A strong turnout last weekend at the French Village, A Place in the Sun Live, does suggest that the tide may well be turning on interest in buying property in France.

Pat Monk, Managing Director of French-Property.com stated, 'This was the fourth occasion when we have hosted the French Village at the APITS property exhibition. Given the current climate, it was also one we approached with a fair degree of apprehension.

So it was with great delight and surprise to find that when the doors to the exhibition opened on Friday morning we were quickly overrun with dozens of visitors looking for a property to buy, and for further information on living in France.'

Over the whole of the three day event, we estimate between 1500 and 2000 people called in on the French Property Exhibition, 'The French Village'.

Not only were there particulars available on hundreds of properties for sale, but also estate agents and experts on hand to discuss all aspects of buying property and living in France.

A large number of the seminars we ran over the three days were completely full, with standing room only in many cases.

Perhaps of as much interest as the turnout was the quality of those who came along to the show, with the vast majority of visitors clearly very interested in relocating to France, determined to learn as much about how best to do it and what to expect.

John Richardson of French mortgage brokers International Private Finance Ltd, one of the exhibitors in the French Village, stated that, ‘Despite the negative headlines currently dominating the press it was refreshing to see first-hand the enthusiasm that remains amongst potential buyers of second homes in France.’

‘The show also provided a great opportunity to speak to potential buyers face-to-face and understand what information they are looking for, where they are looking to buy, and concerns they may have regarding the process and the availability of French mortgages,’ he stated.

A similar view was expressed by Tony Mason of medical insurance brokers Soficas. ’We were amazed to at the size of the turnout for our seminar presentations and the clear level of interest that those who attended expressed in finding out more about their health insurance options when they relocate to France’, he stated.

For Sarah Bogard of solicitors Furley Page'The exhibition is a major event in the calendar and the Birmingham show was once again a great success. Our legal team met many people to talk about their ambitions to move over to France to live, as well as a good number in search of a holiday home. We find the French Village a fantastic one stop shop for all the key information required for anyone considering such a life changing move.'

Sally Stone of property management company Les Bons Voisins stated, 'Our company prides itself on doing what it says on the tin, so I can only say how pleased we are to be part of the French Village at A Place in the Sun exhibitions. Under the overall umbrella of French-Property.com the breadth of information and assistance available to visitors is second to none.'

David Johnson, Director of Halo Financial Ltd, currency brokers and sponsors of the French Village also considered that there was a definite increase in interest in buying property in France. 'We took more enquiries on the first day of the exhibition than we did over the three days of the London exhibition in March. There is no doubting it; despite the uncertainty that is around, France is getting back on track.’