Bordeaux Caudéran : peace and quiet a stone’s throw from the centre
Yann Cohignac - 01 June 2015
A residential area on the west side of Bordeaux, Caudéran offers a peaceful, leafy environment in immediate proximity to the town centre. An address also benefiting from a real “village life” with a full array of amenities.
Just beyond the boulevards, only 5 minutes from the town centre, Caudéran is the largest and most densely populated neighbourhood in Bordeaux (about 45,000 residents). With lots of shops and an efficient bus service, it is a very lively area. But also a residential neighbourhood particularly pleasant to live in, especially as it is home to the Parc Bordelais, the city’s largest public park (69 acres), and the Golf Bordelais, one of the five oldest courses in France.
“It is “green Bordeaux”, as opposed to the town centre, which is “Bordeaux stone””, says François Vizioz, manager of Pierra Immobilier, an independent agency based in the centre of Caudéran since 2009, also covering the neighbourhoods of Croix-Blanche and Saint-Seurin, and the commune of Le Bouscat. “Here you find a wide diversity of homes with gardens - town houses, “échoppes” built of traditional stone, “chartreuses”, substantial middle-class residences and contemporary villas designed by architects -, which all attract families, especially as they can count on the closeness of reputable schools.” The starting price for a house in good condition with a small garden is rarely under 320,000 €. “Prices then rise to one million euros or more, with pretty grounds, a pool or particularly privileged surroundings.” In high demand, building land is scarce and restricted to plots of 200 to 350 m2 (mostly derived from land split into lots) whose prices range from 800 to 1,000 € per sq. metre. “In the case of apartments, however, mainly in small residences built on a human scale, there is abundant choice. Prices vary depending on the year of construction, the residence’s classiness and location : for example, an apartment of 70 m2 in a 1960’s residence will cost 140,000 €, while another of the same type in a quality residence with a lift will sell for 220,000 €.”
Manageress of Rémy Immobilier, an agency founded in 1967 (the first office based in Caudéran), Géraldine Lanteri mainly operates in Caudéran, then on the neighbouring communes of Mérignac and Le Bouscat, and from La Barrière du Médoc to La Barrière d’Arès. She is also contacted by families, but also retirees who appreciate the lively neighbourhood atmosphere of Caudéran. “These clients usually part with a large house in order to buy a comfortable apartment in a select residence with prices of around 3,500 € per sq. metre. Otherwise, prices per sq. metre in older buildings of mid-range status are pegged from 2,300 to 2,600 €, while those in new residences attain 4,000 €.” What about houses ? “Their prices depend on their location, the size of the grounds and even the building materials (preferably stone…). By way of example, a stone house of 180 m2 with a small garden near the Parc Bordelais recently found a taker at 680,000 €, and a house of 120 m2 in Primrose - a very highly-prized area - exchanged hands at 420,000 €.” According to Géraldine Lanteri, such prices are stable for properties of quality. “The market here is active, just like the rest of Bordeaux’s urban area.”