Monteux and the surrounding region : so close to Avignon
Yann Cohignac - 06 May 2014
Ideally located 4 km from Carpentras and about 20 km from Avignon and Orange, Monteux is a pleasant address between town and countryside. An address whose popularity continues to rise, with prices which are still very affordable for Provence.
A commune with almost 12,000 residents at the heart of Le Comtat Venaissin, Monteux proposes a leafy setting, an architectural legacy and a Mediterranean climate. A peaceful little corner of Provence, but also very lively : chalking up rising population figures, Monteux in fact pursues dynamic agricultural activities (strawberries in Carpentras, melons in Cavaillon…), but also industrial (the agro-food sector in particular), providing a considerable pool of jobs. Benefiting from the A7 motorway and the proximity of Carpentras, Avignon, Orange and Cavaillon, it also boasts four attractive activity zones, with another two in the pipeline. Not forgetting its many shops and craftsmen, primary and middle schools, a medical centre, and the recent development of the Parc de Beaulieu, incorporated into an “eco-neighbourhood” and featuring, among other things, an artificial lake of almost 25 acres (the site will also accommodate an amusement park dedicated to the world of Spirou in 2015).
“This highly advantageous geographical position, the infrastructures and vitality combined with a quality lifestyle make Monteux and its surrounding area a highly sought-after sector,” says Nicolas Rouvel, manager of Maurice Garcin Immobilier, a family firm specializing in the Vaucluse since 1981 (now with nine agencies covering the Carpentras-Avignon-Cavaillon triangle). “We also have more and more local clients working in Avignon and the surrounding region.” Prices are rather affordable : from 1,500 to 3,000 € per sq. metre for apartments, from 2,100 to 2,600 €/m2 for the majority of villas. “A recent 3-bedroomed house, for example, with a small garden of 200 m2, costs 185,000-190,000 €. Prices then rise depending on the size of the grounds.” Building plots of 500 to 700 m2 (not on an estate) sell from 110,000 to 145,000 €. Nicolas Rouvel’s clients are actively employed, with children, looking for their main homes. “If they dispose of higher budgets, they opt for Pernes-les-Fontaines, a neighbouring commune with more undulating scenery, where prices are 20 % higher.”
Cathy Benhamou is manageress of Kat Immo, a family-run agency opened in 2009 which covers the entire PACA region and offers clients personalized assistance : “The market in Monteux, which proposes some very attractive homes, often very well-maintained, is doing well. Prices are rising, especially in the old town centre”. For apartments, “in limited supply”, she mentions prices per sq. metre of around 2,000 € on average. For houses, and by way of example, she describes a terraced house of 100 m2 (three bedrooms) with a garden of 215 m2, on offer at 220,000 €, ie. 2,200 € per sqm., while a “mas” of 425 m2 is worth 540,000 €, ie. almost 1,300 € per sqm. “This property is, however, in need of renovation. A renovated “mas” will cost 2,600 € per sqm. As for building land, the agency’s portfolio contains a plot of 800 m2 priced at 143,000 €. Though the average price is about 200 € per sqm. with utilities installed.” Cathy Benhamou is contacted by clients aged 30 to 50. “If they are older, they are usually sellers ; younger buyers tend to set their sights on Avignon. We also receive a few enquiries from foreigners : English, Belgian and Dutch.”
Claudine Thalmann, manageress of Ma Provence Immobilier, an agency founded 14 years ago in Saint-Didier (10 km from Monteux), specializes in the middle and upper end of the market, and particularly in lovely properties on the immediate outskirts of Monteux. She emphasizes the excellent value for money offered by the area : “You can find a chaming village house here for 140,000 €, whereas the same property would be worth about 200,000 € in Saint-Didier, Mazan, Venasque or Pernes-les-Fontaines. The same goes for “mas” and desirable villas, whose prices start here from 500,000 €, as compared to 600,000 or 700,000 € elsewhere”. Building land is particularly interesting : “A plot of 1,000-1,500 m2 can be acquired for about 130,000 €. With building costs of 1,200 € per sqm., a villa of 150 m2, for example, thus costs from 300,000 to 320,000 €”. The agency currently has a plot of 1,500 m2 priced at 130,000 € on offer, and another of 300 m2 at 80,000 €. “Otherwise, we can propose large properties up to 800,000 €, such as a restored “mas” on five acres of land with a pool, pegged at 710,000 €.” Claudine Thalmann’s clients “opt for Monteux so as to be close to Avignon without, however, being on its immediate outskirts”.