At the heart of Le Vallespir : Céret, Le Boulou and Amélie-les-Bains

These three communes offer affordable homes at the gateway to Perpignan, and a micro-climate explained by the close proximity of the foothills of the Pyrenees. Local clients, seniors and curists share the property market.

Crossed by the Tech river, Céret is home to 7,600 inhabitants. The capital of cherries, it not only owes its renown to this fruit traditionally celebrated each year during the bullfights (not to be missed during the “feria” in July), but also to its Museum of Modern Art, appreciated by connoisseurs. Pablo Picasso, Max Jacob, Georges Braque, Chaîm Soutine and André Eulry revealed the full extent of their talent here in this town. The sub-prefecture of the Eastern Pyrenees also hosts a branch of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Protected from the winds by the chain of Les Albères, Le Boulou with its 5,070 residents benefits from water of very high quality, discovered in the 9th century and used since the late 19th century to treat cardio-arterial diseases, digest-ive disorders, migraine and food allergies. In terms of thermal treatments, Amélie-les-Bains, with only 3,660 residents, has nothing to envy of Le Boulou. Specializing in rheumatology and respiratory disorders, it plays host to the spa of Arles, which dates back to Roman times. Even if we can’t see it, Le Pic du Canigou is just behind the town. Dating back to medieval times, Palalda has preserved its architectural spirit, fortifications and Church of Saint-Martin. Work on Route Départementale 115, connecting the town to the coastal plain, should be undertaken over the next decade.

“For many long years, Céret’s livelihood was based on agriculture and cork. Today, the cork industries have mostly transferred their production, while wine and cherries are suffering from the fact that the young generation is no longer interested in pursuing production. Tourism thus provides a salutory alternative,” says Jean-Pierre Quintana of Immo-Service. Buyers of holiday homes, that’s to say 30 % of the total clientele, still come here from northern Europe, but to a lesser extent. Disadvantaged by the exchange rate, the British are keen to sell. Retirees, fond of the mild climate, represent 50 % versus 30 % of local residents wanting to live in the Vallespir region. Village houses without gardens start at 100,000 €, terraced houses at 200,000 €. Properties of up to 250,000 € find buyers, as long as they are not over-valued. Properties above this price level are feeling the effect of foreigners leaving the region. Demand is still steady, but often concerns resales involving lengthy and laborious completions.

“Le Boulou is only 22 km from the Mediterranean. The Pyrenees are not far away, the Spanish border 10 km, Perpignan a 15-minute drive. Views of Le Canigou give real picture-postcard scenery,” enthuse Marie-Noëlle and Eric Rozé from the Agence Immobilière Languedoc-Roussillon. Retirees flock here. Some invest 400,000 € in a recent villa of 150 m2 with a garden of 600 m2 and a pool. People working in Perpignan, mostly first-time buyers, pay, for example, 158,000 € for a 2-bedroomed apartment of 76 m2 with a terrace of 50 m2, or 241,000 € for a house of 78 m2 in grounds of 500 m2. For similar properties, prices reflect a welcome difference of 15-20 % compared to those posted in the Prefecture. While the situation is not alarming, Eric Rozé admits that activity has not yet recovered a steady cruising speed.

“Amélie-les-Bains is a very special market,” says Cédric Roca of the Société Immobilière Arlésienne. As witnessed by the specific nature of its properties of relatively small size. Once acquired as rental investments, these small apartments are sporadically occupied by visitors taking cures. The paperworks is the town’s largest employer. The majority of buyers, ready to invest 250,000 € at most, work in the urban area of Perpignan. For that amount, they can acquire a detached house of 130 m2 with a garden of 500 m2, whereas a semi-detached home of 70 m2 with a garden of 370 m2 costs 168,000 €. Apartments range from 30,000 to 170,000 €, the latter bringing a 3 bedroomed apartment of 100 m2. Some buyers, willing to accept the pedestrian aspect of the village, prefer Palalda with its buildings of character and elevated views of Amélie-les-Bains. A village house with four main rooms plus a large terrace has just changed hands here for an extremely reasonable 110,000 €.