Highly-prized neighbourhoods in Aix-en-Provence

Radia Amar - 19 January 2017

The incomparable charm and attractiveness of this historic town in Provence needs no introduction. In addition to its historic centre, several other neighbourhoods appeal to buyers with budgets of around 1 million euros and more.

Specializing in Aix’s property market since 2001, Luc Paccioni launched the Aix Provence Immobilier agency to offer a selection of villas, houses and properties of character, as well as high-end apartments in Aix and the nearby surrounding area : Eguilles, Saint-Cannat, Rognes, Puyricard, Le Tholonet, Luynes... In particular, Luc Paccioni is an expert on the highly-prized area of Saint Mitre. “Saint Mitre is split into two distinct zones. The area north of the Route de Berre to the Route d’Eguilles plays host to recent high-class residences. Depending on their condition and appointments, desirable apartments with generous terraces sell here from 3,500 to 4,000 € per sqm. The second part of the area lies north of the Route d’Eguilles. Here, lovely villas of 200 to 250 m2 in grounds of about 2,500 m2 are to be found on the Chemin de la Pierre de Feu, Chemin du Pont Rout and Chemin de Rapine. Prices range from 800,000 to 2 million euros for the most outstanding examples. And demand is steady. If a property is pegged at market price, it sells quickly. Sellers are beginning to accept the drop in the market and agree more readily to our estimates, especially when they see that their property, presented at too high a price, has only drawn very few enquiries over several months. Clients with budgets of around 1 million euros are actively investigating the market, though their demands are high, especially with regard to quietness,” explains our specialist, who has just handled the sale of a pleasant villa in Célony priced at 1,040,000 €, acquired by buyers from Strasbourg as their holiday home.

”Célony is, in fact, one of the the most highly-prized addresses”, says Christine Martin, independent agent in Consulting Immobilier PACA agency since 2015. An expert on the northern and central parts of Aix-en-Provence, also working as a home-hunter, she efficiently meets the requirements of a clientele with financial means above the average, ie. from 600,000 to 2 million euros, looking for houses or larger properties with a full range of attributes. “Most of the transactions I handle involve year-round residences. I have noticed the return of buyers from England coming back to live in France. They have generous budgets and most of them do not need mortgages. It is, however, important to note that too many properties up for sale are poorly estimated. Those not in line with the market simply do not sell,” says Christine Martin, often confronted by this particular issue. In order to meet this new demand, steady and growing, she is actively looking for properties of quality in the areas of Puyricard, Célony, and around the Country Club. “Buyers with budgets over and above 1 million euros target homes of 250 to 300 m2 in grounds of 2,500 m2 to 2.5 acres, naturally benefiting from a pool.” Offering tailormade service, an attentive ear and flexible hours, Christine Martin has just completed the sale of a property priced at around 1.2 million euros after only four visits, and that of a villa in Célony which had been on the market for 18 months, after just one visit.