Sunny spotlight on the Bassin d'Arcachon
Opening out to the Atlantic Ocean, the Bassin d’Arcachon is very popular among a French clientele fond of its fine art of living and magnificent environment. With the creation of the LGV line in 2017 linking Paris to Arcachon in only 2 hrs 30, this seaside resort is already taking up position as a flagship destination for property buyers.
Surrounded by 10 communes of which Arcachon is the driving force and Cap Ferret a highly-prized holiday address, the Bassin d’Arcachon has long been a highly-rated address for tourists, mainly attracting a French clientele, especially from Paris and Bordeaux. Its well-preserved environment between sea and forest provides a unique setting, as described by Juliette Guerrin, manageress of Arcachon Coaching : “The Bassin d’Arcachon puts the accent on authenticity and a family atmosphere. People with holiday homes around the Bassin often come with their families to take advantage of its unspoilt nature, quietness and charm, all underpinned by a policy aimed at respect for, and protection of, the environment. Specializing in new developments in Arcachon and around the Bassin, our agency in fact tries to select developers for their respect for traditional architecture and its harmonious integration into its surroundings. As for Arcachon itself, the town can be characterized as being split into four different areas, each represented by a season. The centre marks the entrance to the Ville d’Été, still the most highly-prized neighbourhood. First because all the shops are concentrated there and it’s a sound long-term investment should one want to re-sell, with demand certainly outstripping supply. The town centre gives priority to apartments and town houses, often on several floors, with few outdoor areas. To benefit from a garden, you have to head for surrounding areas such as Pereire, Les Abatilles or Le Moulleau”.
Arcachon, the flagship commune boasting a delightful architectural heritage, also appeals for its new developments which find favour with clients with budgets up to 1 million euros. As explained by Nadine Grisel, manageress of Grisel Immobilier in Arcachon : “The market here has changed ; we are now working very actively with a clientele who can afford to pay from 600,000 to 1 million euros. New apartments, which have become more numerous over the past few years, easily find takers at 6,000-7,000 € per sq. metre. Those offering a sea view on an upper floor tend to post prices per sqm. from to 8,000 to 10,000 €. In Arcachon, there has always been very high demand for holiday residences, though we’ve noticed over the past few months that budgets have shrunk. Buyers are careful and readily bargain. That’s not the case on the Cap Ferret peninsula, which hosts second residences almost exclusively. Only a few apartments, mostly luxury houses often priced at several million euros, especially if they are on the front row. It’s a market apart, a little corner of paradise that only comes alive in summer and draws a high-end clientele in search of tranquillity and nature”.
Already attracting many clients from Paris who love its idyllic setting and 80 kilometres of beaches, the Bassin d’Arcachon is sure to see a further rise in its popularity with the creation of the high-speed train service which will place Arcachon only 2 hrs 30 from Montparnasse station and thus refuel its property market. According to Nathalie Foulon, manageress of the Agence Carnot Immobilier : “The Bassin d’Arcachon is a market which has benefited over the past few years from a constant rate of growth, except for the past six months, due to the crisis which has obliged potential buyers to bargain. 2017 should see a return to stability in terms of prices, maybe even a rise, and spark fresh interest on the part of buyers. We are, in fact, beginning to receive calls from Parisian families planning to settle in the region. The Bassin d’Arcachon will position itself as a privileged weekend destination for Parisians once it becomes more easily accessible, while also benefiting from an increased number of year-round residents. These clients from Paris account for the majority of buyers in the region, alongside those from Bordeaux, Lyon and Nantes, though not from abroad, as foreign buyers only account for a modest share of the market, somewhere between 5 and 10%”.
