Bidart, a market offering lots of opportunities

Between its illustrious neighbours, Biarritz, Guéthary and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the discreet address of Bidart runs along the Basque coast. Once focusing on fishing, this small seaside resort now concentrates mainly on tourism. According to local estate-agents, a town of growing interest in terms of investment.

Extending over a stretch of 12 km, Bidart has 506 residents per sq. kilometre. Since 2011, the commune has belonged to the Basque Coast-Adour Agglomeration, thus joining Anglet, Bayonne and Biarritz. A seaside resort above all else, this little town nevertheless plays host to a lively technopolis and a tri­lingual engineering college called ESTIA, dedicated to new IT technologies. Retaining typical Labourdine architecture, Bidart offers countrified charm on the shores of the ocean. As well as pursuing various sport activities (surfing, body-boarding, golf, tennis, Basque “pelota”, hiking and horse-riding…), tourists like to visit the Mill of Bassilour, Henriet chocolate factory and the workshops of craftsmen making cutlery. Very popular in its heyday from the Second Empire to the “Belle Epoque”, Bidart can lay claim to some outstanding properties such as the residence enlarged by Nathalie of Serbia in the 19th cent­ury, and the château of the Baron de l’Espée on the hills of Ilbarritz. Benefiting from good transport facilities, the commune is cut into strips running north-south, created by the RN10, the Bordeaux-Saint-Jean-Irun railway, and the A63 motorway. This gives rise to some noise, whence the importance of choosing the precise location of one’s home with particular care.

Specializing in the area neighbouring on Guéthary, Chantal Marthan, manageress of the Guéthary Immobilier agency which opened in 2004, often proposes properties in Bidart to clients whose budgets are a little too tight to invest in Guéthary. “The atmosphere is relaxed in Bidart, and above all, the prices are lower,” she confides. The most pleasant neighbourhoods ? “The centre with its houses near the beaches, Rue Maurice Pierre, Chemin Dorrea offering magnificent views of the mountains, and substantial houses facing the Parlementia beach.” Higher up, attractive estates in wooded parks also offer a delightful life-style in all four seasons. In Bidart, you can treat yourself to a pretty house in contemporary style with a pool for around 800,000 €. Among her clients, Chantal Marthan mentions many young retirees from Paris and Bordeaux, and recently several expats in transit, returning from Asia, Singapore and Réunion.

“The market here is more affordable and more open to bargaining than those of Biarritz or Saint-Jean-de-Luz,” admits Nicolas Descamps, director of Côte Ouest Immobilier Christie’s Real Estate in Biarritz. Without it really being a fall-back market, Bidart is indeed the most affordable town in the area. “The Ilbarritz neighbourhood is very appealing,” adds Nicolas Descamps, mentioning the pleasant “Résidence de La Roseraie” which benefits from a quiet, sunny and elevated location, overlooking the beaches and golf-course. This prestigious old building is now comprised of comfortable apartments with desirable appointments, ideal properties as long-term investments or high-quality holiday homes. “The side of the town facing the mountains is also worth discovering : for under 1 million euros, one can acquire a country-style property enjoying panoramic views.”

Specializing in original properties, Julie Lamboley, manageress of the Ateliers Lofts et Associés agency in Biarritz, says that, despite the traditional appearance of façades, sloping roofs, the red or green shutters imposed by the Townhall, she has unearthed contemporary gems inside some of the town’s classic villas. “Some owners have called on the expertise of architects to create loft-style interiors in buildings with traditional exteriors. Which gives properties with much more character and more spacious volumes.” Some of these stylish properties are proposed from 5,000 € per sq. metre, often with parking facilities included. On the plateau, homes with refined appointments and panoramic views can attain 10,000 € per sq. metre.

With its casual atmosphere and contrasting neighbourhoods, Bidart thus deserves a closer look. It really does offer some very enticing opportunities !