There are indications the French property market may slowdown as the year progresses, with a number of factors helping to cool the sector.

According to a Global Property Guide report, the threat of a France/Price-History">recession in the eurozone and the forthcoming presidential elections - which are due to be held in April and May - have made purchasers "more cautious".

The publication cited figures from the National Association of Real Estate Agents in France, which revealed price growth in the final quarter of 2011 was considerably weaker than the previous three-month period.

Between October and December last year, the value of property climbed by 1.04 per cent annually, while in the third quarter, prices rose by 7.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2010.

Last month, Clare Nessling, director at Conti, revealed the French mortgage market offers the most attractive rates in Europe for British buyers. She explained it is "in a relatively secure situation and loan-to-value ratios are still high".