Finding the perfect house in France is rarely about square meterage, the number of bedrooms and the condition of the heating system.  Clearly, the nuts and bolts of a property are important, but the most important assets are those that don't fall neatly into tick boxes.  

A house in France is about enabling a lifestyle and therefore the factors that become important might be:

 The location and setting - Finding a house that matches how you would like to live your life while in residence is not necessarily dependent on a fixed geographic location.  In contrast to 'normal life' property searches where location relies on proximity to work / school / other day-to-day considerations, the search for a house in France can often cover a huge geographic area and the search is on for a house within that approximate area that is in the right setting.  Identifying houses in the right setting is significantly harder than getting the map out.

 The character and authenticity - whilst number of bedrooms & habitable space size are easy to sort, romance, beautiful scenery, history, and a comfortable sense of home are intangible qualities that cannot be quantified but are so important.

 The lifestyle appeal - The allure of being in a particular area with the kind of community, vibe, scenery and activities that you would like to enjoy is very difficult to specify and when you don't know the area, how do you start to find what you're looking for?

 The practical living features - phew, this is the easy one.  The number of bedrooms & how many people will need to share a bathroom, the speed of the internet connection, whether you can just pack your bags and move in or you're looking for a project to enjoy and put your own stamp on the property, these are the easiest requirements to find 'on paper'.

 How the outdoor space might work for you - Whether you want a big garden for energetic children to let off steam, a pool, a smallholding or just a small, very low maintenance terrace that gets the sun at the right times of day again, it's sometimes difficult to quantify exactly what you are looking for.

 The accessibility and connections - often an important consideration if the house will be a second home to visit regularly, or to make it easy for visiting friends and family.  This one is usually relatively easy to gauge, although it is harder to stick to the journey times that might have originally been set.

Here are four properties that we have shortlisted as having those unquantifiable features that won't feature on the advertising portal drop-down menus:

Luçay-le-Male, Loire Valley - €995,000

 Location & Setting - Set in 25 acres of garden, woodland & a private lake.  An easy bike ride to the village for amenities.  One hour from Tours, & good access to Paris

 Character and authenticity in every nook and around every corner whether that be in the Manor House itself, the various guest accommodation or the vaulted chapel

 This is the perfect property to hit the ground running for anyone looking for property with home and business potential.  Everything is here from the established B&B, the previous wedding and events reputation, to the catering kitchen on site already to cater for your guests

 You can read the full details here to learn more about the layout of the property

 With 25 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, a woodland, a lake, meadows and plenty of outbuildings, this is a property where you could start so many exciting projects

 The proximity to Paris is a great asset here, but Tours is also nearby and it's an easy drive from the cross-channel ferries

Run a hospitality and events business from your own Loire Valley manor, set in 25 acres of gardens, woodland and a private lake. This is the kind of place people search for when they want a ready-made lifestyle change in France—somewhere you can host guests, run weddings or retreats, and still enjoy the rhythm of the countryside.

The property is already set up for it: a characterful manor house with period features, multiple guest accommodations (gîte, studio, dovecote), a professional kitchen, and dedicated event spaces including a vaulted chapel and reception barn. It has operated successfully as a chambres d’hôtes and wedding venue, so a new owner can pick up an established model or take it in a new direction.

Life here follows the seasons—spring gardens in bloom, long summer evenings hosting guests, autumn colours across the woodland, and cosy winters by the fire. The grounds, with their rose gardens, mature trees and lake, create a natural setting for gatherings, photography and outdoor events.

Set in the heart of the Loire Valley, close to châteaux, vineyards and major attractions like ZooParc de Beauval, there’s a steady flow of tourism alongside the peace of rural living. Whether the focus is on weddings, retreats, B&B, or a combination of all three, this is a place where home and business naturally come together.

Gourdon-Murat, Corrèze - €499,000

 Location & Setting - Hot summers, snowy winters, beautiful woodlands, wild swimming lakes, a stream along the end of the garden, excellent cycle and hiking routes from the doorstep, a nearby tennis club and vibrant local community

 Beautifully renovated farmhouse & barn with vaulted ceilings and a warm atmosphere of home

 A relatively undiscovered part of France that is ideal for those looking for an outdoors lifestyle, adventure, space and nature.  The 5* rated gîte offers additional income potential or a jolly comfortable base for visiting family and friends

 You can read more about the property here to find out about the practical details

 The outside space is low maintenance - large enough to enjoy games, bbq's, create a veg patch and install a pool if you wished (although most people who live locally forgo the maintenance and enjoy swimming in the nearby lakes instead)

 The gîte has wheel-chair access.  The area is quick and easy to access from Limoges airport & it's just 6km to the nearest train station

Renovated stone farmhouse with independent gîte in peaceful rural France, offering a turnkey lifestyle and income opportunity. Set in a beautiful countryside location with no close neighbours, the property enjoys beautiful valley views, gardens with fruit trees and a stream, and direct access to hiking and biking trails from the doorstep.

In this part of France, each of the seasons can be enjoyed to the max.  The summers are hot and winters are snowy.  Spring is vibrant and autumn is a riot of colour.  

Full of character with exposed beams, stone walls and a fireplace, the main house has no shortage of rustic charm whilst being very comfortable with creature comforts.  The separate, single-level gîte (wheelchair accessible) provides privacy for guests and a very successful holiday rental business with 100+ five-star reviews.

Located near swimming lakes with beaches, vibrant market towns and everyday amenities, this is ideal for buyers seeking a slower pace of life, outdoor living, and a ready-to-run gîte business in an unspoilt, increasingly sought-after area of France.