The joy of living in a waterside property in France
Do you love the idea of owning a riverside property? These are the benefits of waterside living and a look at what you need to consider when buying on the waterfront
Living in a riverside property is often the dream for many people. Whether it’s for the rhythmic sound of water flowing, the abundance of wildlife nestled into the river banks, or the stunning views, there’s something very calming about living next to water.
About ten years ago, I was lucky enough to live in a house that was surrounded by a series of streams. Our cottage (which was once an old nut oil mill) was in the grounds of a chateau, and the streams had been created in order to supply a steady flow of water to the chateau’s extensive gardens. Living there was a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. Our children once discovered duck eggs hidden in a quiet spot in rushes by the river, and were delighted to watch the baby ducks develop and swim down the many waterways that traversed our garden. We accidentally found a prickle of hoglets in an old compost heap fiercely guarded by their mother, and quietly left them to their business. Frogs would be in abundance in the Spring, we would hear their incessant mating call and watch them leap, splay-legged, into the river as we walked by. We were also able to impress our avid bird watching family with the different types of birds we would see - the kingfisher was a regular visitor and he would often come swooping by for his catch of the day. My particular favourite arrived when I was quietly enjoying a drink on my terrace, and two woodpeckers landed on the lawn in front of me. As soon as they arrived, they were gone again and I had to enjoy their continual drumming sound high up in the trees.
We’ve since moved from this riverside paradise, but still didn’t want to be too far from the river. In fact, we’re now just a five minute walk away, where in the summer, the waters come alive with kayaking, canoeing, pedalos, bathers and picnickers just watching the world go by. We’ve even invested in our own paddle boards so the children can quite happily soak up the sun and paddle downstream. Being by the river seems to have something for everyone.
Along with the sounds, wildlife and available watersports, there are several known health benefits of living next to the water too. Biologist Dr Wallace J. Nichols details his findings in a book titled the Blue Mind. He states that living near a lake, river or sea can promote happiness, a feeling of calm and peacefulness. Water actually “lowers stress and anxiety, increasing an overall sense of well-being and happiness and a lower heart and breathing rate.” It can also make sleep easier, says author of The Sleep Solution, Dr W Christopher Winter, “There is some research that says people may sleep better when they are adjacent to nature… No wonder sleep machines always feature the sounds of rain, the ocean or a flowing river.”
Living by the water certainly has its advantages, but of course there are some risks too. Most notably is the risk of flooding. All properties in France now are listed on the Geohazards website and here it is possible to see the risks to which a property you are thinking of buying is exposed to. This will highlight whether the risk is high, moderate or weak and give you an educated view on the likelihood of this happening. Your property agent will be able to go through this with you when you’re looking at a potential property. It can also be useful to speak to your agent and neighbours at the property, who will have firsthand knowledge of the risk of flooding. For example, although our property was in a flood zone, our 80 year old neighbour who was born in our house had never seen flooding at the property in his lifetime. It is always important to discuss your concerns with your agent when looking at a property in France and make sure you’re fully aware of the risks so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not the property is right for you.
For properties not connected to mains drainage, sanitation can be another issue to consider. Regulations for properties close to rivers and streams are more restrictive when it comes to installing a new individual drainage system as the authorities want to make sure the waterways have no chance of being polluted. A site visit from the local sanitation board followed by a soil study will give you all the information you need in order to install the correct system.
Waterside properties are very much in demand, due to their natural appeal, and there are still many good value homes to be found. For example, properties within walking distance of the river in the Haute-Vienne can start at around €80,000 for a 4-bed habitable house. If you want to be right by the river, properties in the Charente range, for example, from €170,000 - €200,000 for a property that is ready to move into. If you’re looking for riverside frontage with gorgeous views, prices can start at about €310,000 for a 4-bed mill in the Haute-Vienne to around €399,000 for a restored country house by the river in the Tarn-et-Garonne. It all depends on what your criteria is and the budget you have, but there is a real variety of riverside properties available.
What to grow in your riverside garden:
Some plants thrive in moist conditions, and are great at giving habitat for wildlife. You’ll have to consider the conditions and microclimate of your particular riverbank, but in general these are 8 of the best plants to give colour or fragrance to your waterfront:
- Reed (Phragmites australis)
- Water Mint (Mentha aquatica)
- Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
- Water Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides)
- Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
- Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
- Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
- Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Client story: Maggie and Barry’s waterside retreat
Maggie and Barry bought their water mill in the Haute-Vienne over 26 years ago. For the first 16 years, they used the property as a holiday home during school holidays with their two children, who knew every inch of the woods and enjoyed having the freedom to explore the land and surrounding area. Since selling their businesses ten years ago and retiring they have spent five or six months a year at the property and have enjoyed the surrounding environment, nature and local activities. Their 12 grandchildren have also enjoyed many happy adventure-seeking holidays here, as has their cat who has a French passport and loves it too!
“We chose the mill for its solitude, accessibility, beauty and south facing aspect - with all day sunshine, a pretty stream and lots of wildlife” says Maggie. Indeed wildlife is plentiful at the property and over the years they’ve seen deer, wild boar and water voles as well lots of beautiful birds including kingfishers, yellow wagtails, green woodpeckers, barn owls, buzzards and migrating cranes. Barry adds “It’s been a wonderful family hidey-hole and we feel very lucky to have had such a beautiful, peaceful home. It’s been a fabulous paradise for children and adults alike.”
Although the property is in a peaceful, secluded location, where they can walk and cycle, they are also near civilization and have lovely French neighbours in the village. There is easy access to Limoges airport for visitors, and supermarkets and local markets in Marval and Piègut too. There is also canoeing at the local lake Saint Estephe.
They’ve spent their time updating the property including repointing walls, installing terraces on three sides of the property and a swimming pool, putting in working sluices on the leat, creating a vegetable garden (where water from the stream via a pump keeps it well watered) and a fruit cage, and finding their lake, where they had to clear out trees and refill it! This can be found down a track surrounded by beautiful woodland and is completely private.
Maggie and Barry are now reluctant to sell the property as it holds many happy memories for them, but feel the time is right to let someone else enjoy the peace and tranquillity this property offers.
This property is situated in the Marval area of the Haute-Vienne and is offered exclusively for sale with Beaux Villages for €385,000. See the full property details here.
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Article written by Jessica Randell at Beaux Villages Immobilier for French Property News magazine. Published in in the September/October 2023 edition.
