The French value family highly, and the country offers a wide variety of desirable real estate markets in which to raise a family. We’ve compiled a list of 5 possible destinations for you to consider most popular when buying or selling property in France for family purposes; each one is kid-friendly and within reasonable driving distance of an airport that services the United Kingdom.
L’Estaque, en Languedoc-Roussillon
If you’re looking for a charming beach town in Languedoc Roussillon, Sète in the Herault department is where you want to be. There are beautiful sandy beaches, salt flats, a charming harbor, a terrific market, and excellent seafood restaurants that are reasonably priced, making this a perfect destination for a family vacation in France.
For the adults, there is a theatre and many lovely bars with views of the bay, while the kids may enjoy a wide variety of water sports, museums (including one honoring the famous folk singer George Brassens, who was born here), and other entertainment options. It’s also only a half-hour drive to the upscale city of Montpellier. Property prices, while not the lowest in France, are far lower than those in nearby Provence, and there is enough to do here for people of all ages. If you’re looking for a French vacation property for your family, go no further than Sète.
Methods of Transportation to Reach the Destination
The airport in Montpellier is just around a 40-minute drive away, and it offers frequent flights to and from the United Kingdom on EasyJet.
Real estate values:
Two-bedroom, ocean-view apartments starting at €200,000 with 60 square meters of space. From €400,000, get a home with three to four bedrooms.
Place de Dinard, Île-et-Vilaine
Located on Brittany’s Emerald Coast, this picturesque town is a popular tourist destination because to its sandy beaches, kid-friendly attractions, and annual international film festival. Dinard, a city in the extreme north of France, with 1,666 sunny days a year. The convenience of its proximity to the UK makes it a strong contender for the purchase of a family vacation house.
Methods of Transportation to Reach the Destination
Ryanair offers low-cost, regularly scheduled flights between London Stansted and Dinard-Pleurtuit-St. There is an airport in Malo that is about a 10-minute drive away.
Real estate values:
One- and two-bedroom flats start at about €150,000. Villas with three bedrooms start at about €400,000.
St. Jean de Luz, Atlantic Pyrenees
St. Jean de Luz is a beautiful, tranquil, and quaint beach village, ideal for families of all ages, located just outside the glitzy city of Biarritz on the Atlantic. There are sandy beaches and a charming ancient town full of brightly painted houses in this crescent-shaped seaside resort. Despite its peaceful nature, the area comes alive with a wonderful vibe in the evenings thanks to the abundance of pubs, restaurants, and stores, none of which ever appear to be overly busy. Young people may enjoy surfing and other water activities, while the elderly can enjoy strolling the town’s picturesque streets.
Methods of Transportation to Reach the Destination
Both Biarritz and San Sebastian, Spain, have airports within driving distance.
Real estate values:
Apartments with two bedrooms start at about €400,000. The price of a property with three bedrooms starts at about €500,000.
Dordogne region; Brantôme
Brantôme, a bit further inland but still a magnificent town in the Dordogne, is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the North due to its beautiful architecture from the Middle Ages, excellent dining options, and the famous 8th-century Benedictine Abbey on the banks of the river. A fantastic restaurant, open all year, may be found on the water’s edge.
Excellent markets and sidewalk cafés welcome families, and there are several opportunities for outdoor recreation, including canoeing and kayaking. This town is gorgeous and picturesque, and there are several little towns in the vicinity that also provide tourist-friendly services.
Methods of Transportation to Reach the Destination
Cognac International Airport is approximately 53 kilometers (about 33 miles) away.
Real estate values:
Apartments with two bedrooms start at about €160,000. Starting at about €350,000, this home has three bedrooms.
