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02/06/2010 |
New lo-cost route for brand new Dordogne airport!
Cityjet announce a new Summer flight route from London City to Dordogne Brive Souillac airport. Flights start from 25th June and cost as little as €59 euros inclusive one way! www.cityjet.com |
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30/09/2009 |
New Dordogne Property Agency blogsite!
We are pleased to annouce the launch of the new Dordogne Property Agency blog site @ http://www.dordognepropertyagency.blogspot.com
Click on "Blog" on our main menu bar to link directly to our blog site
This is a place where we can keep you up to date with Dordogne news, useful information about France, local events, the French property marketplace and trends and just about anything else we can think of. You can also leave your comments for us on any subjects that we have posted entries for. Tell us what you want to know about life and living in France!
Happy blogging! |
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26/08/2009 |
New low cost routes serving Dordogne region
Ryanair recently announced 4 new routes for SW France served from their newly formed base at Leeds-Bardford airport.
From March 2010 it plans to base two of its fleet at Leeds Bradford and will offer flights to Carcassonne, Limoges, Montpellier and Nantes. Limoges airport, situated just to the north of the region and only 75 mins drive from the Dordogne capital of Perigueux will shortly enoy this additional service to the region offering easier access from the North of the UKFlight times
This comes close on the heels of the announcment that Jet2.com would start a new service next year between Leeds Bradford and Bergerac.
Flights depart every Saturday from May 17, 2010, and will include an additional Tuesday service available between June 28 and September 12.
Prices start from £29.99 inclusive and are available for sale already - planned timetable is:
Leeds Bradford to Bergerac
Saturday, departs 8am, arrives 11am
Tuesday, departs 11.30am, arrives 2.30pm
Bergerac to Leeds Bradford
Saturday, departs 11.30am, arrives 12.30pm
Tuesday, departs 3pm, arrives 4pm
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17/04/2009 |
Dordogne - Real French towns, real prices and why do people continue to buy here?
Credit crunch, inflation, exchange rate misery, global recession, failing investments, doom and gloom….. All these can be found in abundance everywhere you look in today’s world. Yet here in this tranquil corner of South-West France the reverberations of these things seem less important as little changes here over time and the region still offers the same reasons for buying a property that it always has.
Despite the overused, somewhat boring and mostly inaccurate generalisations that are often made about this region, such as being, “crowded with Brits” and “too expensive”, the truth for those who have the spirit of independent thought and common sense to see for themselves could not be more different. Especially in the current economic conditions, where many great property deals are to be had for the buyer!
Let’s take a look at the facts:
Location - This area is loved as much by the French as the overseas purchasers that have traditionally bought here because after all, this is some of the best countryside that France has to offer and is here right in their own backyard! Add in the already strong popularity with other International buyers including the Brits, Dutch and Belgians and we have an area here which has benefited from continued and strong overseas demand. Yet most of Dordogne totally retains it’s French feel. Why? Because despite the community of second home owners, French families live and work here, towns and villages buzz with their daily lives all year round and the bars and restaurants continue to be busy, no matter what the season. For example, central Dordogne, which is served by the A89 auto route attracts commuters from Bordeaux who have themselves been wooed into the area by the superb road links back to the city and people from all over the world buy second homes here because of the stunning beauty and tranquility of this “garden of France”.
Access – Want to buy in an area that is served well by roads and airport access? This area can probably boast the best and easiest access from points across the UK and Ireland. We have the international airport of Bordeaux just an hour away. Bergerac International Airport is only ½ hour away. Limoges is only 1 ½ hours from the heart of the region and the forthcoming International airport at Brive la Gaillarde will be 50 minutes drive from our offices in Neuvic sur L’Isle when opened shortly. These routes continue to expand and with this flexibility, cheap prices can always be found giving affordable access to your French home from almost anywhere in the UK.
Investment - Since the beginning of 2002 until the end of 2007, prices across the Dordogne rose by 45% putting the region well above the average for France. In terms of today’s market, prices have stabilised during the last 12 to 18 months and in many cases asking prices are falling strongly due to the reduced demand resulting from the global recession and “credit crunch”. Real time prices have fallen in the region of 10% to 20% based on actual transactions taking place, however for the most part, the recession has seen a reality check taking place for vendors who imagined the values of their properties being permanently on the increase. Prices now reflect much more realistic market values. Interestingly, a key factor about this region is that properties here are bought equally by French and other foreign buyers. The region is also currently very popular with Dutch and Belgian buyers so good properties still continue to sell quickly. The regions airports, and the low-cost airlines they attract, make the current and future access to properties very easy so demand continues to be steady and there appears to be no let up in the appetite for property in this area. Whilst there can never be any cast iron guarantees about future values, you do not need to be a rocket scientist to understand that if southwest France is one of the last bastions of lower priced property in Europe and demand continues to be strong, then over the long term, prices will continue to rise steadily. After all, there is only one “La Belle France”. Follow the model of what has already happened in other popular destinations such as Italy, Spain and Portugal and you will see that in many of the regions in these areas, even allowing for recent price reductions and falling demand, prices have already become, and remain, prohibitive for buyers with modest budgets.
Prices – There is usually no smoke without fire and it is true that a small handful of the famous Dordogne towns, mainly found along the southern border, have historically attracted prices much higher than the average Dordogne property. It is this that drives the inaccurate perception that the Dordogne is expensive and is mainly due to the long term demand within these areas and the huge growth in tourism which has driven the demand. Despite this, property prices across much of the rest of the region, the “true” Dordogne, are still at bargain levels. Currently, the southwest of France offers the best prices in the whole of France. People are always very surprised to find that Dordogne compares very favourably on price with the neighbouring Limousin region. This should be no surprise as the two areas are geographically linked and despite rumours, there is not a huge “painted line” across the countryside which, when crossed into the Dordogne, suddenly means that prices treble!
Motivation – In over 7 years of being an estate agent in the Dordogne, I have never sold a house to a single buyer whose primary motivation has been for financial gain. Everyone who buys here buys for the superb quality of life that it brings and this can still be had in exactly the same way as it always could. People buying here today are still buying for the same reasons and “credit crunch” and recession have little to do with it. Despite this, as I have said above, long term broad appeal for this region will certainly ensure that sound investment comes as part of the package. If you were thinking of buying to improve your life then what stops you from still doing that if your motivations are for life change?
So what are some of the conclusions one can draw here? The facts are:
Property remains excellent value for money in Dordogne with plenty of superb deals available for the keen buyer
Access to the region remains easy
This is one of the most sought after and beautiful areas of France
In the long term, property prices will continue to rise steadily making investment a “sure footed” move
And the final conclusion? If you have been thinking about buying French property but have not yet made your move, why wait any longer as the time is now right! The door here in Dordogne is very much open for those with the conviction to come down and see for themselves. We would be delighted to help you to change your life forever and to find and purchase your piece of France and that dream home in the sunshine. Book your appointment now! |
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09/04/2009 |
Question of the month! - Why buy your French property now?
1. Slower market conditions and fewer buyers in recent months have created many bargains in the marketplace.
2. Shrewd buyers are choosing to buy now and to take advantage of many vendors who are now, more than ever, prepared to accept lowers offer for their properties.
3. France still offers (and always has!) one of the safest havens for property investors with a proven record of stable property prices.
4. French property offers a safe long term investment.
5. France has maintained an unmatched quality of life.
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05/02/2009 |
Bag yourself a British bargain!
As the French housing market comes to terms with the global economic downturn, even the much loved and endlessly popular Dordogne region has suffered from a lack of available buyers in the last 12 months. Vendors now have to work much harder to attract fewer buyers and whilst many British buyers still retain the dream of owning their own French home, circumstances have made it harder for them to sell property in the UK or obtain suitable finance. Not to mention a general lack of confidence in the global markets and the dwindling value of the pound versus the world's currencies......
However, in every set of market conditions there are always advantages to be found. British vendors, who will sell their French properties and then plan to return to the UK, have discovered themselves holding a very real "ace" card in the fight to attract a buyer. Whilst a traditional non UK seller can only realistically drop the price of his property in line with market values, a British vendor who intends to repatriate his or her money back to the UK in sterling could be seeing a real gain of up to 50% in value and has a major advantage!
Example: Mr and Mrs UK Seller bought their French property in 2006 for 350,000 Euros. When they purchased their currency on completion, the exchange rate was at 1.46 Euros to the pound meaning, their property cost them around 239,000 pounds. Even taking into account the growth in property values since they purchased nearly 3 years ago, they now find themselves in a slower market as a result of falling demand and a real risk of lower prices. If they were to sell today at the same price at which they purchased their property, based on today's euro sterling exchange rate of 1.08, they would gain, purely on the value of the weaker pound, by more than 85,000 pounds. Furthermore, in order to secure a buyer, they could even potentially drop their selling price down as low as 260,000 Euros and still walk away with the same amount of sterling as they started with!!
Because of this situation, many British vendors are putting themselves in a very strong position in the market by dropping their prices aggressively to make their own properties stand out from the crowd. Those that are not adopting this strategy immediately are still going to be much more inclined to accept a stronger negotiation on their price for the same reasons.
We are not suggesting that anyone would buy a property simply because it could be bought below the market value. Purchasers should always aim to find the best property to suit their requirements at the best possible price. This does mean however, that many cautious buyers are now coming back into the market, tempted by this unique situation.
If you have been holding off on your own "French dream" and waiting for the right time to purchase then this is surely it. Remember, it will only take a simple recovery of sterling to remove this situation at a stoke and a stronger pound will bring more buyers to the market pushing prices for good properties back up again!
Do it now and contact us to begin finding your own British/French bargain!
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05/01/2009 |
Dordogne Property Agency at France Show 2009!
Visit Dordogne Property Agency on stand P254 at the France Show 2009 at Earls Court - London 9th to 11th January 2009
See our homepage for free entrance tickets for 2 people to this show.
We are also pleased tp announce France show 2009 property promotion to coincide with the exhibition. Buy a property through our agency from any appointment booked between now and the 31st March 2009 and receive a 1% cashback of the purchase price of the property! (terms and conditions apply) Contact us to request further details of this offer or meet us at the show and collect your cashback voucher in person!
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18/11/2008 |
A Place in the Sun comes to the Dordogne!
Take a look at Channel 4 on Friday 28th November 2008 to see the latest episode of the famous “A Place in the Sun” show which was filmed together with the assistance of our agency in the Dordogne, France.
One of the featured properties is our reference DPA1977 which is a beautiful Dordogne farmhouse together with a pool, 2 gites and outbuildings, all set within 6 acres. Located close to Riberac in the famous Perigord Vert region.
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14/11/2008 |
Belfast to Bergerac arrives in the Dordogne!
Low cost flight operator FLYBE is now operating a new frequent route from Belfast City (BHD) to Bergerac International Airport (ECG) in the heart of the Dordogne region.
A warm welcome to all our new customers from Northern Ireland and Ireland for whom this opens up our wonderful region of France!
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14/10/2008 |
Will the clocks go change before the central heating comes on?
Living in an old stone house, we are quite used to lighting the central heating at the beginning of October to start warming up the stone because in general, stone houses are cooler than modern built properties. We are absolutely amazed this year that we are nearly at the end of October and we haven’t even considered switching the central heating on yet!
Admittedly, we have sometimes been lighting the open fire in the lounge each evening as I love the cosy atmosphere it creates. In fact, Autumn is one of my favourite times of year because it is warm during the day, cool enough in the evening to warrant a fire and I never fail to be stunned by the beautiful countryside and surrounding forests as they change from lush green to the vibrant shades of gold and red that Autumn brings. We will get some rain over the coming weeks which is much appreciated by the locals after such a long, dry summer but the bright, fresh, sunny days far outweigh the rainy ones.
The temperatures will drop soon ready for the short crisp winter which we always have here and before we know it, we’ll be talking about the warm spring days. Dordogne is beautiful all year round and if you like a house in the winter, you’ll simply love it in the summer so why not book to come and see us now?
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09/09/2008 |
Carry on canoeing!
Canoeing is one of the main leisure activities in the Dordogne region mainly owing to the fact that we have 26 rivers in the department, including several large and very famous ones, such as the Vezere, Dronne, Isle and of course the Dordogne river itself. The Dordogne river is actually the longest river in France, starting all the way from it’s source in the “Massif Central” mountain ranges then heading west down through France into the Dordogne region via many famous Chateaux, famous sites and large towns such as Domme, Lalinde, Bergerac. Finally it then meanders through the wine regions and then out past Bordeaux to join the Atlantic Ocean.
Having spent many summers here now, we have again enjoyed numerous canoe trips this year and we are looking forward to some new adventures in “uncharted water” next year. Our favourite part is the end of the canoe journey when you get to enjoy a cool relaxing beer or two in the village bar whilst your arms recover and you are waiting for the minibus to come and pick you up. The rivers can be very fast flowing during the winter months so can be too dangerous for gentle canoeing, not to mention freezing cold. I would seriously advise that you save the pleasure of canoeing until the long summer months but do make sure to try it as it is a great experience but of course, don’t forget the sun cream and an explorers hat!!!
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04/09/2008 |
I won’t be long love…. I’m just nipping down the Château!
I remember well the days, back in the UK, when shopping for wine generally meant a trip to the supermarket or off licence. More often than not, it was a bottle of mediocre and generally overpriced wine shoved hastily in the shopping basket after work or frantically trying out the numerous “wines of the week” or current promotions in order to search for a palatable tipple. It never seemed easy to choose wines and we never had the time. Well, that’s not how we do it anymore…….
Last weekend we spent a splendid afternoon in blissful autumn sunshine, driving around the wine Chateaux and many farms in region of Bergerac. Less well known than the Bordeaux varieties, one of the top quality wines produced by the Dordogne region is the Bergerac “Pecharmant” appellation. Situated to the northeast of Bergerac town it lies on predominantly south-facing slopes, covered with approximately 1,000 acres of vines. It produces very rich red wines with excellent ageing potential, with considerable complexity and finesse. Most of them are perfect for drinking now too!!
The actual process of choosing our wines was just as romantic as you could imagine. Armed with our “Hachet” wine guide and a few hours to spare, we drifted around the rolling hillsides, from producer to producer, trying the various wines and buying a dozen or so bottles at each stop. The producers of these wines vary from large and famous names, producing many tens of thousands of bottles, to the smallest farms making perhaps 5-6000 bottles a year from about 4 hectares of vines. When arriving, we were always warmly welcomed and then treated to a full description of each of the wines on offer, the chance to taste them all and even complete and unprompted tours of the full wine making facilities. One of the winemakers even sits you down the lounge of his farmhouse whilst he lets you sample his much loved products!!
Even though we have lived here for several years and can buy the wines of France very easily, you simply cannot beat the sheer thrill of visiting the Châteaux yourself and the satisfaction of choosing you own wines to suit your exact taste. This wine producing region, which of course includes the neighbouring Bordeaux appellations, produces some of the world’s finest wines. We felt very privileged to be able to take a great day out to step back and appreciate the area as well as supporting our local producers directly and saving money as a result.
PS: I won’t tell you how carried away we got but suffice to say that we now have enough wine in our cellar to last us until Christmas 2009!!
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03/09/2008 |
List of airlines and destination airports serving our region
With a huge choice of low-cost airlines serving the Dordogne and surrounding region, getting here has never been easier:
Bergerac:
Bristol Ryanair
East Midlands Ryanair
Liverpool Ryanair
London Stansted Ryanair
Belfast City Flybe
Birmingham Flybe
Edinburgh Flybe
Exeter Flybe
Leeds Bradford Flybe
London Gatwick Flybe
Manchester Flybe
Southampton Flybe
Bordeaux:
Dublin Aer Lingus
London Gatwick British Airways
Bristol Easyjet & Air France
London Luton Easyjet
Southampton Flybe
Birmingham BMI Baby & Air France
Manchester BMI Baby
Aberdeen Air France
Cardiff Air France
Dundee Air France
Limoges:
East Midlands Ryanair
Liverpool Ryanair
London Stansted Ryanair
Glasgow Flybe
Newcastle Flybe
Southampton Flybe
Angouleme:
London Stansted Ryanair
Poitiers:
Birmingham Ryanair
London Stansted Ryanair
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29/08/2008 |
Don’t get too caught up in the web!
Lovers of French property will already know that, in this modern age of internet websites and broadband connections, there is a vast amount of information available for those that choose to seek it. I remember very well, several years back, our own days and evenings spent at our home in the UK staring endlessly at properties on the computer screen, dreaming about our move to France. I also remember how mind-blowing it can be, trying to make sense of it all.
Whilst initially it might seem very positive to have access to this wealth of data, the key questions that arise as a result of this abundance of information are “how much of it is reliable” and “how do I know who to trust and believe”?
Here is some salutary advice for those who want some suggestions as to how to get the best from the internet. But before we come to that, how many of the situations below seem familiar to you?
1. Have you ever seen the “perfect” property on an agent’s website, enquired about it, booked an appointment to specifically view this property and upon arrival in France to visit it, been told “sorry but it has just been sold”?
This is an absolute classic. Of course, common sense tells you that it happens from time to time because good properties will always sell fast and websites are not updated in time. Unfortunately, for the unwary, the truth is somewhat more sinister. Many lesser agencies have very little on offer to attract you as a client. The one thing they always have plenty of is pretty pictures of French houses and it does not seem to matter whether they are actually for sale or not. In many cases I know of agents who still have houses shown on their websites and in their shop windows today that I actually sold myself nearly a year ago!!
2. Having seen the perfect house on a French agent’s website, I sent in an enquiry but never received a reply or any form of acknowledgement?
The problem with many French agents is that they are only actually interested in talking to you if you are in France and ready to go out and buy a house. This can be frustrating and for this reason, here at Dordogne Property Agency, we will always make the effort to respond to your questions from the first contact onwards.
3. I spoke to and emailed some apparently charming agent, who assured me he could help and then we arrived, he did not even spend any time asking us what we wanted. He then insisted on dragging us around the very unsuitable properties that he had for sale, none of which met our requirements or even matched the ones on his website!
This is symptomatic of the same problems that exist as per questions 1 and 2. The only way around this one is to come and see people who are prepared to listen to your requirements carefully before then matching you to the most suitable properties. At Dordogne Property Agency, we spend the first part of each day carefully checking out your key criteria before selecting suitable properties to visit together.
The real answer to using the web is to think of it in simple terms, as a useful tool. Never be taken in by bad or unqualified advice. Assume nothing is entirely as it seems and always expect the unexpected. Only the best companies will offer you truly reliable information and in reality, none of this is as valuable as making the trip to France and meeting the experts whilst getting to know the regions of your choice.
Remember, to actually succeed in finding your French home, you must take the plunge and come to France. No matter how hard you stare at your PC monitor, you simply cannot buy a house in a foreign country from the comfort of your chair!! Once here, you need to work with qualified, registered people who speak the same language but more importantly, they need to be people you can trust and who can give you reliable advice and guidance on the local area and the properties for sale in the region.
Dordogne Property Agency has an established reputation for offering specialist advice and assistance to purchasers of French property and we have a combined experience of over 30 years as property professionals. Our website offers a market leading quality of information and has always been focused on offering straightforward, accurate and up to date information on both properties, and the process of buying in France.
However, the real point here is “What lies behind all this digital information once you switch off your computer”? The answer is simple – real people with real experience of the marketplace! To us at Dordogne Property Agency, the internet is only the first “virtual” step towards actually meeting and assisting our clients in the real-life purchases of their genuine dream homes in France.
When it comes to the internet, our message is clear:
1. If a house is on our website, then to the best of our knowledge, the house is genuinely for sale.
2. We offer many more houses for sale than we can possibly display at any one time on the website so please only use the website as a good guide to the type of properties that are on offer. To succeed in your search, the best thing is to book an appointment to come down and see us and we promise to talk to you about each and every suitable property that is genuinely for sale on the day!
Of course, what we really want is the chance to speak to you and get to know you in person as we also know from our many years experience that this is the best way we can help you in your search.
We are looking forward to seeing you down in the Dordogne soon!
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06/08/2008 |
Some facts about Dordogne and why they are interesting!
Some facts about Dordogne and why they are interesting!
I was recently reading a journal, published by the local authority, about our much loved region. On the corner of one page were written certain key facts about the area in very plain and simple language. I noticed that there was no attempt to explain them or indeed their relevance and it struck me that these facts were immediately interesting because they pointed to some of the reasons as to why we lovers of the Dordogne region adore what we find here:
Fact 1: Dordogne has 390.000 inhabitants
Given that Dordogne is one of the larger regions of France and that France Has a population of roughly 60 million people we represent less that 0.01% of the total population! This explains why we have so much space, freedom, peace, tranquility and of course, those miles of famous empty roads!!
Fact 2: Dordogne receives 1.800.000 tourists per year
Nothing is ever popular by accident and this many people each year cannot be wrong! Dordogne offers all that people imagine about France in one place and many come to sample our unique proposition. Sleepy timeless villages with their castles and grand houses, famous local wines, daily farmers markets with local produce, ancient forests, rivers, lakes and most importantly, officially some of the most friendly people to be found in France!
Fact 3: Dordogne has 380,000 hectares of cultivated farmland
This is almost an entire hectare of farmland per head and explains the continuing importance of agriculture to the region and also why we have so much beautiful rolling open countryside. Whilst driving around you will see endless fields of gorgeous sunflowers and bright green crops, as long as you don’t mind being stuck behind the odd tractor or two on your journey of course!
Fact 4: Dordogne has 28 Rivers
Most people have heard of our famous namesake river, the Dordogne itself, but it is important to remember the diversity of water that runs through this region. From a geographic viewpoint, the Dordogne forms part of the foothills of the Massif Central mountains and the many valleys that create our beautiful scenery carry their water eventually westwards to the Atlantic. Of course for us living here, this means plenty swimming in pure river water in summer, fishing spots galore, canoeing and miles upon miles of riverside walks bursting with our varied wildlife.
I could keep going with lots of interesting information about our famous part of France but I think you will already have got the point…. Having said that we are very happy to share much more with you when you come to see us!
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05/08/2008 |
The cathedral in Perigueux!
It’s strange, we’ve lived here for more than five years now and we’ve visited Perigueux so many times I’ve lost count but it wasn’t until last weekend that we actually took time to visit the cathedral. Overwhelmed and stunned are probably the only two words to describe how we felt. Having admired the cathedral numerous times, we knew it was big but we hadn’t appreciated just how big until we entered through the ancient front door. It truly is amazing.
The “Cathedrale St-Front” began life in the sixth century as a simple chapel over the tomb of Saint Front. Over the centuries, the cathedral has experienced many changes including a rebuild after a fire, so the architecture of the building has many influences. Today, it is still recognised as a distinctive Byzantine church owing to the Greek-cross plan inside, which is quite unusual in France, and the massive clean curves of the domes. The nineteenth century reconstruction looks best at night, particularly from across the river, when floodlights highlight its interesting silhouette. I’m glad we took time on Sunday to visit the cathedral and take a gentle stroll around the old town, winding our way through the cobbled alley ways and open squares. After all, without taking the time to explore, we wouldn’t have found the best ice-cream shop I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting!
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05/08/2008 |
A guideline on the Procedure for homologation of English cars imported into France
In order to put a car on to French number plates it is necessary to go to the Préfecture or Sous-Préfecture in the Département in which you live. You will be asked to complete an application form and to pay the charge for this service by cheque. However, you will have to assemble the following documents to submit with your application :
1. A certificate of conformity - this is normally obtainable from the manufacturer’s head office in France and will cost something over 100 euros. However, it is sometimes possible to ask your local dealer (concessionnaire) to obtain this certificate on your behalf, and this may be free of charge.
2. If the car is at least 4 years old it will have to pass its French MOT (contrôle technique). This will probably mean that the headlamps will need modifying. You will need the pass certificate from the contrôle technique and possibly the invoice (facture) for the headlamp modification for your visit to the Préfecture.
(Please note that some UK vehicles which are not generally available in France or are over a certain age may also have to be inspected by the DRIRE)
3. Once the above documents are obtained, t is necessary to take these documents, plus the car’s UK registration document, your passport and a French utilities bill as proof of your residence in France, to your local Hôtel des Impôts to obtain the « Quitus » for the vehicle (a free document proving that the VAT on this vehicle has been paid in a member country of the European Union).
Now that you have all the above documents, the final step is to take them to the Préfecture together with a Distingo 20 envelope obtainable from the Post Office for 1.66 euros (this is for the “carte grise” to be sent on to you). There you will normally be helped to complete the application form if necessary, and you will be given a receipt for those papers (car’s registration document etc) which will be retained by the Préfecture. This is just in case the Gendarmes ask you to show your car’s papers before you receive the new French registration document (“carte grise”).
Within ten days or so you will receive the “carte grise” which gives your new number plate. You need to take this original document to your garage so that they can supply and fit the plates (there will, of course, be a modest charge for this.) And, finally, please remember to issue your insurance company with a photocopy of this new document so that they can issue you with a revised insurance certificate.
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18/07/2008 |
The bands are in town!
Next weekend sees the arrival of our annual musical festival in our local town known as the “Fete des Bandas”. It draws participants and around 10,000 spectators from the villages and towns across the entire Dordogne and everyone enjoys the atmosphere until the early hours of the morning!
At any one time there are no less than 10 brass bands touring the town switching positions between the central stage to the market square. There are numerous beer tents and food stalls plus a few fairground stalls, this really is a festival not to be missed and it really is entertainment for people of all ages.
The “Fete des Bandas” reminds you just how strong the Spanish influence is in the south-west of France as the music is very typical of the Basque region. Perhaps you’ll even be locals before the festival next year and you can bring your dancing shoes to experience this fantastic event for yourselves!
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10/06/2008 |
Take a look at our blog!
Take a look at our newly created web log or as they are now known, our "blog" site. This is an opportunity for you to give us comments and feedback about the topics that we post and anything else you fancy!
Click here: http://www.dordognepropertyagency.blogspot.com
Let us know what interests you about France and French property and we will do our best to respond to your requests.
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28/04/2008 |
Market Days in Dordogne!
Markets markets everywhere!
One of the best things about France is the many local markets and the Dordogne region offers some of the most colourful examples to be found! A visit to the area is simply not complete without a visit to at least one of these. Fresh, natural, quality products offered for sale by the local farmers and producers directly.
Here is a list of the principal markets held in each town - take your pick and enjoy!
Agonac - Saturday
Beaumont - Tuesday, Saturday
Belves - Saturday
Bergerac - Saturday, Wednesday
Brantome - Tuesday, Friday
Cenac - Tuesday
Cubjac - Friday
Daglan - Sunday
Domme - Thursday
Eymet - Thursday
Excideuil - Thursday
Issigeac - Sunday
Jumilhac - Wednesday
La Coquille - Thursday
Lalinde - Thursday
La Roche Chalais - Saturday
Le Bugue - Tuesday
Le Buisson De Cadouin - Friday
Les Eyzies - Monday
Mareuil - Tuesday
Monpazier - Thursday
Montpon - Wednesday
Montignac - Saturday, Wednesday
Mussidan - Saturday
Neuvic Sur L'Isle - Saturday, Tuesday
Nontron - Saturday
Perigeux - Saturday, Wednesday
Piegut - Wednesday
Razac - Saturday, Wednesday
Riberac - Tuesday, Friday
Rouffignac - Sunday
Salignac-Eyvigues - Tuesday
Sarlat - Saturday, Wednesday
Sigoules - Friday
Sorges - Sunday
St Aulaye - Saturday
St Astier - Thursday
St Cyprien - Sunday
St Genies - Sunday
Terrasson - Thursday
Thenon - Tuesday
Thiviers - Saturday
Tocane - Monday
Tremolat - Tuesday
Vergt - Friday
Villefranche du Perigord - Saturday
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23/04/2008 |
The missing link!
Already famous for being known as the “cradle of mankind” and as the place where some of the world’s most important prehistoric remains have been discovered, the Dordogne is pleased to break the news surrounding a different type of missing link!
The start of 2008 saw the formal opening of the 18 km long, Thenon-Terrasson “missing link” of the A89 auto route (Bordeaux – Clermont-Ferrand) This superb road intersects the Dordogne from west to east, giving excellent road access into the heart of the entire region. This route has triggered excellent economic growth and important developments in the areas it passes through and this final section improves travelling times from and to all destinations. As a rural and historic region, it also takes any final pressure off the few remaining villages that still carried traffic and heavy load lorries on the original N89 route.
As of now, Bordeaux is less than 4 hours from Clermont-Ferrand, and a drive of less than 5 hours from Lyon! The “missing link” brings the Dordogne even closer! |
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22/04/2008 |
Help on hand in the Dordogne!
For many people the idea of moving to France is a truly appealing one. The prosect of living in your dream home in the perfect rural idyll whilst enjoying all that the French lifestyle has to offer seems ideal. But what if you don’t speak the language. What if you just need some basic help to get your life established. Perhaps you are even thinking of setting up a new business and need advice? Worry not – help is on hand in the Dordogne!
The Dordogne has always appealed to foreign buyers for many reason. It is because of this that the recent "Success in the Dordogne" exhibition, organised by the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, took place for the first time ever in the capital city of Perigueux, on the 4th and 5th of April.
This event was the first of its kind and was organised specifically to assist those who have already moved or who wish to move to the region and who need to find contacts and services with organisations who can assist to establish their lives and businesses in this much loved area of France.
Attending the 2 day exhibition, and offering fluent assistance in English, were representatives from, organisations such as the Dordogne Prefecture, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, banks, finance experts, insurance companies, international schools, accountants, language courses, project services as well as many more.
In addition to this, certain EXPATS who have already made their lives a success here in Dordogne, were invited to give talks and to participate in public seminars. Based on the succes of this first ever exhibition it seems certain to become a regular event and is sure to secure the regions reputation as one of the first choices for those who are looking to “jump the channel” and make the life changing decision to move to France.
For more information visit http://www.successindordogne.com/accueil.php |
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21/04/2008 |
Cricket! Howzat! - What is zat?
Always a popular destination for foreign, and in particular, British visitors, the Dordogne has always been influenced by the English in particular since the days of Richard the Lionheart and the 100 years war.
In modern times this continuing influence can be found in the steady growth of that most English of sports, cricket. With a very healthy number of clubs starting across the country, the Dordogne is already well represented by clubs such as Eymet and Saint Aulaye. In April 1997, St Aulaye Cricket club was formally established with a ground on the outskirts of the nearby village of Chenaud. The club plays a full part with other SW clubs in the Barclays national league and the Siddalls Cup and has a growing programme of matches with visiting clubs.
The junior section is a thriving part of the club and Saint Aulaye juniors have recently represented France in an international tournament in Spain. Whilst thoroughly bemused by the whole concept of the game; local French people are beginning to show interest in the game and more importantly French youngsters are even taking part in the training and competition! |
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