Buying property in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Burgundy) is a rural region in the eastern France. It stretches from the Swiss border across central France almost as far as Paris.
Known for its wine production, pretty villages and the famous Charolais cattle in its meadows and pastures. If you’re considering buying property in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, read up on the property market and find out why it’s a charming place to call home.
Understanding the property market
You can get a lot for your money in this region, with country property prices among the lowest in France – at least in some departments.
There is a wide variety of property for sale in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, from ancient farmhouses in rural areas to modern apartments in the major towns. It comes in a variety of architectural styles too, although with timber-framed houses, steeply sloping roofs and brightly glazed tiles something of a speciality.
If you’re looking for a village property, discover Buxy and Vezelay. Both have pretty houses. Here, you can enjoy a quiet, traditional life if you want it, in one of France’s most rural areas. However, there are lively cities nearby including Dijon, which has a large student population
Dijon is a beautiful city where you’ll find half-timbered houses in bright colours, incredible churches, and the Fine Arts Museum (one of Europe’s largest). And of course, mustard!
There are several attractive medium-sized towns to choose from, all offering wonderful weekly markets and cultural entertainment all year. These include Macon, Nevers and Auxerre, a charming city at the top end of the Nivernais Canal.
The area is less popular among foreign buyers than Aquitaine and Provence. However, according to France’s notaires, the Nièvre department has more than 5% foreign owners (it’s also one of the most inexpensive and rural parts of France).
So, prices are reasonable on the whole. The average property price in Dijon is €260,000 which should buy you a small house or large apartment, and is almost half the price of Lyon, 200km south. A budget of less than €100,000 will still get you a wide choice of village homes and cottages in the countryside.
The historic town of Auxerre across the Yonne river in Burgundy
Living in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté is best known for its natural beauty. This region is one of rolling hills, huge open green spaces, mountains, lakes and forests.
There are several medieval abbeys in the region which are well worth a visit. One even dates back to 910. The region is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of which is the citadel of Besancon, an ancient town famous for watchmaking. It’s also been named “the greenest city in France”– perfect for those who appreciate the outdoors.
Wine lovers will enjoy Macon, a town known for its “foodie” appeal. It has a pretty port and hosts an annual wine festival, Les Grands Vins de France, each spring.
Agriculture and tourism-based economies thrive in this region and there are plenty of seasonal jobs and full-time employment in the winegrowing and gastronomy-related sectors.
Property buyers in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté lead an authentically French life: the best food and drink, breathtaking natural beauty, a network of winding canals and a rich history.
Steps to buying property in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Define your criteria: Determine what you’re looking for in terms of property type, location, budget and must-have features.
- Research: Use online resources, visit local real estate agencies and explore the area to find properties that match your criteria. Book your place at the Your Overseas Home Virtual Event.
- Speak to a currency expert: Moving exchange rates are a risk in international property purchases, so discuss managing that risk with a forward contract that fixes your exchange rate.
- Legal considerations: Familiarise yourself with the French property buying process, including the role of the notaire , who handles the legal aspects of the sale. Contact an independent lawyer at this stage.
- Financing: Investigate mortgage options if required. French banks offer loans to non-residents, but it’s advisable to compare rates and terms.
- Book your viewing/scouting trip: Download the guide, contact estate agents an book your tickets.
- Making an offer: Once you find a property you like, you can make an offer. If accepted, you’ll sign a preliminary contract (compromis de vente or a promesse de vente) and pay a deposit.
- Completion: The final sale is completed when the acte de vente is signed at the notaire’s office, and the balance of the purchase price is paid.
Costs involved
When buying property in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the buyer is responsible for notaire fees, which average 7-8% of the property price (or 2-3% for new homes) and will have to also consider estate agent fees (although often included in the property price) and homeowner taxes.
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