Les Alpilles, in the midst of Cézanne’s landscapes

Of international renown, the Alpilles offer a lifestyle blending elegance, a country atmosphere and Provençal traditions. Together with Saint-Rémy, Maussane les Alpilles and Eygalières comprise the famous and highly sought-after “Golden Triangle”.

With agencies in Noves and Eygalières, Accent Immobilier has focused its activities on the market in the Alpilles for the past 16 years. Proposing sales, rentals and management services, the agency also works on projects with property dealers and developers. Offering a portfolio of properties in these areas, along with a few outstanding examples in Le Var and desirable addresses in Paris, Accent Immobilier is getting ready to open its third branch in September, in Saint-Andiol. “The market is showing real liveliness and buyers with substantial budgets are returning to the Alpilles. Mostly French, American, Swiss and Belgian, they are looking for holiday homes, ideally built of stone,” says manageress Patricia Ortiz. “For the area around Noves, prices start from 250,000-350,000 €, and can attain 2 or even 3 million euros for properties in Eygalières, one of the flagship communes in the Alpilles, benefiting from a fine reputation and a go-ahead attitude initiated by the town-hall, which has further enhanced the living conditions of this village prized by celebrities. The views, quietness, closeness to the centre of the village, vast grounds, modern appointments, a pool, at least 4 en-suite bedrooms, spacious living rooms, and ideally an annex, all form part of the criteria the most frequently expected by a clientele prepared to spend several million euros.” What about price trends ? After a slight decline, stability seems to be gradually returning, though confronted by disparities in estimates offered by the various agencies, the market remains somewhat opaque. “A property that has been correctly estimated will sell. The others stay for long months on the market…” ?

A charming commune with 2,500 residents, Maussane offers an authentic lifestyle. Surrounded by plane trees, home to good restaurants, its central square is a pleasant meeting-place. The commune is also well-known for its crafts expertise, not forgetting its fields of silvery olive-trees and almond orchards. Landscapes immortalized by painters which now enchant an international clientele fond of old stone. The Colpaert & Werhle agency opened its doors here 10 years ago. Specializing in transactions all over the Alpilles, it offers a quality selection of properties of charm and character Today, its portfolio is comprised of homes ranging from 400,000 to 6 M €, the large majority in the 1 to 2 million euro bracket. “Our clientele is comprised of Belgians and Parisians, as well as Swiss, American, Australian and German buyers… They are all looking for holiday homes offering Provençal charm, ideally built of stone, renovated and close to the centre of a village, with at least one bedroom on the ground floor.” Cyrille Schiffler explains that the members of the agency’s team all give priority to an attentive ear. “We meet our clients to clearly define their needs and propose visits of properties likely to have a “love-at-first-sight” effect, especially as the properties we select - including many on a sole-agent basis - are on offer at prices most closely reflecting market realities.” And the current market trend ? “Over the past five years, we have seen impressive growth. 2018 started out more quietly, due especially to strikes in the transport sector and very poor weather. Even so, we expect this year to be identical to previous ones. Our clients are looking for acquisitions for their own enjoyment, and the arrival of the sun will set all the lights flashing green.”

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