Despite its name, Centre is not the middle of France, but its location close to the Loire Valley gives visitors and residents amazing countryside views and a relaxed lifestyle. The region is home to several key cities including Tours, Chartres and Bourges. Boasting a landscape that's dotted with incredible castles and pretty chateaus, the region was once something of a playground for the Kings and Queens of France, which, to a large extent, explains why it remains one of the most beautiful today. Many of the important administrative centres within the Central region make solid prospects for resale property investment and buy-to-let, although rent yields rarely break beyond the 3 per cent mark at best. Shorter-term holiday lets are, of course, always an option