Magnificent France: Five reasons why a Russian governor moved to Languedoc

Magnificent France: Five reasons why a Russian governor moved to Languedoc

Why had Oleg Chirkunov, a former governor of the Perm region in Russia, prefered the Languedoc-Roussillon region for his new residency? The ee24.com portal highlights five reasons of ex-senator's decision to choose Languedoc rather than Paris, Courchevel or Cote d'Azur.

Oleg Anatolyevich Chirkunov done a lot of noise with his purchase of the estate Monplaisir Palace near the town of Lodève in France. It was known in early February 2014, when a politician, ex-governor of the Perm region, announced about leaving abroad on his page on Facebook. Chirkunov realized that "life must be changed and I must leave Perm". He had been travelling almost two years, till he visited the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Property in Languedoc-Roussillon

Does it possible to sell the apartment in Perm, as the Governor did, and buy a property in the Languedoc region (Languedoc is the historical region of France, on the territory there are two regions, Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées, in our case we are talking about the first region. - Note of ee24.com)? Hardly. Square meter in the former home city of Chirkunov costs about €1,400, while the houses and villas in Languedoc sell twice as expensive. If an apartment in Perm is the most elite, it can be exchanged for the average house in Languedoc by a similar capacity.

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"Journalists estimate Chirkunov's palace in Languedoc at €5 million. The estate is very big: there are gardens, rivers, waterfalls, forest, house area - 1800 sq.m"
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According to French media, the Monplaisir Palace is estimated at €5 million. As Chirkunov wrote, it's a "very big territory: gardens, rivers, waterfalls, forest". It's a real manor (plot of 80 hectares, 60 of which – forest), house area - 1800 sq.m. One of the main rooms for Chirkunov is a library. "I need to have a place to store books," Oleg Chirkunov wrote in a social network. He explained his move to France as the need for spending time in one place at least "half a year".

Many can find reasons to leave Russia and buy property in France. But why is Languedoc?

Property in Languedoc-Roussillon, Oleg Chirkunov's villa

Property in Languedoc-Roussillon, Oleg Chirkunov's villa

Property in Languedoc-Roussillon, Oleg Chirkunov's villa
Oleg Chirkunov's villa, Monplaisir Palace, near Lodève, the Languedoc-Roussillon region, France

The first reason. Get the same, but pay less

Languedoc-Roussillon is located on the coast of the Mediterranean sea between "titans" as the French Riviera and rocky coast of Spain, the Costa Brava. Languedoc, put it mildly, is a shadow of its neighbors and is completely unknown Russian tourists and buyers. Compared with the cost of real estate on the Cote d'Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon looks more attractive approximately in 1,5-2 times. Apartment in Montpellier, the capital of Languedoc-Roussillon, can cost €100,000, and a house in the city - €350,000. For €500,000 you can buy a villa with "glamour" category in the region. If the property is closer to the Spanish border, the prices are more cheap.

Property in Languedoc-Roussillon, France

The second reason. To eliminate the "lifelong sunlight deficit"

Of course, Languedoc is not a hole. There are nightclubs, bars and restaurants, beaches; wealthy people have opportunities to practice winemaking and yachting; good climatic conditions of the region are one of the best in Europe to relax and enjoy life and the same as on the Cote d'Azur or Catalonia in Spain. Summer is hot and sunny, winter is warm and soft.

The third reason. "There are no Russians"

On the Cote d'Azur, Alpes-Maritimes, 12% of the real estate transactions are cocluded the foreigners, and among them, of course, are many our compatriots. There are a lot of Russian-speaking residents in Catalonia and Valencia. Languedoc, "stuck" between them, is not experiencing such pressure from abroad, although it is possible to meet foreigners, mainly Englishmen and Dutchmen. When you get away from the coast or from a big city, it's hard to hear anything but French, Occitan language or English speech. Languedoc has all the infrastructure for year-round living.

Direct speech: "There are no Russians, it's a "Dutch-English zone" of France." (Oleg Chirkunov)

Property in Languedoc-Roussillon, France

The fourth reason. Languedoc is the most diverse region of France

In Languedoc - Roussillon you will never bore, and not only because of the developed industry of entertainment, but also because of the source of information provided by the nature itself. Where else in Europe can be in one place first-class beaches, warm sea, high mountains and ski resorts? In addition, France is a member of the EU, it's a beautiful language, lifestyle and amazing culture. Also wineries and the ancient Greco-Roman culture are in Languedoc. And this combination is difficult anywhere else to find.

Property in Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

The fifth reason. Great possibilities of the big country

Can Languedoc be a good alternative Paris? Perhaps, yes. Montpellier is actually the eighth largest city in France. Buying an apartment in Montpellier or another city in Languedoc will bring to its owner all the opportunities provided by France, such as good roads and transport, well-developed network of air transportation, natural products, locally produced wine, sun and beaches, shopping, cultural events, European level of security.

Text: Kirill Ozerov, ee24.com

Photo: shutterstock.com, vesti.ru