Alsace (42)

The Alsace region is located in eastern France and borders with Germany. The eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains. Although there is heavy industry along the Rhine river the countryside and villages are very beautiful.

The region also has excellent wines and a renowned traditional cuisine. There is a strong local dialect which is still spoken, a mixture of French and German.

Régional Préfecture of Alsace (42): Strasbourg
Départements of Alsace
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	67	Bas-Rhin	Strasbourg
	68	Haut-Rhin	Colmar

 Aquitania (72)

Situated in south western France on the Atlantic coast.

Vast and varied region, mountains, plains and coast, this is also home to the wines of Bordeaux. All types of industry, market, cereal, wine, gas and petrol.

It is a region of diverse landscapes, from the beautiful rolling hills of the Dordogne with magnificent cities such as Périgeux. The long beaches of the Gironde and it's renowned wine area around Bordeaux.

Lot-et-Garonne lies south-east of the Dordogne and boasts a similar landscape. It is an area famous for pruneau, plums for those who have no French.

The departement of Landes lies to the south of Gironde and hosts one of the largest forests in Western Europe.

To the south of the Landes lies the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the Basque region with it's spectacular mountain vistas this is the gateway to Spain.

The region is historically important. It was independent from France for many centuries.

In the 10th to 12th centuries it was a duchy of the Counts of Poitiers. In 1137 it passed to France when the duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII of France. Their marriage was annulled in 1152 and Eleanor's new husband became Henry II of England in 1154. The area then became an English possession and remained so until 1453, the end of the 'Hundred Years War' when it's possession was returned to France.

During this period large quantities of wine produced in southwestern France being exported to London, Southampton, and other English ports. Maybe this is the reason for our great love of Bordeaux wines

During the 16th and 17th centuries the area was a stronghold of the Protestant Huguenots. Many of these Huguenots fled to England to avoid persecution by the Roman Catholic church.

Today, Aquitaine along with Poitou-Charentes is the most popular destination for ex-patriot Britons wishing to settle in France.

Régional Préfecture of Aquitania (72): Bordeaux
Départements of Aquitania
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	24	Dordogne	Périgueux
	33	Gironde	Bordeaux
	40	Landes	Mont-de-Marsan
	47	Lot-et-Garonne	Agen
	64	Pyrénées-Atlantiques	Pau

 Auvergne(83)

Famous for the volcanic landscape, Roquefort blue cheese and spring water. Vercingétorix and the marquis de La Fayette and even skiing.

Small farming and old silver mining villages are perched on steep hill sides and in deep river valleys.

A region offering varied and striking contrasts, the grass topped dormant volcanoes at almost 2000 metres above sea level descend to rich green forest and deep river gorges which curve and cut their way downstream. The buildings change colour from village to village as the black lava gives way to various tones of limestone.

Hot summers and cold winters, living in the Auvergne requires a strong character and personality, the local people always offer a warm welcome.

Régional Préfecture of Auvergne(83): Clermont-Ferrand
Départements of Auvergne
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	3	Allier	Moulins
	15	Cantal	Aurillac
	43	Haute-Loire	Le Puy-en-Velay
	63	Puy-de-Dôme	Clermont-Ferrand

 Basse-Normandie (25)

North west of France on the coast of the English Channel.

Agriculture mainly dairy, some fishing and apple. This is the home to Calvados. Coastal tourism. Very low urbanisation and population.

Régional Préfecture of Basse-Normandie (25): Caen
Départements of Basse-Normandie
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	14	Calvados	Caen
	50	Manche	Saint-Lô
	61	Orne	Alençon

 Bourgogne (26)

A region rich in history, culture and geography. Until the late 18th century Burgundy was not part of France, but a Dukedom with the powerful and long reigning Burgundy Dukes. One time allies to the English kings against the French king. The Burgundy frontiers stretched across eastern France and into Flanders. The Cistercian influence is also very significant, with many abbeys and monasteries such as Cluny, Fontennay and Citeaux.

Wine is one of the pillars and pride of Burgundy, with some of the most famous wines in the world coming from the concentrated vineyards. The Romans introduced grapes and the production was mastered by the local monks.

Farming is dominated by cereal crops in the Saone plain and Nivernais plateau, whilst in the hill areas the is much cattle farming with the traditional white Charolais.

The diverse geography, with the Morvan park with cold granite to the limestone Saone valley. There is much woodland and forest, in the Cote dOr, Oak whilst in the Morvan there is Red Pine.

The important rivers such as the Saone and Yonne allowing access to the Rhone and Seine have provided the region with important network of navigable waterways such as the Burgundy Canal.

Régional Préfecture of Bourgogne (26): Dijon
Départements of Bourgogne
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	21	Côte-d'Or	Dijon
	58	Nièvre	Nevers
	71	Saône-et-Loire	Mâcon
	89	Yonne	Auxerre

 Bretagne (53)

Located on the Atlantic coast of western France.

The magical coast of Brittany offer a very spectacular landscape. The charm and gentleness of the people, fine regional cuisine, cider, traditional costumes, language and Celtic influence makes this a very special region.

The dramatic coast lines, with cliffs, rock lined beaches and emerald waters are ideal for sailors, wind surfers and divers.

The shell fish and other sea food is excellent and abundant.

Régional Préfecture of Bretagne (53): Rennes
Départements of Bretagne
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	22	Côtes-d'Armor	Saint-Brieuc
	29	Finistère	Quimper
	35	Ille-et-Vilaine	Rennes
	56	Morbihan	Vannes

 Champagne-Ardenne (21)

Located in Northern France, bordering Belgium.

The huge forest of Ardenne, intensive farming techniques, Champagne wine. Historically, Reims, Roman, Celtic influence. The French revolution, World War I war graves.

Due to it's close proximity to the UK parts of this region are ideally suited to those wishing to share their time between the UK and France.

Régional Préfecture of Champagne-Ardenne (21): Châlons-en-Champagne
Départements of Champagne-Ardenne
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	8	Ardennes	Charleville-Mézières
	10	Aube	Troyes
	52	Haute-Marne	Chaumont
	51	Marne	Châlons-en-Champagne

 Centre (24)

Vast region, with major rivers such as the Loire passing through, giving varied soils. Agriculture, forest, wine. Decentralized industries from Paris. Canal du Centre.

Régional Préfecture of Centre (24): Orléans
Départements of Centre
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	18	Cher	Bourges
	28	Eure-et-Loir	Chartres
	36	Indre	Châteauroux
	37	Indre-et-Loire	Tours
	41	Loir-et-Cher	Blois
	45	Loiret	Orléans

 Corse (94)

Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean sea,south of mainland France.

Corsica is actually closer to Italy than France and only a few miles from the island of Sardinia.

The Island of Beauty as the French often call it was attached to France in 1768.

Mainly granite, giving sharp cliffs but poor farming. Hills with "maquis". The population and industry density are low.

Wine, fruit and dairy.

There is still political unrest with claims for independence. The people have their own language which is still spoken and taught in schools.

The beautiful landscape and warm seas make this a preferred destination for the tourist. The beaches and very clear water are excellent for all water sports, and some of the best diving in the world.

Inland there are mountains and much farming. The wines are also of a high quality and renowned.

Régional Préfecture of Corse (94): Ajaccio
Départements of Corse
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	2A	Corse-du-Sud	Ajaccio
	2B	Haute-Corse	Bastia

 Franche-Comté (43)

The Franche-Comte is on the eastern side of France and borders with Switzerland.

In the lower Jura, Doubs valley, mountain area the agriculture is mainly dairy, some wine. Another very important industry is the production of cheese but there is also forestry, optical, furniture.

Part of the Burgundy whilst the famous Burgundian Dukes where in power,the France Comte was also part of the Hapsbourg house from Austria, but finally became part of France in 1674.

Régional Préfecture of Franche-Comté (43): Besançon
Départements of Franche-Comté
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	25	Doubs	Besançon
	70	Haute-Saône	Vesoul
	39	Jura	Lons-le-Saunier
	90	Territoire de Belfort	Belfort

 Haute-Normandie (23)

North western France on the English Channel coast.

Important beef and dairy cattle production, also cereal crops. High urbanisation. Chemical and car industries. Good road, rail and river networks.

A favourite region still fairly close to the UK. A great area to live in France.

Régional Préfecture of Haute-Normandie (23): Rouen
Départements of Haute-Normandie
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	27	Eure	Évreux
	76	Seine-Maritime	Rouen

 Île-de-France (11)

The capital region of France, Paris, city of art and romance. The famous monuments such as the Effiel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame and the river Seine. One of the most visited cities in the World.

With the building cost and restrictions in central Paris, the suburbs have grown in size and density, very quickly over the last few decades. The roads, rail and air transport providing resources for many types of industries.

The Isle de France is also the economical and commercial heart of France, there are many types of industries and services surrounding the capital city.

Régional Préfecture of Île-de-France (11): Paris
Départements of Île-de-France
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	91	Essonne	Évry
	92	Hauts-de-Seine	Nanterre
	75	Paris	Paris
	77	Seine-et-Marne	Melun
	93	Seine-Saint-Denis	Bobigny
	95	Val-d'Oise	Pontoise
	94	Val-de-Marne	Créteil
	78	Yvelines	Versailles

 Limousin (74)

A beautiful region with a unique landscape of woodlands, green pasture and deep valleys.

The main industry is agriculture mainly bovine and potatoes. The cattle industry is very important (charolais and limousine), also wood, leather and other derived products. Also mechanical and other technical due to hydro-electric.

Once part of the Aquitaine (1100-1200), and the spoken language was Limousin which was a dialect of Oc origin, it was not until the early 20th century when the French language was officially enforced.

Régional Préfecture of Limousin (74): Limoges
Départements of Limousin
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	19	Corrèze	Tulle
	23	Creuse	Guéret
	87	Haute-Vienne	Limoges

 Lorraine (41)

Located in northern France, frontiers with Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.

The birth place of heavy industry, mining and steel works. Important river network, Moselle, Marne, Meuse and Meurthe. Western slopes of the Vosges mountains.

Régional Préfecture of Lorraine (41): Metz
Départements of Lorraine
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	54	Meurthe-et-Moselle	Nancy
	55	Meuse	Bar-le-Duc
	57	Moselle	Metz
	88	Vosges	Épinal

 Languedoc-Roussillon(91)

Located in southern France, bordering Spain and the Mediterranean sea.

Mountains,plains and coastline. Mono culture of wine, except Rousillion, fruit. Industries areas are at Nimes and Montpellier.

The word Languedoc oridinates from the "Oc" language, the region where once people spoke the language of Oc, whilst in the rest of France the people spoke Oui.

The turbulent history, Roman, Caroligien, Toulouse, Spain then France in 1659.

Excellent climate and beaches, the Camarague area.

Régional Préfecture of Languedoc-Roussillon(91): Montpéllier
Départements of Languedoc-Roussillon
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	11	Aude	Carcassonne
	30	Gard	Nîmes
	34	Hérault	Montpellier
	48	Lozère	Mende
	66	Pyrénées-Orientales	Perpignan

 Midi-Pyrénées(73)

The region's important agricultural tradition (poly-culture, sheep farming in the mountains); suffered a large population exodus due to the Industrial revolution.

A very contrasted landscape, with the mountains reaching more than 3000m (providing excellent skiing), whilst further to the north there are fertile plains beside the rivers for agriculture.

During recent years an important electronic, avionic and space industry, has been centred around Toulouse. This has provoked radical changes in the local infrastructure and communications network.

Régional Préfecture of Midi-Pyrénées(73): Toulouse
Départements of Midi-Pyrénées
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	9	Ariège	Foix
	12	Aveyron	Rodez
	32	Gers	Auch
	31	Haute-Garonne	Toulouse
	65	Hautes-Pyrénées	Tarbes
	46	Lot	Cahors
	81	Tarn	Albi
	82	Tarn-et-Garonne	Montauban

 Nord-Pas-de-Calais (31)

The most northern part of France, with a coastline on the English Channel.

Flat region, with important maritime network, hence heavy industry, mining. High urbanization, despite fertile soils. Dense road, rail and canal network.

There is an historical influence with the Flemish as the region borders with Belgium. The Northerners of France are called Les 'Tchies, reputed for being very friendly people.

The region played an important role during the Second World War, especially with the evacuation of allied troops at Dunkerque/Dunkirk.

Ideal for to those who wish to live in France but work in the UK.

Régional Préfecture of Nord-Pas-de-Calais (31): Lille
Départements of Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	59	Nord	Lille
	62	Pas-de-Calais	Arras

 Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur(93)

The region is in southern France and borders Italy and the Mediterranean sea. The region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is often simply called PACA.

From the Alpine mountains down to the sand beaches of Saint Tropez, Cannes, Nice, the region is an important destination for tourist offering a favorable climate all year round.

Perfumes, rosé wines, jazz and a distinct cuisine, the region has a rich culture, traditions and festivals. The Cannes Film festival, Nice Carnival and the Jazz festival are just a few of the highlights.

Régional Préfecture of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur(93): Marseille
Départements of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	4	Alpes-de-Haute-Provence	Digne-les-Bains
	6	Alpes-Maritimes	Nice
	13	Bouches-du-Rhône	Marseille
	5	Hautes-Alpes	Gap
	83	Var	Toulon
	84	Vaucluse	Avignon

 Poitou-Charentes (54)

The region lies on the west coast with the Atlantic to the west, stretching to the foothills of the Massif Cenral in the east. To the north are the regions of Pays-de-la-Loire and Centre. The south of the region borders with Aquitaine

Good communications and important maritime facilities helped the region's financial wealth. The important ports such as La Rochelle became gateways to the Americas.

Ravaged by the 100 years war and the war of Religions. The region was attached to France in 1417.

In the south lie the vinyards, providing grapes for the production of Cognac and the renowned apéritif wine Pineau des Charentes.

Poitou-Charentes is a popular destination for both ex-patriot and holidaying Britons. The region boasts a mild climate and the coastal area is the sunniest in France outside of the Mediterranean coast.

Régional Préfecture of Poitou-Charentes (54): Poitiers
Départements of Poitou-Charentes
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	16	Charente	Angoulême
	17	Charente-Maritime	La Rochelle
	79	Deux-Sèvres	Niort
	86	Vienne	Poitiers

 Picardie (22)

Vast plateau region divided by the rivers Somme and Oise. The high population dropped due to the two wars and industrial changes.

This region is a favoured location for those wishing to share their time between the UK and France.

Low industry except Amiens, main is agriculture due to quality soils and ideal climate.

Régional Préfecture of Picardie (22): Amiens
Départements of Picardie
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	2	Aisne	Laon
	60	Oise	Beauvais
	80	Somme	Amiens

 Pays-de-la-Loire (52)

Located on the western coast of France.

The main industry is dairy, the Loire valley also produces vegetables, fruit, wine. Chalk soil gives mushrooms, coast fishing. Petrol industry revived the region.

Low population and concentrated around main cities.

Régional Préfecture of Pays-de-la-Loire (52): Nantes
Départements of Pays-de-la-Loire
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	44	Loire-Atlantique	Nantes
	49	Maine-et-Loire	Angers
	53	Mayenne	Laval
	72	Sarthe	Le Mans
	85	Vendée	La Roche-sur-Yon

 Rhône-Alpes(82)

The Rhône Alpes is a vast and varied region. With the high mountain regions to the east which have borders with Switzerland and Italy, the river Rhone valley in the centre and the hills of the Ardeche to the west.

The Alps are well known for skiing but also offer destinations for the summer with the rivers and lakes.

There is heavy industry along the banks of the Rhone river which flows north to south and then into the Mediterranean sea.

You will also find some of the finest wine growing regions with the Beaujolais and of course the famous Côte du Rhone.

Régional Préfecture of Rhône-Alpes(82): Lyon
Départements of Rhône-Alpes
Coat of Arms	Dept.#	Département	Préfecture
	1	Ain	Bourg-en-Bresse
	7	Ardèche	Privas
	26	Drôme	Valence
	74	Haute-Savoie	Annecy
	38	Isére	Grenoble
	42	Loire	Saint-Étienne
	69	Rhône	Lyon
	73	Savoie	Chambéry

FRANCE, A MAGICAL COUNTRY, AN ENCHANTING LIFESTYLE, A GREAT PLACE TO INVEST

The sheer beauty and diversity of France is breathtaking and would take a lifetime to fully appreciate. Each region looks and feels different, has its own style of architecture, renowned cuisine, and strong sense of identity.

France is often overlooked as a superb place to invest. Second largest economy in the Euro zone and still growing, virtually next door to the UK and favorite destination for Brits. Property offers much more value for money, low cost mortgages and climate to suit everyone.

Property prices have never been lower with building plots from £10,000, renovations from £10,000 fully renovated 4 to 5 bedroom homes with land from £115,000. A chateaux with 145 acres and planning for 100 new dwellings around £1.5m and everything in between. All seriously under market value and all offering up to three times the value of similar properties in the UK.

The planning system is simple a `can do` attitude prevails. Most local authorities are keen to encourage development of all kinds. Add to this, our ten years experience in all forms of construction, our network of skilled tradesmen and project managers and you can enjoy arms length investing at its best.

The ten most popular reasons for investing and living in France:-

1. Lifestyle – The French know how to enjoy life. Food, wine, relaxation and family.
2. Activities – Wherever you go there is something to do all year round.
3. Integration – Show willing and speak a little French and locals will happily assist you.
4. Accessibility – Right next door and within easy reach of friends and family.
5. Sense of history – France retains its culture and history whilst looking forward.
6. Value – property can be up to 5 times less and offer much more than in the UK.
7. Weather – temperate, sunnier climes, temperatures to suit everyone.
8. Education and health – outstanding! Probably the best in Europe.
9. Economy – Much more stable than the UK. Banks still offer sensible lending on property.
10. Variety – landscape, architecture, activities, weather, prices to suit everyone.

When you browse our site you will see a small selection of undervalued high ROI deals to whet your appetite. We have literally thousands more available. Bon journey.

Some useful links:

• Get Accepted into the Community. Learn the Language.
• This French Life
• French Property
• Expats Get Own Radio Station