Look around Bedoin.

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Stu Dudley

look for the area above Nice. it is very nice for farmhouses and there should be several relatively cheap ones to renovate. What are you looking for exactly in terms of Area?

If you are worried about damp in the Bordeaux area, you might be concerned about flooding in the south of France, caused by Mediterranean weather episodes. Last year it was severe in Languedoc Rousillon, this year the Var was severely affected and even as far east as Mandelieu, Cannes etc. It is a normal weather pattern for that part of the world. It's something to be aware of if thinking of buying a property there.
In terms of area, Lorgues (or Draguignan) could be a good place to base yourself to explore anything from as east as Fayence & north to Ampus etc, Regusse, even down to to inland area behind St Tropez to the Maures.
I think Bonnieux, Lacoste etc could be quite expensive.

This may be too far afield for you, but we much prefer the areas (away from the coast) between Narbonne to Avignon versus Avignon to Nice. So maybe you could spend one day exploring down towards the areas "behind" Montpellier, etc and the other day going towards Nice.

I second Vocier. The small mountain villages in the hinterland of Menton, like Ste-Agnese, Gorbio, La Turbie, Peille, Piene.... are stunning

I did a similar set of scouting trips before purchasing (but not a renovation project!). I do agree there are a lot of renovation projects available for very little in the Languedoc, behind Montpellier. There are some issues with certain villages emptying out and the lack of services like a market, cafe and boulangerie, especially in the winter. So you are definitely doing the right thing to check these places out in the low season. Likewise, as you head east and north from the Luberon you will find the prices begin to drop, especially towns not on the prime tourist circuit (ie. Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Menerbes). Apt does make for a good center for services, but a place like Saint Saturnin may appeal more. Unfortunately, a lot of times it is distance from rail or an airport that can influence the price (and competition for wrecks).

As you head inland from the Cote d'Azur, the prices will drop. The area around Peille seems quite remote and yet is just a relatively short distance from the tollway, services and the highway. La Turbie is lovely but more expensive, as it is close to Monaco (great view from the Trophy of the Alps). I will say, in our visits, even in popular tourist centers there were plenty of renovation projects.

Just to throw another wrench in the works, here is an interesting article with a chart and map showing the top sunshine hours by department in France. This was for 2016 so with climate change who knows. But if you don't find what you are looking for in the Cote D'Azur or Provence region this opens up some other areas that I think would be worth future peregrinations, like the Tarn or Aveyron where prices are substantially lower.

https://www.french-property.com/news...artments_2016/

One thing that has kept us from purchasing in areas around the Med has been the mistral wind that affects wide areas of that region through the valleys of the Rhône down towards the water. And honestly with recent heat waves in France-much of the south seems like it is going to be too hot!

We sort of feel like the areas between Bordeaux Toulouse and Montpellier (but away from the coast where prices are high) are kind of hidden gems still in France for lifestyle and real estate prices.

I am with gooster that much of my choice would be determined by local services:markets bouglangeries, restaurants access to trains and highways and since we are older we are also concerned about health care facilities and local public transport if we have to give up driving at some point.

In any case let us know what you think when you go-I will be excited to see which areas you think are promising! And good luck with the hunt! You are sure to have a very fun holiday at the very least!

Hi British, look around Cahors along the valley bottoms or one valley back from the main roads. Especially those that lead to Bergerac and Toulouse. Maybe not perfect but interesting.

Are you expecting to use your place all year, or only occasionally?

IMO, If you are considering your place mostly for winter sun / spring/ autumn months then the Mediterranean area is your best bet; if you want to be in your place mainly in the spring/summer/ autumn months then inland France is great.

I have had an apartment in Nice for almost 12 years. Now retired , my wife and I spend around six months each year there;although now tend not to go late July or August because of heat and the crowds.

In terms of climate,:Nice is wetter and not as hot as Marseille ( in fact, Nice is wetter than London in terms of rainfall; however the rain falls on only half the number of days as London). I have noticed in the summer that Nice often has the highest temperatures in France in the morning ; however, by afternoon many inland areas have higher temperatures ( unbearably so unless you have a pool, I suspect). The effect of the med I presume.

The mistral does not affect the Nice area as much as western Provence because of the hills sheltering the area, leading to generally pleasant winters; although we have had the odd week of poor weather -2015 and this year in particular - leading to severe flooding in the area, and we had the 'beast from the east ' like everywhere else, leading to only the second day of snow in Nice in 18 years. We would normally expect, however, to have many sunny days during the winter months for eating outside, even days for the beach if that is important to you; it is cold at night, of course

We have good friends - also retired- who bought a converted barn 25 km south of Sarlat and they do have a great life there; however, they only use their house between late May and around end of September, beginning of October because the winters are quite cold where they are and quite quiet. This summer they had temperatures much higher than Nice ( 40's C).They tend to travel for winter sun to other countries.

Basically, when choosing to buy, compromises have to be made, I am sure that you already have realised this.