Villa with a garden is the French dream home

The finding by estate agents Century 21 is a change from six years ago, when two in five preferred an apartment and comes as one in four people said they wanted a place of calm.

It found 40% wanted nothing more than a detached home in the suburbs with garden and 17% opting for a cottage in a rural village.
This desire for peace and quiet was No1 in people’s ideals, even ahead of price, and respondents said they wanted a house to be a home that they could relax and enjoy with family.

For families with children, the key aim was to have individual rooms for each and then came thoughts on the local schools, peace and quiet and a safe environment.