Property by French Departments

Close to Italy on the Swiss border, Ain is one of the most strikingly diverse of the French rural departments. Loved by walkers due to its beautiful terrain, the department is also a agricultural centre.

Aisne

Picardy

Similar to an English climate, the agriculture again dominates the activities in Aisne - especially cereal crops.

Allier

Auvergne

Named after the river Allier which flows into the River Loire. The most productive agricultural area of the Auvergne - also some wine production in Allier.

Alpes de Haute Provence

PACA*

Mountain region with peaks over 2500m, very dry and arid. You will find lavender-filled plains with snow-capped mountains and deep gorges in the Alpes de Haute Provence.

Alpes Maritimes

PACA

Alpes Maritimes has a famous coastline and is the playground of the rich & famous. Situated on the Mediterranean sea, with the well known chic towns of Cannes, Nice, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Antibes and Monaco.

Ardèche

The rivers and gorges have made the Ardeche famous to all canoe and kayak fans. Spectacular countryside to enjoy.

Ardennes

On the Belgium frontier with heavily forested landscapes, & the river Meuse, the Ardennes is a very interesting area. Cheap property!

Ariège

The Pyrenees mountains climb high to the south to reach the Spanish border. Cheap property and fabulous views in the Ariege.

Aube

To the south east of Paris and named after the river Aube which flows into the Seine. Parisian week-end retreat!

Aude

In south France on the Mediterranean coast; the centre of the Cathar world. Carcassonne is the capital of Aude with its World Heritage Fortifications. An area with rich historical importance, located between the sea and mountains.

Aveyron

Located inland of south west of France - Averyron is very attractive with its rugged landscapes.

Bas Rhin

Alsace

The most eastern part of France, with a frontier with Germany & bordered by the river Rhine. Strasbourg is the capital and also a very important French City; the European parliament is located here in the Alsace.

Bouches du Rhône

PACA

With one of the most important ports (Marseille) in Europe, the historical importance of the Bouches du Rhone area has created a rich mixture of cultures and traditions. Good all year around weather.

Calvados

Lower Normandy

Situated in the north west of France. Famous for D-Day landing beaches during the Second World War. Famous for the fine Calvados liqueur and Cider made from local apples.

Cantal

Auvergne

Famous for its cheese, the Cantal is also a very picturesque area. Cheaper property too!

Charente

In western France with lovely country side, with many rivers, old mills and small villages. Good climate in the Charente.

Charente Maritime

Charente Maritime is situated in south west France and facing onto the Atlantic ocean, the port of La Rochelle is a major landmark. Sandy beaches down to the Gironde estuary.

Cher

Centre

This is the physical centre of France and named after the river Cher lined with many Chateaux. The department used to known as Berry. The main city of Bourges has an annual musical festival.

Corrèze

Limousin

Towards the south and west of France, this landlocked department is in the heart of the Massif Central. Correze is a rural and agricultural area.

Cote d'Or

The "Golden Hills" of Cote d'Or - This department is rich in history and culture. The main Burgundy wines are to be found here between Dijon and Beaune.

Cotes d'Armor

The Cotes d'Armor looks towards SW England and the English channel. Coastline similar to Cornwall.

Creuse

Limousin

Named after the river Creuse which flows into the Loire, the Creuse leaves steep sided valleys and villages perched on hill tops.

Deux Sèvres

Located towards the west of France, inland from the Atlantic. Deux Sevres is rather flat but dotted with some lovely villages.

Dordogne

In the south west of France, department is crossed by the river Dordogne which flows into the Atlantic. The Dordogne has become a gentle and calm area very popular with the Brits.

Doubs

Named after the river Doubs on the eastern side of France. This is the start of the main mountain region of France, the Doubs marks the foothills of the Jura mountains.

Drôme

The Drome lies below the main mountainous area of the Alps and east bank of the Rhone river in the southern France.

Essone

Essonne is now part of the suburbs of Paris.

Eure

Upper Normandy

In north western part of France on the south bank of the river Seine. The Eure is popular with Parisian weekenders.

Eure et Loir

Centre

To the south west of Paris, named after the two rivers Eure et Loir.

Finistère

With a wild and rocky Brittany coast, Finistere faces the Atlantic ocean and storms.

Gard

Towards the south of France on the west bank of the river Rhone. Much Roman Architecture in Gard.

Gers

Calm and rural with lovely countryside - the Gers is a very pleasant & agreeable part of southern France.

Gironde

The largest department and located on the Atlantic coast in southern France. Outside the main cities, the industry revolves around the vineyards of the Gironde.

Haut Rhin

Alsace

Hait Rhin is the southern part of Alsace on the banks of the river Rhine.

Haute Garonne

In southern France, Haute Garonne within a narrow strip down the mountainous border with Spain. Major city is Toulouse

Haute Loire

Auvergne

Haute Loire with the highlands of the Massif Central, and the confluence of Loire as it begins its long journey north and then westwards through the heart of France.

Haute Marne

In eastern France - Haute Marne is very rural and cheap!

Haute Savoie

Haute Savoie is renowned for some of the best ski slopes in France: Megeve, Chamonix, Avoriaz.

Haute Vienne

Limousin

Bordering the Massif Central and the region of Poitou Charentes, the river Vienne runs west and then eventually north to the River Loire. Haute Vienne property is relatively cheap.

Hautes Alpes

PACA

As the name suggest, the Hautes Alpes are part of the highlands of France. With mountains over 4000 meters high.

Hautes Pyrénées

Moving southwards the land of Hautes Pyrenees climbs high into the mountains and the border with Spain.

Hauts de Seine

Haute de Seine is part of the suburbs of Paris.

Hérault

Herault is located on the Mediterranean coast along the Gulf of Lyon.

Ille et Vilaine

The most eastern part of Brittany and Ille de Villaine has the shortest coast line.

Indre

Centre

Numerous castles and interesting area for hunters and fishermen. Gently rolling landscapes in the Indre!

Indre et Loire

Centre

Indre et Loire is where the river Indre flows into the Loire.

Isère

The university city of Grenoble is the capital in the department of Isere.

Jura

Mountains and lakes in a very beautiful French department: Jura with fine wines produced at Arbois and Poligny.

Landes

Coastal area with much woodland and forest inland - long sandy beaches with sand dunes are the main features of Les Landes.

Loire

Loire was once a very important textile production location.

Loire Atlantique

Loire Atlantique is the gateway to the Atlantic for France's longest river the Loire as it flows into the sea.

Loir et Cher

Centre

The rivers Loire and Cher pass through, hence the name of this department. Many famous castles along the Loire valley such as Chambord.

Loiret

Centre

The river Loire meanders through the Loiret, running to the south of Paris. The capital city is Orleans rich in French History and this is the home town for Joan of Arc.

Lot

Named after the river Lot, this is an area with much history. Landscapes are popular with visitors.

Lot et Garonne

Within the Aquitaine region, the calm countryside and many rivers make this department of Lot et Garonne very agreeable.

Lozère

The rivers Lot and Tarn cut through creating a diverse area in Lozere.

Maine et Loire

History and castles make Maine et Loire a fascinating place to visit.

Manche

Lower Normandy

The Manche is French for the English Channel. This department points to the North-West towards England. Plenty of beaches!

Marne

The heart of the Champagne production with Reims and Epernay. Many famous vineyards in the Marne.

Mayenne

Mayenne is in western France and part of the region called Pays de Loire or Western Loire.

Meurthe et Moselle

Meurthe et Moselle is in the industrial north east of France.

Meuse

The Meuse is located in eastern France and is named after the river, which flows north into neighbouring Belgium.

Morbihan

The south facing coast of Brittany, the coast line of the Morbihan is very attractive with rocks, cliffs and sand beaches. Property can be expensive.

Moselle

The river Moselle flows northwards though the city of Metz and then into Germany.

Nievre

Nievre is a quiet area of central France, rich in cereal and crop farming. The small city of Nevers nestles in the hilly countryside and looks over the Loire river.

Nord

Nord Pas-de-Calais

Nord, the most northern department of France, with the English Channel and Belgium as frontiers.

Oise

Picardy

Part of the suburbs of Paris; named after the river Oise.

Orne

Lower Normandy

Takes its name from the river Orne which flows North West and finally into the Bay of the Seine in the English Channel.

Paris

The capital of France, Paris, city of lights, art, history and romance with its famous monuments such as the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame and the river Seine.

Pas de Calais

Nord Pas-de-Calais

This coastal area has excellent maritime, rail and road networks, but there are industrial areas to Pas de Calais. Greener to the south of the department.

Puy de Dôme

Auvergne

The Puy de Dome area contains the famous extinct volcanoes (also known for the quality its spring water).

Pyrénées Atlantiques

This is the most southern department on the Atlantic coast and borders with Spain. Chic Biarritz and Bayonne are popular in the Pyrenees Atlantiques.

Pyrénées Orientales

The most south eastern side of the Pyrenees, with a frontier with Spain. Diverse landscapes from sandy beaches to the Pyrenees make the Pyrenees Orientales a popular destination.

Rhône

Famous for the river Rhone and wines, but there is also much industry along the river banks.

Saône et Loire

The Saône and Loire is in the southern part of Burgundy.

Haute Saône

The river Saône provides an important communication route in the Haute Saone.

Sarthe

The area is named after the river Sarthe which flows into the Loire.

Savoie

One of the principal ski vacation destinations. The mountains of the Savoie have good slopes for downhill skiing and many woodlands and plains used for cross-country skiing.

Seine et Marne

To the south-east of Paris, the Seine et Marne is a very densely populated area.

Seine Maritime

Upper Normandy

Coast line with the ports of Le Havre and Dieppe, the southern boundary with the department of the Eure is defined by the river Seine. Popular beaches in Seine Maritime.

Seine Saint Denis

Seine Saint Denis is part of the suburbs of Paris.

Somme

Picardy

Somme is historically important with the huge military cemeteries from the Great War; there are many monuments to soldiers from many countries.

Tarn

Named after the the river Tarn.

Tarn et Garonne

To the south the hills rise with the Pyrenees mountains. The convergence of the rivers Tarn, Garonne and Aveyron, the and Canal du Midi.

Territoire de Belfort

Territoire de Belfort is the smallest department in France - on the border of Alsace and a few miles from Switzerland.

Val d'Oise

Val d'Oise are part of the suburbs of Paris.

Val de Marne

Val de Marne is in the suburbs of Paris, with a high amount of development. Disneyland is here too.

Var

PACA

The Var Mediterranean coast with the famous villages of Saint Tropez, Saint Raphael, Antibes are in this 200 mile long coastal area.

Vaucluse

PACA

In the southern part of France, the Vaucluse has the Rhone River on the west and the Alps to the east.

Vendée

On the Atlantic coast, the Vendee area has much to offer to all sailors and boating fans. From the Sables-d'Olonne to La Roche-sur-Yon - lots of sandy beaches too!

Vienne

The capital is Poitiers & has played a very important role in French history. The two main rivers are the Vienne and the Clain.

Vosges

Vosges is famous for the huge forest and wood industries.

Yonne

Named after the river Yonne which flows into the Seine.

Yvelines