The France’s Atlantic

The France’s Atlantic coastline offers something for everyone, from Brittany’s wild and rugged Finistère to the chic beach towns around La Rochelle, to surfing meccas around Biarritz. Liz Rowlinson asks the experts at Leggett Immobillier to pick five tempting places for you to consider... Starting in the north, where Brittany juts far out into the Atlantic, the western coast of France offers a diverse choice of seaside towns. Whether the wild coastlines of Brittany and the Vendée, the sandy beaches of the Charente-Maritime, with chic resorts beloved of the Paris set, or the forest and dune-backed beaches of Aquitaine there’s just about everything. At the southern end things change again with the surfing spots of the Basque coast and a Spanish flavour to beach life. Whether you're after an apartment in chi-chi Biarritz, or a simple little granite cottage in Brittany, there are homes to suit budgets from €100,000 to €1 million. Prices inevitably go up closer to the coastline, wherever you are, but if you're prepared to drive 10 minutes inland, you will get more for your money. However, balance this with the convenience of walking to the beach or the seafront restaurants - if you want to rent out your home these sort of homes will usually be in greater demand. Enjoy a tour down the Atlantic coast, starting in northern Brittany...

ST-QUAY-PORTRIEUX CÔTES-D’ARMOR, BRITTANY A pretty little town located north of St. Brieuc and south of the beautiful historic port of Paimpol. As the name suggests, St. Quay is all about the sea. It retains all the charm of a Breton fishing port, with a very modern deep-water 24-hour marina that is home to a scallop fleet but also from where cruises can be taken out into the Bay of St. Brieuc, a sheltered stretch of water popular for regattas. There are also lovely beaches, and north of the town, hidden coves around the highest cliffs in Brittany - the Pointe de Plouha. In the town there are tennis courts, shops, hotels, fish restaurants and créperies. best of what Brittany has to offer - the clean beaches, pretty coastline and harbour - and buyers (including Parisians) that have a slightly higher budget and are willing to pay to be near a particularly pretty bit of coast,” says Lisa Greene, head of Leggett’s Brittany network. She says the mainly French buyers tend to buy apartments in the town, rather than houses outside. You’ll pay around €150,000 for a one-bed apartment or €190,000 for a two-bed compact house or fisherman's cottage. “This area appeals to people who like the