From Nyons to Vaison-la-Romaine

A commune in the countryside known for its gentle climate, Nyons offers living conditions of outstanding quality. A delightful area benefiting from a full range of amenities, which also plays host to the authentic and appealing Vaison-la-Romaine.

Situated in the Drôme Provençale, 40 km from Orange and 60 km from Avignon, Nyons (pop. under 7,000) proposes a privileged environment sheltered from the Mistral wind and enjoying sunshine comparable to that on the Côte d’Azur. This town thus nicknamed “Le Petit Nice”, also known for its olive-oil (bearing the AOC label) and wines (Côtes-du-Rhône…), further lays claim to a remarkable architectural heritage (Romanesque bridge, Place des Arcades, the Forts area, a feudal castle…). Not forgetting that it disposes of well-developed infrastructures : a hospital, nursery, primary, intermediate and secondary schools, lots of shops… Amen­ities, a heritage and a pleasant life-style which are also to be found in Vaison-la-Romaine (6,000 residents), a commune about 15 km south of Nyons (in the northern part of the Vaucluse). With a very busy cultural scene, this village surrounded by wooded hills and vineyards boasts inestimable Roman ruins (such as the famous Roman bridge, 2000 years old) and medieval monuments (Cathedrals of Notre-Dame de Nazareth and Sainte-Marie de l’Assomption, the château of the Counts of Toulouse, cloisters…).

“These two attractive addresses post relatively similar prices,” says David Boschi, manager of Boschi Immobilier, a family-run agency founded in 1960, covering the Drôme Provençale, Haut Vaucluse and Enclave des Papes (six branches in Nyons, Vaison-la-Romaine, Valréas, Visan, Buis-les-Baronnies and Dieulefit). “In the case of houses, demand is mainly for single-storey villas with three bedrooms and gardens of 800 to 1,000 m2, priced from 250,000 to 350,000 €. For stone-built “mas”, often sought as family residences, one can expect to pay from 500,000 to 600,000 €, or up to 1 million euros for properties of character.” As for apartments, more likely to be found in Nyons, those with 1 bedroom in old buildings cost from 90,000 to 130,000 €, those with 2 bedrooms, from 150,000 to 200,000 €. “In a low-energy residence soon to be delivered, they are proposed at around 225,000 €.” Prices showing a slight decline, “as confirmed by notaries”. In this area, David Boschi’s clientele is mostly comprised of young retirees and people looking for holiday homes in the sun. “For example, a couple of young retirees recently acquired a villa of 135 m2 in grounds of 1,720 m2 with a pool, just a few minutes from Vaison, for 375,000 €.”

Antoine Mattar of L’Immobilière du Ventoux, an agency opened over 20 years ago in Vaison-la-Romaine, specializes in stone houses within a 50-km radius, sometimes further out for exceptional properties : “Most demand is for homes priced from 400,000 to 500,000 €, such as a “mas” of 100 m2 in a garden of 600 m2 with a pool, pegged at 445,000 €. For larger surface areas, currently in less demand, prices rise to 1 million euros”. Bargains can be found by those willing to renovate : “Our portfolio contains a “mas” of 300 m2 in need of renovation in 2,500 m2 of grounds, on offer at 348,000 €, and a stone house of 200 m2 also to restore, priced at 260,000 €, with restoration work estim­ated at 150,000 €”. As for village houses of 120-130 m2, they cost about 150,000 €. “These prices can now drop by 10 to 15 % if the property needs renovating. We are, in fact, seeing a slight overall decline caused by increasingly tough bargaining on the part of both French and foreign buyers.” Who mainly consist of future retirees, including a good number of company directors and a few politicians.

Also based in Vaison, Jean-Pierre Garcia is managing director of CTI L’Immobilier en Provence, an agency created in 1989 covering a radius of 30 km, and further in the case of outstanding properties. He confirms : “Today’s transactions are subject to bargaining which sometimes attains up to 20 % of the posted price”. Most of his sales range from 400,000 to 900,000 €, as shown by the two most recent ones : “A house of 170 m2 in grounds of 2,000 m2, priced at 480,000 €, and a “mas” of 220 m2 with outbuildings, a magnificent view, and grounds of 4,500 m2, at 920,000 € (some renovation on the cards)”. By way of example, Jean-Pierre Garcia is also handling the sale of a “property of charm” near Vaison, priced at 1,050,000 € : offering a beautiful view, this “mas” with total living space of approx. 560 m2 (main building accompanied by comfortable rooms for paying guests, a self-catering apartment and annexes) is set in an undulating park of about 6.25 acres. Another exceptional property proposed by CTI : a “mas” of 480 m2 (12 main rooms) just 10 minutes from Vaison, in 4,200 m2 of grounds with a heated pool, priced at 1,270,000 €. “It is, in fact, an 18th-C. coach-house, fully restored and benefiting from an elevated position.” As for building plots here, they cost from 120 to 150 € per sqm. “Our clients are mostly looking for holiday homes which will become their main residences when they retire.”

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