How to buy property in Vendée France for UK buyers:

The Vendée region on the French Atlantic coast is a dream destination for many UK buyers. Whether you're looking for a seaside holiday home, a peaceful retirement spot, or a renovation project full of character, the Vendée offers a mix of beautiful beaches, charming villages, and excellent value for money.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to buying a property in Vendée as a UK citizen – post-Brexit and with full confidence.

Step 1: Understand What You Can (Still) Do as a UK Buyer

Despite Brexit, UK nationals can still legally purchase property in France. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership. However, if you plan to spend more than 90 days in any 180-day period, you’ll need a visa or residency permit.

Key documents needed:

• Valid passport

• French bank account (for transactions and taxes)

• French tax number (eventually)

🏘 Step 2: Define Your Property Goals

Before visiting properties, clarify:

• ✅ Your purpose (holiday home, rental, retirement, permanent move)

• ✅ Preferred location (coast, inland village, town)

• ✅ Budget (including renovation works if needed)

• ✅ Renovation ambition (light updates vs. full structural work)

📌 Coastal towns like Les Sables-d’Olonne, La Tranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, and Noirmoutier are popular – but charming inland areas near Cholet, Mauléon, or Bressuire offer better value.

🔍 Step 3: Work with the Right Local Experts

You don’t need to do this alone. Consider hiring:

• A bilingual estate agent

• A notaire (mandatory for all property sales in France)

• A project manager or AMO (Assistance à Maîtrise d’Ouvrage) for renovations

• A local building consultant (especially for old homes)

💡 At Sékure Travaux, we support English-speaking clients with neutral, technical advice on renovation, quotes, and local planning rules.

🧾 Step 4: Make an Offer and Sign the “Compromis de Vente”

Once you find a suitable property and agree on the price, you sign a Compromis de Vente (pre-sale agreement). It’s legally binding after a 10-day cooling-off period.

The notaire will handle:

• Legal checks on the property

• Title and cadastral information

• Drafting the final deed ("Acte de Vente")

💶 Step 5: Pay Fees and Taxes

Don't forget to budget for renovation or maintenance costs.

🛠 Step 6: Renovation or Upgrade? Get It Assessed First

If you're buying an older home or holiday house near the sea, you may need:

• Roofing, insulation, or façade work

• Damp proofing or ventilation upgrades

• Plumbing or electricity rewiring

• Kitchen, bathrooms, or layout changes

👉 Before signing the purchase, consider a Pre-Renovation Study: this technical report helps estimate real costs and identify hidden risks.

🧰 Step 7: Manage Renovations from the UK (Optional)

Many UK buyers live abroad during the works. With a local project coordinator, you can:

• Get photos, updates, and clear reports

• Choose trusted craftsmen

• Stay within budget and timeline

• Avoid language or planning issues

✅ We manage this entire process for our UK clients from our offices in western France.

📋 Checklist Summary

✅ Can UK citizens buy in France? Yes
✅ Do you need a visa to live full-time? Yes (if >90 days)
✅ Do you need a notaire? Yes (mandatory)
✅ Are renovations risky? Not if well assessed
✅ Can you do this from the UK? Absolutely – with local help

📞 Ready to Buy and Renovate in Vendée?

We’re here to help. Whether you’re just starting your search or ready to make an offer, we’ll help you plan your budget, check the condition of the house, and manage your renovation from A to Z.

🔹 Where exactly do you work?

📍 Where We Work – Coastal Vendée & Surrounding Areas in Western France

We specialise in property renovation for international buyers, particularly along the Vendée coast, a popular region for seaside homes and second residences.

✅ Main Service Area – Vendée Coast & Seaside Towns

We operate across the Atlantic coastline of Vendée, up to 50 km inland, for all types of renovation projects:
🏡 full house refurbishments,
🔧 energy-efficient upgrades,
🏗 structural work and extensions,
🎯 project supervision in your absence.

This includes:

Les Sables-d’Olonne, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Noirmoutier-en-l’Île, L’Île-d’Yeu, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, La Barre-de-Monts, Fromentine, Notre-Dame-de-Monts, Saint-Jean-de-Monts, Brétignolles-sur-Mer, Jard-sur-Mer, Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, La Tranche-sur-Mer, Angles, L’Aiguillon-la-Presqu’île, La Faute-sur-Mer, and nearby rural or peri-coastal communes.

➡️ We provide complete support: project assessments, quotes, contractor selection, permits, and full follow-up.

🏡 Secondary Area – Inland Villages Around Cholet, Les Herbiers & Bressuire