• French Riviera
• French Chateaux
• Algarve, Portugal
• Monaco
• Lake Como, Italy

Aude is a département in south-central France, which makes up one fifth of the Languedoc province. Located between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, this area is one of attractive, ever-changing landscapes. It has so much to offer and would be a fantastic location for a property. In fact, it is easy to see why Aude property is so highly sought after.

Each area of Aude has its own particular, interesting and unique natural landscape. With an Aude property to the East of the region, you will have beautiful lagoons and coastal lakes on your doorstep. Providing a beautiful natural barrier between land and sea, this area is home to pink flamingos and white stilts, which can be found wading and foraging for food. Further inland, this Eastern part of Aude changes dramatically to shrub and scrub land, with equally rich flora and fauna. Your Aude property could be located here, adjacent to beech groves, fir plantations, forests and mountains. Alternatively, how about an Aude property in ‘Black Mountain Country’? Here, in the north and west of Aude there is a largely wooded landscape, where forests of oak, beech, poplar and ash abound, and there are rare peat lands. The Corbières area in central Aude, is a stunning mixture of dissected plateaux, steep hills, hidden valleys, woodland and vineyards.

One of the most famous places in Aude is Carcassonne, home to the famous medieval walled city (La Cité), which dates back as far as the fifth century. The fortress here is a UNESCO world heritage site, and is spectacularly dramatic. A day trip from your Aude property is recommended! At Narbonne, you can view a series of first century Roman remains, including underground tunnels and Roman storage rooms. There is a rich history here, and there are many castles and fortresses to be found dotted around the countryside, often on dramatic rocky peaks. Good examples are those at Quéribus and Lastours, which are absolutely breath-taking. Aude has strong religious traditions, and is often referred to as ‘Cathar Country’, after the religious movement which flourished here in the 12th and 13th centuries. There are many abbeys, including Sainte-Hilaire, Sainte-Marie Lagrasse and Fontfroide. Fontfroide , a former Cisterian monastery, is now a working farm, bookstore and restaurant, and producer of wine of AOC Corbières quality.

In fact, this region is home to some fine wines, and Vineyards can be seen throughout the region. The chances are you’ll be able to see one from your Aude property! Viticulture is the main economic activity of Aude. The East is home to Corbières and la Clape; in the centre Minervois and Côtes de Malpeyre wines are made. In the south, Blanquette de Limoux is produced. This sparkling white wine is said to have been the forerunner of champagne and is very popular in the département. If you are more of a fan of liqueur, then local Cartagène may take your fancy. It is most pleasant with foie gras and Roquefort.

For gourmet-lovers an Aude property has much to offer. There is even a festival dedicated to food! “Toques et Clochers” takes place over the weekend of Palm Sunday celebrates the gastronomy of the area around Limoux. Local delicacies include fricassee of pork and cassoulet (white beans and sausage). In the area around the coast, make sure you sample borrida d’anguilles (eel stew), which is delicious! Gruissan and Leucate are famous for oysters and local olive oil can be found at markets. Incidentally, when you’re in Carcassonne, make sure you stop by the market in Place Carnot, which is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. You are bound to find something just wonderful to cook in your new Aude property. After all, what is better than local, fresh produce?

The climate varies across Aude. If you have an Aude property in the East, the weather there is typically Mediterranean. In the mountainous areas of the north and south of Aude, the climate is slightly cooler, with some quite low temperatures in winter. In the west there is slightly more precipitation.

This striking rural region is certainly unique, and as you can see we have a beautiful selection of exclusive Aude property for your perusal. We are sure you’ll find something just perfect for you. Time to crack open the Blanquette de Limoux?

Buying a Property in France

1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)

On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.

The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.

Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.

2. Paying the Deposit

Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.

3. On Completion

Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.

During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.