Villereal: a lively traditional market town

Specialists such as Premier French Property offer a wide range of property for sale in south west France, but knowing exactly where to concentrate your search can be difficult. For less expensive property, Lot-et-Garonne, a beautiful and unspoilt rural region in Aquitaine is a great place to start. Offering French property for sale at substantially lower prices than neighbouring, more 'fashionable' Dordogne, this is where you can find some of the best cheap property in France.

A bargain

Cheap property in France is generally becoming much harder to find but you’ll discover a variety of lovely French homes for sale in and around bastide towns such as Villeréal, in the heart of Lot-et-Garonne.

Like other neighbouring towns, Villeréal was built in the 1200s, founded as a new town in the turbulent times just before the 100 years war. Villeréal still retains its original market hall, something of a rarity, and a market is still held there on a Saturday, maintaining a tradition that has continued for over 700 years. The town is also an extremely attractive, relaxing holiday destination, with winding medieval back streets and alleys, quaint, beautiful buildings and a fine fortified church.

Find your ideal French home

When looking at French properties, whether as a potential second home, an investment property to let, or as a place to settle down more permanently, it’s wise to consider the everyday amenities that its location can offer. French homes in Villeréal are traditional and comfortable, and there are still opportunities to find a bargain that needs work, but that will return your investment very quickly.

Villeréal provides plenty of things to do, making it a great centre for a holiday home. Many of the sights have historical interest – such as the Leper House, which has an incredible sculpted ornate wooden door, and which was used in medieval times as a refuge for those who suffered from leprosy. The tourist office in the centre of the town has a guided walk, pointing out this and other features. The little alleyways and narrow streets really take you back in time as they have changed little in the last 500 years!

French properties in a thriving bastide town

It would be a mistake, however, to think that Villeréal was a sleepy place. Far from it. The town boasts two supermarkets, several excellent restaurants and a good selection of smaller shops, in addition to the traditional market. Compared to other bastide towns close by, Villeréal is much more lively, hosting events and entertainment outside the traditional tourist season of March to September. It’s also close to Bergerac, a much larger town with bigger supermarkets, fancier boutiques, a wider range of restaurants, and an airport with five flights to the UK each day. This is a great advantage if you’re looking for property in France for sale with a view to buying a permanent home.

photo: Villereal office de tourisme