Property & Lifestyle in the Creuse

The Creuse is often described as one of France’s last truly rural departments — and that’s exactly what makes it so appealing to many expats. It offers wide open spaces, affordable homes, and a warm community spirit that thrives on simplicity rather than sophistication. Life here revolves around the seasons, the landscape, and the people who choose to make it their home.

Property Market

The Creuse remains one of the best-value property markets in France. For those looking to buy, it’s possible to find:

• Stone cottages and village houses from €40,000–€90,000, often with gardens and barns to convert.

• Farmhouses with land or renovated longères from €120,000–€250,000, many offering stunning views over rolling countryside.

• Manor houses, watermills, or equestrian properties from €300,000 upwards, often with acreage and outbuildings.

Renovation projects are particularly popular, as many rural hamlets still have untouched traditional buildings waiting for new life. Building regulations are generally straightforward, and local tradespeople are skilled in restoring period stonework and oak frames.

With lower prices come lower taxes too — both taxe foncière and taxe d’habitation (where still applicable) tend to be among the lowest in France. Heating costs are also modest, thanks to plentiful local wood supplies for stoves and log burners.

Where Expats Choose to Live

Many expats settle in the countryside around Aubusson, Guéret, and La Souterraine, where there’s a good balance of services, markets, and rural tranquility. The south of the department, near the border with Haute-Vienne, has also grown in popularity with British and Dutch buyers for its easy access to Limoges Airport and the lakes around Vassivière.

Other favourites include Bénévent-l’Abbaye for its abbey and lively community, and Ahun or Bourganeuf, which combine historical charm with proximity to local shops and cafés.

Lifestyle and Community

Life in the Creuse is unhurried. Markets are a weekly ritual — you’ll find baskets filled with seasonal vegetables, goat’s cheese, honey, and charcuterie. The cost of living is refreshingly low, and locals pride themselves on living sustainably: growing their own produce, keeping chickens, and supporting local artisans.

Cultural life is rich despite the quiet pace. Summer festivals bring music and art to village squares, while Aubusson’s tapestry exhibitions attract international visitors. For nature lovers, the lakes and forests offer endless opportunities for walking, cycling, fishing, and swimming.

Everyday Living

• Shops & Services: Most towns have small supermarkets, bakeries, and pharmacies. Larger stores are found in Guéret and La Souterraine.

• Healthcare: Excellent GP coverage and local hospitals in Guéret and Aubusson.

• Transport: Limoges Airport is about an hour away; the A20 motorway and regional train lines link easily to Paris and Toulouse.

• Schools: Local schools are friendly and small, ideal for families seeking a slower pace and strong community ties.

The Creuse Way of Life

In the Creuse, time feels elastic. You measure it not in minutes, but in the colour of the fields, the call of birds, and the rhythm of rural life. Neighbours share vegetables over the fence, cafés remember your order, and every sunrise feels like an invitation to start again.

For many, that’s not just a new home — it’s a new life in France.