Geographical Differences in British Property Acquisitions in Rural France

Drawing on a survey of 406 British home owners in five departements in France, this study explores the geography of first and second home acquisitions in terms of differences between origin and destination area. Examining the reasons why people buy homes in rural France, it is shown that those from South West England mainly move to France permanently because of its cheaper cost of living, while those from the southern counties of South East England seem to use France as an accessible arena for acquiring a 'genuine' rural home. Within France, there are clear differences in the rationale for buying homes in particular places. Buyers in Calvados seek an 'escape' from Britain in a location close to ferry ports, those in Charente-Maritime are drawn by its relatively cheap 'sun and sand' environment, with Dordogne and Lot buyers being attracted by traditional rural landscapes. Vaucluse receives wealthier buyers with stronger prior connections with France. The consistency of responses across origin and destination area reveals that geographical factors do underlie the rationale for home purchase.