Where is the Ideal pied-à-terre?
A pied-à-terre (in French, it means “foot on the ground”) is a small living unit usually located close to a large city and a hot step from any primary residence. It is often an apartment or a condominium. The term pied-à-terre means a temporary second residence, either for part of the year or part of the week. With economic crisis and recession, less and less purchasing power, you have decided to put aside your dream of buying a luxury palace by the seaside with views over the beaches. But there is no reason not to purchase a smaller house, should it be in an attractive place (by the seaside, near a large French city, in a family ski resort.)
We suggest to you a pied-a-terre on the Languedoc coast, Perpignan for example, simply because:
- It is cheaper than in the Cote d’Azur and more peaceful.
- It is located near the Spanish border, that is to say close to other amenities, such as Barcelona. Spain’s second largest city is only one hour and a half from the border between France and Spain.
Situated 40 minutes from the Spanish border, between the Midi-Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea, Perpignan is a cosmopolitan and lively city. Perpignan, an ancient former capital of the king of Majorca, equally embraces the French and Spanish culture with food and 320 days of sunshine every year. The ski slopes of the Pyrenees as well as the beaches are close by. All amenities are present and there is a great selection of schools. The town offers several attractions such as: the St-Vicens Centre, the Chateau de Salses or Le Palais des Rois de Majorque. Perfectly located with the international airport situated 10 minutes from the center, and 1 hour from Girona airport.
Although there are many magnificent villas and apartments for around 1,000,000 euros, tiny studio apartments (ideal for the buy-to-let investor) are still available for just the small prices of 70,000 euros or so. Take a close look at one of our property in the Cap d’Agde.
Sea view:
Apartment with great view over harbour (near Cap d’Agde)
A very cozy property would be a 1-bed apartment in a building whose prices start at roughly 120,000 euros. Please be cautious; make sure you purchase a property with a designated parking space or garage because parking in town is expensive and spaces are often limited. However, you may prefer to see your dream in rural areas.
>>>Please check our pied a terre by the seaside
In the countryside:
Stone house set in 250 sqm of garden with terrace (near l’Absie)
Set in the Poitou-Charentes countryside this house is set a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Coast, this charming village house is situated in market towns. This is a great opportunity to acquire those types of properties; potentially a swimming pool, parquet floor and exposed stones. Marvelous!
>>>Please check our pied a terre in the countryside
Near a ski resort:
So you don’t like the sea because it’s too hot. You don’t like the countryside because it’s too peaceful? Try a pied a terre near a ski resort. It is not worth buying in a ski resort as French skiing is generally very pricey. However, there are some ski apartments you could afford. Look at this apartment in les Arcs, located in the French Alps.
Les Arcs 1800 – Studio with views on the Mont Blanc in residence close to resort centre
There are very few places in France where you can go skiing and meet the sunshine all day long. So we recommend many pied a terre in France in places that typically you would have deemed to expensive.