View from the Foothills of France

Some personal views on living, working,
bringing up family and making the dream happen in the most beautiful region of France. View from the Foothills of France also includes some personal and professional thoughts and tips on finding and buying the perfect property in the Ariège and Haute Garonne regions.

Archives

Categories

French Property News Magazine – The ‘other’ south of France

By nadia, on 5th May 2026

My latest article in the April edition of French Property News magazine takes a look at why parts of southwest France could become the new property hotspot for foreign buyers, especially Americans:


In a striking shift over the past couple of years, Americans have surged to become the number one foreign buyers of  property in Paris, and growing numbers are beginning to look to other regions of France in a way that is having an impact on the French property market. French government data (according to Reuters) for the first three months of 2025 showed that long-stay visa requests from Americans stood at 2,383 in the first three months of 2025, compared to a total of 1,980 over the same period last year. Increasing numbers of Americans are turning their dreams of French homeownership into reality and Americans are expected to be among the top five nationalities looking to buy property in France this year.

In recent years, more and more Americans have been looking to France not just as a dream holiday destination, but as a place to build a new life. Some are seeking a slower, more meaningful existence, tired of the relentless work culture and rising costs in the U.S. Others are drawn by France’s strong sense of community, excellent healthcare, and emphasis on work-life balance. More recently, the increasingly tense and divisive political situation in the U.S, along with concerns over economic instability, gun violence, and social unrest, have prompted many to rethink their long-term future. Since Donald Trump’s re-election, interest from American property buyers in France has surged significantly.

However most American buyers in France buy property either in Paris or Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA); these are the two regions that tend to personify the French dream to Americans. But they are also two of the most expensive regions for property as well as being the most crowded, especially in summer. In addition, Provence is becoming so hot in the summer months with increasing wildfires, that the reality might not live up to the dream.

Meanwhile, tucked a little further west and south, below the radar of many American buyers, lies a part of France that offers a region equally as beautiful but also more authentic, less spoiled, and more peaceful, where nature, culture, history and lifestyle come together and where the dream of French homeownership is not only alive, but still affordable unlike much of the southeast of France. Are the Americans perhaps missing a trick by focusing on one small part of France and missing the best bit?

The “Other” South of France

Tucked between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, with the backdrop of the spectacular Pyrénées mountains, southwest France is one of those rare regions that has it all. With its pretty villages, sweeping mountain views, and a slower, gentler pace of life, it offers exactly the lifestyle that so many Americans are dreaming about, if they only knew to look in this region when beginning their property search in France.

This is a land of colourful local markets and café terraces, quiet, tree-lined country lanes and rolling hills where seasons still matter. Whether you are looking for a holiday home or a more permanent escape, the southwest quietly delivers on all fronts. The Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées regions are steeped in history yet brimming with possibility, offering character-filled properties at prices far below those of the better-known Provence or Côte D’Azur. These are places where pretty, old farmhouses dot the hillsides with their thick stone walls, hand carved fireplaces, beautiful views, blue shutters, vines and large gardens along with lots of traditional character.

The beauty of this part of France is not only in its houses, villages, and landscapes, which shift from lush valleys to dramatic mountain peaks, but in its rhythm of life. It is a region that invites you to slow down and stay awhile, to wander ancient market towns like Auch or Marciac, to follow the path of the Tour de France through sun-dappled hills, or to sit with a coffee in a sleepy village square and feel time dissolve around you. It is not a curated postcard version of France full of tourists and souvenirs, it is the real thing. And that, in the end, is what makes it so compelling.

Read more by following the link below.

FPN The Other South of France, March_April 2026

Leave a comment

Why this might be a good time to buy a safe haven in southwest France

By nadia, on 10th April 2026

The property market is noticeably quieter in this corner of southwest France so far this year. After several very busy years, activity has slowed, which is creating an interesting opportunity for buyers in what agents generally describe as a buyer’s market.

There are, of course, a number of clear reasons for this slowdown, the main one being that the global backdrop is far from stable thanks to ongoing conflicts, uncertainty in energy markets and wider economic pressures. Rising interest rates have also had an impact with the result that fewer owners are ready to move and buyers are hesitant but also with the upper hand when it comes to negotiating on the price.

Sellers who have previously been able to hold firm on price are now, in many cases, more open to negotiation and, for those buyers in a position to proceed, it can mean securing a property at a more realistic price, and sometimes significantly below what might have been expected a year or two ago.

At the same time, international interest has not disappeared. If anything, the current instability is prompting a different type of buyer, one who is perhaps less speculative and more focused on long-term lifestyle and security. In uncertain times, people often look for something tangible and enduring, and property in France continues to offer exactly that. I have written before about the appeal of France and it remains very much the case that the country consistently ranks highly for quality of life. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, France performs strongly in areas such as healthcare, work-life balance and overall wellbeing. These factors take on even greater importance when the wider world feels unpredictable.

Southwest France, in particular, offers a compelling combination of affordability and lifestyle. Property prices here remain relatively accessible compared to many other parts of Europe. At the same time, the region offers space, beautiful countryside, a gentle climate and a pace of life that feels increasingly appealing. There is also a growing interest in more sustainable living, gardens, land and local produce, all of which are far easier to find here.

Of course, caution is always advisable when making a property purchase, particularly in uncertain times. But it is worth noting that periods of hesitation in the market often present the best opportunities. With less competition, more negotiable prices and a wide choice of properties, buyers currently find themselves in a particularly favourable position.

So, whilst the headlines may suggest instability, there is another way of looking at it. For those seeking not just a property but a lifestyle and perhaps a degree of security and simplicity, this quieter market may represent a very good moment to act.

If you are considering buying in southwest France and would like some help or advice, please do get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com

Comments are closed

Ski sun-day

By nadia, on 18th February 2026

We are having one of the best ski seasons for many years here in the Pyrénées so if you thinking of buying a bolthole in the mountains, take a look at my article in French Property News for a summary of the best resorts. Read the full article here: FPN March 2025 edition Pyrenees

 

 

 

Comments are closed

The apéritif – more than just a drink and the perfect way to get to know people in France

By nadia, on 3rd February 2026

More than a pre-dinner drink, the apéritif, or the apéro as it is more commonly known, is a way of life, at least in this part of France, acting as a social glue, bringing people together and underlining the gentle rhythm of life in France. The apéro is less about what is in the glass and more about who is around the table.

The word apéritif comes from the Latin aperire, meaning ‘to open’ and traditionally it was exactly that: a drink to stimulate the appetite before dinner. Over the centuries, the ritual evolved into a social pause, a time to unwind, catch up, and stop the clock. Today, the apéro is as much about connection and conversation as it is about drinks, woven into daily life, a gentle punctuation mark between work and evening. It is a time when neighbours, colleagues, friends and family pause their day to share a moment together. There is an etiquette (unfortunately unwritten); don’t arrive empty-handed, never rush, and avoid turning the conversation toward work or politics. This is a time to savour presence, not productivity.

For many French families, particularly at the weekends, the apéro begins around 6pm. A great way to draw everyone together from what they are doing to gather around a table or on the terrace for a few olives, nuts, cherry tomatoes, and small slices of saucisson and a drink. Sometimes when friends or neighbours are invited for an apéro, it evolves into a full evening with endless nibbles and the conversation stretching into the night. Many French people still have lunch as their main meal of the day so something to snack on with a drink is all they need in the evening.

The apéro continues to evolve, especially among younger generations. Organic wines, craft beer, low-alcohol drinks, vegetarian platters, and artisanal nibbles are increasingly popular. Yet, at its heart, the ritual remains the same, some shared time to catch up, some gossip and a tradition that justifies downing tools (or laptops and phones) to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Some restaurants and cafés have also embraced this trend, offering planchettes which are boards of charcuterie, cheeses, and bread meant to be shared and enjoyed with friends and family and a glass of something.

Ultimately, the apéro captures something deeply French, the art of living well in the present and prioritising life over work. It reminds us to slow down, to gather with others, and to celebrate small pleasures, a perfect symbol of France’s joie de vivre inviting us to savour life, to connect, and to find joy in the everyday.

If you would like to find out more about buying a house in France or need help with your property search, please get in touch: nadia@foothillsoffrance.com

Comments are closed
 
  Older Entries »