French Property Going Green

The French government is attempting to improve the country’s green awareness with the introduction of a new mandatory ‘energy label’ system for all housing units sold or rented. It will rate the energy efficiency of the property and could change construction standards across the country. This was already applied to French motor vehicles and will eventually reach to all household goods. Also, the French government has invested much more in renewable energy than the UK – 6.3 percent compared to 1.4 percent as informed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“Authorities are waking up to environmentally aware building in France, but at a sluggish pace. The government is trying to encourage environmentally friendly construction but, unfortunately, it often does not filter down to the local level. In some of the more conservative rural areas, local Maires (mayors) can be of the ‘not in my backyard’ variety when it comes to eco-friendly houses, but usually they can be overruled if the project envisaged can be seen to fit in architecturally with the local surroundings”, commented Sally Dixon from ecological property developers Arc En Ciel Bois. And Dixon shared some good news on how far environment-friendly design has come these past few years. “It is important that people realise that wood houses do not have to look like a cuckoo clock and can be built (as is our own house) with squre, not round logs, using local terracotta for roof tiles, or slates depending on the region. The timber frame houses can also be clad to fit in with local planning demands. I can’t think of any disadvantages at all, really. Wood houses have been built in Scandinavia for centuries and I have seen houses and churches dating from the 12th century, so they are very durable. Insurance is no more expensive either.”

Wooden properties from Arc En Ciel Bois are priced between 72,000 and 115,000 euros (about £49,000-£50,000). Converting an existing property in Europe can be more expensive and there are a few benefits to depend on sustainable energy source instead of the main power grid.

The eco-friendly market seems set to expand with the action of the French government on property that wont “go green” and the birth of an eco-tourism market.

Posted on: France

News by country

French Property Going Green

Related articles

Recent Posts

News archive