The French connection

Buying property in France? See how these expats fared….

Meet the naked expats now living in France…

VENUE: L’Olivette

OWNERS: Ted and Hun

LOCATION: Near Carcassonne, Languedoc

WEBSITE: www.handluggageholidays.co.uk

PURCHASED: 2015

REASONS FOR BUYING: The setting, just outside a busy village with all amenities (bakers, butchers, supermarket, bar and restaurants). In beautiful hilly country between the plains and the foothills of Montagne Noire. A mature and established property on a substantial piece of land, secluded and not overlooked. With a pool and an established separate gîte/apartment.

PROS: It is beautiful at any time of year, and the metre-thick walls keep it at an even temperature. Small and easy to manage.

CONS: The size means we can only welcome one set of guests at a time, so it would be difficult to make serious money if this was the main purpose.

ADVICE FOR BUYERS: When you are looking for a property as a potential naturist venue, make sure you have a clear vision of what you want to do. We nearly went for a much larger place and would have been ruined by the last couple of years! Make sure local shops, restaurants and services are accessible, and that there are other attractions in the area for day trips. Get to know your local geography well and some of the local artisans, for example wine producers, potters and artists, so you can organise outings/events for your guests.

Based on our previous experience of managing Quinta da Horta in Portugal, looking after holidaymakers can be hard work, made harder if you are balancing the needs of multiple parties. Maximum occupancy, week after week, is tough on your infrastructure, especially drains, taps, toilet seats, sunbeds and other garden furniture. And allow time and space for yourself.

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VENUE: Fernfields

OWNERS: Mark and Caroline

LOCATION: Saint Michel De Montjoie, Lower Normandy

WEBSITE: www.fernfieldsnaturistretreat.com

PURCHASED: 2020

REASONS FOR BUYING: After viewing ten properties in the area, we chose this one as it had a field ideal for camping, an already up-and-running separate rental gîte, and it was perfect for those wanting to visit a naturist site in France without going all the way down to the south, or those wanting a stop-over point.

PROS: Situated in unspoilt natural countryside, we are a small site, ideal for relaxing and unwinding.

CONS: Can be hard to find as quite secluded. Google maps helps.

ADVICE FOR BUYERS: Anyone thinking of making a move should visit some of the "buying a home abroad" exhibitions, as experts will be on hand for sound advice.

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VENUE: Les Chauses

OWNERS: Andrew and Adele

LOCATION: Near Brantôme, Dordogne

WEBSITE: www.francecottage.com

PURCHASED: 2000

REASONS FOR BUYING: We looked at several properties and fell in love with Les Chauses when we first saw it. It is very rural, has a good size garden, and most importantly is very private, being surrounded by woodland. We were looking for a traditional house/cottage which did not require large-scale structural restoration to make it habitable, but left plenty of scope for improvement. We also wanted to be in an area of beautiful countryside and Les Chauses met all of our requirements.

PROS: We can drive there from the UK by overnight ferry without having to book additional overnight stops. We are in an area with a substantial ex-pat British community. As our French language skills are not great, it's easy to find English-speaking tradespeople to look after the property when we're not there, although we often use local tradespeople for major work. Finally, of course, it's totally private, so we can spend all day without clothes.

CONS: The weather in the northern Dordogne is quite variable, so it can be very wet - our area is also known as the Perigord Vert, with good reason! It also gets very cold in the winter. Our old stone house is very difficult to heat in cold weather. Most local attractions including restaurants and cafés close down outside the tourist season.

ADVICE FOR BUYERS: If you intend to live there or use your property in the winter, then do your viewings between January and March. Make sure you fully understand the legal aspects of buying a property in France and bear in mind that the buyer pays the agent's fees. Make a list of all your requirements and then decide which ones you can compromise on, because you will never achieve all of them.