Saint-Brieuc was first in the world to use crowd-funding when it started a project on the Collecticity (collecticity.fr) website to fund solar panels on its job centre roof.
The €8,400 needed was raised in 20 days from 22 investors who will be repaid over five years at an interest rate of 2.25% – better than the banks are offering savers.
It was followed by Langouët, also in Brittany, which was planning a study on “user-friendly habitats for the benefit of the environment and the inhabitants”. It had most of the finance in place but was €40,000 short – and found it within days through the site. Lenders will receive 2% interest over six years – and two-thirds of the 37 investors were residents in the commune.
In Haute-Garonne, Empeaux sought donors not investors to fund €3,000 for repairs on the church roof and they can write off 66% against tax.
Residents use crowd-funding to help towns
Two Brittany communes have called on residents to help fund works by joining crowd-funding campaigns which give a double benefit: a project that boosts the town and a financial bonus for the residents who invest.
22 March 2017 11:00
More from Property
More from Connexion

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
1
Couple’s French residency cards ‘downgraded’ after income drop

2
Complaints grow over France’s inheritance law on forced heirship

3
Eleven changes in France for residents in April

4
France travel wrap: Ferries cancelled and new Paris-NYC flights

5
Why French healthcare staff without a Covid jab could return to work

See more popular articles


Rare painting found behind a door sold for €600k at auction in France
29 March 2023
France raises minimum age for using an electric scooter
29 March 2023
Complaints grow over France’s inheritance law on forced heirship
29 March 2023
Can visitors to France have a mutuelle top-up policy?
20 March 2023
Tati, toutou, teuf-teuf: French and its love of doubled-up words
25 August 2022
More from Property
More from Connexion
Get news, views and information from France