Brittany is one of the few truly special places in the world, which cannot be mistaken for any other. The rich heritage and culture, coupled with the spectacular coastline and wonderfully rural landscapes make it a place apart, and Brittany property is often much sought after, especially by the French and British.
The landscapes of Brittany offer truly amazing views, whether coastal across the sunlit ocean, or inland across rolling unspoilt countryside. Brittany property often blends seamlessly into these picturesque surroundings, with a wide choice of Brittany property, ranging from historic chateaux complete with grounds set out as beautiful landscaped gardens and open pastureland, to traditional stone built village houses with a wealth of character, or rural farmhouses, set among acres of unspoilt countryside. As Brittany is a peninsula, lying between the English Channel to the north and the Bay of Biscay to the south, no Brittany property is far from the extensive Breton coastline. The coast is both vast and spectacularly varied, with beautiful beaches dotted with traditional fishing villages, to dramatic cliffs and bays, which are famed the world over for their unusual pink hued granite rocks.
Brittany property, whether rural, coastal or urban, can be found in each of its four official, and five historic, departments. These are Finistère in the west, Côtes-d'Armor in the north, Ille-et-Vilaine in the north east, and Morbihan, overlooking the Bay of Biscay, in the south. In addition, Loire-Atlantique in the south east, now (since WWII) part of the Pays de la Loire region, was historically part of Brittany, and is still considered Bretan in culture and history.
Perhaps the thing that most sets Brittany property apart from any other area is the rich and unique history and culture of the peninsula. Brittany property can often be found in towns and villages with the famed calvary sculptures. These elaborate cruxifiction scenes found at crossroads, especially in western Brittany, are particular to this area and notable for both their frequency and their uniqueness. Brittany is also dotted with megalithic monuments such as stone circles and standing stones, exhbiting the strong cultural links between Bretan culture and other traditional Celtic areas such as Cornwall and Wales. Of particular note are the ancient megaliths near Carnac, which are perhaps most akin to those at Avebury in England for scale and mystery. In fact, Brittany shares much with these places, including a similar native language. Just as in Cornwall, the native Breton tongue, which was finally suppressed just after WWII, is currently undergoing a resurgence. It is thought that some of the people of the Celtic tribes of Britain, fleeing the Anglo-Saxon invasion, crossed the sea to settle in Brittany, accounting for the great similarity between the Anglo-Celtic and Breton-Celtic cultures and traditions.
Throughout the history of Brittany, it has always been a place apart, accounting for the unique feel of much Brittany property. Brittany was historically never quite fully allied with either England or France, and a key location in the many wars between the two countries. It was not until as late as 1488 that Brittany finally became part of France, even though the locals were still claiming their independence until the French Revolution. As such, many Britons still find ‘Little Britain’ a home from home, with a familiar landscape and culture, yet with Brittany property offering the relaxed way of life of rural France, and the sunnier and drier climate associated with southern Europe.
Brittany property is easily accessible both from the UK and the rest of Europe. The major ferry ports in the ancient walled town of Saint-Malo and Roscoff offer fast and regular services to a variety of destinations, including UK ports, and there are a variety of International airports nearby. Additionally, excellent TGV rail links offer services to Paris, Lyon and beyond.
Guide to the French Buying Process
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.
IMPORTANT - Disclaimer :
All information provided is believed to be current and provided free of charge. No liability can be accepted for the reliability of the information and statements made as this is obtained from 3rd parties. We always recommend you take legal advice from a fully qualified Lawyer or Notary before buying a property overseas.
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