Extension of the market in Salon-de-Provence

Radia Amar - 08 December 2014

Situated between Aix-en-Provence, Marseille and Avignon, Salon-de-Provence and its neighbouring communes propose sound arguments including charm, convenience and a pleasant life-style.

Serving as a typical example of a Provençal commune, Salon-de-Provence has an historic centre composed of narrow streets, fountains and little squares lined by café terraces. Known for the quality of its schools and the famous “Ecole de l’Air”, Salon-de-Provence is lively all year round. Very active, this little town with 42,000 residents belongs to Agglopole, the so-called “communauté d’agglomération” of Salon-Etang-de-Berre-Durance, grouping together 17 communes. In the space of just two decades, Salon-de-Provence has changed its status as a small town to that of a medium-sized commune, thanks in particular to the strong development of the Bel Air zone, in which the developer “Villas La Provençale” has played an important role. With its head office in Salon-de-Provence and specializing with its three subsidiaries in the construction of all kinds of accommodation - from council housing to top-notch contemporary villas -, the company has witnessed the modernization and rapid diversification of housing possibilities in the area around Salon. “Traditional estates have made way for the emergence of new neighbourhoods comprised of small blocks of apartments, often built in bands,” explains architect Jacques Patingre, well-known in the region for his innovative and visually appealing concepts. In Saint-Cannat, 17 km from Salon-de-Provence, the company is marketing an estate with 18 homes consisting of six council apartments, four middle-range properties in a renovated Provençal building, and eight high-end contemporary houses. Priced from 350,000 to 400,000 €, the houses offer living space of 130 m2 with gardens of 400 m2. “Clients from Aix find this type of property appealing,” adds Jacques Patingre. “The project fully corresponds to today’s requirements, especially as it meets RT 2012 energy standards.”

Within Salon-de-Provence itself, the market seems to be stabilizing. “This year has been a good vintage,” says Eddy Gues of the Century 21 agency based here for the past four years. “Buyers are there, and many sellers are now prepared to match market prices. Which are still on a downward trend, however, with some neighbourhoods posting drops of 20 to 30 % in their value. Nevertheless, there’s a good choice. Buyers are well-informed and make lots of visits when trying to find their ideal home. If a property is presented in good order and estimated at a fair price, it will sell within four months.” Eddy Gues’s clientele is a mix of local working people, first-time buyers and retirees, drawn by this commune offering both charm and good value for money.