Cogolin and Port Grimaud, contrasting profiles

Radia Amar - 10 September 2015

One plays host to year-round homes of people working around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the other is a magnet for boating fans from many different countries. Different but full of charm, the attributes of Cogolin and Port Grimaud are well worth exploring.

Lying at the very heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Cogolin stretches from the foot of the Massif des Maures as far as the Mediterranean. With its two pleasure harbours, its typical village and pleasant beaches, this commune with close on 11,300 residents covers an area of 28 km2. Less affected by the seasonal nature of its neighbours, it is well-known for its arts-and-crafts and its famous carpet factory. “Cogolin benefits from a strategically central position between the flagship communes in terms of jobs, and value for money now corresponding to the expectations and budgets of most of the local families. Its 3 nurseries, 6 primary and 2 intermediate schools are clearly stong factors for families in their decision-making,” explains Laurence Topfer, manageress of the Fiducimo agency. Detached houses offering 3 bedrooms and gardens of about 500 m2 are the most widely sought-after properties. “Prices have gardually declined over the past three years, but we now find ourselves in a more well-balanced situation,” she adds, mentioning for example, among her properties which best represent the market, an impeccable villa of 90 m2 with a delightful garden of 100 m2, on offer at 320,000 €. “Semi-detached houses now start from around 300,000 €, villas from 400,000 €.” Charming stone houses at the heart of the village are also very popular, especially as many of them benefit from small gardens. The municipality has also given priority to nearby parking facilities to boost the appeal of accommodation in the historic centre. One nevertheless needs a budget of 500,000 € in order to set one’s sights on one of these properties full of charm and well-preserved old features. What about apartments ? Several new developments have recently sprung up, creating fresh interest. To be delivered by Bouygues in September, the 30 apartments in the “Terre des Arts” residence sold quickly to members of the local population and a few investors. 3-bedroomed apartments of 85 m2 with terraces of 40 m2 were priced at 300,000 €.

Designed and built by the visonary architect François Spoerry from the 1960’s onwards, Port Grimaud is a unique “lagoon city” listed as part of 20th-century World Heritage. With its colourful façades enhanced by Roman tiles, its charming narrow streets, canals and harbour, this maritime village with shops, bars, restaurants, basic amenities and a wide array of services (private security, garden and property maintenance…) occupies an area of 32.11 acres of water and 54.34 acres of land. Split into three sectors, Port Grimaud plays host to 2,500 homes, most of them with their own boat moorings. From studios to houses called “Balandrine”, “Ostale” and “Cassine”, an abundance of accommodation mainly dedicated to fans of boating. “The market is steady and there is a wide choice. The key to selling one’s property quickly ? A mooring !” says Annie Schinckus of the Port Grimaud agency opened in 1983, whose director, Patrick Pietropaoli, is an expert on the commune. “Among our clients, we see a lot of Norwegians and Danes.” On average, and depending on their location and whether or not they have a boat mooring, apartments cost from 7,000 to 10,000 € per sq. metre, houses from 14,000 to 15,000 € per sqm. Outstanding examples in sought-after locations with large boat moorings and high-end appointments can attain 17,000 € per sqm. Bargaining is, however, frequent and each sale here is viewed as a specific case.