Traditionally regarded as benefitting from easier access, the left bank, along the road to the Bassin d'Arcachon and the ocean, has always had lots of fans. But while Le Bouscat tops the charts, Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, Le Taillan-Médoc, Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Le Haillan and Bruges also have their advantages.

Home to 23,700 inhabitants, Le Bouscat combines tradition and modernity, a pleasant setting and a quality life-style all year round. The local town-planning programme limits the height of buildings, and there are more and more open green spaces. The Parc Marceau is opening its doors, close to the gardens of Godard, L’Hermitage, La Chêneraie and the 138 acres occupied by the race-course. The local authorities are constantly improving roads, making life easier for residents, as well as amenities for very young children and the elderly, sports facilities, reputable schools, shops in the centre and at La Barrière du Médoc. Saint-Médard with a population of 27,000, is 13 km from Bordeaux. Urbanized over half of its territory, the town also offers forests, 49 km of biking paths and land used by the military. It in fact makes its living from the nuclear missile industry. The various neighbourhoods are thus laid out around the Société Nationale des Poudres et des Explosifs (SNPE), a zone with “No entry” signs. Just a short distance from major wineries in Le Médoc, Le Taillan today plays host to the Château de la Dame Blanche and Domaine Chalet de Germignan, whereas a century ago this town of 8,600 people boasted 82 wine producers. Saint-Aubin is 20 km from the Prefecture of the Gironde and about 40 km from the first beaches. Since the 1970’s, its population has steadily risen, thanks to its proximity to activity areas mainly engaged in the aerospace industry. Wealthy families in the region used to treat themselves to “bourdieux”, ie. agricultural properties. In Le Haillan, some are still standing. Thales Avionics has a branch here. Wine-makers of the Gironde are trained and go through their paces at the Château Bel Air. In the 20th century, Bruges lived from its cultivation of vegetables. Dotted with lakes, this locality with about 14,000 residents offers nearly a hundred acres of landscaped scenery and a nature reserve of 666 acres. The Treulon multi-purpose cultural centre brings in many visitors.

“Le Bouscat can definitely be described as one of the most highly-prized towns on the left bank, bordering the Parc Bordelais and Caudéran, real references in this area,” says Pierre Malahar of the Immobilier Malahar agency. “First, prospective buyers, aware of its excellent reputation, target this address. Some then realise that, for a similar investment, they get better appointments at Le Haillan or Le Taillan. Those who remain pay 600,000 € for a single-storey house of 170 m2 that needs a little freshening up, in a garden of 400 m2, or 485,000 € for a home of 140 m2 giving onto to a garden of 100 m2, at La Barrière du Médoc. Some, more difficult to satisfy, can go up to one million euros, the amount required for living space of 250 m2 in perfect condition, in grounds of 1,000 m2.” They all dream of old stones and insist on high-quality construction. For this estate-agent, the real issue today is quite simply good value for money. In fact, clients are now fully informed and only properties whose value has been properly estimated will sell without delay. Fans of apartments, likely to spend around 3,000 €/m2, appreciate residences built by Darchand in the 1980’s. Light and sunny, they enjoy leafy settings. Apart from these estates, apartments are available at around 2,200 €/m2, depending on charges. “It sometimes happens that an outstanding apartment facing the Parc Bordelais will fetch close on 4,000 €/m2,” notes Jean-Marc Collin of Luxorimo. At the top end of the market, apartments in fact provide as much activity as individual housing, starting, in Le Bouscat, at 3,000 €/m2, regardless of its condition. Most transactions for houses concern the category from 400,000 to 650,000 €. The clientele is varied, like the accommodation proposed. Young couples are interested in “échoppes” of 85 m2 with small gardens, at 250,000 €. Local families and workers transferring to the region prefer houses of 110 m2 with larger gardens of 400 m2, functional and close to schools, from 370,000 to 380,000 €, which they sell a few years later to obtain 4 or 5 bedrooms at 600,000 €, and then, if they can afford them, properties of over 800,000 €, a price level that excludes any possible disturbance.

Le Bouscat can here be compared with Caudéran, except that in the case of the latter, the market is larger. “The great advantage offered by Saint-Aubin, Le Taillan and Saint-Médard is that they belong to the CUB (Urban Community of Bordeaux) and are near Merignac, a job-provider of prime importance,” says Philippe Fargeon of Square Habitat. 80 % of buyers pay between 220,000 and 350,000 € for “échoppes” or houses on estates built in the 1960’s, 1970’s or even the 1980’s. Recently, a house of 130 m2, built in 1990 in grounds of 1,000 m2 with a pool changed hands at 280,000 €. Le Haillan, a drive-through town, does not have a centre as marked as the other localities. Less popular, it is often a fall-back solution from Le Bouscat or Saint-Médard. “For the past five years, Bruges has been the subject of a municipal deployment policy. As evidenced by the higher proportion of apartment buildings,” explains our specialist. Those built in the 1970’s, known for their low charges, are a real success among first-time buyers. They pay, for example, 120,000 to 130,000 € for a 2-bedroom apartment of 70 m2, whereas a terraced house of 90 m2 with a garden of 500 m2 costs from 230,000 to 240,000 €. For the same price, the size of the garden falls to 40 m2 in Le Bouscat. “Generally speaking, activity seems to be picking up at a satisfactory pace on the left bank,” concludes Philippe Fargeon. “Though one should remain cautious and avoid hasty conclusions”.