Issue No. 25

“For some reason there’s a perception that
it’s not the ‘real France’, perhaps because of
its very proximity,” he says. “Yet, nearby
Gravelines and Loon-Plage are popular with
the French, with 2/3 bedroom apartments
from €180,000,” says Tim.
British interest picks up at the delightful
seaside resort of Wimereux on the Côte
d’Opale with its Belle Epoque villas and
beach huts. The steep cliffs of the nearby
Deux Caps - Gris Nez and Blanc Nez - offer
beautiful beaches backed by dunes and
conifers. Nice houses start from €200,000.
The beautiful old fortified city of Boulogne-
Sur-Mer is next up (or rather down the
coast), popular with British and French
buyers for its good value - you can get a 2
bedroom apartment for €114,000, or a 5
bedroom townhouse for around €200,000.
Golfers gravitate towards Hardelot-Plage,
south of Boulogne, because of its
championship golf course. British buyers
love the fact you can buy a golf apartment
for around €110,000.
Whilst the Côte d’Azur has Cannes, the
northern coast has Le Touquet, and the palm
trees add to its glamorous image, ever since
the likes of Noel Coward, Winston Churchill
and Edward and Mrs Simpson holidayed
there back in the 1920's and 30’s. Indeed,
it’s an alluring mélange of French and
English, with Parisians in love with its
refinement too, it’s full name is Le Touquet-
Paris Plage.
Expect to pay €350,000 to €400,000 for a
two-bedroom apartment, but head across
the bridge for better value Étaples - a
traditional fishing port village with
fishermen's houses from €80,000. Visit the
wonderful fish restaurants and you may be
smitten.