La Vaunage, a popular area between Sommières and Nîmes

Surrounded by hills no higher than 200 metres above sea level, the enclave known as the Vallée de Nages opens out to the east towards Nîmes and to the south towards Vergèze. Over 18,000 people share this area of almost 25,000 acres. This year, the population could reach the symbolic figure of 20,000, prooof of the region’s growing popularity.

Sketched out on a plateau of scrubland and crossed by the Rhôny stream, La Combe is made up of nine communes : Caveirac, Clarensac, Saint-Dionisy, Calvisson, Boissières, St-Côme-et-Maruéjols, Langlade, Nages-et-Solorgues and Congénies. Marked by numerous archaeological sites, seven “oppida” and a few medieval castles, the landscape is largely given over to oaks, pines and vines. La Vaunage shares a past of Protestant resistance with the Cévennes, while its bull-fighting tradition reminds us of its proximity to the Camargue. Just recently, the old railway track turned “green” : the newly-created Eco-Parc de Minteau, focusing on high technology, is expected to host about 3,500 new firms and should have a real impact on the area.

“Business came to a dead halt from October, 2008, to January, 2009, before reversing calmly to the pace of the previous year and regaining a very satisfactory cruising speed in 2010,” says Laurent Gasa of the LGI estate agency. For nearly 18 months, first-time buyers tried to get a look-in, while the British sold off their strongholds in order to obtain liquidity. With banks turning off the credit taps, only buyers with 50 to 60 % of the amount required could then proceed with their acquisitions. At the end of the day, the resulting lower prices are now seen as logical and beneficial. Today, holiday homes, in steady demand from Swiss and Belgian clients, still account for 25-30 % of enquiries received by Laurent Gasa Immobilier. These buyers pay around 400,000 to 500,000 € for villas of 150 m2 in good condition with grounds of 1,200 to 1,500 m2. Year-round residents include expatriates from other regions in France and people working in Montpellier or Nîmes, prepared to invest from 300,000 to one million euros. The first readily accept a 20-minute drive every morning to obtain the same type of home but 20 % cheaper. The second, just 10 minutes from their workplaces, appreciate the tranquillity and quality of life offered by La Vaunage, especially as they pay much lower property taxes here. Among his latest sales, Laurent Gasa mentions a recently-built house of 130 m2 with a garden of 800 m2 at Caveirac, for 420,000 €. In this case, Madame works in Nîmes, Monsieur near Montpellier. A couple of senior citizens abandoned the Côte d'Azur for a home of 260 m2 in grounds of 1,500 m2 with a pool in Langlade, paying 545,000 €. Finally, a young couple acquired a house of 90 m2 with a garden of 600 m2 for 250,000 €. The various localities post differences in prices. Authentic and not very built-up, Langlade and the very sunny Nages top the popularity polls.

“Calvisson, home to nearly 5,000 people, is looked upon as the capital of La Vaunage,” explains Lidia Darlow-Joaquim of the Pierres au Soleil agency. Brimming with history, the town contains the ruins of the castle of Guillaume de Nogaret, a nobleman in the days of the “Cursed Kings”. It has a “boutis” quilt museum, known worldwide, a mediatheque inaugurated two years ago, nurseries, schools up to intermediate level, as well as cultural and sports associations. The wine cooperative is very dynamic. Once used to take sheep to the mountains in summer, the “wool trail” is supposed to reopen soon. Services and shops are to be found around the very inviting central square - an advantage over other localities that the municipality intends to reinforce. Every Sunday morning, the weekly market already brings in hundreds of people. On the top of the hill, the tourist residence “Le Mas des Vignes” with its 408 units and swimming pool area accommodates 2,000 holiday-makers per week between June and September. In the old village, stone houses dating back to the 12th century range from 250,000 to one million euros, a price recently paid for a house of 750 m2 in need of renovation with a cottage garden, a unique property in the town. The majority of transactions nevertheless revolve around 400,000 €, a price bringing homes of 150 m2 with gardens and garages. For all types of buyers, being within walking distance of all facilities is always a top priority.

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