Places which can be easily accessed with car hire are Lyon, which is the one of the biggest cities in France, the Lake resort of Annecy and Chamonix which has excellent skiing opportunities.
Because Lyon is very much a working city the price of property is inexpensive no matter what time of year you choose to go.
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Land Institute, Lyon has just been voted the fifth best city in the world in which to invest.
If you are looking for a luxury property in Lyon then the 6th Arrondissement is one of the more upmarket areas.
Compared with other alpine resorts Lake Annecy is not so expensive property-wise.
If you are renting then prices will be higher during the ski season.
Your purchase and rental choices include everything from villas, apartments, chalets and old stone houses.
For 403,000 Euros you can buy a pretty semi-detached cottage which has amazing views out over the lake through property agent Leapfrog.
In Chamonix there are wonderful chalets for sale which have six bedrooms and overlook the Massif du Mont Blanc.
Through the Prestige Property Group these go for around two and a half million Euros.
South Western France consists of Aquitaine and the Midi Pyrenees.
Living there gives you the choice between exploring the Atlantic Ocean coastline or the impressive mountains which border Spain.
Bordeaux is the capital of Aquitaine and this world famous wine-producing region has some spectacular property.
Grand chateaus are available to buy here, though they don't come cheap starting at eight million Euros.
For this price you can get 25 hectares, 19 rooms, stables garages and much more.
Lux Residence has these opulent properties on offer.
If you are looking to buy a 'gite' or a country house then the department of Gironde is becoming very popular.
There are also more modestly priced semi detached houses for sale in Aquitaine for around half a million Euros.
This is a great price for three buildings as you get a main house, converted barn and farmhouse.
There is also a pool and all this is located only two kilometres away from the medieval town of Monflaquin.
If you are planning on spending less there is a detached house in Pau, in the Pyrenees Atlantiques, which goes for 330,000 Euros.
The location is ideal being only 20 minutes from Pau airport and hour away from Biarritz airport.
Going skiing from here is easy while there are plenty of golf courses and the beach is accessible too.
When considering your options for property in the south of France don't forget the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
Corsica has amazing scenery and some of the world's best walking including the GR20 (Grand Randonnee).
There are numerous villas and apartments available to buy or rent in Corsica.
Owners Direct has holiday villas in Porto Vecchio for 1190 Euros per month which are done in a tasteful modern style with unforgettable views.
Because Lyon is very much a working city the price of property is inexpensive no matter what time of year you choose to go.
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Land Institute, Lyon has just been voted the fifth best city in the world in which to invest.
If you are looking for a luxury property in Lyon then the 6th Arrondissement is one of the more upmarket areas.
Compared with other alpine resorts Lake Annecy is not so expensive property-wise.
If you are renting then prices will be higher during the ski season.
Your purchase and rental choices include everything from villas, apartments, chalets and old stone houses.
For 403,000 Euros you can buy a pretty semi-detached cottage which has amazing views out over the lake through property agent Leapfrog.
In Chamonix there are wonderful chalets for sale which have six bedrooms and overlook the Massif du Mont Blanc.
Through the Prestige Property Group these go for around two and a half million Euros.
South Western France consists of Aquitaine and the Midi Pyrenees.
Living there gives you the choice between exploring the Atlantic Ocean coastline or the impressive mountains which border Spain.
Bordeaux is the capital of Aquitaine and this world famous wine-producing region has some spectacular property.
Grand chateaus are available to buy here, though they don't come cheap starting at eight million Euros.
For this price you can get 25 hectares, 19 rooms, stables garages and much more.
Lux Residence has these opulent properties on offer.
If you are looking to buy a 'gite' or a country house then the department of Gironde is becoming very popular.
There are also more modestly priced semi detached houses for sale in Aquitaine for around half a million Euros.
This is a great price for three buildings as you get a main house, converted barn and farmhouse.
There is also a pool and all this is located only two kilometres away from the medieval town of Monflaquin.
If you are planning on spending less there is a detached house in Pau, in the Pyrenees Atlantiques, which goes for 330,000 Euros.
The location is ideal being only 20 minutes from Pau airport and hour away from Biarritz airport.
Going skiing from here is easy while there are plenty of golf courses and the beach is accessible too.
When considering your options for property in the south of France don't forget the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
Corsica has amazing scenery and some of the world's best walking including the GR20 (Grand Randonnee).
There are numerous villas and apartments available to buy or rent in Corsica.
Owners Direct has holiday villas in Porto Vecchio for 1190 Euros per month which are done in a tasteful modern style with unforgettable views.