Hidden charms of the Luberon
Its international clients continue to recite their fondness for nature, wide open spaces, family get-togethers, the sacrosanct “back to basics”, authentic architecture, contact with the locals whom they readily meet on the terraces of village cafés. Very discreet, these clients are nonetheless deeply attached to beautiful things...
Focus on an address both highly-prized and confidential. The famous mountain range stretches from the Alpes de Haute-Provence to the Vaucluse. 60 km long and 5 km wide, the Regional Nature Park is home to agricultural land and two AOCs (wines of controlled origin). 70 km from Marseille, hill-top villages with medieval character survey the valley and access roads. Tall buildings recall the time when men and animals shared the same lodging. Houses “à terre” (with land) are legacies left to posterity by the prosperous farmers of yesteryear. As their name suggests, houses “à cour” are laid out around inner courtyards, with stone walls and corner towers. Even so, the small stone huts called “bories” are most symbolic of the region. This year, the Luberon is celebrating the Regional Nature Park’s 40th anniversary, four decades of festivals, in Taillades, Gordes, Oppède, Robion and Lacoste, once the home of the Marquis de Sade. Ansouis, Ménerbes, Roussillon, Lourmarin and Gordes proudly flaunt their labels as some of the “Plus Beaux Villages de France”. The worldwide success of Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence” set the seal on the Luberon’s renown. Here, tourism is cultural, green or “relaxation”. It is one of the region’s main sources of income, together with agriculture and real estate.
“Its strategic location, not far from an international airport and two TGV stations, in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, provides easy access for French and foreign visitors to its wild scenery, art-galleries, Provençal street-markets, vineyard estates, and the many festivities that fill its agenda,” say Céline Pourrot and Christine Conrad of Valancogne & Partners. But most of all, the region stands out for its authentic properties : its old “mas”, residences of character, substantial “bastides”, village houses and former silkworm farms. Over the past few years, the property market, posting more supply than demand, has been favourable to buyers, with prices often the subject of bargaining. Since 2016, however, things have picked up : prices are now steadying, and sales are on the rise.
“85 % of buyers are looking for second residences,” explain Joy Mason and Marion Lopez of the Joys of Provence agency. “60 % of them are foreigners : Belgians, Swiss and Scandinavians top the list. Most of them come to stay on numerous occasions throughout the year, finally spending several months here at a time.” Some aim to earn income from seasonal rentals, aware that they can make 2,000 € per week in summer on a house acquired for around 500,000 € - a modern villa with two or three suites, a garden and pool -, or 3,000 to 5,000 € per week in the case of properties worth 1.5 to 2 million euros. Hard to please, high-end buyers are in search of authenticity, prefer turnkey properties, and appreciate contemporary interiors and cutting-edge home automation. They like sweeping views and want to be within walking distance of a lively village such as Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, Roussillon or Goult. In exchange for 1.5 million euros, they can obtain living space of 300 m2 in grounds of 3,000 m2 to 7.5 acres, surrounded by garrigue. The middle of the range is struggling the most. Offerings are limited, demand too. On the other hand, the Luberon has some hidden treasures. Such as a property once owned by the Rothschild family : laid out like a hamlet, completed in the 1960’s, a classic French garden, a wonderful view of Ménerbes, 24 bedrooms, on an estate of almost 41 acres : in a price bracket above 10 million euros.
“The Emile Garcin agency specializes in properties of character selected for their authenticity, serene environments and privileged addresses,” says Stéphane Abeil. Everyone sets their sights on Goult, Oppède, Roussillon, and the Golden Triangle formed by Gordes, Ménerbes and Bonnieux. Some reproach Gordes and Roussillon for their endless flows of tourists in summer. An inconvenience largely compensated for by their genuine charm. There is a wide gap between village houses with terraces, gardens and small pools priced at 500,000 €, and top-notch properties worth around 5 million euros : for Emile Garcin, the core of demand lies between 800,000 and 1.5 million euros. A peaceful house of 230 m2 set in grounds of 2,400 m2 with a pool, a 2-minute walk to the village of Ménerbes, will appeal to home-hunters ready to pay 1,250,000 €. Over the past three months, the market has been particularly active, whereas the winter period is usually quiet, even with buyers armed with substantial budgets.
