France, our nearest neighbour, is really just a hop, skip and a jump away. A weekend break in the north of the country could well inspire you to buy a second home there.
This is a tempting thought since there is nothing nicer than realising you can have a refreshing weekend away by car. Just think: enjoy the benefits of a vacation without the fatigue and stress of airports, delays and early check-ins.
The north of France sometimes gets overlooked since there are many other beautiful regions in France to explore. However, the north is home to numerous wonderful villages, interesting towns brimming with history, chateaux, lakes and forests.
Picturesque panoramic landscape on the cliffs of Etretat, Normandy.
Autumn is an excellent time to go house hunting in France. With a few weeks until Christmas, there are some brisk, cold but sunny days ahead. Why not take this opportunity to pop across the Channel, have a break from your routine, and browse the properties on the market which are easily accessible from the UK?
In this article we’ve handpicked six gorgeous areas for you to discover. Each is easily reachable from the UK – you only have to jump in your car and you can be in your second home in just a few hours.
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The Pas de Calais region
Calais is just over an hour’s boat trip from Dover so perfect for a short break and ideal for a second home of course. Calais often gets overlooked as a town, probably due to there being so many other lovely places to explore within an easy car ride from here. The Pas de Calais region though is a lovely area of fishing villages, pretty seaside resorts and a fascinating history. Le Touquet, for example, is a glamorous old town, much loved by the Victorians and still enormously popular with both the French and the British.
Pas de Calais home for sale
The town of Calais itself has a lace museum and plenty of interesting shops and cafes with an excellent open air market for stocking up on local goodies for your new home!
An hour’s easy drive south will find you in the pretty village of Hesdin where this delightful three-bedroom farmhouse is for sale.
It’s in perfect condition, comes with a garden and is in walking distance of the shops and restaurants of the village.
Saint Hilaire du Harcouet
This is a very attractive market town in the Manche department. It lies fairly close to the coast and can be reached in under 2 hours by car from Cherbourg. It is also near to the Mont St. Michel, making it an ideal place in which to buy a second home. There are plenty of amenities in the town and a large weekly market.
This lovely detached three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has been completely renovated and comes with a garden at a very affordable price.
Calvados
Calvados country home for sale
Calvados is a wonderful area with a fascinating history, particularly in regard to the Bayeux tapestry and the second world war. The coastal resorts of Deauville and Trouville are consistently extremely popular so a house purchase here is likely to prove to be an excellent investment.
This lovely detached home in mint condition comes with an acre of garden and is situated in a rural hamlet close to the town of Vire with all amenities.
Browse homes in Calvados today
Shops in the main square of Domfront, Normandie. Image: eric laudonien via Shutterstock
Domfront, Orne, Normandie
Domfront is a lovely Norman town, punctuated with cobbled streets and quirky little shops. The town centres around a square, which makes a fine place to sit and watch the world go by. The town lies close to the border between Normandie and Brittany. It’s famos for its medieval buildings and ruined 11th-century castle.
Tinchebray
Tinchebray home for sale
Tinchebray is a small town in the Orne department with an impressive medieval history. There are several good individual shops, bars and restaurants nestled amidst the very charming ancient timber buildings.
How about this substantial six-bedroom house with half an acre’s garden.
Browse homes in Normandy today
A typical rural property in Manche
Sourdeval
This is another lovely market town also in the Manche department and has easy access to the beach as well as being within easy driving reach of the ferry ports. The town boasts several beautiful ancient Norman buildings and hosts a weekly market on a Tuesday.
This large detached five-bedroom house with a gite is excellent value.
Browse more homes in Sourdeval today.
Joan d’Arc square in Rouen, Normandy
Why buying property in the North of France is a good idea
The North of France has a huge amount to offer, not only in terms of a long and fascinating history going right back to William the Conqueror, but also in terms of its lush landscapes, un-spoilt beaches and charming little towns and villages.
For gastronomes, the local food and drink in Normandy and Brittany is superb: think seafood, all variety of cheeses, crepes, caramel, and cider!
Tootling about the region in your car is a real joy, there is little traffic and parking is easy even in the towns.
Buying a holiday home in this region could prove to be one of the best things you have ever done.
You might also like:
- How to successfully buy a property in Loire
- 5 French locations with great autumnal appeal
- Should you worry about France’s second home tax?
