France is an established market for second homebuyers and those seeking investment property or a retirement home in the sun. Each year thousands of French properties are sold to foreign nationals resident in Spain, the UK and further abroad. In fact, according to some media reports, France is now one of the world's top five destinations in which to buy overseas property - a position that is likely to be underlined with the election of the new French president, Mr Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Sarkozy Effect
On May 16, 2007 Nicolas Sarkozy succeeded Jacques Chirac as president of France. His conservative policies, once implemented, are expected to have a significant impact on the French property market. In short, under President Sarkozy's proposed tax cuts, property in France is likely to become more affordable for French citizens. This could boost demand for French real estate, which in turn will heighten prices. Some industry commentators are going so far as to predict that a French housing boom is on the way.

For foreigners already owning property in France this is great news. They could very well find that the value of their French home doubles over the next few years as France becomes ever more property owner-orientated. For those who have not yet invested in French property, now could be the perfect time to buy!

Buying property in France
For second home buyers France offers numerous opportunities to acquire that dream French Property. Luxury villas and apartments on the Cote d'Azur in Southern France are ideal for those in search of a slice of paradise on the Mediterranean coast. A little inland in the Provence countryside you'll find idyllic Provencal farmhouses.

South West France through the Midi-Pyrenees and Aquitaine regions are popular with home buyers too who are looking for a sunshine vacation retreat. Here the French climate is at its warmest - a big attraction for those who want a retirement home in France.

Popular destinations further north for second homes include the Western Loire near La Rochelle, Limousin, Brittany and Normandy. Property in Normandy in-particular is relatively inexpensive. A 4-bed property in the Normandy countryside for example can still be acquired for less than 100,000 Euros.

Moving to the east of France we find the magnificent French Alps and its grand selection of ski chalets and apartments. For outdoor enthusiasts who like skiing in the winter and mountain hiking in the summer, a property in the French mountains is a dream come true. You can buy property in a major ski resort like Val d'Isere or Chamonix for less than 70,000 Euros, use it for vacations, and then rent it out for the rest of the year to earn an income from it. The French Alps are popular all the year round, so you'll have little trouble finding a supply of short-term tenants for your property.

So as you can see, no matter what you are looking for in a second home, France delivers. And with prices a lot cheaper than in Spain or the UK, you'll get a lot more house for your money too.