If you are looking to buy property in Provence, here are five villages to add to your search list
There are over 800 towns and villages in Provence, all offering a laid-back Provençal lifestyle, so choosing which ones to focus your property search on is not easy. But help is at hand because Home Hunts’ sales and enquiry information from 2016 shows that these five villages are among the most sought-after locations to own property in Provence.
The Luberon: Gordes and Roussillon
Home over the years to many celebrities and movie stars, Gordes is an ancient village set up high on the Plateau de Vaucluse. Located just five minutes south of the legendary lavender fields at Sénanque’s famous abbey, property in Gordes is a wise investment choice. Here house prices either remain consistently stable or increase, and it is an excellent base from which to explore Provence and “la France profonde”.
While many villages in Vaucluse offer their own unique version of Provence, one not to be missed is Roussillon. Once part of the seabed, large, striking ochre cliffs make the approach to the town instantly recognisable – as is Roussillon itself, with its red, orange and yellow stone buildings. Unique and exceptional, time spent in Roussillon is an unforgettable experience and property here is highly coveted by overseas buyers looking for holiday homes in Provence.
The Alpilles: Saint-Remy de Provence
For international buyers, the strong and friendly community in Saint-Rémy de Provence is part of the reason why settling here is so common with English speakers. A charming village in the heart of Provence, it is made easily accessible by the TGV in Avignon and Marseille’s international airport.
With summer festivals, lively restaurants and beautiful scenery for walking and cycling, this village has grown in popularity over the years.
“Saint-Remy has a wonderful atmosphere and offers superb shopping, food and markets,” says Tim Swannie, Director of Home Hunts. “If you want to feel as though you’re in ‘real Provence’ and live an authentic Provençal lifestyle, this is a wonderful place to buy.”
The Var: La Croix-Valmer
From the stunning Regional Nature Park of the Verdon down to 200km of Mediterranean coastline spanning Saint-Tropez to Marseille, the Var is home to medieval villages, lush vineyards and a thriving tourism industry.
Lorgues, around an hour from Cannes and Saint-Tropez is one of the most sought-after towns in the Var, but if you’re looking for a medieval village close to the glamorous seaside resorts of the Côte d’Azur La Croix-Valmer is a good choice.
“Despite being popular with tourists, this pretty village is renowned for having six beautiful sandy beaches, some buzzing restaurants and all the shops and leisure facilities you could need,” says Tim. “Many of our buyers are attracted to this area because it is relatively lively all year round and the tourism industry can provide some lucrative rental income opportunities, especially during the high season.”
Provence Coast: La Ciotat
The Provence coast is a little more rugged and less built up than the neighbouring Riviera. There are many popular villages in this area and a wide range of beautiful properties, from waterfront villas to village houses and sprawling estates.
“Many of our clients looking to buy property here like the fact that it’s a little less showy than on the Côte d’Azur,” says Tim. “Le Lavandou, Cassis and Bandol are popular, but one of the most coveted coastal villages is La Ciotat.”
A lively unspoilt village with two beaches, crystal-clear waters, an old town and botanical gardens with exotic plants and trees, demand for property in La Ciotat increased throughout 2016 and continues to do so in 2017. House prices are also on the up all along the coast and rose by as much as 8% in Toulon in 2016.
Around 45 minutes from Marseille, La Ciotat is close to chic city life, and an international airport, while offering a peaceful lifestyle on the Provence coast.
If you are looking to buy prime property in Provence you can view Home Hunts’ online portfolio here at www.home-hunts.com, but to speak directly to a consultant about other location hotspots in Provence, call +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
