Chanac Property Insight

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Chanac is located in the south west tip of the Lozere department, right between the Lot valley and the Gorges du Tarn. With only 1,300 inhabitants, this is a pretty little commune belonging to the former Pays de Chanac and mixing the Occitan and Gevaudan’s traditions. Presenting a precious historical heritage, the village is appreciated for its rustic lifestyle and delicious dairy produce.

Overview

The quaint village of Chanac covers about 25 sq mi shared between the 1,000m high market town and the 650m-high more recent area overlooking the Lot river. The hill-top part of the town is built on the “Causse de Sauveterre”, a great limestone plateau from where you get a view over the renowned cliffs, Les Gorges du Tarn.

Holidaymakers – and more precisely hikers and bikers – particularly appreciate the area as it gives them the opportunity to tour the lush Lot valley and the Causses’ pastures. A real haven of peace in southern France!

Chanac Immobilier & Property Market Trends

In 2009, property prices scatter from €1,200/ sq m for mere town houses to €1,620/ sq m for the biggest and most ancient properties around Chanac. The most regarded types – and consequently, the most expensive – are obviously the huge dairy properties which comprise several buildings and acres of land.

Some bargains are still on offer when it comes to renovation, particularly for ancient stone houses in the surroundings (to La Canourgue for instance).

Rentals have only developed in the last few years as the nearby airports (Clermont Ferrand 180km away and Rodez 85km away) introduced new connections from/to main European cities. Such improvement has indeed highly boosted the area, all nature lovers and holidaymakers who long for adventurous breaks being seduced by Chanac’s region.

To get updated info about housing prices in the Lozère departement, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

4 reasons to Buy a Property in Chanac

Although Chanac was largely damaged during the religious wars and WWI, this authentic village is now a great, lively and dynamic centre in southwest Lozere. Below are some reasons that explain why its population is increasing year after year.

• Sauveterre Causse: this huge limestone plateau spreads over 60 km² in total, divided into three geological zones – the deserted “Causse pelé”, the wooded “Causse boisé” and the wild “Causse du Massegros” bordering Chanac. The latter portion offers great fauna and flora featuring flocks of sheep, wild orchids and carline thistles (locally named “chardons soleil” or “cardabelles”).

• Historical heritage: if charming Chanac still presents prehistoric and Gallo-roman sites, the major development of the town occurred in the 15th century, when local breeders started to develop wool production. The impressive remaining 12th-century keep is part of the architectural heritage and recalls the past of the area.

• Dynamism: the town council managed to introduce great cultural and economic projects to boost Chanac’s appeal. Chanac is no longer a fully rural village and all the facilities and mod cons are provided. Tourism industry is increasing (offering more and more job opportunities) and sport clubs (potholing, fishing, paragliding, cycling, etc.) make the most of nature’s bounty.

• Local produce: the Causse area is littered with big farmhouses and pastures which remind both locals and visitors of how dynamic Chanac was in terms of ovine agriculture. If wool production is restrictive nowadays, dairies – producing ewe and goat cheese above all – are still a common sight. The local Roquefort cheese is definitely worth tasting!

Property Styles and Architecture in Chanac

Apart from antique remains, Chanac’s architecture includes a pretty wide choice of property styles elaborated from the local materials and adapted to the natural surroundings.

• Hamlets: as a general rule, stone houses are very common in southern France. Chanac’s rural homes have the characteristic to be built amid large pastures or meadows and foremost owned by farmers and breeders. As they originally aimed at being functional, they usually include one single storey – but the upper floor now accounts for potential developments of the living space.

• Limestone houses: as Chanac is sitting on the hillside, most houses had to be made from the extracted materials (i.e. limestone from Causses’ plateau) and adapt to the sloping rocky land. Some of the properties has a troglodyte character which adds to their charm and character.

• Causse Mas: the typical “Mas Caussenard” was originally built as both home and cattle shed. These long properties generally feature three levels, the basement for storage and cattle, the ground floor for living and the vaulted first floor for potential development or as attic room.

Click here for more info about Languedoc Architecture.

Take a closer look at the Lozère property market:
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Le Rozier Property Information	Sainte Enimie Property Information