France suffered a couple of rather tragic years in an economic sense after the 2008 global financial crisis, leading to so many international investors turning a blind eye to what's on offer. However, the slump made buying into key areas such as Lorraine more affordable than ever before, even if the chances of bringing home a generous profit or rent yield are rather on the low side. The beautiful region is famed for its unspoiled landscapes, epic outdoor pursuits and world-class wine production – it's also the birthplace of Joan of Arc. As a location for a second home or holiday property there's really no knocking Lorraine, but when it comes to investment for the purposes of pure profit, the opportunities take a fair bit more digging to find.