FOOD AND DRINK
Olive trees are a big feature of the Provence landscape. They were brought here by the Greeks 2,500 years ago and fl ourish in the Mediterranean climate. They are harvested in August, many being used to produce olive oil. Generally, Provençal dishes
have a Mediterranean feel, based on olive oil, garlic and fresh produce, such as tapenade spread or the pissalidière pizza-style tart. There are numerous regional cheeses, pâtés and fresh fruit and vegetables, and it’s also a great region for seafood, particularly in the Camargue, south of Arles, so when in Provence, you should certainly try the region’s rich fi sh stew known as bouillabaisse. As the countless vineyards suggest, this is a wine region, with 88%
of wine production here being rosé, but the iconic beverage is pastis, a must-have at any apéritif!
(€6,400/m2 ). Properties
don’t come up for sale in these villages too often and naturally they command a premium (although generally less than on the coast).
LOCATION: WHERE TO FIND WHAT YOU WANT If you’re after bustling metropolitan life, Marseille is France’s second-largest city with 873,000 inhabitants and all types of property to match. The average price for property here is €3,858/m2 and location is important if you’re investing, but do your research carefully: a €45,000 investment will buy a 20m2 studio in the heart of the city, which will bring in €400 per month in rental, however the same budget in Marseille’s 15th arrondissement will buy a two-bedroom 56m2
apartment currently renting out at €750 per month. Also bound to attract rental
interest is any location in the mountains, and they are not always priced out of reach. While property in Hautes- Alpes averages €6,212/m2
Marseille is France’s second-biggest city with a fascinating history and mix of cultures and styles
, try
France’s highest city, Briançon, (1,326m altitude), where you’ll fi nd charming apartments with balconies and mountain views for around €150,000. If a town full of history,
culture and Provençal colour ticks your boxes, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Provence. In Avignon, with its famous bridge and monumental Pope’s palace, the average house price is €2,513/m2
and
you could buy a one-bedroom apartment within an elegant 17th-century building in the centre of the town for €320,000. Alternatively,
WHY WE MOVED HERE
Ashley Tinker is a Canadian artist and professional photographer known for her posts as @curiousprovence, which are all about renovating, painting and living in Provence. “I met my British partner, Robin, in 2008 while travelling in southern France and we dated between London and Montréal before moving here in 2013. Robin had always wanted to live in France, romanticising the culture, food, and way
of life from a young age. With no contacts, and barely any research, we put an ad online: “Young couple looking for work in southern France”, and were off ered a job house-sitting a château in Provence. “Aſt er two years of house-sitting, we found a 38m2
fi xer-upper in
the Alpilles mountains and negotiated a fair price. Robin spent nine months renovating full time, and it was featured on the American show Househunters International. We then spent two years fi nding our dream farmhouse and – with a lot of blood, sweat and tears – we’ve converted a barn into a weekly rental. The rest of the house is going to take years; it’s certainly a life project! “There are many stereotypes about this region. Although friendly,
Provençal people keep their distance and, frankly, aſt er 10 years of living here, we completely understand: why invest the time getting to know someone who might just leave? There’s some animosity towards foreigners driving prices up, and leaving villages half empty, but as someone who lives in Provence full time, I completely understand this feeling, as it kills the small businesses that French people naturally enjoy supporting. “If you’re buying a property to use for part of the year, make sure
to fully invest yourself when you’re here: master the language, involve yourself with the council, meet as many locals as you can. People who do this are welcomed with open arms by the community.”
Highest city in France, Briançon is a Unesco World Heritage site built by Vauban 24 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: January/February 2024
© SHUTTERSTOCK
© SHUTTERSTOCK
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