A villa on the coast in Le Var
This département in south-eastern France boasts a shoreline 420 km long, including those around its numerous islands. Almost 60 % of its territory consists of woodland. A promise all in blue and green, ensuring an international reputation and popularity among all those in search of sunshine and peacefulness.
The Estérel hills, the mountains of Les Maures and the Massif de la Sainte-Baume overlook the coast of the Var, offering its villas a unique natural backcloth between sea and countryside. The majority of the Var’s 1 million inhabitants live in immediate proximity to the Mediterranean : 165,000 in the urban area of Toulon, 54,600 in Hyères, 130,450 in the urban area of Fréjus, and about 34,000 in Saint-Raphaël and Six-Fours-les-Plages respectively. The region is far from lacking in attractions : the wineries of Bandol, the hill-top village of Fayence, the peninsula of Giens, the charm of the islands of Porquerolles, the sandy beaches of La Croix-Valmer and Cavalaire, and, of course, the festive town of Saint-Tropez… Arguments all explaining the fact that holiday homes account for 26.5 % of the accommodation within the département.
The gulf of Saint-Tropez is still one of the region’s flagship destinations : the village dear to Brigitte Bardot tops the bill, closely followed by Gassin, Ramatuelle, as famous for its authentic village as for its beaches of Pampelonne, Grimaud and its amazing “lagoon city”, but also Sainte-Maxime with its view of the quayside of Saint-Tropez offering many shades of ochre. “Buyers have usually already had a taste of the region’s very appealing offerings, thanks to the seasonal rentals system,” says Pia Frei of Riviera Home Finders. “They all appreciate the wonderful climate and lush vegetation, which they prefer to the concrete shoreline of the Alpes-Maritimes.” Clients are often dead set in their choice, whether it be for Saint-Tropez, Gassin, Ramatuelle, Sainte-Maxime or the domain of Beauvallon, a magnet for fans of the little white ball. Most of them come from northern Europe. Benefiting from advantageous exchange rates, the British, Swiss and, to a lesser extent, Americans are now showing lots of interest. Most buyers pay 2 to 4 M € for their second residences. The sum required for a house of 150-200 m2 in grounds of 1,500 m2, without a sea view, in Saint-Tropez or Ramatuelle, or 200-300 m2 in grounds of 2,500 m2 offering a panoramic view of the Med in Gassin. The top end of the market also still has its fans. As evidenced by potential buyers with budgets of over 10 M €, certain of acquiring a “safe haven” here, a sound long-term investment.
The Var is also home to lesser-known natural secrets, more intimate sites, such as the superb Iles d’Or. According to legend, the four daughters of Prince Olbianus, Lord of Olbia (Hyères), gave birth to the Giens peninsula and the three “Golden Islands” of Port-Cros, Porquerolles and Le Levant, by avoiding being kidnapped by pirates. Creeks with crystal-clear water alternate with stretches of sand between cliffs and pinewoods. The splendour of the coastal path is only equalled by that of the watery depths. It is here in this land blessed by the gods that one finds Bernard Chantrel of the Agence du Regard : “Cap Bénat, Le Rayol-Canadel, Porquerolles and Giens offer a wide choice of charming or luxury villas languishing on the Mediterranean coast, first built in the late 1950’s, on gated and guarded estates benefiting from private beaches and harbours. Not far from the beach of Cavalière, one can expect to pay, for example, 1.4 M € for a villa of 300 m2 without direct access to the sea, or a house of 200 m2 to restore in grounds of 2,000 m2 on Cap Bénat. A property of 178 m2 right at the water’s edge in Le Rayol-Canadel will cost 2.6 M €, a price similar to those posted on the Giens peninsula. Finally, on the enchanting island of Porquerolles, where children get around in all tranquillity on foot or by bike, prices range from 10,000 to 20,000 € per sqm”.
Sylvie Ferrero of Azur Astoria covers the Estérel region from Le Trayas to Sainte-Maxime, a listed area, which implies very close surveillance on the part of the head architect of “Les Bâtiments de France”. Two types of properties are to be found on this part of the coast : old houses to renovate, frequently demolished to make way for a new build, and residences with generous surface areas and spearhead equipment, which have already been treated to a makeover. A villa of 130-140 m2 in need of a revamp starts from 650,000-750,000 €. The same property following renovation will be worth from 850,000-900,000 €. Living space of 250-280 m2 in good condition (4 or 5 bedrooms), facing the sea, will cost from 1.9 to 4 M € depending on the location and appointments. Compared to Saint-Raphaël, Les Issambres and Saint-Aygulf are characterized by limited availabilities and slightly lower prices. With its 35-km coastline, five sailing harbours and three golf-courses, not forgetting the railway to the rear, Saint-Raphaël is also sought-after for its properties right at the water’s edge, including sublime “Belle Epoque” residences, architectural legacies from a sumptuous past. In 2014, a private mansion of 650 m2 in perfect condition found a taker for over 10 M €, while a 1950’s house, also enjoying direct access to the sea, was snapped up at 1.7 M € despite the inevitable refurbishment it required. More recently, a property of 200 m2 on the front row with a private boat hangar changed hands for 3.2 M €. The English are making a big comeback, rejoining French, German and Scandinavian buyers, even a few clients from the Middle East, Asia, India and China. East Europeans, on the other hand, are still few and far between. While activity is clear to see, many people still hesitate and bargaining is on the cards, sometimes tough, to the tune of 10 to 15 %. This département is however, extremely, attractive. Halfway between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, Saint-Raphaël is a perfect compromise between the coast with its tourists and the wild open spaces offered by the Estérel hills. Clients appreciate this quieter atmosphere, without however being too far from hotspots of international renown. Finally, fans of yachting will have noticed recent improvements to the harbour of Saint-Raphaël, now capable of accommodating 40-metre yachts.
