Brits seek out "more French" areas of France

Brits buying holiday homes in France are seeking out "more French" areas of the nation, according to one industry expert.

Property Finder France, which is an online database of French properties, said that while the south of the nation had been popular in the past, those buying holiday homes are now seeking out more regional areas.

Those buying property feel that some parts of France, which is easily and affordably accessible for holiday homeowners by ferry, have become too anglicised.

Laura Sturgess, web services research assistant at Property Finder France, said the south of the country had been a popular choice for a long time but asserted that the tide is now turning.

She explained: "A lot of British people have moved there and it's almost become like a second British village."

According to the Association of International Property Professionals, 25.4 per cent of all foreign property bought by Brits last year was in Spain and 17 per cent was in France.

Furthermore, RightmoveOverseas.co.uk reports that between January and May 2008 the most searched for countries by prospective holiday home buyers were Spain, France and the US.