Buying Property in the Languedoc: Types of House

Some types of property that you will find in the Languedoc:

• Château. Not so many medieval castles available now, but you might find anything from a late medieval - early Renaissance chateau fort to a victorian country house.
• Manoir. "Manor": Grand two or three story country house.
• Maison de Maître. Large houses, generally in towns. Built by the grand bourgoisie. Three or four stories high. Typically double fronted and symetrical.
• Ferme. Farm, or small farm "Fermet", often with extra goodies like outbuildings and (redundant) wine making equipment.
• Mas. Stone walls, canal tile roof, asymetric arragement of doors & windows. Often rendered in ochre or beige. Often built next to farm buildings of different hights.
• Grange. Barn (conversion)
• Maison du Village. Easy to find as long as you don't want an attached garden.
• Chalet Found in mountain areas. Made of Wood, with decorative balconies. Roofs designed to withstand snow. Suitable for nearby winter sports.
• Presbyteres Presbyteries (rectories / vicarages). Superior houses. The priest (curé) was generally the most affluent figure in a small community.
• Moulins. Water Mills. Lovely in Summer. Often grim in winter.
• Modern Villas. Perfect for people who like pink, and don't mind two year guarantees about structural soundness.
• Coastal Appartments. Perfect for people who like white, don't mind two year guarantees about structural soundness, and are prepareed to pay twice the price for a similar property inland. If ugly apartment blocks appeal to you, you will find like-minded souls in Argeles-sur-Mer, Gruissan, Saint Cyprien, Port Bacares, Port Leucate and Cap d'Agde.
• Hameaux. Hamlets. A few years ago it was possible to buy whole hamlets. You're probably too late now, but on ne sait jamais.