Invest In The French Coast

Many people dream of investing in a second home at the seaside, either to rent out, use themselves, or both. Many popular British seaside resorts have subsequently seen property prices rocket. But there is an alternative.

Since the new extra UK stamp duty costs on second homes began this year, purchase transaction costs on French property can be up to 50 per cent less.

The Telegraph studied popular British resorts and their French equivalents, and found that a lot of money could be saved by traversing the channel.

Whitstable v Cancale

Many Londoners have purchased weekend properties in the pretty Kent resort of Whitstable, known for it’s oysters, driving up property prices to an average of around £320,000.

Cancale is the go to place for oysters in Brittany. Situated near Mont Saint-Michel the granite built village with an 18th century church can offer two bed apartments from just £100,000 and cottages for just £160-180,000.

Sandbanks v Île de Ré

The exclusive promontary of Sandbanks near Poole is a well known spot for the wealthy. With the average property price at around £1.3 million you have to pay for that exclusivity.

Île de Ré on the other hand has an average property price of just £165,000 and for that you get around 20 per cent more sunshine. The 33 square mile ‘island’ has a bridge connection to La Rochelle offering flight connections to the UK. There are many cycle tracks amongst the vineyards and salt marshes connecting unspoilt fishing villages.

Newquay v Biarritz

Newquay has been attracting surfers to the cornish coast for a long time, but Biarritz is arguably even more famous and established. Despite the glamour of the resort attracting famous names such as Coco Chanel since the 1850s you can still find a one bedroom apartment there for around £400,000 and join the party.

St Ives v Collioure

Locals are starting to resist second homers in the pretty lighthouse town of St Ives in Cornwall as they are being priced out with average prices reaching £325,000.

Collioure in southern France near the Spanish border could be the long lost twin of St Ives and already attracts property investors from Paris with protected status and a wide range of excellent restaurants. A similar outlay will get you a two be townhouse to mix with the Parisian set.

Padstow v Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie

The North Cornwall town of Padstow may have celebrity chef Rick Stein, but you will have to pay over £600 per square foot to purchase a property near enough to visit his restaurant.

In Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie you can buy property for under £250 per square foot and take advantage of the 125 miles of golden beaches and sand dunes next to the lively port situated just below Brittany and enjoying a warmer year round climate. With excellent sailing and fishing, plus jazz and art festivals the town is an excellent alternative to fulfil your seafood cravings.

With the ever rising costs of buying property in the UK, the French coast is well worth considering.