Property guides for anyone buying a foreign property in Brittany. Plus advice on the buying process for houses in France.

Brittany occupies a large peninsula in the northwest of France, lying between the English Channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the south.

Historically, the region was an independent kingdom and duchy, but it is now the name of a cultural region whose limits correspond to the old province. In the past, the area was known as 'Lesser Britain'.

To find property in Brittany and more French property, visit: www.justoverseas.co.uk/propertyinfrance

Now, the area of Brittany is made up of two modern-day regions of France - Bretagne and the Pays-de-la-Loire

As of 2005, the area was home to around 4,271,000 inhabitants - with approximately three quarters living in the Bretagne region and the rest in the Pays-de-la-Loire area.

According to the 1999 census, the region's largest urban areas include Nantes (711,120 inhabitants), Rennes (521,188 inhabitants), and Brest (303,484 inhabitants).

The area has long attracted people from the UK looking for second homes. Rural areas are often attractive, especially as cheaper properties can often be found that can the successfully improved and modernised.

Near the coast, the region surrounding chic St Malo and Morbihan are perennially popular, while smaller inland villages offer excellent investment options.

Pros to Buying Property in Brittany

While house prices in France have traditionally not increased at the rates experienced in the UK and Spain, they have been steadily increasing for a number of years. According to the Buy Association, prices in the country as a whole have risen by around 80 per cent since 1997, with annual increase of approximately ten per cent.

Despite the increases, it is still possible to buy homes in the country comparatively cheaply, though these properties often need extensive redevelopment work. Still, experts agree that it is generally possible to spend less than £100,000 on a fully habitable property.

However, france-property-and-information.com currently claims that the average price of a home in the region is 1,895 euros per square metre, making it comparable to nearby Normandie area, but considerably more expensive than also-close Pitou-Charentes.

According to brittany-internet.com house prices in the region have really increased in the past five years. In fact, the average price of apartments has risen 49 per cent, houses by 44 per cent and building land by 39 per cent.

In particular, the website's report signals out the Blavet Valley as a region that has performed particularly well over the past few years. While growth here has been in the region of 60 per cent since 2001, the survey noted that prices are still low compared to surrounding areas.

Other areas that the document highlighted as investment hotspots include the "surprisingly cosmopolitan town of Pontivy".

Research company VEF recently reported that more and more people from overseas are looking to pick up property in France, and especially in Brittany. The report also found that foreign buyers tended to spend more on their homes than locals did – 207,000 euros compared to 179,000 euros.

What's more, the company signalled out Brittany as a region which is worth considering if the investor is looking to generate rental income.

The site advised: "Taking into account that tourists from Germany, Belgium and Holland alone represent over 30 million visitors and that along with the French they favour destinations such as Brittany and the northern coast, which are also more affordable property markets, you could make a good investment nearer to home and at a cheaper price than you might think."

Cons to Buying to Property in Brittany

However, there is some concern that the election of Nicolas Sarkozy as president earlier this year could have an impact on investment in the country.

During his campaign, Mr Sarkozy said that he wanted France to become "much more property owner-oriented". While the government policies could attempt to deter foreigners buying properties, the predicted increase in demand might mean those who already own homes see values rise.

People who buy a property in France will initially have to sign an initial contract which sets out the price, terms and conditions of the sale. After various legal checks have been carried out, a final contract is exchanged.

In addition, deposits on French properties are always paid to the Notaire or to a bonded estate agent, not the buyer.

Finally, contracts are subject to a seven-day cooling off period. This means that buyer can cancel the contract at any point during this period.

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