Bassin d’Arcachon : opening out to the ocean

Radia Amar - 15 September 2021

A single criterion: a terrace or garden. In this region known for its privileged and deliberately exclusive character, properties meeting this requirement post high prices

Specializing in sales, rentals and rental management, Nathalie Foulon has been at the helm of the Stéphane Plaza Immobilier agency at the heart of Arcachon for over five years.

"At the heart of town, demand mainly focuses on 1-bedroomed apartments (from 320,000 €) and 2-bedroomed apartments (from 400,000 €), whereas on the outskirts, buyers prefer houses (from 700,000 €). For several years, our market has been affected by rare offerings. And the pandemic has accentuated the problem while modifying the search criteria of potential buyers. They are now solely looking for apartments benefiting from a terrace or balcony, or houses with gardens. Furthermore, prices have risen from 10 to 20 %."

This clientele mainly comes from towns and regions less than 3 hours from Arcachon by road or train. Many Parisians in particular opt for holiday residence in the region.

"For the past 18 months, the notion of a prime location has faded away. Today's buyers are aware of the rarity of available properties. Thye thus think themselves lucky to find a property meeting their needs. Our market is now marked by a siginficant rise in prices, and clients' insistance on acquiring a property with an outdoor area."

Backed by several years of experience in international groups focusing on prestige real estate, Héloïse Martin founded the agency Les Belles Propriétés in 2020.

"I mainly look for properties that stand out for their location, character, history or the quality lifestyle they offer. We are now based in Arcachon and Bordeaux, which enables us to work 7 days a week, by appointment. Depending on their features, one of two houses on the same street may well post a price double that of the other. We therefore present very detailed estimates, systematically based on a market study. By way of example, we recently sold a building plot of 1,001 m2, with plans for a villa on the front row, near the Cercle de Voile in Le Pyla. Presented at 3,780,000 €, this exceptional lot attracted several buyers who positioned themselves on the asking price."

Héloïse Martin confirms that the gap between demand and rare availabilities is on the rise.

"Our clients are looking for modern or renovated villas, large properties or building plots enabling them to walk or bike to the beach. One criterion dominates the rest : living rooms and a bedroom on the ground floor. The grounds must also be large enough to avoid promiscuity and benefit from quiet surroundings. On average, buyers present budgets close on 2 M €, which can often rise in the case of love at 1st sight or a rare location. While the rise in prices was significant just after the first lockdown, it is now lighter but gradual. The most highly-prized locations are Pyla-sur-Mer, Le Moulleau and Péreire, ie. all neighbourhoods with pine trees, near the beaches."