top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

Property in France: Exploring Ardennes

In this month's Property Watch feature, we look at the property market in historic Ardennes, north east France

Department 08: Ardennes

Departmental capital: Charleville-Mézières

Main cities/towns: Rethel, Sedan, Givet, Nouzonville, Bogny-sur-Meuse, Vouziers

Ardennes – a small, historic piece of north east France that will forever be, in the minds of many Britons, associated with World Wars One and Two.

This green and pleasant part of the country – the smallest of the four departments that made up the old Champagne-Ardennes region, now subsumed into the Grand Est super region – frankly deserves better.

It is a genial mix of farmland and forest, dotted with small, bustling towns brimming with Belgian, Dutch and German influences. It’s all wide-open spaces, big sky, and quiet, meandering roads to somewhere.

Full disclosure, however: it can get as cold as inner continental lowland Europe in some winters and quite often snowier, particularly in the north.

Do not be fooled, however, into thinking that the Ardennes is the middle of nowhere. Transport links are excellent.

More departments in France explored: Ardèche

It is connected to the TGV network, motorways connect to Strasbourg and Paris, while just over the border, in Belgium, the easy-to-reach Charleroi airport offers connections to Europe and further afield.

Belgian and Dutch second-home owners are tempted to this part of France by the relatively low house prices. You may be, too, especially if you had not considered this area of France before.

A typical home in the Ardennes costs, on average, €102,500, according to information from the Notaires de France’s online property barometer. In popular Rethel, the median price rises to €136,500, while you can expect to pay around €118,500 in Charleville-Mézières, the only town in the department with a population above 20,000.

Related stories

Found! French family of World War Two mystery Bible owner

Top 50 French towns for retirees revealed

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France