“Property prices across France are likely to be impacted by the current initiative to improve the rail infrastructure in the country, experts have predicted. I think with the rail link and new infrastructure you will probably see property prices rise," said Hetal Shah, director of Investors Provident.

It is generally believed that improved rail services are unlikely to have as great and impact as new low-cost flights to previously little-known regions of the country, he nevertheless expressed his confidence that prices will rise, particularly in popular holiday destinations.

"Any kind of interest definitely does have an impact because people who have been very sceptical about those areas will start to see that there is more new development coming in, and more infrastructure means more money coming in to the area as well," he said.

We believe that hand in hand with improved communications, go the various measures planned by the new Sarkozy government to increase home ownership amongst the French. Both factors are likely to cause above average increases in the next 12 months.

So we believe there has never been a better time to buy in France and certainly in the Limousin region, which remains the area where prices are at the lowest. The local market is still slow, being occupied now with the long summer holidays and new measures have not yet taken effect which leaves the market is wide open for overseas buyers to march in and grab something special before the end of the year. There is no doubt, with stock market uncertainty and historically low interest rates, that investors will seek out property as a way to make meaningful returns and what better way is there than buying an asset you can use and enjoy knowing that its value can only rise.