The Limousin region is known for its rural beauty, mountains, hills and valleys – it also boasts some of France’s most affordable properties, as Annaliza Davis explains
This inland region sits just south of central France, based around the city of Limoges, with Poitiers to the north and Lyon to the east. It comprises the departments of Corrèze (19), Creuse (23) and Haute-Vienne (87), the mountains of the Massif Central and a regional nature park that covers 3,140 square kilometres, and is now part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine administrative region.
Limousin is one of the least populated parts of France: the 2023 national average is 120 people per square kilometre, while there are 67 in Haute-Vienne, 41 in Corrèze and 21 in Creuse. Compare this to England, with an average population density of 434/ km2 and you get an idea of how spacious it feels to be here.
To say that Limousin is rural is an understatement. This is evident as you drive past endless pastures of grazing cattle and sheep, deciduous woodlands and fields, springs and river valleys, and the country’s central mountain range. Certain areas experience very cold winters, others – such as the area surrounding Brivela-Gaillarde – can be very hot in summer. Whatever you prefer, you will almost certainly find a property in your budget here.
MATCH THE PLACE TO YOUR POCKET
By the end of 2023, France’s average property price had risen to €3,132/m2 , but in Limousin properties were averaging €1,240/m2 , which is well under half that. The more costly zones are in the historic city of Brive-la Gaillarde in Corrèze (€1,809/m2 ); the Limousin capital Limoges in Haute-Vienne (€1,708/m2 ); and Guéret in Creuse (€1,061/ m2 ). Your budget will buy you more property and land in the more rural areas, particularly in Creuse, where you can find houses for as little as €512/m2 .
Apartments have a slightly higher average price than houses (€1,496/m2 , compared to €1,276/m2 ), but both are still easily under half the average price of properties across France. Broadly speaking, Haute-Vienne is the most expensive of the three departments (€711-€1,993/m2 ), followed by Corrèze (€742- €1,931/m2 and finally Creuse (€512-€1,161/m2 ).
WHERE TO FIND WHAT YOU WANT
If you’re looking to buy a city-centre property, focus on Limoges, which has 135,000 residents and 16,000 students at the university, ensuring the city has a strong rental market as well as a young, lively feel. The city dates back to medieval times but in the 1800s became famous for its porcelain, an
