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Fancy Living in France ?

What Auckland prices can get you over there!

Auckland's housing bubble shows no signs of deflating, so maybe it's time to check out other options. The French countryside, par example?

With a strong Kiwi dollar, a weak euro and a surfeit of "chateaux" on the continent, maybe it's time to check out "la vie francaise".

1. Here's a countryside starter in the western region of Charente.

Dating from the 15th century, this three-bedroom stone cottage has a 100-square-metre living room, out buildings, 5900sqm of grounds and gardens, and a two-bedroom maison gardien (caretaker's house). All yours for $298,000 (€208,500), which in Auckland would get you something like this:

This 52sqm, one-bedroom loft apartment in downtown Auckland is on sale for $299,000, and the "outgoings" are less than $1000 a month.

2. Need a pool? 

This three-bedroom home in the Dordogne region sits on four hectares of land, has a barn with a kitchen and wine cellar, ?an independent flat, and more than an acre of "parkland" with a pond and a pool. All yours for $590,000, which in Auckland would get you:

3. Maybe you need a bit more land?

This Lot-et-Garonne four-bedroom, three-bathroom property is described as "comfortable, luxurious living" with "attached barn, heated swimming pool, tobacco barn and just over four acres of gardens".

And a similarly priced property in Auckland?

This Mt Eden "two-bedroom brick and tile corner unit" is in the highly desirable Grammar zone. It has timber floors, open-plan living, an updated kitchen and a small garage. The asking price is $639,000.

4. But you really want to live in a chateau, right?

Featuring six bedrooms on two acres of parkland near Gontaud de Nogaret, this "elegant bourgeoise chateau-style property" has a stone staircase rising from the entrance hall, three floors, a roof terrace, chandeliers and "is walking distance of a charming village with all amenities".

Or there's Te Atatu:

With asking price of just $619,000, this three-bedroom house in Te Atatu South has a great location and is described as a "funky three-bedroom home, refurbished to high standards".

5. Sure, it's a chateau, but you're going to need at least 14 bedrooms for all your friends to come on holiday ...

Set in 3 1/2 acres of parkland in Vienne, this 19th-century chateau has 14 bedrooms, seven reception rooms, a 50sqm swimming pool with "Roman steps" and its own chapel, in case you want to host a wedding. All for the price of a two-bedroom apartment in St Heliers:

6. But I need a 16th-century vaulted cellar ...

Dating back to 1551, this seven-bedroom chateau in Poitou-Charente is bordered by a river and has 6.5 hectares of private grounds including outbuildings, stables and a pool. "The chateau consists of a 16th-century vaulted cellar, three floors of living space and an attic, with a minimum of 400sqm per floor."

And a similarly priced property in Auckland's Onehunga:

This brand new three-bedroom, three-bathroom home has "stunning modern design, [and] is finished to an immaculate standard, with accents on quality, durability and ease of living". The asking price is $1,295,000.

7. Look, if it's not "belle epoque" I don't want to know about it.

This eight-bedroom, six-bathroom 19th-century chateau is set in 13 acres of parkland in the Tarn, east of Toulouse. Along with your amazing pool you'll get a four-bedroom caretaker's cottage, extensive barns, stables, and garages, two large Pigeonniers (pigeon towers) a well, and a 268sqm wine cellar. All for the same money as this house in Mt Roskill:

This five-bedroom home in the heart of Mt Roskill has a large 637sqm section and is zoned for mixed use so there is potential for future development. The asking price is $1.49 million. Bon appetit!

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