France is a beautiful country which is a dream destination for many toursits. Its picturesque building and amazing nature are just part of the reasons why it is so sought after. Many consider purchasing property in this amazing European country but to fully appreciate living in France you have to know it’s history in culture good enough.
The beautiful French history
The Celts migrated towards the west (Rhine valley) and later settled in a place called the Gaul, while the Greek and Phoenician traded on France’s Mediterranean. Part of it was conquered by Julius Caesar within the years 57 to 52 BC. This land remained under western Roman empire rule and got disintergrated into smaller scales of agrarian settlements. It was later invaded by the Franks in the 5th century under their king Chal-amange. The Frankish king later took the title of holy roman emperor, and after his decease, his three grandsons divided the empire among themselves. This land then became France, Italy, and Germany that we see today.
France and England went into war between the years 1337 and 1453, a decade before the black death struck. France won the war which was based on dynasty and territorial claims with the help of the young Joan of Arc; after the war, the English only managed to retain Calais. John Calvin’s Protestantism spread all around France, and France switched to catholicism due to the Edith of Nantes, issued by Henry IV of the Bourbon dynasty in the year 1598. Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles in 1643-1715 during the years of France’s absolute monarchy in celebration of French architecture. He was also called the sun king, and he put France under a lot of financial stress in the 18th century due to his extravagant projects and military campaigns. This among other reasons caused the French revolution.
The noble lived comfortably in rule while the rest of the country paid for their comfort with high taxes. The revolution occurred between 1789 and 1794; it ended the overuse of monarchy power and closed in on the gap between the noble and the non-noble. France’s initial foray towards republicanism and democracy failed miserably because the country’s leaders resorted to autocracy rather than providing for its citizens. Four different periods of French history—the Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte,1804–1814, and a three-month restoration in 1815. The Bourbon Restoration (1814–1830), the reign of Louis-Philippe (1830–1848), and the Second Empire of Napoleon III—were characterized by the reign of terror from 1852 to 1870. Napoléon Bonaparte expanded France’s territorial and cultural influence over all of Europe. Napoleon III’s reign came to an end as a result of defeats at Waterloo in the Franco-Persian Wars of 1815 and 1870. Another colonizer of Africa was France. Next to England, it had the second-longest reign.
France was victorious in World War I, but it incurred significant human and material losses. It was eventually crushed by Germany in World War II. After Nazi soldiers seized Paris, Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain signed an armistice, dividing France into unoccupied south and an occupied north. Vichy France, which was not under occupation, was to blame for France’s declining resources and the transportation of Jews to Nazi Germany for forced labor. After four years of Nazi domination, France was liberated. They formed a provisional administration led by Charles de Gaulle, the wartime leader of free France, with the help of their allies.
A very important part of French culture is its cuisine
Traditional French cooking skills have had a legendary effect and appeal. Many cooks who produce French cuisine feel under pressure to maintain an unattainable level of elegance and flare. Many see Ms. Child’s famed cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, as the pinnacle of her culinary expertise, and credit it with making traditional French cuisine more acceptable to American home chefs.
Regional food is commonly prepared and cooked by the French. The regional component of French cuisine is considerable. French cooking is a unique cultural experience that mixes delectable, seasonally appropriate cuisine with luxury, leisure, and meticulous preparation. The skill of cooking and eating French food may take a lifetime to perfect, but you must take a moment to savor it in its entirety.
Before buying a home, it is best to get yourself a well-trusted real estate agent.
You can look for a home on your own, but a real estate agent may provide you with advice and guide you through the process. They have significantly more experience in this field than you have, and they don’t get paid until you actually purchase that property, so they can help you make wise judgments. A broker might be able to provide you access to homes as soon as they go on the market before other buyers can see them online. Inquire of individuals who have purchased or sold the property in your region for advice on the best agents. Choose a salesperson that will get back to you right away and has experience working with buyers in your circumstances.
This price structure is flexible, but bear in mind that your agent’s commission—typically a 5 to 6 percent split with the seller’s agent—will be subtracted from the proceeds of the sale. Before you hire help, you should already know what you want. You must first conduct research on communities and their surrounding locations since the agent will rely heavily on what you provide. Understand the sort of setting you to want to purchase in and, more significantly, your budget. Knowing your budget allows you to decide what style of chateau you want to buy and how much money you want to spend on repairs. It also helps you determine how much room you will require.
French property market
Price increases have lately been observed by everyone who has been keeping up with the French real estate market. Analysts predict that this tendency will continue. If you’ve been considering purchasing a second house in France, now is the time to do it.
Real estate in France is a wise investment for a number of reasons. The first is the country’s steady political and economic environment, which was not adversely affected by the Coronavirus outbreak as other nations were. France is a prosperous country with a robust economy that contributes significantly to the European Union. It is a popular vacation spot for both residents and visitors, as well as retirees.
The French government also provides a number of benefits to foreigners who buy real estate in France, one of which is the simple access to property purchases. All of these characteristics attribute to the country’s strong property record, which explains why it has one of Europe’s most stable housing markets.
Owning an apartment in a French chateau
Chateaus in France are emblems of grandeur, wealth, and power. They were designed for the affluent; in the past, they were exclusively designed for and owned by the wealthy, and their goal was to signal to pedestrians that the property was occupied by a noble. However, times and circumstances have changed. Everybody can now afford to live like a nobleman or at least live in a French castle because they are so affordable. In this unquestionably magnificent location, you will definitely always feel like a monarch, and a vineyard will only add to that idea. If you wait to buy your dream house because the demand for chateaux is increasing, you may end up spending much more. They arrive with a sense of history inside them.
Buying a chateau in France’s current real estate market can profit you tremendously. Because French property prices have risen since 2021, homeowners who bought properties earlier in the year can still sell them for a profit this year. For whatever reason, there isn’t a better place to purchase a home in right now than France. You have the option of renting it out or living there with your family. Because chateaus have a lot of table space, you may rent it out for the holidays or to other people. You may also hire it out for special occasions (parties, weddings). Possibilities for owning a château are virtually limitless.
You may even acquire and invest in an abandoned chateau and renovate it in reselling it for more money, given how valuable and in demand they are right now. Because they are typically located in desirable regions, they make good rental properties. You may always benefit from the castle if it is carefully maintained. Chateaus would need costly maintenance due to their size, but with the right design, you might not notice. Given its present market value, you may be buying it to use as a residence for your big family so that they would be cared for even if you were to pass away. No matter how you look at it, purchasing a chateau at the right moment and with the right approach will yield nothing but fantastic financial results.
Buying French property today
Purchasing a property in France is just as straightforward for a citizen as it is for a foreigner with the correct paperwork. It is best to get expert advice before making any rash decisions while acquiring real estate. You can utilize any of the many qualified real estate agents in France. Make sure to complete your homework before selecting a real estate agent to assist you, because choosing a real estate agent is just as crucial as buying a house. It is recommended that you rent the home for at least a month before making your final decision, especially if you are unfamiliar with the region.
If you rent before you purchase, you will have a better chance of getting to know the neighborhood and the market. You must first decide what you want to use the house for in order to simplify the process for you and assist you in finding the right location for the property. Choosing this first allows you to determine the size, best location, and necessary upgrades. This also assists your hired realtor in determining which properties to show you, making both of your duties easier and lighter.
Examine all of your alternatives and consider them properly. When purchasing property, especially a chateau, rather than going with the first one you come across, look at what the agent still has to show you since your dream house may still be available. If you rent before you purchase, you will have a better chance of getting to know the neighborhood and the market. You must first decide what you want to use the house for in order to simplify the process for you and assist you in finding the right location for the property. Choosing this first allows you to determine the size, best location, and necessary upgrades. This also assists your hired realtor in determining which properties to show you, making both of your duties easier and lighter.
Examine all of your alternatives and consider them properly. When purchasing property, especially a chateau, rather than going with the first one you come across, look at what the agent still has to show you since your dream house may still be available. When buying real estate in France, keep in mind that each city has its own culture and particular perks. There are some places that are quieter than others. Some places that are closer to the city. Other places that are in the country. But they all have one thing in common: French beauty, breathtaking views, and nice neighbors. Foreign nationals may own property in France if they have the relevant documents or papers. Foreign nationals currently own around 5.8 percent of all real estate in the country. In essence, everyone in the world is entitled to own a French chateau.
