mILIEUX PROPERTY IN THE MEDIA
Expertise, Heritage, and the Art of the French Acquisition. As seen on SBS Dateline, Coveted Magazine, and leading property platforms.
Television
Preserving French Heritage: SBS Dateline
The Reality of the Dream: Navigating the Journey from Acquisition to Restoration.
In this featured segment, SBS Dateline travels to France to meet the visionaries dedicated to saving its historic châteaux. Ben Ashcroft-Dinning, founder of Milieux Property, joins the conversation to explore the real-world complexities of French heritage restoration. While these iconic buildings are breathtaking, the path to preserving them is both intricate and investment-heavy.
Ben and the Milieux Property team serve as the vital bridge for international buyers, providing the on-the-ground expertise required to navigate the financial, legal, and structural challenges of owning a piece of French history. From initial search to long-term preservation, this feature highlights the strategic advisory that defines the Milieux approach.
“Chateaux can be much more affordable than you think, especially compared to Melbourne and Sydney house prices.”
Podcasts
Curating Excellence: Ben Ashcroft-Dinning on the Art of the "Full-Service" Acquisition.
In this interview with Coveted Magazine in Porto, Ben Ashcroft-Dinning outlines the unique, holistic approach of Milieux Property. Serving a discerning international clientele, including American, Australian, and British buyers. Ben acts as the vital link on the ground in France. From securing mortgages and legal counsel to his first love, interior design, Ben’s mission is to manage every detail of the French property journey. "We do everything for them," Ben explains, "and then we give them the keys."
Dispelling the Myth: What It Really Takes to Own a Piece of French History.
In this candid interview with Fabien from Fab Expat, Ben Ashcroft-Dinning provides a much-needed reality check for the "Escape to the Chateau" dream. Ben discusses the critical importance of being "coachable" as an international buyer and why honesty, not just salesmanship, is the cornerstone of the Milieux Property philosophy.
From the hard truth that chateaus are almost exclusively cash-only purchases to a transparent breakdown of renovation costs (averaging €1,000 to €1,500+ per square metre), Ben de-mystifies the financial landscape. This feature reinforces Ben’s reputation as a straight-talker who prioritises long-term client success over a quick sale, ensuring that the "dream" doesn't become a "disaster."
Bridging the Gap: Mastering the Complexities of French Property Restoration.
In this engaging episode of the She Renovates podcast, Ben Ashcroft-Dinning joins Bernadette Janson to discuss the evolution of Milieux Property. As a graduate of the School of Renovating and a Bachelor of Interior Design, Ben brings a unique "investor-renovator" lens to the French market. He explains the high stakes of working with 1,000-year-old structures, the intricacies of Monuments Historiques (Heritage) overlays, and why a specialised professional team is non-negotiable when transacting overseas.
From sourcing 100-year-old oak secretary desks at local antique markets to navigating the worldwide shortage of master trades, Ben shares his "boots-on-the-ground" insights. This interview highlights the core mission of Milieux Property: providing the professional support international buyers need to turn a complex French purchase into a seamless, high-value reality.
From the GFC to the French Riviera: A 15-Year Property Legacy.
In this deep-dive interview with Louise from The Property Education Company, Ben Ashcroft-Dinning discusses his journey from building a seven-property portfolio in Australia to founding Milieux Property in France. Drawing on over 15 years of personal experience in flipping, renovating, and holding high-value real estate, Ben shares how he now leverages that expertise to help international buyers secure their own "bolt hole" in Europe.
From navigating the stringent requirements of French banks to explaining the tax benefits of the SCI company structure, Ben provides a masterclass in cross-border property acquisition. This feature highlights the data-driven due diligence and "investor's mindset" that Milieux Property brings to every client search.
webinar
Your Questions Answered: A Masterclass in Cross-Border Acquisition from Offer to Ownership.
In this live Q&A webinar hosted by Fab Expat, France's leading immigration and relocation platform, Ben Ashcroft-Dinning joins host Fabian to field over an hour of unscripted questions from prospective international buyers. From navigating French mortgage rules and notary fees to finding trustworthy tradespeople and understanding energy ratings, Ben delivers the kind of frank, practical guidance that can only come from years of boots-on-the-ground experience.
Topics covered include the true cost of buying in France (including the 8.3% notary fee and buyer's agent structure), how French banks assess foreign borrowers, when and how to commission a building inspection, what planning permissions are required for renovations, and how to value a property in a market without an MLS. Ben also addresses one of the most common mistakes international buyers make, prioritising grandeur over accessibility, and explains why the right professional team is non-negotiable when transacting in another language, another legal system, and another country.
From Affordability to Acquisition: An Expert Panel on Making the Move to France.
In this live Q&A webinar hosted by Fab Expat, Ben Ashcroft-Dinning joins certified financial planner Tommy Sikes of Retire to Europe for a wide-ranging masterclass on what it really takes to buy and renovate property in France as an international buyer. Covering everything from the surprising affordability of the French market outside Paris to the step-by-step mechanics of a French acquisition, the panel draws on decades of combined professional experience to give prospective buyers the full picture before they commit.
Ben walks attendees through the complete purchase process, from defining your project and securing finance, through off-market search, property valuation, offer negotiation, due diligence, and through to the acte de vente, while Tommy outlines the compelling tax treaty benefits that make France a particularly attractive destination for American retirees. A recurring theme throughout: the costly difference between going it alone and working with the right professionals on the ground.
Press
Milieux Property Featured in Domain Prestige
Beyond the Fairytale: Expert Navigation of the "Often-Baffling" French Real Estate System.
In a major feature for Domain Prestige, international buyer’s agent Ben Ashcroft-Dinning discusses the rising trend of Australians swapping local renovations for centuries-old French châteaux. The article highlights the story of NSW couple Erika and Mark Crameri, who successfully acquired a 200-year-old estate in late 2025 with the expert guidance of Milieux Property.
"As non-French speakers, the process would have been extremely problematic," Erika notes, citing the vast differences in legal obligations and market dynamics between Australia and France. Ben de-mystifies these complexities, providing critical insights into the vetting process, the reality of cash-only château purchases, and the strategic planning required to manage high-ticket maintenance on heritage structures. This coverage solidifies Milieux Property as the vital "boots-on-the-ground" link for foreign investors seeking a seamless transition into the French dream.