-
Photos as snow falls – and settles – across France
Many areas in the north have seen snow, including in the capital
-
Fact check: Does France offer world’s most generous health reimbursement?
It comes after a government spokesperson made the claim this week
-
Why parking fines in France are now more likely to be cancelled
It comes after France’s highest administrative court found in a driver’s favour
House-buyers paid to buy in France's historic Picardy
Communities in Pays de la Serre team-up to offer €5,000 to property hunters who buy empty houses
Property hunters can now get paid €5,000 to buy a house in one area of France.
Authorities in the Pays de la Serre region of the Aisne department are have decided to offer the incentive to first-time buyers or newcomers to the region who purchase a home that has stood vacant for three years and who commit to stay for at least five years.
It is believed it is the first offer of its kind in France.
Some 42 communes in the historic Picardy region have allocated €50,000 to the scheme. And it appears to be working. Since the money back programme was inaugurated, officials have fielded an average of 30 calls a day enquiring about the offer.
The idea is the brainchild of Jean-Pierre Verzelen, president of the community of municipalities of the Serre region and mayor of Crécy-sur-Serre.
The Pays de la Serre is 45 minutes from Reims, in the heart of rural Picardy.
Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France