La Ciotat, an attractive resort

In 2019, its bay joined the Club of the world’s most beautiful bays ! Once labelled as “industrial”, La Ciotat has succeeded in transforming itself to attain the ranks of seaside resorts on the Mediterranean coast. It is now as appealing as its neighbours, Cassis, Ceyreste and Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer.

In the 19th century, it was famous for its shipyards. It was, in fact, in La Ciotat that one of France’s first “workers’ housing estates” was built, giving a decisive slant to its property scene. When the shipyards closed down in the mid-1980’s, the town updated its port installations, turning its attention to sailing tourism. Simultaneously adopting a strong urban policy encouraging the enhancement of shops and restaurants, it soon became a flagship destination. Both locals and foreigners find living conditions of appreciable quality here, and benefit from an advantageous location and climate.

In direct and permanent contact with all the region’s developers, Bonaparte Promotion ranks as a real leader for “sales in their future state of completion” in La Ciotat. “What motivates us is offering our clients a property meeting all the criteria on their wish-lists. Their projects form the basis of our approach,” says Vincent Pitaval. An approach which, as he explains, is committed to the development of “reasonable and well-reasoned “ constructions (only BBC low-energy residences), focusing on ecology, comfort and well-being. In La Ciotat, some fine developments thus rise from the ground. Demand mainly focuses on 2-bedroomed apartments, priced from 285,000 €, or 3-bedroomed apartments requiring a budget from 380,000 to 420,000 €. In this post-confinement period, the desire for an outdoor area is now one of the top criteria. Locals, clients from Marseille, first-time buyers, home-owners, rental investors… the purchaser profile is quite diverse. With old accommodation relatively degraded, the market for new properties in La Ciotat has modelled itself on that of Marseille and is proving very lively, with strong prospects for the future.

Prospects that Claude Léonetti of the Barnes Marseille agency eyes with enthusiasm : “La Ciotat is booming. Following the town’s dynamic renovation, it has acquired a new status, that of a seaside resort. It offers truly appealing real-estate opportunities, especially for substantial villas that are more affordable than those in Cassis”. Specializing in high-end villas, the agency reports a majority of requests for “sea views”. As well as a panorama, buyers of both year-round and holiday homes appreciate the modern style, picture windows leading outside, the advantage of a swimming pool and, if possible, closeness to the beaches. Prices range from 1.4 to 2.5 million euros depending on location and appointments. The neighbourhoods of Saint-Jean, Fontsainte, Sainte-Croix, the Domaine du Cap Liouquet & Ceyreste, on the Ciotat side, naturally comprise the most highly-prized addresses, given their privileged locations.