Historic residences, property under regulation, Historic residences.

In exchange, these listed or registered properties may benefit from government financial aid and special tax regimes. But before any renovation or repairs begin, the owner must obtain the agreement of the Regional Division for Cultural Affairs (Drac).

Then, for a listed building, the work can be subsidized to the tune of 40% of the global cost and carried out under the supervision of the Chief Architect for Historical Monuments.

For a listed monument, on the other hand, the work can only be subsidized to around 15% of the total cost, but does not require the services of the Chief Architect. The local Mayor Demeures and the Drac can authorise the work, applying less restrictive criteria than for a listed building. These requirements are likely to undergo in-depth changes by year’s end.

They will basically ensure that, “since the government is not the supervisory contractor for work on historical monuments it does not own , it will make it mandatory to carry out (continuous) scientific and technical inspections. An evaluation will also be made prior to the start of renovation work, and specialised contractors will have to be employed in the case of listed buildings – i.e. the architect in charge of historical monuments - even if there is no state subsidy involved,” explains Jean de Lambertye, President of the La Demeure Historique Association. “So far there are no mechanisms for appeal or mediation for the contracting owner should any dispute arise in relation to the scientific and technical inspection or to the authorisation for renovation work.” Towards a sponsorship system A raft of new obligations that tighten up restrictions on owning historical monuments.

“By withdrawing its financial contribution, the government is acting as a negative lever, since local authorities can only intervene after rather than ahead of the government,” continues Jean de Lambertye. The state budget for private historical monuments fell in 2006 to under €17 million or 7% of all heritage credits, compared to €30 million or 10% in 2000. But La Demeure Historique Association intends to broadcast the fact that the Minister of Culture did promise to return to this 10% level for the global endowment.

There is a new plan to supplement state credits through private sponsorship funds, in the shape of donations for private monuments in exchange for a tax cut. This option is provided for in the bill for the 2007 budget but still awaiting its application decree. “One of the primary motivations for foreigners who come and visit France is the wealth of its heritage.

Historical monuments should no longer be thought of as an extra charge for the community but as an investment. And we should no longer act as lords of the manor locked away behind our portcullises, but as entrepreneurs who are fully aware of what these projects mean in economic terms.”

Farms, mills, washhouses and dovecotes can now benefit from a tax break of 50% to 100% for restoration work on the parts that are visible from public highways. Provided they are not listed buildings or registered as historical monuments, they can benefit from the Fondation du Patrimoine label, which is designed for owners of property offering local rural architectural heritage interest The application can be obtained from the local département’s offices of the Fondation. Subsidies ranging from 1 to 10% of the cost of the restoration are not very attractive. But owners who benefit from subsidies of less than 20% can deduct 50% of the cost of the renovation minus the subsidies from their income tax. If the subsidies amount to 20% or more of the cost of the renovation, then 100% of the cost is tax deductible.

Historic residences and properties for sale

See our listings of historical properties for sale in France