Gordes, one of France’s most beautiful villages

By Laetitia Rossi - 24 May 2010

The narrow, winding streets and houses built right into the rock around the castle housing the town-hall and Pol Mara Museum have won international renown. Gordes has inspired artists such as Marc Chagall, Andre Lhote, Victor Vasarely and Jean Deyrolle : today, it attracts captains of industry and the intelligentsia from all over the world.

In the Luberon’s Regional Nature Park, nature reigns supreme and culture is an on-going concern. The Saint-Jacques Chaplaincy and Chapel of the White Penitents host regular exhibitions. Known for its small, round stone buildings called “bories”, Gordes shows great respect for the past and its traditions. “The village is ideally situated between Aix-en-Provence and Avignon, faces south and enjoys magnificent views of the Luberon, Alpilles, Roussillon, Lacoste, Bonnieux, Oppède and Ménerbes,” says Martine Vérots, in charge of communication for the Michaël Zingraf Real Estate group. Formerly, the most important properties were in the plain, while the hills offered a few “bergeries”, or sheep-farms, built of stones gleaned from the arid soil. Although construction techniques have changed, buildings in Gordes have retained the materials and appearance of yesteryear. Buyers have a preference for elevated positions and good-quality surroundings. Desirable properties cost over 3 million euros. Barring exceptions, fans of typical old houses pay from 1.5 to 2.5 million euros for a “mas”, 500,000 to 750,000 € for a “bergerie”. Villas attract a clientele equally demanding in terms of comfort and tranquillity, prepared to pay 750,000 to 1.5 million euros. Following the recent months of crisis, prices are again seeing a certain stability. Only properties in perfect condition and properly valued find takers within a reasonable time, ie. from six to eight months. Bargaining margins can reach 15 %, whereas they never exceeded 8 % in the past. Over the past few weeks, the English have made a comeback, joining the Belgians, Swiss and French, who still make up the majority. In recent years, the percentage of year-round residences has been on the rise. Tele-commuters and retirees in search of the sun and tranquillity represent 30 to 35 % of today’s buyers. Demand mainly concerns properties under 500,000 € or properties above 2 million euros.

“The worst is behind us and the recovery is shaping up more clearly,” says Jean-Christophe Rosier of the Agence Rosier. Besides the quality of its sunshine and its enchanting scenery, Gordes can count on strict urban-planning regulations, including mandatory use of stone and tiles. The commune offers the most harmonious visual ensemble in the Luberon in general, and the Golden Triangle in particular, without that attribute having any impact on prices, which are comparable to those in Ménerbes and Bonnieux. Surface areas are probably smaller than in neighbouring villages, which have long tended to host agricultural farms. Amongst his recent sales, this estate-agent quotes a contemporary house of 350 m2 on about 15 acres of land, sold for 2.5 million euros to an English buyer wanting to spend six months of the year here ; a property of 400 m2 in good condition on about 3.75 acres just outside the village, acquired by a Swiss buyer for 1.5 million euros for holiday use ; a “mas” of 200 m2 with about 11.25 acres sold at 450,000 € ; and almost 2.5 acres of land on which a house of 250 m2 can be built, at the top of a hill a 5-minute walk from the centre, at 555,000 €. Overall, clients prefer to pay slightly more for a turnkey property than commit themselves to a costly and lengthy renovation. And they don't mind giving up the ostentatious luxury and entertainment facilities found on the Riviera, preferring the natural setting and cultural liveliness of the Luberon.