Canny Irish investors have been buying property in France for the last two or three years and while prices are beginning to recover after several years in the doldrums, there is still plenty of value to be had particularly in rural towns. Those with around £500,000 to spend could consider taking the plunge in the spa town of Capvern-les-Bains near Lourdes in the French Pyrenees, where a 66-bedroom hotel is currently on the market. Bristol-based agent is handling the sale of the three-star Le Laca hotel, which is 37 kms from Lourdes and about an hour and a half from Toulouse airport. The five storey hotel stands on 2.5 acres and has a health centre and swimming pool, conference rooms and tennis courts. All for the miraculous price of £486,000 sterling.