Short term property rentals in the Champagne-Ardennes

Champagne-Ardennes, is in northeast France. The region, designated for the production of Champagne, includes parts of the adjoining departments of Yonne in Burgundy, Aisne in Picardie, Seine-et-Marne in Ile-de-France, and Meuse in Lorraine. The old French province of Champagne roughly covered this same area. The name Champagne, is derived from the Latin word campagna, meaning countryside.

Wildlife flourishes in the magnificent verdant forests and lakes and rivers are a backdrop for outdoor activities, including cycling, boating, fishing and hiking. When in Champagne, visit the world renowned champagne houses and caves.

Click below to view properties in a department within Champagne-Ardennes

Haute Marne | Marne | Aube | Ardennes | view all...

French property: the Burgundy boom

The Burgundy countryside is proving a popular draw for British property hunters.

Burgundy may be most famous for its wines, but it’s also becoming well known among UK buyers for its affordable properties and superb location. Only two hours south-east of Paris, the gastronomic heart of France ideally positioned for easy access to the rest of Europe, and to the UK, thanks to the international airport at Dijon and fast, regular rail links.

This surge in popularity comes as no surprise to Alexis Pelcener from Guy Hoquet Immobilier, who says, “The region is beautiful and is not saturated like other areas in France. It’s untouched, easily accessible and affordable.”

Costs are rising in this region, but for UK buyers, they remain very attractive among second-home buyers. Burgundy also appeals to re-locators thanks to its incredible food, rich culture and visible history – ancient castles and abbeys are scattered across the rolling hills. Of course, the quintessential views of vineyards are never far away either – wine is still a major industry here.

Lee-Anne Keers is just one of the British professionals to have bought as second home in the region, and she explained, “Burgundy is truly charming and is really one of France’s best-kept secrets. There are many interesting properties that can still be acquired here at reasonable prices.”

The Keers secured their home through management company Bourgogne Maison, which offers a comprehensive service, covering everything from finding your ideal home to providing security and gardening services.

For further details, visit www.bourgognemaison.com

Short term property rentals in the Rhone-Alpes

Established as recently as 1980, Rhone-Alpes is located in south western France and accounts for most of the French Alps. The region is bordered by Burgundy, Franche-Comté, Switzerland, Italy, Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Auvergne.

The winter resorts of Avoriaz, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Chamrousse, Courchevel, Flaine, Megève, Morzine and Tignes, Val d'Isère, which features numerous ski trails and other recreational opportunities, account for most of Rhône-Alps' income. However, coal mining, oil refining, manufacturing of metal products and synthetic fibres as well as the vineyards found along the slopes of the Rhône Valley also contribute.

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Ain | Ardèche | Drôme | Isère | Loire | Rhône | Savoie | Haute Savoie | view all...

The French Climate

France benefits from a temperate and rather agreeable climate although there are significant differences from north to south and from east to west. Naturally the weather tends to get better the further south you go and the Atlantic Ocean brings the rainfall and mildness to the western regions. From very defined seasons to mild winters and warm summers France can offer pretty much any kind of weather. It is divided into four climatic zones:

Oceanic and humid climate with warm summers and mild winters to the west of a line from Bayonne to Lille, including Normandy, Brittany, the Poitou-Charente and western Aquitaine; within this there are significant variations with the Charente-Maritime and Vendee enjoying the second highest number of sunshine hours, after the Cote d'Azur. Naturally the climate is heavily influenced by the Atlantic which not only brings humidity but also prevents the harsh cold winters from penetrating.

Semi-continental climate with harsh winters and hot summers in Alsace, Lorraine, along the Rhone corridor and in the mountainous massifs (Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central); very defined seasons with snow guaranteed for ski lovers and dominated by the mountains which can create very significant climatic differences from one valley to the next. It can be very dry in some areas in summer whilst the mountains create their own micro-climate bringing rain and snow to keep the lush green throughout the year.

Intermediate climate, with cold winters and hot summers in the Paris and central and north regions including Champagne-Ardennes, Bourgogne, Auvergne, Limousin, and the Midi Pyrenees; with very marked seasons - cold winters, mild springs, hot summers and crisp autumns. The areas have a lower annual rainfall than the west but still enough to keep everything green.

Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and very hot summers the area covers the Mediterranean south of France, through Languedoc and the coastal parts of Roussillon. Often characterised by sparse vegetation and a lack of rainfall throughout the year, some areas can suffer from sudden down pours of rain and occasional flash flooding. This usually occurs during the late summer months when they sun baked earth can't absorb the rain. The seasons are less distinct than all other regions of France but the short winters and early arrival of spring make the regions very attractive to foreign buyers.

by Grace Turner