Beau Rivage Beach and Promenade, Nice

Provence Invest Ltd. - Renegade sarl.

France & Ireland

house near Nice- click on picture to enlarge

It was Peter Mayle’s ubiquitous book ‘A Year in Provence’ that lured clients Robin and Geraldine Arnold to the area. The Irish couple had been on the lookout for a property of character for a few years in both Italy and France. “We found Bill after a frustrating period dealing with Estate Agents, who tend to show everything on their books, yet nothing jumped out at us. Bill’s service is more personalized and his knowledge of Provence is thorough and he has a network of local contacts.

the Arnold's house - click on picture to enlarge

“He located the perfect set up for us – in fact we bought two houses, 100 metres apart. One is in a habitable state, the other needs total renovation. The restoration foreman has a passion for gardening as I have, so we spend a lot of time discussing horticulture which is naturally very different from my previous gardening experience,” says Arnold.

“Bill does what he says he’s going to do. He’s a very practical man, with fantastic energy. We have achieved our dream and found a friend in Bill too. We’re delighted!” enthuses Arnold.

house & vinyard - click on picture to enlarge

Evans explains, “We find that many clients who become involved with us on a renovation project fall in love with the place and end up living here. Some even commute regularly from the region to London or Dublin and set up their business to suit,” comments Evans.

“We find the type of investment that's going to be most successful is the person who acquires a good run-down property , a property with good bones, who renovates it, and then holds on to it for a number of years and thereby takes advantage of both the rental income and the possible capital appreciation. And of course enjoy the personal use also.”

derelict property - click on picture to enlarge

Evans passion for the area grew from his former career. “My background is in film and photography. I used to own a photography gallery in Paris in the ‘80s. I have made France my home for the past three decades, so I really know the country in depth and I know how the system works – the language, the legalities. Part of my job was to research locations for film shoots. I now live in the village Vaugines where ‘Manon des Sources’ was shot,” says Evans.

property in Vaison-la-Romaine click on picture to enlarge

The imposing villages perched on the sides of hills of which some are not only enchanting but famous: Lourmarin , Gordes, Roussillon and others less well known but nevertheless just as alluring. For instance, Vaugines , where the classic 1986 film "Manon des Sources”, starring Gerard pardieu and Emmanuel Beart, was filmed. Or, for example, Cucuron where Ridley Scott shot his film ‘A Good year’ starring Russell Crowe.