million of rides available throughout the city. If you are dreaming of your own apartment in Paris or in the surroundings, take a look at those apartments in Paris.

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In spite of the economic crisis, older properties prices have risen by 2.5% in the region of Paris in comparison with the last quarter of 2009. According to the Chamber of Notaries, this strong increase could be an early warning sign of another sharp rise in real estate, confirming once more that real estate prices are growing faster than the average income.

According to Mr Delasalle, chairman of the commission on real estate condition, it is currently easier to find a buyer than a tenant, and Paris itself expects an important rise beyond 10%.

The average price of older apartments in the region of Paris (4,550€ per sqm in the first quarter of 2010) has come close to the 2008 record (4,730€ per sqm). The rise is even stronger in Paris itself (3.2%) where the first quarter’s price (6,430€ per sqm) is very close to the peak of the summer of 2008 (6,620€ per sqm).
As for houses, in spite of a 2.13% increase, the average price (280,400€) remains far lower than in 2008 (311,400€).

This evolution in older properties prices echoes the one in new built properties: in the first quarter, the price of flats has risen by 6.8%, the price of individual houses by 1.8%.
For Mr Delasalle, this Parisian phenomenon is slowly but surely spreading to the entire country.

For Mr Lefebvre, chairman of French notaries, the real estate sector is one of the few to stay afloat. The reason is that the demand is more important than the offer, and that bricks and mortar are still considered by the French as a safe place to invest.

Adagio Paris Haussmann Champs Elysees residence

The Adagio Paris Haussmann Champs Elysees residence offers refined and opulent living at the heart of the 8th district in Paris.

Type: studio apartment (30sqm)
Delivery date: delivered (in activity)
Architecture type: Haussmann style

Your property will be managed by a well known management specialist.
* Rents are guaranteed by 9 year commercial lease (renewable).
* Rental income paid annualy (possibility to defer mortgage payments).
* 3 options: from pure investment (3.90% yield) up to 4 weeks personal usage per year (with 2.52% yield).


For further information please do contact us on 020 7428 4910 or by email at info@sextant-new-build.com

The accommodation features:
A fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, television and a telephone socket, storage space, electric heating and double glazed windows

The residency offers:
A car park area, an indoor heated swimming pool, 8 tennis courts, a SPA and fitness centre, a restaurant and bar, and a conference centre

The investment scheme includes:
- A high rental demand
- An 11 year lease term
- Up to a 5.2 % yield
- A 19.6 % VAT return
- A guaranteed index-linked rental income
- A self-occupancy scheme

The residency is ideally located just 35 minutes from Orly airport and 45 minutes from the Paris Euro star. Located in a green area, facing the magnificent panorama of the Seine, this development provides all the necessary facilities for tourism and business and also offers relaxation for quality stays.

A fall in price of between 9 and 12 % in 2009
According to the Chamber of Notaires, talk in the spring of the early shoots of recovery has prevented property prices from crashing, actually causing sales to pick up a little – although still falling short of those recorded during the same period last year. Across the Paris region as a whole, the number of transactions fell by 24 % over 12 months, much less when compared with the 42% fall experienced over the fourth quarter 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Initial findings seem to indicate that the fall in July may be no more than 14%.  With the Chambres des Notaires predicting a price drop of between 9 and 12 %, this would seem to indicate that the low point of 2009 was reached during the first half of the year and that things will continue to improve in the second half of the year.

Foreigner buyers responsible for 8% of property sales in Paris
According to the Chamber of Notaires, 8% of the property transactions in Paris during the first half of the year involved foreign buyers. This is consistent with trends in the market over the last five years, a 2.5% increase from the number of international sales taking place ten years ago. Paris remains a very desirable location, especially the quartier of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the VI arrondissement where nearly 30% of sales are to foreign buyers. The spacial dimensions of the 17th century buildings in this area have enchanted buyers and pushed up prices with an apartment of 328 m² in Odéon recently fetching  9.456 million euros or 28 830 euros per metre squared. However even this area of Paris have been affected. The VI arrondissement, usually the most expensive area in Paris in which to buy property at around 9600 euros per metre, has nevertheless seen a 5.4% fall in prices over the year, slightly less than the average drop. The most desirable areas to foreign buyers are all at the very centre of the capital – the VI arrondissement (23.7 % of sales), the III arrondissement (18.8 %), the IV arrondissement (18.7 %) and the VII arrondissement (17.4 %).

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The residence
This 19 century private mansion located in the Ile Saint-Louis offers 5 luxurious apartments in a 7-level building with 2 or 3 bedrooms (90m2 on average). This freestone facade with exceptional mouldings, fireplaces, mirrors, Hungarian point parquet has an exceptional view on the seine river but also on the Pantheon, Montparnasse Tower, the Pont Louis Philippe as well as Notre Dame de Paris on the top floor.

The Accommodation
There is one apartment per floor (2nd to 6th floor) and common areas in the building have been renovated along with the elevator. As for the 5 apartments, renovation has to be undertaken at buyers’ discretion (ancient or contemporary style, there is no renovation restriction). Apartment layouts can be easily modified because there are only two load-bearing walls per apartment and there is even a possibility to convert the two last floors as a Penthouse.

The location
Ile Saint-Louis is one of two natural islands in the Seine River located in the very heart of Paris and was named after King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis). This 25 acres island is connected to the rest of Paris by bridges to both banks of the river and by the Pont Saint Louis to the Ile de la Cite (Notre Dame). It is a peaceful oasis of calm in the busy Paris centre; this island has narrow one-way streets, no subway station and only two bus stops. Most of the island is a quiet residential area, but there are several local restaurants, shops, cafes and ice cream shops at street level, as well as one large church, Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile Church.
The private mansion is also very close to Notre Dame and Pompidou Art Centre.

Access
40 minutes from Orly or Charles de Gaulle Airport
10 minutes from Eurostar Station (Gare du Nord)

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