La Ciotat, a real seaside resort

31 km from Marseille, on a well-preserved bay between Le Bec de l’Aigle and Cap Canaille, La Ciotat (35,000 residents) has carried off a rather flamboyant metamorphosis. This old working-class town has become a pleasant seaside resort offering a diverse property market, ranging from old apartments at appealing prices to prestigious residences.

La Ciotat can lay claim to an industrial past revolving round its famous shipyards. When they were closed in 1988, this commune on a human scale went through a tough period before the yards were taken over in 2007, becoming leaders in the maintenance and repair of luxury yachts, and the building of racing trimarans. Since then, La Ciotat has successfully made a 180° about-turn : developing its seaside infrastructures, including a casino, it has become a destination synonymous with the southern art of living, in its own right. Posting reasonable prices compared with those of its illustrious neighbours, its property market is attracting more and more north Europeans in search of holiday homes facing the sea, while local buyers and rental investors can here acquire properties offering good value for money for this area.

”Demand is mostly for villas in residential areas from Le Clos des Plages to Fontsainte and Saint-Jean. Quiet and pleasant, they are close to beaches and shops. Offerings are limited, and properties of quality start here from 500,000 €,” says Camille Fleurot of the Agence Fleurot, a family-run agency opened in 1956, with three branches including one recently inaugurated in Ceyreste, a highly-prized area offering the advantage of building land, now become rare intra-muros. Here, a plot of 1,000 m2 can be found from 290,000 €, or well over 300,000 € if it enjoys a view of the sea. “Despite the crisis, prices have held steady. Old properties in the historic centre comprise the only segment to have lost some ground. As witnessed by the recent sale of an apartment of 37 m2 with one main room, which just found a taker at 67,000 €. An identical property would easily have fetched 85,000 € two years ago, according to Camille Fleurot and his team of experts. A blessing for first-time buyers who, assisted by the new PTZ measures, should be able to make a comeback this year. Demand for holiday homes is on the rise, especially on the part of new buyers from northern Europe. With generous budgets of over 1 million euros, they are looking for high-end properties in the best locations, offering top-notch appointments. A micro-market with the wind in its sails…

The high-end segment is admittedly a niche market, but a very real one, in La Ciotat, as confirmed by Claude Leonetti of the Barnes Provence Littoral agency. “Our clients, both French and international, are investing in second residences in the sun and near the beach. From Belgium, Switzerland, England, Germany and Luxembourg, they are drawn by the new assets proposed by La Ciotat, which has seen wide-ranging changes in just a few years. They appreciate the authentic side of the town and the sublime panoramic sea views offered from lovely locations. Prices here are more reasonable than in Cassis, Sanary or Bandol, and motorway access and the TGV line are persuasive assets.” By way of example, Claude Leonetti mentions a few outstanding properties, such as a villa of 190 m2 designed by an architect, benefiting from a garden of 1,400 m2 and a pool, up for sale at 1,330,000 €. Offering a sweeping view of the town and sea, it is in a highly-prized residential park. Another villa in contemporary style, renovated throughout, stands in the midst of luxuriant grounds of 2,500 m2. Its living space of 450 m2 features a reception room of 115 m2 and six bedrooms. Very luxuriously appoint­ed, it is on offer at 2,300,000 €.