Grimaud, a well-preserved area

Grimaud now lends its name to the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Set back from the hustle and bustle of neighbouring villages, this address with almost 4,200 inhabitants plays the ace of quietness, authenticity and discretion.

As well as producing corks for bottles thanks to its cork oak forest, Grimaud developed its cultivation of vines, olive-trees and silkworms in the 19th century. In the following century, François Spoerry designed Port-Grimaud, a traffic-free yacht marina with 12 km of quaysides, gardens and shops laid out around little squares. There is a clear distinction between the medieval village and the “lagoon city” founded in 1966.

“Grimaud is one of the most peaceful villages around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Its property market hasn’t escaped the tensions felt elsewhere in France.” According to Romain Falconetti of the Cabinet Falconetti, properties beneath the 1 million euro bar have lost 10-15 % of their value, 20 % or more for those above. France’s new tax laws have created a climate of uncertainty and sometimes act as a brake for both purchases and sales. Worried clients need to regain their confidence in bricks and mortar. Those attempting to become home-owners come up against relatively high prices and drastic financing conditions. By way of example, in the protected area of the Massif des Maures, a building plot of at least 1,000 m2 without any view costs around 400,000 €. The majority of transactions thus concern main or semi-main residences. For estate-agents, a smooth flow of activity depends on the owners’ awareness of the situation. In the current context, only a coherent approach to the price factor and personalized service make a difference.

“Without going into an analysis of the current situation, the market in Grimaud has shown itself to be stable over the years, underpinned by a discreet, well-off clientele,” comments Philippe Jager of Jager Immobilier. Prime locations and quality appointments are holding their own. Especially as sellers, rarely in any hurry, are not about to slash their prices - which are undergoing more of an adjustment than a collapse. 80 % of buyers are looking for holiday homes. Though even the notion of holiday homes is changing. Many owners stay here for over three months of the year. The rate of occupancy is rising and is shared out more evenly over the year, boosted by improved transport facilities, means of access and communication. A distinction must be drawn between Grimaud and Port-Grimaud. Prices posted in the “lagoon city” take boat moorings more into account than a straightforward concept of accommodation. Three zones are to be taken into consideration. The village of Grimaud offers charming houses, a market segment suffering somewhat due to its lack of practicality. Deprived of parking places, they are usually built on several floors, which scares off older clients. Their prices range from 500,000 € - bringing living space of 100 m2 prolonged by a small terrace - to 1 million euros, the budget required for a house of 170 m2 giving onto a garden. At the foot of the medieval village, the plain of Grimaud contains villas priced from 500,000 to 2 million euros. Finally, the shoreline area, in the direction of Sainte-Maxime, gives priority to estates. With price-tags from 2 to 5 million euros, houses here offer living space of 200 to 400 m2 in grounds of 1,500 to 5,000 m2, overlooking the Mediterranean. The French rub shoulders with Belgian, Swiss and British clients, visibly making a comeback. The last five transactions orchestrated by the agency ranged from 1 to 1.5 million euros, a bracket corresponding to a property of 250 m2 in grounds of 2,000 m2 with a pool.

“After a quiet first quarter, activity is picking up again,” says Carine Thoniel of Carine Thoniel Immobilier. Clients are looking for peace and quiet, an unobstructed view, high-quality construction and irreproachable value for money. Patient and well-informed, they wait for good opportunities, even if they have to undertake some renovation. They expect the estate-agent to provide excellent service as well as in-depth know­ledge of technical, current urban planning and tax considerations.