Buying a property in France - your advice gratefully received!?

We are thinking of buying a property in France - have you done this, and do you have any advice? Were you tempted into buying more land or a bigger property than you could manage, because of the relatively cheaper property prices? Have you made or lost money on your investment? Did you move out there or purely have a holiday home? All advice gratefully received!

I have 2 houses here (in the Dordogne), both required major decor work, they have since purchase 3 years ago doubled in value, I also purchased a hector of land as an investment. this also has doubled. I live here permanently.
Top Tips... Rent before you buy to see if the area suits you, (I am selling to move to Arcachon on the SW coast) Brits struggle to earn a living here, most dabble in the gite business which in certain areas is becoming swamped!
Don't by a property with to much land as it is hard work to tend, an acre is more than enough!
Don't buy a property that requires too much work.
Life here is so much better, very few of the 1000s of Brits that have come here ever return.
Last but not least, use your head not your heart when viewing!
Good luck! Bonne soiree!

best bet is to go and rent some property first. and live there for about six months. it will give you better understanding of the place.