Grimaud, a commune on the sea

Radia Amar - 12 September 2016

Offering a condensed version of all the attractions provided by the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Grimaud is comprised of an authentic medieval village, vineyards, idyllic beaches, peaceful residential areas, not forgetting its rare pearl : the “lagoon city” of Port-Grimaud.

A micro-market within the commune of Grimaud, the “lagoon city” of Port-Grimaud has no secrets for Virgile Dolla, manager of the New Place agency, himself a year-round resident in this address based on a unique concept. “In Port-Grimaud, everything sells as long as it is offered at a fair price : studios, 1-bedroom apartments, houses, garages... This unique address draws both sailing fans and buyers looking for charming holiday homes benefiting from services and a high level of security.” Consisting of 2,500 homes ranging from studios of 22 m2 starting at 150,000 € to double villas attaining 5 or 6 M €, Port-Grimaud, this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, occupies a surface area of some 222 acres, two-thirds comprised of canals. Residents here get around on private maritime shuttles, making easy trips to Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez by sea. “Most transactions here involve properties priced around 1 million euros, aimed at an international clientele, especially from northern Europe. This budget allows a buyer to envisage a house of 85 m2 with a boat mooring.” Houses with moorings are the most highly sought-after. “Our clients benefit from comfortable financial situations, enabling them to assume the considerable charges inherent in the site. In exchange, they benefit from a number of caretaking and maintenance services. Furthermore, values in Port-Grimaud have never declined. Even in sluggish periods, prices remain stable. It is thus a sound long-term investment,” says Virgile Dolla. “The recent announcement of Brexit has had an effect on our British clients. Those who were planning to sell their properties now prefer to keep an eye on the situation and postpone their decision, while buyers from the UK are becoming rare. Even so, the market here remains very steady.”

Specializing in the highly-prized residential areas of Guerrevieille and Beauvallon, Jean-Philippe Manzon of the Agence Alpha, based in Grimaud since 1980, describes a lacklustre market this summer with bargaining that is often quite tough. “The disparity between prices posted and market reality is becoming systematic. Our most recent sales involved attractive properties ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 million euros. Today, properties over and above that level only draw a very limited number of enquiries. It is essential that high prices are justified by a prime location and impeccable appointments,” says this agent, some of whose clients - mostly French - are looking for small holiday homes in family residences which provide services (pools, tennis courts, golf-course, restaurants, access to a beach...). Budgets from 300,000 to 500,000 € will bring a terraced house with 2 or 3 bedrooms, the ideal pied-à-terre for holidays for couples with children. “So-called niche areas are chalking up the best results. Initiates familiar with all the subtleties in this sector set their sights on Beauvallon, Guerrevieille, Le Sémaphore… These residential addresses enjoy sunny orientations and views of the sea. Lying up above Sainte-Maxime, close to the centre, Le Sémaphore is in steady demand. And buyers here have a good choice. Numerous properties are up for sale, partly due to a change in generations that is underway.” A good opportunity for potential buyers.