Hi Ann,
Thanks for your thoughts. In fact I spent July through November last year researching properties and demographics, and the art/artisan areas/culture of support in France. I visited twice in the past 4 months, and am scheduling another next month to either put a down-payment or sign a rental agreement.
Here’s a long schpiel for you if you have the stomach for it, below:
I’m trained in ceramics which is great since it’s an ‘unforgiving’ material to work with and requires a lot of know-how. I do sculptural ceramics. But I also draw, paint, and do papier-mache mockups… The town is located strategically close to Henrichemont and La Borne as well as other communes with vibrant arts. Unlike Henrichemont et al, Sancerre includes helpful logistics related to the train/bus systems. If I live in Sancerre, I have access to regular and (I found this out for myself) a very reliable bus schedule to Cosne Cours sur Loire and to the train which takes me to… the Louvre!!! On the way, on the peaceful train, I have time to sketch and think before stepping off the platform into the freneticism of Paris. If that makes sense.
The original thought was to buy the apartment as you see in the photos, plus a small garage/studio.
Anyway.
I’m thinking that the ground floor, which used to be a small shop, would be perfect for a small gallery - although these days it’s best to have a website (in French and English) and the gallery might just hold, say, my papier-mache Kailin (mythical Chinese creature of great good omens) when I finally finish it. Or my tiles, or my wall pieces made from raku-fired clay. Also, I want to go to Coeur de France, a French language immersion school which is just around the corner.
I know, you may be thinking this woman doesn’t have her ducks in a row. I will always scare people a little, I think, and in some ways I suppose I’m lucky to be alive given the way my life’s twisted and turned. And to think I want to bring my motorcycle and tool around. I don’t know though… I’ve got an EMT license so I’d know how to patch myself up 
I want to settle there for the rest of my life, but it does give me the option given its location to rent it for vacation rentals. This outlay would mean I’d have a place to stay all paid-for, and would qualify for the carte vitale soon.
The dog poop… yeah. Well, nothing’s perfect. If I do buy it, in fact there is the issue of the Notre Dame de Sancerre right next door, chiming on the hour… Not that one can actually tell exactly which hour it’s chiming for, but at least it’s punctual.
I’ve visited and talked with people, and still have more visiting to do. I agree with you, though; even though this is the right choice logistically, if the pre-purchase structural analysis comes up problematic then I will rent.
My thought was, I have to get the momentum going now. No dilly-dallying with rentals no dithering. I’ve owned property before but not in France and I can feel the weight, so to speak, of the responsibility that owning conveys. SF has been invaluable and I will enlist Catharine H’s help as well. So glad to have found this community.
Perhaps I should maintain a blog of my experiences, on SF. It would be good, of course, if I had a positive story to tell and I’ll aim for good outcomes on the house, studio, and art fronts.
Cheers.
