Encompassing towns such as Cavaillon, Carpentras and Vaison-la-Romaine, this part of the Vaucluse also offers a string of villages with typical Provençal charm, such as Pernes-les-Fontaines, Velleron and Bédoin, between the Rhône, the Durance and Mount Ventoux. Further details from professionals...

We can thank the well-irrigated soil of Le Comtat Venaissin for the quality of its agricultural produce, starting with melons, cherries, apples, grapes, tomatoes, but also zucchini, garlic, onions, asparagus, strawberries and pears. Wine-buffs raise a toast to Vacqueyras, Gigondas, Côte du Ventoux and Beaumes-de-Venise. Many food plants are installed on site without detracting in any way from tourist attractions. As evidenced by the renown of Séguret and Venasque, ranked among France’s most beautiful villages.

“Unlike the Luberon, this region, as authentic as one could wish, lives all year round,” says Carola Wagner of the agency of the same name. Specializing in properties of charm, she mostly deals in holiday homes. The French, forming a majority in 2009, live side by side with Belgians, a few Germans, Austrians and Dutchmen. The village house is something of a favourite. Convenient in terms of shops and amenities, it rarely offers a practical layout. A house of 100-180 m2 in good condition, extended by a garden or terrace (a very essential attribute), ranges from 350,000 to 600,000 €. Villas are highly prized by buyers looking for spacious interiors, modern facilities, light and airy rooms, and ready to pay 500,000 to 800,000 €. The embodiment of the image of Provence, the “mas” awaiting restoration is still popular as it allows for a combination of the charm of old buildings and contemporary appointments, including a practical layout and large windows. This type of property ranges from 350,000 to 650,000 €, and from 600,000 to 1 million euros following renovation. Prices nevertheless remain well below those posted in the highly-prized Luberon. Since the correction that has recently been seen in the market, value for money is definitely on the cards. With the recovery that began in May, the 400,000-800,000 € bracket, traditionally not very active, is now alive and well. “Carpentras shares the site in two distinct zones,” explains Anne Peroni of Action Immobilière. To the west, the plain devoted to market gardening, slightly lower in terms of prices, attracts local workers who can raise 150,000 to 250,000 € for a village house, an apartment or a small house on an estate. This is where one also finds the “mas”, which are actually old farms.

Currently, the asking price for one example of this type of property, with living space of 327 m2, grounds of 5,000 m2 and swimming pool, is 510,000 €. Undulating and tourist-oriented, the east offers a varied landscape of elevated sites, sweeping views and typical villages. The aptly-named Pernes-les-Fontaines, capital of Le Comtat Venaissin from 1125 to 1320, boasts 22 sites registered or classified as Historic Monuments, 13 chapels, 7 parks, 3 museums and 40 public fountains. Its 10,500 residents lack for nothing, not even schools, which go up to college level. The 200 farms lie in close proximity to 4 commercial activity zones. The hill of Pernes offers some lovely villas. One of them, comprising 170 m2 in grounds of 6,000 m2, is currently on offer at 563,000 €. Close to the centre, a developer is selling three independent houses of 80 m2 for about 215,000 €, an opportunity that will certainly not leave local buyers indifferent. Situated between Pernes and L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the quiet bourg of Velleron with 3,000 inhabitants overlooks a large area under cultivation. “Sheltered from the Mistral wind, Bédoin, at an altitude of 300 metres beneath Mont Ventoux, sees its population multiplied by five in summer,” says Stéphane Fallot of the Agence Immobilière des Pays du Mont Ventoux Provence.

“In addition to biking enthusiasts, hikers wanting to climb the “Giant of Provence” all love this region boasting a score of restaurants, three hotels and a well-known nudist camp.” They like the quiet and well-preserved environment, covered two-thirds by forest, which is also enjoyed by the popular Crillon-le-Brave and Le Barroux, but also Caromb, Mormoiron and Blauvac. If only a 15-minute drive separates this area from Carpentras, prices here, comparable to those of Velleron or Pernes, more mixed in terms of residents, tend to be higher. Village houses start at 150,000 €, villas in the countryside at 350,000 € and “mas” at 500,000 €. Concluded after tough negotiations, 90 % of transactions consist of holiday residences or homes for later retirement.