Buying French Property in Troyes

Summary: Examining the city of Troyes in France and the French property for sale in Troyes in Champagne-Ardenne

The French property market has long been one that investors have revelled in and it is also a market that many international citizens have bought into.  Whether you’re looking for a holiday home, a retirement home or even a new home away from the hustle and bustle of your current life, chances are the French real estate market has something of appeal for you.

From the balmy but expensive French Riviera to the cultural wonderland of Paris, France is home to more than its fair share of international property investors, expatriates and retirees from around the world who have all found that France and French real estate is of direct appeal to them.  In this article we’re profiling buying French property in Troyes which is an up and coming location on the international buyer radar.

So, if you’re an investor looking for opportunity or you’re an expat or would be expat seeking a slightly different pace of life we’ve agreed that France could be the country for you - right?!

Well, it just so happens that the Champagne-Ardenne city of Troyes may very well be worth your closer inspection because it is a location ticking many positive boxes for both expats and investors – for example it is accessible, it is of tourism interest, it has a good climate and property prices in and around the city are currently affordable with plenty of scope for growth.

Found in the north-eastern region of France along the Belgian border, Champagne-Ardenne is considered an incredibly picturesque part of France.  With its bounty of riverfront property along the Seine, Marne and Aisne rivers and quaint old buildings, the region is a favourite with tourists and expatriates who want to see a side of France that Paris cannot provide for example – and this also means that there is increasing investment potential in this part of France.

The city of Troyes itself has been around since Roman times – originally the city was called Augustobona Tricassium and it served as a highway hub and eventually became home to legendary Saint Loup who reportedly saved the city from Attila the Hun.

Throughout the Middle Ages Troyes served as an important city and was named capital of Champagne in the 9th century, a title it held for hundreds of years.  Although visual evidence of its Roman past is only found in the ruins of an old aqueduct, there is no denying its ancient and fascinatingly historic feel. 

Visitors to Troyes often remark about the many interesting historic sights to take in.  Many of the city’s streets are still narrow and feature quaint cobblestone walkways for example and the buildings along the narrow streets include a number of half-timbered homes with stately gabled roofs.  Historic landmarks include the Hotel de Ville, the shopping district and many, many old buildings of interest and naturally enough, the city is also home to a number of museums and historic churches that all draw in thousands of visitors annually.

Buying French property especially in its more rural regions such as Champagne-Ardenne is a bit of an experience, especially for British and American buyers!  Apartments for example often come without appliances or even the kitchen cabinets and light fittings – and the French real estate system does not rely as heavily on estate agents as the American or even British systems either.

Roughly 70% of transactions are handled between buyer and seller directly although an agent immobilier is often recommended to help foreigners through the process.  Be sure to read up on buying French property and about the tax laws and other considerations that come into play before you commit to purchase and get a good lawyer before you sign anything – there is plenty of relevant information on this website to help you.

If the fairly quiet pace of life that Troyes offers appeals to you, you will probably not be disappointed in the real estate market.  The available property in the area ranges from small flats to rather large old homes.  Flats are quite affordable, but expect them to be fairly small - villas and houses on the other hand are generally much more spacious, but of course they then do have the higher price tags to match!

While France does not necessarily hold the property investment favour that current emerging investment hotspots like Bulgaria, Morocco and Egypt enjoy, this older, more established, tried and tested market does appeal to those who want to live a distinctly different and leisurely lifestyle and it appeals to investors seeking less risk in their portfolio.

So, if the French countryside, picturesque and historic sights and easy and fast access to the rest of France, the UK and mainland Europe appeal to you, we would say that Troyes is worth a closer inspection!

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