LOCATION Learn more about the regions of France
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Provence’s iconic lavender fields are symbolic of the South of France
The famous bridge at Avignon crosses the River Rhône
“Provence has 14 listed Plus Beaux Villages within Vaucluse, Var and Bouches- du-Rhône alone”
is maybe overwhelmed by intense tourism, and perhaps overpriced, but if you invest in any of these hotspots you can also expect high returns. In complete contrast, the
inland area more typically considered Provence is more tranquil and relaxed, particularly within the Luberon regional park, with its compact mountains and verdant, rural landscapes made famous by Cézanne, Van Gogh and Peter Mayle’s book A Year in Provence. This is a place where you can retreat to a quiet property surrounded by vineyards, luscious fruit and expansive skies. Finally, you have the
Camargue, which is different again. Located between Marseille and Montpellier, this coastal area contains one of Europe’s largest river deltas and offers a unique environment featuring salt
marshes, pony-trekking, bird reserves and another of France’s regional parks. If you fancy a French coastal-cowboy life, this is for you! Given its diversity, it’s easy
to see why so many people fall for Provence: whether you’re looking for lively town life, majestic mountains, remote rural retreats or the opulence of a Mediterranean resort, you’ll find your piece of paradise if you look carefully.
MATCH THE PLACE TO YOUR POCKET Over the past 12 months, France’s property prices rose to an average of €3,302/m2 and in PACA it’s €4,244/m2
.
Unsurprisingly, the coastal towns of St-Tropez, St-Raphaël and Ste-Maxime consistently rank among the most pricey for homebuyers in Provence, but you can negotiate far better value if you head a little
way out of these hotspots, where you can still find renovated stone barns framed by olive trees and vineyards, or modest village houses. In terms of investment,
properties near the coast will require a higher initial outlay, but will give you higher returns. A well-maintained rental villa with a pool will be in demand from Easter through to October, and if you look carefully inland you’ll find quaint towns that are popular with tourists but still lack enough accommodation to meet demand. Provence is, of course,
), Lourmarin (€5,259/m2 and Les Baux-de-Provence
known for its pretty hilltop villages, with 14 listed Plus Beaux Villages within Vaucluse, Var and Bouches- du-Rhône alone, including picture-postcard Gordes (average house price €6,788/ m2
)
LITTLE ROME IN PROVENCE Any fan of history or architecture must visit Arles, nicknamed ‘little Rome’ by the Romans themselves. It is renowned for its incredible amphitheatre, which is one of the 15 largest in the world and classed as a Unesco World Heritage monument. The city itself also inspired the paintings of Van Gogh and is home to countless other heritage sites including a cryptoporticus and a Roman theatre dating from 1BC.
4 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: January/February 2024 23
© SHUTTERSTOCK
© SHUTTERSTOCK
© SHUTTERSTOCK
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