The family resort of Pornichet

In the 19th century, when the small harbour town of Pornichet was happily devoted to fishing, farming and harvesting salt, the middle-class from Nantes, Angers and Paris began to favour “sea-bathing” and thus this address in the southern part of Brittany, between the marshland of Brière and the Atlantic Ocean.

Located 45 minutes from the prefecture of Loire-Atlantique, Pornichet occupies an area of 3,376 acres with a 7 km coastline. Its 10,400 inhabitants, a population which grows significantly in the summer season, appreciate this peaceful site and its 30 km of paths dedicated to hiking. The village’s destiny saw a radical change in 1879, with the arrival of the railway line. Two other important events occurred in the 1960’s : the Boulevard de la Mer was built and thalassotherapy came into fashion. Eighteen years later, Pornichet topped the list of sailing harbours in the “département”. From 1990 to 2000, it inaugurated Les Halles, a cultural centre and mediatheque. On its three sandy beaches, water sports take pride of place.

“Real-estate activity relies on two very distinct types of buyers : senior citizens from the Nantes-Angers-Rennes area, Mayenne, even the Ile-de-France, looking for a quiet, safe town in which to spend their retirement, and the classic holidaymaker, probably from the same regions,” says Sylvie Jaconelli of L’Agence de la Poste Orpi. A house of character of 150 m2 in the centre, benefiting from a garage and pleasant outdoor area, costs on average 650,000 €. If one is prepared to be about 1.5 km further out, in the direction of Sainte-Marguerite/Bonne-Source or Le Guézy, recent homes are priced around 3,200 €/m2. Interested parties often gain in both living space and the size of the garden. Buyers of holiday homes are more drawn by apartments, giving preference to the property’s location, environment and convenience. An apartment in excellent condition on the seafront costs from 7,000 to 9,000 €/m2. Still in the “Golden Triangle”, a similar example, this time without a sea view, is pegged from 4,500 to 5,500 €/m2. The average price of a 1-bedroom apartment thus ranges from 160,000 to 200,000 €, an apartment with 2 bedrooms from 250,000 to 350,000 €. Relatively hesitant, given today’s climate, these clients are nevertheless highly demanding. The choice seems wide, yet the properties likely to meet their requirements prove to be rather rare. High demand for rentals comes up against a market more destined for seasonal than long-term occupancy. Furthermore, there have not been many new developments available over the past few years, given the prices, which are high despite enticing tax benefit schemes.

“Statistics show that primary residences outnumber holiday homes (55 % versus 45 %). All types of occupancy combined, clients are aged 50 or over,” says Gaël Boutet of Tricoire Immobilier, departmental secretary of the “Syndicat National des Professions Immobilières”. They are not interested in big towns, but are also sometimes put off by the seasonal nature of a seaside resort and a limited availability of cultural and leisure activities. The most recent sales handled by this agency were in the 350,000 to 450,000 € bracket. In the case of houses, the price per sq. metre ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 €, depending on location and appointments. The centre draws fans of “everything on foot”. Sainte-Marguerite offers homes near the beach. As for the countryside around Pornichet, it proposes housing solutions for people working locally, often able to afford from 250,000 to 350,000 €. While La Baule enjoys its historic reputation, Pornichet is popular among families. Over the years, “front row” prices have become less disparate. Overall, they have already seen a decline of 15-25 % compared to those recorded in 2008. A situation considered as normal by Gaël Boutet, following the doubling of prices at the turn of the century. Unlike the so-called “basic” home, the top end of the market is doing relatively well.

Among her most recent sales, Marie-Hélène Desjour of L’Agence Centrale du Dauphin describes a house of 195 m2 in good condition, opening out to a garden of 533 m2, near the station, acquired by a 50 year-old buyer from Nantes for 440,000 €, without his having to obtain a mortgage. Two new apartments of 63 m2 each in the residence “Les Lys” then found takers at 250,000 €, while a Parisian client paid 137,000 € for a small 1-bedroom apartment of 34 m2 in a smart central residence, just 20 metres from the beach and 150 metres from the market. Our estate-agent mentions systematic bargaining of 10 to 15 % of the prices posted, and a substantial share of cash payments made by 50-70 year-olds with budgets ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 €. There is steady demand for small houses in the 200,000-250,000 € bracket. Unfortunately, not many are available. The tension felt in the market goes back to March of this year. Today, most enquiries are for properties under 400,000 €. Potential buyers are more set on being close to amenities, wanting to be able to dispense with a car when going to the beach and the shops.