Morgan Stanley to sell French property firm

PARIS,(Reuters) - Morgan Stanley Real Estate (MS.N: Quote, Profile , Research) is expected to choose on Thursday the buyer for its French business Compagnie La Lucette and Lehman Brothers' Real Estate (LEH.N: Quote, Profile , Research) appears to be best placed, French newspaper Le Figaro said on Wednesday. Offers ranged from 1.25 billion euros ($1.73 billion) to 1.4 billion euros and Lehman's offer topped those of other potential buyers, including Nexity-Caisses d'Epargne (NEXI.PA: Quote, Profile , Research) and a German invesment fund, the paper said.

Euro Disney revenue up in third quarter

PARIS -- Theme park operator Euro Disney SCA said Thursday that its third-quarter revenue rose 12% to €322 million ($444.7 million), citing stronger hotel revenue as well as a rise in the number of visitors. Theme park revenue gained 8% to €173.7 million, boosted by a 9% rise in attendance at Disneyland Paris. Hotels and Disney Village revenue rose 21% to €132.7 million, lifted by a 17% increase in average spending per room as well as a 4.7 percentage point increase in hotel occupancy. The company's real estate development segment revenue gained €1 million, boosted by the closing of a larger residential transaction than closed in the prior-year period, it said.

House prices increasing in France

Rightmove Overseas has said it has received 251,824 French property searches last month alone with popular provinces including Brittany, Normandy and Languedoc-Roussillon.
In addition, the south of France is emerging as the most popular region with investors and holidaymakers seeking a traditionally French way of life and hot temperatures.

French properties offer secure investment

Investing in France's real estate market is more certain than other overseas property, claims a leading consultant. Olivier Morvan of real estate agency Cluttons France, believes that those looking for a good solid return on their investment should not dismiss France, especially as it remains a firm favourite for British holidaymakers.
"In France you will always keep the value of the property," explained Mr Morvan.

Tour De France Puts Alps On Property Map

Despite being a traditional winter holiday destination, the Alps also have plenty to offer summer visitors, with plenty of outdoors activities and temperatures reaching 30 degrees. Following the media coverage of the Tour de France, property developer MGM is catering for the new found interest in the Alps as an annual buy-to-let market with three new holiday home developments.

South of France real estate market

Settling in a sunny area in the South of France is a dream that many do, are they from the North or from another country. Who, after a couple weeks of holidays spent on the seaside or in a small typical village of the South of France, has never thought of buying a house. The cicadas singing, no more good bread, olive oil, cheese and wine bought at the village morning market… the South of France appears as a paradise both for Northern people and for foreigners.

French property is a place in the sun

"A Place in the Sun" Magazine published by Brooklands Media Group features France in its August edition reporting on the house price rises in Languedoc-Roussillon. It reveals that prices in Perpignan rose by 10% between January and March 2007. The region has consistently been an attractive place to buy property for overseas investors. Languedoc-Roussillons capital Montpellier benefits from a slower pace of life, stunning architecture and has been booming. It has the honour of being voted France's most popular city to live in - thanks to its beautiful and relaxed 'Centre Historique' centre, chic shops and close proximity to the beach.

For Americans, Paris still sparkles

At the Maison de la France, responsible for promoting French tourism on a national scale, officials are expecting a record 3.5 million Americans to visit the country this year, boosting their spending by 10 percent over 2006 to 5.0 billion euros (6.9 billion dollars).

Paris Property Ideal For Buy-To-Let

France's economic stability and sustainability, as well as the country's status as a "global gateway", further contributed to its appeal for investors. Report authors suggested that for the next two years at least, Paris will offer great prospects for property investors. A spokesperson for real estate firm Property Frontiers said regeneration work around La Defense – Paris's major business district – is boosting the city's housing market. She also noted that over the last six years, house prices in the city have gone up by around 11 per cent a year.

French Property Hunters

The new French property portal has been created to give searchers not only a bigger choice of properties than other 'France-only' sites, but an overall better user experience on the site, too.

France remains good investment

Purchasing property in France is still likely to lead to strong capital growth, claims a property firm. Property Frontiers believes that investing in properties away from the major hotspots of the Dordogne, Cote d’Azur, Alsace, Charentes and Loire Valley could maximise the potential for investors to enjoy good returns on their inital investments – despite the growing prices in the country.

Congo leader denounces French property probe

"All the leaders of the world have chateaux and palaces in France, whether they are from the Gulf, Europe, Africa," Sassou-Nguesso said following a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy that centered on the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Paris growing real estate activity

International property investors may be pleased to learn that Standard Life Investments is to open a new office in Paris. According to the firm, the new outlet will provide continued support in an area that is seeing growing real estate activity.

Tourism a 'major factor' in French real estate market

Both capital growth and rental value of an overseas property are often determined by demand within the tourism sector, a trend particularly evident in the French real estate market, one expert has claimed.

Digital Realty Trust To Lease 2,500 Sq. Metres Of Space In Paris

7/2/2007 6:50:32 AM Monday, real estate investment trust Digital Realty Trust Inc. (DLR) announced that it entered into a deal with Europe-based IXEurope Plc to lease 2,500 square meters of Powered Base Building space in its facility in Paris, France. IXEurope, a data-center service provider, plans to create an advanced data-center facility in this space and is expected to be made available to customers in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Sale of 9 Place Vendôme, Paris

Hammerson and AXA REIM France have signed a conditional agreement to sell their shares in SAS 9 place Vendôme, the joint venture company which developed and owns the major office building at 9 place Vendôme, Paris 1er. Completion of the sale is scheduled for 9 July 2007 and the purchaser, SAS Sloane place Vendôme, has paid a non-refundable deposit of £13 million (€20 million).