Gordes : an exclusive address

Radia Amar - 10 August 2021

Combining the privileged setting of the northern Luberon with a lifestyle of international renown, the region’s star village is a blue-chip investment whose popularity rubs off on nearby communes.

For 50 years, the Agence Rosier has devoted itself to sales of properties in the medium to top end of the range, with a preference for the northern valley of the Luberon and a particular fondness for Gordes and its surrounding area. Its Manager, Jean-Christophe Rosier, says that today’s buyers give priority to houses with 4 or 5 bedrooms, about 2.5 acres of land, and a location pretty close to main amenities.

“Ideally, the residence will be built of stone, facing south with clear views and a pool. Today, such a property is worth around 1.5 million euros - though some lovely homes can be found from 800,000 €. Looking back over the past eight years marked by abundant offerings, the number of properties for sale has now fallen significantly. The pandemic has led to a surge in demand for homes surrounded by nature. Previously, buyers mostly targetted village houses, whereas today they give top priority to properties opening out to luxuriant settings.”

Jean-Christophe Rosier’s current transactions are shared out equally between main and second homes.“Clients are getting younger. And Gordes has become a highly-prized address. Despite its modest size with only 600 residents intra-muros, the village offers a 5-star hotel and a number of fashionable restaurants. It cultivates a lifestyle very much its own, within a remarkable natural environment just a short walk away. In other words, it’s great to live in Gordes. The most highly-prized locations are those offering a peaceful setting within easy walking distance of the village.”

Specializing in sales, Claude Segalin is in charge of development for the Michaël Zingraf agency, an exclusive subsidiary of Christie’s International Real Estate based in Gordes.

“We mainly cover the northern Luberon. Offering rare charm, Gordes is a real “state within the state”. Buyers are mainly looking here for typical villas with exposed drystone walls and living space close on 250 m². Authentic “mas” - renovated or in need of renovation - are also in steady demand within a perimeter that includes neighbouring villages such as Joucas, Goult, Ménerbes or Oppède. Finally, village houses complete the trio of properties most sought-after in our region, though since the pandemic, demand for the latter has subsided. Buyers now set their sights on properties benefiting from outdoor areas, which are becoming rare on the market.”

Claude Segalin says that prices start from 800,000 to 1.2 million euros. Thanks to the agency’s partnership with Christie’s International Real Estate, it also offers a portfolio of properties with exclusive appointments, such as villas designed by architects bearing price-tags of over 2.5 million euros. Many senior executives, industrialists and intellectuals decide to acquire properties in the Golden Triangle that encompasses the villages of Gordes, Lacoste, Ménerbes and Goult. Bargaining is getting tougher, yet prices remain stable.

“In fact, the Luberon benefits from appeal that stretches well beyond our borders. In terms of investment, the region is seen as a safe bet. Often compared to Tuscany, it offers a lifestyle of remarkable quality.”