Desirable holiday homes in Cassis

Indissociable from the cliffs sketching out its idyllic creeks known as “calanques”, this commune 20 km east of Marseille has adopted a quotation attributed to Frédéric Mistral as its motto : “Anyone who has seen Paris but not Cassis has seen nothing yet !”…

An address of real charm, Cassis owes its reputation to its tourist activities and flourishing viticulture. It was, in fact, one of the first three wine-producing areas to be awarded the AOC label (”Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée”) back in 1936. Its listed old centre is comprised of narrow streets, picturesque and colourful, where town mansions line shady squares refreshed by sculpted fountains. Of international renown, the legendary harbour has succeeded in retaining its authentic character. In an enchanting setting between the “calanques” and Cap Canaille, Cassis basks in beautiful light, much appreciated by painters such as Braque, Derain, Signac, Ambrogiani and Dufy.

“Cassis is a high-end micro-market, always in steady demand and clearly chosen by buyers with a very precise idea of their ideal holiday home,” says Christophe Falbo, director of the Marseille Littoral agency in the Emile Garcin group, specializing in prestige real estate. “After the general slowdown which hit the local market from 2012 to 2015, we are now seeing fresh dynamism, especially on the part of a foreign clientele.” English, Swiss and Belgian buyers - as well as a good number of French clients - are, however, confronted by limited offerings of properties with easy access, near the beaches or enjoying elevated views of the sea and the famous Cap Canaille. “High-class villas start from 1.5 M €, with outstanding properties easily exceeding 2-3 M €,” explains our expert. He mentions, for example, a residence designed by the renowned architect Fernand Pouillon. Ideally located in the Presqu’île neighbourhood, in vast grounds allowing for several possibilities for enlargement, it is currently on offer at a price over 3 M €.

“You can look upon Cassis as the little Saint-Tropez of the region around Marseille,” says Claude Leonetti of the Barnes Provence Littoral agency. “A warm commune, full of charm, it is lively year-round and strategically situated near Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, access to the motorways, the airport and TGV station. Buyers’ first requests are for a beautiful sea view, being within walking distance of the village, and high-quality appointments. The most sought-after neighbourhoods are La Presqu’ile and those of Revestel and Saint-Joseph for clients wanting a panoramic sea view. Those fond of the countryside and vineyards focus on the neighbourhood of Les Janots with its lovely “bastides”.” Claude Leonetti’s clientele is evenly shared out among foreign, Parisian and local buyers, with budgets ranging from 1.8 to 4 million euros, the upper end corresponding to fabulous locations and very refined appointments. “Prices have stabilized. The renown of Cassis also reassures clients set on making a sound long-term investment. And we are seeing rising demand for contemporary houses facing the sea,” says our expert, again regretting scarce offerings in the face of such steady demand. It seems that home-owners in Cassis are not prepared to part easily with their

enviable properties.

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