Tarn Property Guide

Insiders Guide To Tarn Property

The Tarn, department 81, has been a favourite with foreign buyers in the south west of France for many years. Tarn is a prosperous and lively area that possesses a wealth of stunning towns and medieval villages, many of them classified as the most beautiful of France. The landscape is contrasting, with green forests giving way to sun-soaked vineyards. The natural beauty of the area has been spared from over-development, apart from the areas close to main roads.

Why buy a property in the Tarn?

This is a land of hospitality and open-mindedness where the inhabitants are well known and loved for their “joie de vivre”. Most foreigners who show willingness to integrate are welcomed by the locals.

The Tarn has a variety of types of houses (maisons de maître, farms of various shapes and sizes and chateaux) which are built in a wide range of materials (white limestone, brown, grey or red sandstone, schist, brick, half-timber, etc). It also has the highest concentration of pigeon-towers, or pigeonniers – 1,700 at the last count, and these are very popular at the moment. Many foreign buyers have converted them into gîtes or have beautifully integrated them into their houses.

The wide-range of properties on offer, the amazing landscape, lively towns, the advent of cheap flights (to Rodez, Toulouse, Castres and Carcassone), the great climate, the hospitality of the inhabitants, the artistic and architectural heritage, the good roads, the brilliant schools, a slow pace of life, low crime and excellent healthcare have inspired many people to move here.

What type of homebuyer would Tarn’s attractions appeal to?

From retired couples to young families, they invest in everything from vineyard chateaux to run-down cottages. There are also many celebrities who have chosen the Tarn as their hide-away place probably for some of the above-mentioned reasons.