The French property market is experiencing sustained growth thanks to continued demand from foreign investors, SPC Overseas claims.

The property investment company told Homes Worldwide that there are several mini growth markets in France where prices are finally beginning to catch up to the rest of Europe.

Anthony Fernandes, director of SPC Overseas, explained that France's popularity among holiday home buyers has led to a shortage of new properties, which is pushing prices up and creating a very "ripe" climate for investors.

"The next ten years will see France play catch up to other European markets and investors can expect to see tremendous returns," he remarked.

Your Mortgage magazine also sees this trend in France, explaining that western European countries are now seeing a price boom similar to that experienced in the UK over the last decade.

A MILLION BRIT “RETIREES” FLOCK TO FRANCE

A million British pensioners are receiving their state allowance from overseas, according to new figures from Saga.

France and Spain continue to feature as the destinations where British pensioners would most like to live after their retirement.

A recent Bank of Scotland International (BOSI) survey found that the two countries are the most popular countries in Europe to retire in, among the 31 per cent of pensioners who have considered moving abroad

But France has become more popular with Brits than Spain because there are fewer established expat communities to annoy them, according to an overseas mortgage adviser.

Matthew Weston, manager of overseas mortgages at Blevins Franks, said that people were looking for a cultural experience and a change of lifestyle rather than a Little Britain Abroad.

"Normally what people are looking for is a peaceful home set in natural surroundings that is in close proximity to a local scene that has a good dose of its own unique culture and entertainment," he said.

A Cluttons France spokesperson said that the France was becoming very popular with a higher class of Brit who did not want to see "an English man wearing his football shirt in France".