Sausset-les-Pins and Carry-le-Rouet, the charm of La Côte Bleue

On the Mediterranean shore between the west side of Marseille and L’Étang de Berre, Sausset-les-Pins and Carry-le-Rouet draw a clientele in search of peacefulness while still being within easy reach of the capital of Les Bouches-du-Rhône.

Between the sea and pinewoods, Sausset-les-Pins was once once a small fishing village with about 200 residents. Becoming a family seaside resort over the years, the commune grew and several real-estate developments sprang up on the hills facing the harbour. On the Corniche, surveying the sea, very appealing residences stand in the shade of the pines, while the historic heart of town is comprised of narrow pedestrian streets offering an authentic atmosphere.

“Our clients mainly consist of people working in Marseille or Aix, who appreciate the Côte Bleue for its quiet natural setting on the seafront. Most of them are looking for a pleasant family home with a garden,” says Jonathan Fouque of Immobilière Côte Bleue, an agency covering all the communes within the area. “With budgets ranging from 350,000 to 450,000 €, they can set their sights on 3- or 4-bedroomed villas in good condition. Even though demand outstrips supply, prices have remained stable.” Buyers with more generous budgets target classier houses, such as a villa of 130 m2 enthroned in a garden of 700 m2 benefiting from a pool, which just sold for its asking price of 545,000 €. “The market is healthy, with bargaining hardly ever exceeding 10 %.” Those looking for apartments in Sausset-les-Pins will, however, find a wider choice of availabilities. 2-bedroomed apartments in good condition, with terraces, can be found for around 300,000 €.

At the foot of the pine-covered hills, Carry-Le-Rouet welcomes many people from Marseille who take up their summer quarters here. Fernandel built his family home here, and a memorial pays tribute to him in the village. In the harbour, fishing boats rub shoulders with noble sailing yachts. The Corniche road running along the coast from the harbour towards Sausset-les-Pins plays host to some sumptuous villas. “Carry-le-Rouet is a market mainly comprised of suburban houses. Apartments are rare on this commune, which has managed to avoid excessive urban development,” explains Philippe Abeto of the agency Les Toits de Marseille, specializing in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th arrondissements of Marseille, as well as properties of charm on communes along the Côte Bleue. More diverse, Carry-le-Rouet’s market is mainly comprised of 2-and 3-bedroomed houses costing from 400,000 to 500,000 €. Rarer, and very desirable, properties on the seafront are worth close on 1 million euros. “The residential estate of Barqueroute is a prestigious address. Most of the villas here cost over 1 million euros. Clients, often from Paris and its surrounding region, look here for charming villas offering the potential to become their permanent homes when they retire. A few rare opportunities are up for grabs,” says Philippe Abeto, mentioning, for example, one Provençal villa of 160 m2 priced at 850,000 €. Offering a sunny outlook and three bedrooms, it is set in grounds of 1,100 m2, large enough to take a pool, and offering an enchanting view of the sea. A rare property, not to be missed !