I think there is something about the architecture of a traditional farmhouse that embodies so perfectly a deep-rooted sense about the notion of home, a place of warmth and safety. At La Résidence, a UK estate agent selling property in France, we sell more French farmhouses than any other style of property.
In the UK, it is increasingly hard to find a traditional farmhouse within any kind of feasible budget. Even if you do find the house, the garden has often been chipped away and divvied up so the sense of space around the house is eroded. There is no such shortage in France. When selling property in France, the key features on many potential buyers’ search criteria lists tend to be naturally found in a French farmhouse.
I’m not sure why approaching a farmhouse can be such an evocative sight, but the reaction is simply not replicated by any other style of building. As an English estate agent selling French property, we try to capture the feeling of home in all our listings, identifying the interesting features of a property, rather than just listing the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and the inner workings of the septic tank!
The key features of a traditional French farmhouse:
- External building materials of stone or brick
- Symmetrical profile and a low roofline
- Often built around a courtyard area that is sheltered and sunny
- Inside, original character features are usually preserved
- Large fireplaces
- A farmhouse kitchen large enough for a big family-sized table
- Good links between the indoor and outdoor living spaces
- Good-sized gardens that surround the house
- Often there are useful outbuildings
- French farmhouses tend to be in rural locations with far-reaching views
While the bricks and mortar may be hundreds of years old, modern techniques to improve the energy efficiency of old buildings have developed significantly in recent years. Floor, wall and roof insulation techniques, double-glazing and central heating systems are getting increasingly sophisticated allowing the integrity of the building to be maintained, while making the house warm, cosy and efficient to heat year-round.
These very old properties often have such a wonderful, rich history and if the time has come to sell your house in France for the next family to enjoy, we’d be happy to see if we can help. Whether you are buying or selling property in France, feel free to explore our portfolio of properties, and do give us a call to find out about our services.
