Hyères, a sound investment

Its nickname, “Hyères-les-Palmiers”, refers to some 7,000 palm-trees that were planted here in the 1860’s. Encompassing the Giens peninsula and the islands of Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant, this seaside resort offers sublime scenery to both residents and visitors...

“I was only happy once, and that was in Hyères,” wrote Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent two years in this very appealing town which now draws retirees but also the more active, who all enjoy its pleasant lifestyle. Easy access – the Toulon-Hyères airport connects the town to Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle -, a calendar of events for all four seasons, and a wide choice of properties make it a very lively address all year round.

Carole Verdino of the Verdino agency applauds recent embellishment of the town centre, especially renovation of the main square by architect Rudy Ricciotti who designed the MuCEM (Museum) in Marseille and a “parcours des arts” in the old town. “Hyères is indeed a delightful place to live, from January to December. Which explains the ever-growing number of retirees and pre-retirees who invest here.” A third of the population is comprised of Parisians, Lyonnais and other representatives of large French cities who acquire villas or apartments here. The hyper-centre is highly-prized, as is the Giens peninsula. 90 % French, clients pay from 3,500 to 4,000 € per sq.m, even 5,500 € or more, for a property offering quality appointments and a view of the sea. Hyères’ attractiveness also motivates young members of the upper socio-professional categories to buy holiday residences to benefit from the joys of the sea.

Cyrille Tizon, negotiator for the Cabinet Ripoll, agrees that Hyères holds lots of appeal for all generations combined, from first-time buyers to the retired : “Its vast seafront, its renovated historic centre and diverse neighbourhoods attract several categories of buyers, looking for year-round or holiday homes, or rental investments”. While first-time buyers and rental investors opt for 1- or 2-bedroomed properties in the town centre, the Olbius Riquier or train station neighbourhoods, it is not rare to see retirees sell their houses on the hills to acquire more practical apartments in the centre. With budgets ranging from 400,000 to 600,000 €, they aim for high-end residences in the centre or on the west side of town. Very lively, 2018 nevertheless recorded steady prices which, these past few months, seem to be showing a modest rise.

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