Le Lavandou, a paradise with 12 beaches

At the foot of the Maures mountains and on the Mediterranean shore, Le Lavandou is a former fishermen’s village, now become one of the most well-known seaside resorts on the Var coast, thanks to its luxuriant environment welcoming fans of relaxation and water sports. Guided tour….

Home to 6,000 residents, the charming village of Le Lavandou faces the Iles d’Or (Port-Cros, L’Ile du Levant and Porquerolles). Stretching out over more than 12 km, this commune has some hidden treasures : a picturesque harbour with 1,100 berths, wild little creeks, a seabed appreciated by divers, crystal-clear water reached from vast beaches of white sand, including the renowned Plage de l’Anglade, Grande Plage, La Perle du Levant, La Fossette, Aiguebelle, L’Eléphant, L’Anse du Boucanier, the peaceful beach on Cap Nègre and the rather secret beach of Le Rossignol. It is here that the former President of the Republic and his wife, Carla Bruni, spend part of their summer holidays on the Domaine du Cap Nègre, where the Bruni family owns a property.

“Sixty per cent of our clientele is comprised of French buyers, 40% of foreigners, usually French-speaking : Belgians and Swiss. Though English and German buyers have recently begun to reappear. They all give priority to a view of the sea and closeness to the beaches,” says Frédéric Cellier of the Canat & Warton agency, based in the centre of the commune since 2001. Here, 80 % of acquisitions are destined to be holidays homes. With a portfolio containing a wide choice of villas and other properties priced from 800,000 to 1.5 million euros, the agency addresses a clientele in search of the perfect second residence. They are especially drawn by private estates such as Le Cap Nègre or Le Gaou Bénat, a private domain of approx. 400 acres on the seafront, of which 205 acres consist of listed woodland areas. These sought-after addresses play host to sumptuous villas offering the Provençal style or more contemporary architecture with sober lines and roof terraces. “There are less clients than a few years ago,” comments Frédéric Cellier. “Even though prices have declined by 15 % on average, buyers still take the time to compare and bargain at considerable length.” Among his recent sales, he mentions an impeccable modern villa offering 4 bedrooms in grounds with a pool, ideally located near the beaches, which just found a taker at 1,350,000 €.

“Villas on Le Gaou Bénat, Le Cap Nègre or in Le Rayol Canadel rank highest on the list,” agrees Olivier Pruvost of the Agence Vue Mer, based in Le Lavandou since 2011. “Our clients are primarily looking for a location facing the sea. If the property is aging and does not meet their requirements, some are prepared to demolish, and then build a contemporary villa. Even high-end properties are confronted by declining prices, as clients are fewer on the ground than at the start of the decade. Even so, given the scarcity of properties available on the market, impeccable examples always find buyers.” What about apartments ? Although Le Lavandou is mainly a market for villas, a few clients show an interest in apartments, as holiday or year-round accommodation, especially if they are on the front row. Usually pegged from 7,500 to 8,000 € per sqm, they can attain 10,000 € per sqm when in recent or impeccably renovated residences.

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