A Property Guide to Normandy
Essential Reading
Normandy is one of the favourite spots for property in France
The northern coastal region known as Normandy is in fact the new combination of two former regions – Haute Normandie and Basse Normandie – now merged into one. Normandy has so much to recommend it. Verdant countryside, sandy beaches, picture-postcard charm, a myriad of seafood and white fish, not forgetting cider, Calvados and Camembert; with all this on offer, you can make a allowances for the climate.
Normandy
Property for sale in the Normandy
Normandy provides a great setting, especially for British buyers who are looking for either a second home with ease of access, and those planning a permanent move but who are still looking to be close to friends and family in the UK, and as we mentioned, is also a popular region for weekend homes for Parisians. Pricing for coastal properties will of course be higher compared to properties inland but there is still reasonable pricing for properties on the Contentin or Cherbourg peninsula. You will see quite a difference between pricing in coastal Manche compared to the more expensive department of Calvados, which includes exclusive resorts like Deauville. Expect to pay from €250,000 to €300,000 for coastal houses within walking distance of the beach in areas like Hauteville-sur-Mer. Pricing will increase as you head south along the coast towards Granville and Avranches.
Further inland – yet still within easy reach of the coast in areas like Gavray, – pricing becomes more reasonable and village houses can be found starting at €100,000. Traditional stone farmhouses with land start from €200,000 upwards. Renovation enthusiasts can pick up bargains from €50,000.There is excellent rental potential in this region with an abundance of green tourism found in the two regional parks and a number of UNESCO heritage sites to visit. Bayeux and Mont-Saint-Michel are of course the most famous and attract visitors worldwide, as do the beaches and memorials of the Normandy D-Day landings. Hotspot towns in Manche include Avranches and Saint-Lo. The pretty spa town of Bagnoles de l’Orne is another popular area in the Orne as well as Alençon, the capital of the department, and Domfront, surrounded by verdant countryside. Calvados pricing is higher but of course if you look further south, towards areas like Vire and Saint-Sever, you can still find a lot for your budget. Rural properties with land start from €150,000 and properties with gîtes can start from €180,000-€200,000 upwards.
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Climate in Normandy
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Normandy travel guide
For direct travel from the UK, there are plenty of ferry options. Brittany Ferries runs services from Portsmouth to Le Havre, Portsmouth to Caen, Ouistreham and Portsmouth to Cherbourg, while Condor Ferries operates from Portsmouth to Cherbourg during the summer and DFDS Seaways runs services from Newhaven to Dieppe.
Meanwhile, Ryanair operates flights from London Stansted to Deauville, while there are also direct flights from the UK into Dinard airport. Flights into Rennes airport in Brittany also give good access to the west of the region.
Normandy property guide
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Normandy property styles
Equestrian property
Normandy is renowned for horses and is the birthplace in France for haras or stud breeding. Normandy offers some of the best grazing land and soils for stud farms. Make a note of where the top breeding establishments are located. Equestrian enthusiasts looking for property with land have come to the right place, this is most definitely horse country. They countryside offers some of the most spectacular scenery for riding and you can even find properties with direct bridleway access. Speak to your local Mairie who will be able to provide the routes. Planning permission is relatively easy to obtain for equestrian facilities, for example arenas and stabling, if you are also looking to establish a business with the property or expand. Equestrian property with over 1 hectare of land can start from €300,000 upwards, with manor houses and established equestrian centres starting from €400,000 upwards.
Manor houses
These are again typically rural properties, but they are more formal and elegant in style compared to the farmhouse. These are country estates and will usually comprise of the central main house and outbuildings surrounded by its own land. Country manor houses with land will start from €450,000 upwards.
Farmhouse & longère
The longère, or stone longhouse, is a prevalent style of property in both Brittany and Normandy. It is commonly a rural property and found throughout the region. They are usually built to protect against the weather and are designed to face away from the prevailing wind. They are usually single storey but many longères have been converted to utilise the attic space. Traditional stone farmhouses are also found throughout the region. Properties in need of work can start from €100,000 and from €150,000 upwards. It is common to find farmhouses with converted outbuildings uses as gîtes and these properties will be more expensive.
Timber framed houses
Picturesque timber framed or colombage house are prevalent across Normandy and reflect the medieval heritage of the region. In the pretty port town of Honfleur, colombage style properties can be found from €200,000. Timber framed town houses inland will be cheaper. They are a legacy of the Middle Ages and constructed with local materals using wood and the wattle and daub technique. These properties are sought after due to their traditional feel and prices of course vary depending on size and location. The colombage style can stand alone as an invidual property style but this building method can also be incorporated into longère, farmhouses and outbuildings. Make sure to do your research if renovation is needed on the wooden structure or framework of the building and of course budget is a factor when researching building and material costs.
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Frequently asked questions about property in Normandy
We asked the FrenchEntrée Property Services team what the most common questions were from their clients interested in property in Normandy:
I am considering Normandy for my search for a gîte business. Is this a good area for tourism?
Whilst Normandy may not be renowned for its climate compared to the south of France, it certainly has a lot to offer for buyers who are thinking of generating a rental income. The region offers many options for holidaymakers, not only green tourism with its regional parks and lush countryside but also a number of sightseeing spots. The UNESCO sites, including Mont-Saint-Michel and Bayeux, attract millions of worldwide visitors each year. The beaches of the D-Day landings are easily accessible as are the number of coastal stretches for manageable day trips.
I have a budget of €150,000 and I am looking for a coastal property, is this achievable?
In theory, depending on the size and style of property you are looking for, and distance from the coast, then this is just about realistic. New build properties are available within walking distance, or a few Km of the coast, if you are looking for example at the western Manche on the Cherbourg peninsula. Apartments on the seafront can start from €100,000 if you avoid the more popular touristic towns of Avranches and Granville. If you are willing to look a little further inland, 10km or so, then you will find traditional stone properties within your budget. Of course the degree of work you are willing, or able, to take on will also be a factor.
I am looking for a property with land for horses, is Normandy a good area?
Normandy has historically been associated with equestrian activities with its expansive countryside and good grazing land. There are numerous training centres, riding schools and stud farms in the area and some of the most renowned equestrians from France and around the world have ties to the region. The region also offers good value for money if you are looking for property with hectares compared to other regions where you would expect to pay a premium. Normandy has something to offer every equestrian enthusiast from the individual equestrian to those looking to establish a riding centre or business venture.
If you’ve got your heart set on a French property in stunning Normandy, a phone call to the FrenchEntrée Property team is a great place to start.
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For further information or for help with your property search, please call the property team at +44 (0)1225 463 752 or email [email protected].
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