Guéthary, an idyllic address

Radia Amar - 07 March 2022

Topping the list in this year’s ranking of the best villages to live in by the “Association des Villes et Villages de France”, Guéthary ticks all the boxes ! Come discover this gem of the French Basque coast, home to 1,350 year-round residents…

With its picture-postcard seaside scenery, its casual-chic atmosphere, quality infrastructures, pretty nursery and primary schools, a recently renovated cinema, its “Classic à Guéthary” festival this year celebrating its 10th anniversary, and its TER station with trains scheduled each hour, this former little whaling port is no longer an insider address. Since 2020, house-hunting here has hit the roof !

“Guéthary has preserved up-market elegance dating back to the 19th century, when Parisian aristocracy and well-to-do clients from Madrid built holiday residences here,”

Chantal Marthan - Guéthary Immobilier. (06 66 36 03 28)

explains Chantal Marthan, Manageress of Guéthary Immobilier, the commune’s main estate agency. In those days, these first second residences called “Bon Air”, “Miramar” or “L’Hermitage” were built at the edge of the ocean, around a casino and a superb Art Deco hotel, “Le Getaria”, both now transformed into luxury oceanfront residences. The old whaling port has retained all its charm and still draws personalities even today, some spending several million euros to acquire villas here. A market of contrasts, Guéthary is split into two zones defined by the Départementale 10 which runs through the town. Though today, the entire commune is acclaimed by many French and foreign buyers in search of a lifestyle combining the ocean, countryside and a fine art of living. “As for the entire Basque coast, prices have risen by 25 % on average, and the market is characterized by a scarcity of available properties,”

explains Chantal Marthan, whose agency is striving to find new properties to offer its clients, more motivated and serious than ever.

“Second homes now become main residences thanks to teleworking. More and more people employed in Paris settle here with their families, enchanted by the setting and activities proposed for their children. Guéthary is in fact a highly sought-after address. The market is tight as offers are becoming increasingly rare. Some clients once focusing exclusively on the town now turn their attention to the neighbouring market of Bidart, posting prices close to those in Saint-Jean-de-Luz,”

Frederic Diana - Artis Immobilier. (05 59 26 46 82)

says Frederic Diana, General Manager of the Artis Immobilier agencies in Guéthary, Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle. Backed by a team of 10 for several years, this family-run firm specializing in sales and rental referrals has just launched its new department for coordination in renovation.

“In Guéthary, prices are now around 8,000 € per sq.m, much more for outstanding or front-row properties. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bidart, the average price is more around 7,000 € per sq.m. On all three communes, all kinds of properties are sought after, from studios to renovate to substantial luxury residences. The clientele has changed. With the arrival of teleworking, more and more buyers want to live here permanently. Connected and highly responsive, they can take up position immediately if a property meets their criteria.

Furthermore, we orchestrate many cascading sales for clients wanting to find a property corresponding to their new lifestyle before selling their current home. One thing, however, remains unchanged : they all stay on the Basque coast !” adds Frederic Diana who, with his team, regularly brings in new mandates thanks to recommendations by his loyal clientele.