Saint-Raphaël Valescure, the golf-course area

A classy residential neighbourhood in quiet surroundings, Valescure plays host to two 18-hole golf-courses, the Golf de Valescure and Golf de l’Estérel, plus a 9-hole golf academy for beginners.

Lying 45 minutes from Nice between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, Saint-Raphaël stretches along a 36-km coastline between the Massif de l’Estérel and a Mediterranean shore characterized by coves and creeks. Home to 36,000 residents, the town is made up of several neighbourhoods : the centre along the seafront, the Old Town, the harbours, Boulouris, Le Dramont, Agay, Anthéor-le-Trayas, and Valescure, which allows Saint-Raphaël to be ranked as a real destination for fans of golf. In the late 19th century, the area had drawn the attention of Lord Aschcombe, who fell for the charm of its mild climate and lovely landscapes comprised of parasol pines and soothing hills. The Engish lord had the first of the two golf-courses built in this area called Valescure, a contraction of the Latin “Vallis Curans”, meaning “valley that cures (all ills)”. From the 1960’s to 1990’s, the neighbourhood took off, with numerous villas, a few blocks of high-end apartments and private gated estates rising from the ground. An area prized by well-off foreigners looking for holiday homes near a golf-course, Valescure is also a year-round home to local families who like its quietness and prestige.

“Relatively old (from 1980-1990), the property market here mainly consists of villas,” explains Karim Cordelier of the Canat & Warton agency. “From 400,000 to 2.5 million euros, there is a wide choice. The segment targetted by most of today’s demand is the 600,000 to 900,000 € bracket. A few high-end estates and co-owned properties also draw the attention of buyers keen on Valescure. Especially the recent “Domaine de La Tour”, whose villas offering contemporary appointments and spacious interiors meet today’s requirements. The clientele is evenly shared out between French buyers looking for a substantial second residence near a golf-course, local company directors and a small percentage of foreigners in search of sun and the greens. Prices have posted declines for the past four years, though over the past two years the trend has definitely slowed down. Even so, while the area seems to be showing more stability, owners who continue to post excessive prices unfortunately see their properties languish for long months, even more than a year, on the market. Serious buyers are aware of variations in prices, and each sale is now the subject of long reflection.”

While villas are still the most active type of property in this area, new apartments find favour with clients looking for practical accommodation of good quality, in a quiet setting. “We are currently marketing the “Villa Praetoria” at the lower end of the Valescure area, between the golf-courses and town centre,” says Marc Viale, sales manager with Andelim, a developer since 2004 and estate agency since 2012. This stylish residence surrounded by gardens with a swimming pool is comprised of 25 apartments offering generous volumes. Sold with a cellar and parking place, 1-bedroomed apartments of 55 m2 with terraces are proposed from 180,000 €. An attractive price for this neighbourhood, appealing in particular to young retirees in search of a semi-main home. The premium property, ie. a vast 2-bedroomed apartment on the top floor benefiting from a terrace of over 30 m2 with a sweeping view is on offer at around 480,000 €, including a double garage.

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