Unfortunately, in this case, you have missed it.
Friday 24th February was the last day bidders could offer on a whole French Village in the central French region of Limousin.
The attractive proposition reputedly came with 19 buildings, including a Town hall, Stables and a number of houses, as well as a swimming pool.
The greatest attraction, however, is likely its price: standing at £275,000 – the equivalent of a London Flat or a detached house in Leeds.
The last resident left in 2008, following decades of decline catalysed by the failure of local agriculture. The 1990s saw attempts to convert the town into a ‘happening’ holiday destination, but the costs were too high and the cause was lost. Still, some have suggested that potential purchasers might have seen the lack of continental neighbours to put up with as a bonus.
Since then, the owner has fallen into bankruptcy, leaving the village to be marketed by the neighbouring local council. Having gone unsold last Friday, it is now the property of Credit Agricole Bank and commentators are unsure as to the future of the village.
It actually entered the market at £700,000, but the need for serious renovation meant no takers at auction first time round. Having been empty for so long, and being located in the temperate regions of central France, the village is quickly being reclaimed by nature.
This is not the first time a village like this has found its way onto the market. In November of last year, a small village near York was put onto the market at £6.5million, with an hereditament to include 3 farms, 14 houses and 54 acres of woodland.
Similarly, in April the same year, a picturesque medieval village of 11 reputedly ‘crumbling’ stone buildings in Italy hit the market for £485,000.
Spectators that have recently found themselves on the London property ladder, few as they may be, may well view the dismal weather from their windows and kick themselves that they missed the opportunity to become a ‘propriétaire terrien’ in sunny France.