Le Minervois, bountiful land and appealing prices

The region extends from Narbonne to Carcassonne, from the Canal du Midi, to the south, to the Montagne Noire and Les Causses de Saint-Jean and Minerve, to the north. With over 37,000 acres of vines, a third ear-marked to produce AOC wines, Le Minervois is home to the Mediterranean's oldest vineyards. Sparsely developed, it is ideal for those seeking tranquility and wide open spaces.

Perched on a rocky spur, Minerve surveys the gorges of Cesse and and Brian. Infamous due to the siege of 1210 during the Cathar Crusade, the locality is a charming introduction to the Regional Nature Park of Le Haut Languedoc. The orientation table offers a sublime panoramic view of the plain of the Aude and the Pyrenees. Then come Saint-Julien-des-Molière, Cassagnoles, Félines, Siran, Cesseras and Azillanet. Not far from the Canal du Midi, Olonzac serves as the region’s economic capital. Every Tuesday, the market is in full swing. Nearby, the lake of Jouarres covers an area of almost 25 acres, with a water sports base. One then discovers Oupia, Beaufort, Aigne, Aigues-Vives, Agel and La Caunette. On the border with Le Carcassonnais, Peyriac (1,000 inhabitants) is crossed by the Argent-Double river. Cultivation of vines, flowers and apples is still the main activity of this authentic village surrounded by the remains of the 16th-C. ramparts. Even older, Rieux, with 2,100 residents, was built in the year 1000 on one of the roads to St-Jacques-de-Compostelle. Finally, tourists are very fond of Caunes-Minervois and its Benedictine Abbey.

“Holidays homes once accounted for a substantial share of the market in Le Minervois, but today year-round homes are in the majority,” says Jeanie Kervran of Kervran Immobilier, covering the area from Peyriac to Pépieux and Azille via Rieux and Caunes. Budgets start at 80,000 €, which brings a village house of 70-80 m2 in good condition without a garage or exterior. A courtyard or terrace drives the price up to 100,000 €. For 130,000 €, one can buy a house of 90 m2 (three bedrooms) on an older estate. The starting-price for a more recent property is 150,000 €. This is also the budget most commonly advanced here, all segments combined. Before the financial crisis, the first argument in favour of this address was excellent value for money. Two years later, the gap between the region around Carcassonne and Le Minervois is tending to disappear, especially as the latter, with a limited supply, has possibly suffered less than the immediate surroundings of the illustrious medieval city. Currently, sales are going well, but at extremely low prices. Under such circumstances, it is probably somewhat premature to announce a real recovery in the property market.

“The region appeals to French retirees, sun-seekers and locals, ready to face a 30-minute drive to work in exchange for a peaceful and luxuriant setting,” says Didier Calenge of Aude Immo Futur. These employees work in Carcassonne, Narbonne or Lezignan, as Le Minervois doesn’t offer many jobs except in the vineyards. Some who can muster 150,000 € buy land, intending to build the house of their dreams. A plot of 800 m2 costs around 55,000 €. Older buyers often start by acquiring a holiday home which they intend to occupy year-round once they have retired. For all concerned, the N°1 criterion is somewhere to relax outside, ie. a garden or terrace. A sweeping view is icing on the cake. Facing south, Le Minervois looks towards the Pyrenees. Still irregular, its property market reacts strongly to changes in the international economy. It will no doubt need a few more months before it recovers a satisfactory cruising speed. For now, only properties which are correctly valued are finding any takers.