Indre Property Insight

Overview

Indre is part of the Centre region of France along with Cher, Eure et Loir, Indre et Loire, Loir et Cher and Loiret. Its name comes from the eponymous river, running through the department. Indre accounts for 232,959 inhabitants (2009). It was created during the French Revolution, in March, 4th 1790, from a part of the former French provinces, Berry, Touraine and of some areas of the Poitou-Charentes region.

This department attracts tourists thanks to the Napoleonic period. It boasts gorgeous castles known as the Châteaux de la Loire, natural unspoilt parks ideal for fishing and hunting, Gallo-Roman vestiges around the town of Chateauroux, and so on to be discovered. The department being close to the Limousin region, you will be seduced by the landscapes.

Indre Immobilier & Property Market Trends

Property prices in the Indre department are on average about €1,260 /sq.m. in 2009. Considering the average in France of €3,197 /sq.m., we can easily deduce that properties in Indre are very cheap. This is the perfect location if your budget is low as you can find a property at an affordable price, and may even drive a bargain. The department accounts on average for 30% of tenants, but some areas are really worth investing if you are looking for a buy-to-let investment (towns such as Chateauroux house over 50% of tenants, a great location for lets).

Apartments cost approximately €1,140 /sq m (2-room flats being more expensive than 3-room apartments). A 3-room house is sold around €73,500, a 4-room €99,000 and plan about €20,000 for each additional room. This is an average and prices can obviously vary depending on the areas (properties close to tourist attraction or dynamic centres could cost a bit more, and properties in remote parts tend to be cheaper).

To get updated info about property prices in Indre, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

3 Reasons to Buy a Property in Indre

• Good food: Indre is full of typical produce which are worth tasting. Here are some examples: Reuilly and Valencay wines, goat’s cheese from Valencay, lentils, berrichon paté, citrouillat (pumpkin paté), truffiat (a puff pastry filled with potatoes mixed and cottage cheese) and so on. This French traditional cuisine will make many people happy!

• Activities and sports: Indre offers a great number of hobbies and activities. The scenic railway, leisure park of La Foulquetière, Faverolles’ cellar or Valencay castle are some of the cultural assets of the department. In terms of sport, you can practice hiking, biking, discovery of the wild life, fishing, hunting, horse riding, parachuting, potholing…

• Location – transport links: Indre boasts a dozens of railway stations, the main one of which is Chateauroux. The latter leads to Paris (from where you can travel to almost everywhere), Orléans, Bourges, Tours and Poitiers. A motorway is also easily accessible from the department and drives to Limousin and Midi-Pyrénées.

Local Property Market: 4 Popular Towns

• Aigurande property: it has borders with Creuse, a lovely department much appreciated among British people. If you are looking for a quiet place to settle, Aigurande is definitely the perfect location. You will be seduced by the scenery of the surroundings.
• Argenton sur Creuse property: situated in the south of the Indre department, this town is part of the famous Berry area. It offers good rental opportunities and prices in terms of property are pretty low and affordable.
• Chateauroux property: the main town of the department, Chateauroux is only 2 hours from Paris and allows to travel easily. The area is full of gems (museums, monuments…) which make it a pleasant place to live in. Property prices are quite low and the rental market is excellent.
• Saint Maur property: this lovely town offers beautiful landscapes and quietness to its inhabitants. Settling in the area will let you discover the numerous events organized each year in the commune. Furthermore, this is an attractive location due to Cap Sud, a thriving zone gathering many companies.

Property Styles and Architecture in Indre

• Farmhouses: they are usually made of cheap and local materials, farmers are known for generally not being well-off people. Thus, such properties are quite simple but they boast a large land, outbuildings, courtyard… They are originally located in the countryside and offer quietness and beautiful scenery. Inside, beams may be exposed, which gives more charm to the property. However, some of them may need renovation.

• Maisons bourgeoises: they are luxury and especially heavy houses, often coming with a park, several rooms, outbuildings, swimming-pool and so on. If you can afford such a property, then you will be immediately charmed with your new life in France. Bourgeoise houses may also be converted into B&B or guest house.

• Detached houses: they may be of different kind (cottage, stone house, one-storey property…) They have a garden planted with trees, garage, courtyard and fireplace. Some of them may also include a swimming-pool. They are ideal for those who want to settle in the area and benefit from the French art de vivre in the Centre region.

Click here for more info about the Architecture in Centre.