Cavaillon and its region

Below the hill of Saint-Jacques, in the valley of the Durance in the regional nature park of the Luberon, the former bishopric crossed by the Saint-Julien canal now accommodates 25,000 people.

About 20 kilometres from Avignon, Cavaillon was long looked upon as a place where one crossed the River Durance. The capital of melon production is on the railway line. From the biking path leading to Forcalquier, it belongs to the Provence-Luberon-Durance “community of communes”, together with Cheval-Blanc, Mérindol and Les Taillades, all built along the river, not far from the furthest point west of the “Petit Luberon”.

“Cavaillon is being treated to a revamp and re-dynamization of its centre, though buyers are still more interested in its surrounding countryside,” says Rudi Janssens of Janssens Immobilier. Admittedly less sought-after than the Luberon, it benefits from proximity to motorways and the TGV station in Avignon, as well as a strategic position at the junction of three highly-prized areas : the Luberon, Alpilles and Pays des Sorgues. Not forgetting a much more generous array of shops and services, appreciated by permanent or semi-secondary residents. Rudi Janssens recently hand­led the sale of a fully renovated “mas” of 350 m2 in a park of 8,000 m2 with a pool, acquired by an American couple living here year-round for 1.4 million euros. In fact, prices for equivalent properties are 20 % cheaper here than in the Luberon. The town’s location in the plain and the prospect of living next to farmland explain the difference. Cavaillon is often a fall-back market, just like L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, with the hill-top village of Mérindol proving to be more typical. The environment of Cheval-Blanc and Les Taillades is not lacking in charm, even if the town is gaining ground.

“Cheval-Blanc is a peaceful commune 5 minutes from Cavaillon and the motorway, 1 km from the regional nature park of the Luberon, renowned for its sports and cultural associations,” explain Aïchouche Sarri and Mireille Trousse of Cheval Blanc Immobilier. Most clients are looking for main residences under the 500,000 € barrier. By way of example, our estate-agents cite a recent “bastide” of 120 m2 in grounds of 1,000 m2 with a pool, acquired by buyers from the Pays d’Aix for 396,000 €, and a house of 100 m2 on an estate with a garden of 700 m2, acquired for 292,000 € by a couple working in Cadarache and Cavaillon. The good road network helps in such circumstances. As does the value-for-money ratio, clearly more advantageous here than in neigbouring areas. The estate of Vidauque, appreciated for its wooded setting and gardens of over 1,500 m2, spills over into three localités. Closer towards Cavaillon, the hill of Saint-Jacques proves to be just as residential. Demand is steady, but transactions are sometimes hard to complete, marked by bold and unfruitful offers. Alarming news in the media acts as another brake on activity. More than ever before, information, advice and back-up for prospective buyers can make all the difference.

“The micro-market comprised by the hill of Saint-Jacques offers magnificent views of the Luberon, the Alpilles and the valley of the Durance,” comments Marie-Madeleine Nelson of Un Mas en Prov­ence, an agency with two decades of exper­ience at the crossroads between Cavaillon, Gordes, Apt and Avignon. Strong encouragement for Cavaillon’s young entrepreneurs is very promising. Choosing this address also means opting for convenience and closeness to healthcare centres and the Marseille Provence airport, an advantage appreciated by elderly foreigners. While Cavaillon can be criticized for its position on the plain, a certain amount of noise from traffic and the occasional presence of unsightly farm buildings, this “orchard of France” compensates by offering “mas” with generous volumes, to renovate or already in perfect condition, inherited from former landowners. Around this town with a rich past, these large properties are on offer for less than 1 million euros: in the neighbouring nature park, they cost close on 1.3 million.