Capbreton, a year-round seaside resort
Radia Amar - 10 February 2014
Facing Hossegor, Capbreton retains its market for holiday homes while welcoming a growing number of year-round residents drawn by its quality life-style.
With its famous yacht harbour (the only one in Les Landes) lively all year round, its protected natural areas at the heart of the forest, its sandy beaches much appreciated by surfers and its “estacade”, a wooden pier popular for strolls among the Capbretonnais, the commune has all the appeal of a charming seaside resort. Christened in 1842, the streets in the town bear the names of some of the 72 Capbretonnais who witnessed the first legal battle between Bayonne and Capbreton, dating back to the year 1302 : Madan, Galamp, Moliets, Esby… Others recall the town’s glorious seafaring past by adopting the names of great local families of sailors and ship captains : Dangou, Fossecave, Gabarrus…
“The market in Capbreton mainly consists of holiday residences, some destined to become main homes when their owners retire,” says Henry Houssin, manager of the agency Front de Mer Immobilier. Here the most sought-after property is an apartment in the “Golden Triangle”, ie. the neighbourhood in immediate proximity to the beaches, harbour and shops. “Ideally, prospective buyers want a sea view. Prices are then subject to significant variations, depending not only on appointments, but also the floor, location and view.” On the front row, they range from 7,000 to 9,500 € per sqm. for top-floor apartments of very high quality, while in the centre, the average price per sqm. is 4,000-4,500 €.
As for houses, three types of properties represent the market, as explained by Daniel Vidoudez, director of the DV Immobilier agency : “The most highly-prized are small patio villas with two bedrooms, one occasionally on a mezzanine. Ideally located near the harbour or beaches, they are proposed from 150,000 to 200,000 €. Larger villas of about 140 m2 with gardens of 300 to 600 m2 are priced from 400,000 to 500,000 €. More substantial houses of around 180 m2, sought by buyers intending to live in Capbreton year-round, or for a large part of the year, fetch around 700,000 €”.
Houses mostly built between 1975 and 1995 adopted the neo-Landais style with half-timbered façades. “These houses were originally decorated in shades of brown. Today, their owners have them re-painted in pastel colours : pale grey or sky blue. It adds extra charm to the town.”
Less active, though nonetheless growing, the market for main residences is aimed at families with parents working in Dax or Bayonne. Midway between the two towns (Bayonne is 23 km away, Dax 35 km), Capbreton proposes a quiet, natural life-style and good value for money for the region. With its two primary and intermediate schools, hotel college, three large supermarkets, healthcare infrastructures, sport and leisure facilities, Capbreton is indeed a pleasant place to live. In just one decade, the commune has in fact grown from 6,000 to 8,300
year-round residents.