At the heart of the richest ochre deposits in the world, Roussillon, surrounded by pine-trees, offers a palette of reds, yellows and browns, while Ménerbes exudes a mineral charm typical of Provence. These two villages forming part of the “Golden Triangle” bear aloft the colours of the Luberon...

Situated between Joucas and Saint-Saturnin-les-Apt, Gordes and Goult, Gargas and Bonnieux, Roussillon stands at the foot of the Monts de Vaucluse. Widely known for its ochre quarries, the town, in an elevated position, cast its spell on Cocteau, Buffet, Carzon and Ambrogiani. Ranking second in the Luberon in terms of numbers of visitors, Roussillon plays host to numerous art galleries and restaurants. The crowds are even bigger on Thursday mornings when the market is open. Built on a rocky outcrop between Oppède and Lacoste, Ménerbes is a proud bearer of the label “The most beautiful villages in France”. After exploiting the stone extracted from its soil, the town now thrives on tourism, real estate and agriculture, producing AOC Côtes-du-Luberon and wines from the Pays d'Aigues. Fans of the great outdoors appreciate the hiking and biking trails connecting Cavaillon and Forcalquier. While the Corkscrew Museum does not fail to entertain enthusiasts with its 1,000 references, handsome restored mansions recall the town’s rich history, in the days when Picasso and Nicolas de Staël were frequent visitors.

“In Roussillon, 70 % of buyers are looking for holiday homes. They are 40 to 50 years old, come first on vacation before settling in on a semi-permanent basis when they retire,” says Valérie Collinet of Roussillon Immobilier. The market is essentially French and this national trend has intensified over the past two years. The wealthy set their sights on properties formerly owned by ochre-producers : living space of 250 m2 on at least 2.5 acres of land, costing from 1 to 3 million euros depending on their appointments. A good number of clients are seeking villas or “houses of charm” priced at around 800,000 €. But the majority prefer single-storey “bastides” of about 150 m2 in enclosed grounds with swimming pools, ranging from 400,000 to 600,000 €. Unfortunately, this clientele is not easy to satisfy due to a lack of available properties. When it boasts a terrace or garden, the village house, from 200,000 to 800,000 €, is a great success. Older members of the local population look for functional houses near the town centre at around 400,000 € after selling a larger property on the outskirts. As for first-time buyers, they prefer building plots bordering the village, pegged at 150-200 €/m2. For comparable properties, Roussillon is 30 % cheaper than Gordes, where stone masonry is a mandatory but costly practice. Some people are not too fond of Roussillon’s bright colours, others simply delight in them. Closer to main roads, Ménerbes does not attract the same buyers, who may also fall for Gordes or Goult. Despite the persistent slowdown at the top end of the market, business is flourishing and demand sustained.

Xavier Thoa of the agency Propriétés Côté Luberon does not think there is any distinction to be made between addresses forming the Golden Triangle except, perhaps, for Gordes, which enjoys an international reputation and consequently higher prices. Luxuriant and facing north, Bonnieux, Ménerbes, Lacoste and Oppède are lively villages in the Luberon, unlike the others, more arid, on the Monts de Vaucluse. One’s choice is in fact a matter of personal taste. Buyers tend to give preference to the quality of the environment than any particular postal code. In Ménerbes, a village which has won the favours of English politicians, Xavier Thoa mentions the recent sale of a village house of 100 m2 in need of a lick of paint but enjoying a commanding view : it was snapped up for 520,000 € by a British client fond of old stones and character, as a holiday home. A Belgian buyer wanting to settle in the locality recently treated himself to a house of 155 m2 in excellent condition for 630,000 €. Up to 1 million euros, visits produce results without too much difficulty. Beyond 1.5 million euros, concluding a deal already becomes more complicated. In 2008, sales slid by 25 % in the Vaucluse, 15 % in 2009. According to the activity so far observed, 2010 looks promising, even if official statistics are not yet available. In any event, the crunch has helped to reinstate real values in the case of standard properties.