The Creuse department belongs - with Corrèze and Haute-Vienne - to the Limousin region. This area was created after the French Revolution like most French departments. It is named after the Creuse River. Three other rivers pass through the area: the Taurion, Gartempe and Petite-Creuse rivers. The department is located to the north west edge of the Massif Central mountains range.
Creuse is adjacent with many departments: Correze and Haute Vienne of course, but also Allier, Puy-de-Dôme ( Auvergne ), Cher and Indre ( Centre ). With 124,470 inhabitants - called the Creusois - the area is amidst the less populated departments of France. Thus the choice is wide for properties to buy there.
Creuse has 2 arrondissements, 27 cantons and 260 towns and villages. The urban areas are situated around the towns of Guéret, Aubusson, Bourganeuf and La Souterraine. With Sainte-Feyre, these five towns form the unique urban centre of Creuse. This area is very active and represent an important centralization of people and activities.
The major assets of this department are the rural life and natural landscapes. Indeed, this part of France is renowned for being very green and peaceful. The several plateaus offer outstanding views: the plateau de Millevaches and plateau de Gentioux as well as the monts de la Marche are a real heaven for nature lovers.
The plateau des Millevaches is probably the most beautiful one. Located on the south east part of Creuse, this wonderful conservation area of woods, lakes and rivers is really worth visiting. There are also numerous peat bogs in the department such as the one of Mazure.
An important part of the department is covered by woods: in 2003, woods represented 584,000 hectares of the global area. Most trees of these forests are conifers and leafed trees such as birches, oak, beech and chestnut trees. The Creuse department benefits from an oceanic climate varying according to the altitude - the relief being comprised between 200m and 900m.
The economy of this department is oriented towards hand craft industry and agriculture. Since the Middle Ages, many Creusois (locals) left the area to go to cities to work on important construction sites as masons, carpenters, roofers, etc. Thereby, thousands of men from the department built cathedrals but also famous monuments such as the sea wall of La Rochelle or Paris’ monuments at the time Haussmann baron worked on the urbanism of the French capital city.
As the rest of the Limousin region, the Creuse department is very cheap in terms of house prices. The average price for an apartment to buy there is €1,150 /square metre (the national average is €3,197 /square metre). The price for an apartment to buy was, in April 2008, almost €400 less expensive than the national average. You should plan to pay about €7.8 / square metre to rent an apartment in Creuse.
As far as houses are concerned, an ancient house costs about €91,300 whereas a brand new one costs in average €127,500. These houses are worth the money as they often have large dimensions and offer a wonderful setting in a quiet area.
Out of the 80,535 properties in Creuse, more than 70% are main houses. Almost 11% of the properties are vacant in this department. Moreover, the rate of owners is high: 67%. We can add to this the fact that many dwellings are detached (83%) and large (42% of 5-room properties) houses.
So, why not be the owner of a nice and large property in this peaceful area of France? You will easily be able to feel the French art de vivre and get to know the welcoming locals.
To get updated info about property prices in Creuse, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.
Click here to have an overview of Limousin Property Prices.
Many French people affirm that there is nothing to do in Creuse. This is definitely wrong. Creuse has varied landscapes on offer that allow plenty of activities (hiking, horse riding, water sports, mountain biking, etc). This area is quiet, peaceful and awaiting to be more deeply discovered.
It is definitely possible to buy a property to renovate in Creuse for less than €30,000. There are still many bargains to be driven so do not hesitate to invest in this department.
Click here for more info about the Architecture of Limousin.
Take a closer look at the Creuse property market: | |
Aubusson Property Information | Bourganeuf Property Information |
Dun le Palestel Property Information | Guéret Information |
La Souterraine Property Information |
![]() Custom Search |