Why Buy Property in Indre: France Buying Guides

Do you dream of living in the world-famous Loire valley, with its fine wines and grand châteaux, but can’t quite stretch to the hefty price tags of property in that region? Indre could be the answer.

Located just to the south of the sought-after Loire Valley, Indre gives you some of the perks – lush green countryside, châteaux and vineyards – at a fraction of the price.

Indre is located right in the centre of France. Its capital is the charming medieval town of Châteauroux – pretty as a picture and brimming with history. To the west is the Brenne Natural Regional Park, with cycling and hiking trails galore. Add its Plus Beaux Villages (including Gargilesse-Dampierre and Saint-Benoît-Du-Sault), châteaux and other historic buildings into the mix, and you can see why Indre is a hit with the tourists.

You can be here by train from Paris in two hours (which makes it popular with weekending Parisians who come for a breath of fresh air). If you’re flying from the UK, the nearest airport is at Tours, which is an hour and a half’s drive away. From the northern ferry ports, you can be in Châteauroux in four and a half hours if you hop on the A13.

With €250,000-€300,000 to spend on your dream property, you won’t be disappointed. Locations to focus your property search on include the ancient town of Le Blanc, pretty and popular Lignac and Chaillac, as well as Châteauroux. In the Indre countryside, you can find three- to four-bedroom farmhouses – renovated or not – built in the local pale stone, complete with original tomettes and beams, and with outbuildings and lots of land for less than €200,000. Stone-built village houses can be snapped up for less than €100,000 and can have land attached.

If you prefer urban living, head to Châteauroux, where two-bedroom apartments are available from €60,000. Character properties abound – from watermills to 15th-century manor houses in need of love and attention – all less than €350,000. A château will set you back a bit more, falling into the €800,000-plus price bracket, although we’ve spied one currently on the market for just shy of €4 million. While that might be out of your reach, there is plenty of other property here that isn’t.