Buying property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the most popular location for foreign buyers in France. Or at least, among British buyers anyway, for whom the northern departments are a day’s drive from the Channel ports.
It is a large region, roughly the size of Ireland (or South Carolina) and covering the entire southwest of France. It has a long Atlantic coast from the Spanish border to La Rochelle, around Poitiers and all the way east to the Massif Central. It also includes a large section of Pyrenees among its 12 departments: Charente, Charente-Maritime, Corrèze, Deux-Sèvres, Dordogne, Gironde, Haute-Vienne, Landes, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrenees-Atlantiques and Vienne.
Whether you’ve got your heart set on a city property in Bordeaux or Biarritz, a village home in the Dordogne, a country cottage in the Limousin, or a seaside home in Les Landes, you will be spoiled for choice when buying property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Why buy property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine?
In such a large department – home to six million people – you will of course find anything you want somewhere in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. However, each department does have particular characteristics, attractions and amenities, offering a different lifestyle.
The Dordogne offers a blend of history and nature, with its medieval villages, castles and prehistoric caves. Outdoor enthusiasts buying property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine are drawn to the Dordogne for the variety of activities available. The Dordogne River provides ample opportunity for canoeing, kayaking rambling and hiking along its banks. It’s a popular place for expats so you need never fear feeling isolated if you retire here, and it’s equally popular for holidays too, would-be gite owners!
The Charente is another rural gem in France. Buyers adore this department for its tranquillity, vast cognac vineyards and Romanesque architecture.
Lot-et-Garonne has a rich agricultural heritage which appeals to those looking to live in a rural environment without being off-the-grid. There are a number of fresh produce markets in the department and also lots of traditional foods to be enjoyed there.
The Limousin is known for its beautiful green landscapes, hills, forests and rivers. If you like the outdoors life, this is the place for you; kayaking down the rivers and discovering the hiking, cycling and horse riding trails.
For a more in-depth look at a specific department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, head to the corresponding page. Read more about the Dordogne, Charente, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Haute-Vienne, Charente-Maritime, Alles-sur-Dordogne, Pyrenees-Atlantiques and Creuse, today on Property Guides.
The Charente-Maritime is perfect whether you’re looking to live in a seaside town or country village.
What can you buy in Nouvelle-Aquitaine?
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a prime location for Europeans looking to buy property in France, boasting beautiful beaches on the west coast and lush countryside further inland. The Dordogne and Charente are two departments particularly popular with British homebuyers in France and the majority of Brits in France live in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
In terms of property, there’s a huge variety of styles and price points in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. The average price of a home in this vast region was just under €300,000 in 2024.
However, you can easily find barns, outbuildings and older village homes in the Limousin for under €60,000 (just be aware of the renovation costs before committing) with the average price of just €1,500 per square metre for apartments.
Equally, you will pay three times that amount €4,500 per square metre in Bordeaux, one of the most expensive cities in France, with the average property going for €375,000.
The region is typically more affordable than neighbouring regions, but its best villages (it has 34 in the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France listings) may be a little pricier.
The Dordogne River in Corrèze, Limousin I Image: Peter Adams Photography via Shutterstock
Steps to buying property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- 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 and 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 of buying property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
When buying property in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 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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