“For some reason

“For some reason there’s a perception that it’s not the ‘real France’, perhaps because of its very proximity,” he says. “Yet, nearby Gravelines and Loon-Plage are popular with the French, with 2/3 bedroom apartments from €180,000,” says Tim. British interest picks up at the delightful seaside resort of Wimereux on the Côte d’Opale with its Belle Epoque villas and beach huts. The steep cliffs of the nearby Deux Caps - Gris Nez and Blanc Nez - offer beautiful beaches backed by dunes and conifers. Nice houses start from €200,000. The beautiful old fortified city of Boulogne- Sur-Mer is next up (or rather down the coast), popular with British and French buyers for its good value - you can get a 2 bedroom apartment for €114,000, or a 5 bedroom townhouse for around €200,000. Golfers gravitate towards Hardelot-Plage, south of Boulogne, because of its championship golf course. British buyers love the fact you can buy a golf apartment for around €110,000. Whilst the Côte d’Azur has Cannes, the northern coast has Le Touquet, and the palm trees add to its glamorous image, ever since the likes of Noel Coward, Winston Churchill and Edward and Mrs Simpson holidayed there back in the 1920's and 30’s. Indeed, it’s an alluring mélange of French and English, with Parisians in love with its refinement too, it’s full name is Le Touquet- Paris Plage. Expect to pay €350,000 to €400,000 for a two-bedroom apartment, but head across the bridge for better value Étaples - a traditional fishing port village with fishermen's houses from €80,000. Visit the wonderful fish restaurants and you may be smitten.

Last but not least is Berck-Plage, or Bercksur-Mer, a great year-round location with fabulous beaches, a popular kite festival and apartments from €85,000 or 3 bedroom houses from €180,000. The former fishing village also offers the delicious dish Berckoise Caudière, a kind of bouillabaisse of the Channel - who needs to head all the way to Marseille? See Tim's property portfolio Pas de Calais: NOTE Whilst we may not be able to travel currently, Leggett Immobillier, the award winning property agency in France are still open for business, albeit working from home. They are able to send property details, complete mandates electronically and book reserved tours, find details here: https://www.frenchestateagents.com/ pages/covid-19-open-for-business