With a smart city, famous wine, a surfing paradise and the longest beach in Europe, the Gironde is a spectacular place to own a property in France.
Gironde is part of Nouvelle Aquitaine, which comprises the regions of Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes. A department steeped in history and traditions, it is home to Bordeaux, one of the most popular and progressive cities in France.
A masterful mix of old and new
While Bordeaux is an old city with a 2,000-year history, it is also one of the most progressive cities in France. Effortlessly combining old-world charm and cutting-edge modernity, it is possible to live the traditional French dream on the doorstep of an inspiring multicultural metropolis.
Landmarks such as the “mirroir d’eau”, the world’s largest reflecting pool, is an example of how the old riverside, which is lined with 18th and 19th century architecture, has been transformed through the creation of a contemporary landmark. A stunning, modern statement that connects old and new, it is details like this which make France’s fourth biggest city stand out from the crowd.
“For those looking to invest in property in France, Bordeaux is one of our most popular locations,” says Tim Swannie, director of Home Hunts. “Prices started to rise during 2016, as much as 5% in some areas, so we’ve seen enquiries and sales increase rapidly. The fact that France still has such low interest and mortgage rates, makes buying in this exceptional location highly accessible for buyers.”
Tim says that in terms of city hotspots, locations such as the Jardin Public and Saint-Bruno are always in demand. Outside of Bordeaux, the Entre Deux Mers region is popular, which extends to Monségur in the south, Pujols in the north and Sainte-Foy-La-Grande to the east.
World-class wine around the corner
Whether you’re looking for a wine to accompany your nightly meal or you’re seeking a profitable vineyard opportunity, Bordeaux will deliver on both counts and everywhere in between.
Prospects for vineyard owners in Bordeaux are among the best in France. From Bordeaux rouge (the most widely produced), to Saint-Emilion, Lalande-de-Pomerol and Médoc, Bordeaux’s wine is in demand worldwide. A local microclimate and good conditions also mean that wine production is increasing year-on-year.
“The Bordeaux region has had excellent harvest figures over the last few years with 2016 producing the largest since 2006,” says Tim. “Around 80% of our clients are looking for profitable lifestyle vineyards and many invest in the Bordeaux area as it is possible to both improve the quality of the wine, as well as increasing their production yield.”
City side or sea and surf
In terms of location, Bordeaux is ideally situated for exploring world-class wine châteaux. It is also a short drive away from the Côte d’Argent on the Atlantic coast. The longest stretch of beach in Europe, it starts at the mouth of the Gironde and continues down for around 200km to the River Adour by Anglet.
The Silver Coast, is also known for some of the best surf in the world in places such as Hossegor, as well as exquisite seaside resorts such as Arcachon.
There is also the delightful Pyla-sur-Mer, a quiet and stylish neighbourhood with hidden gems of public beaches that have an exclusive, private feel. Next door, in the nationally-listed Teste-de-Buch district is the famous Dune du Pyla (or Pilat). At 109 metres above sea level and almost 3km long, this is an awesome landmark which attracts more than one million visitors each year, making it the one of the most visited natural monuments in France.
To start looking for French properties in Gironde, visit Home Hunts’ property search facility at www.home-hunts.com. To speak with a consultant directly about your real estate needs, call +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
