Aix-en-Provence : opt for exclusiveness

Radia Amar - 28 October 2020

An up-market clientele is now prepared to invest unprecedented amounts in desirable residences in Le Pays d’Aix, benefiting from an environment of very high quality.

The specialist for luxury real estate in the region around Aix, Aix-en-Provence Sotheby’s International Realty is run by Pierre André Scandolera. “Our transactions mainly involve large residences worth from 1 to 5 million euros, within a perimeter centered around Aix-en-Provence and in about 40 neighbouring communes. Since deconfinement, 90% of our clientele has consisted of Parisians who have decided to acquire properties in this region, where a budget of 1 million euros gives access to a pretty house of about 180 m2 in grounds of 2,000 m2 with a pool.” Our specialist underlines the importance of three criteria when evaluating properties : the size of the grounds, the quality of the environment, and the view. “It is now preferable to own a house of lesser quality in vast grounds offering an open view than a sumptuous property in an indifferent setting. This is also true for apartments : whatever their condition, they sell much more easily if they benefit from an appealing, well-kept setting, and an outdoor area. In short, the quality of the surroundings is crucial.” Within the perimeter covered by Aix-en-Provence Sotheby’s International Realty, the most sought-after locations are Le Tholonet, especially the Route Cézanne making its way to the foot of the Sainte Victoire mountain, and the neighbourhood of Les Pinchinats for its beautiful “bastides”. “Buyers’ budgets are rising significantly, together with demand for properties offering high-quality appointments, which are consequently becoming rare on the market.”

Specializing in properties of charm and prestige in Aix-en-Provence and the surrounding areas, ie. the Luberon and Alpilles, the Agence Bec-Capron Immobilier devotes itself exclusively to sales under the management of Michel Capron. “Our average price of around 1 million euros often concerns lovely residences in privileged locations such as the neighbourhood of Les Pinchinats, Le Tholonet and Saint-Marc-Jaumegarde. Our clients are looking to acquire a good-sized house, ideally within walking distance of a town centre.” Since the spring, Michel Capron has also seen strong enthusiasm for properties on the plateau of Puyricard and in the area of Luynes, benefiting from fast acces to schools and the motorway towards Marseille and the TGV station. “Sales volume has registered a significant rise since deconfinement, especially with sales of properties worth several million euros. Buyers are now visibly making decisions more quickly : they are determined to acquire a pleasant place to live, opening outside and capable, in these uncertain times, of providing a medium- or long-term investment. Our market is doing well, though care should be taken not to yield to the temptation of over-pricing properties up for sale.” The Agence Bec Capron is also marketing a new high-end development consisting of 24 apartments, advantageously located in the Parc Rambot neighbourhood, at prices ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 € per sqm.