Le Croisic, a peninsula with lots of character

On the shores of La Loire-Atlantique, 25 kilometres west of Saint-Nazaire, the population of Le Croisic triples in the summer season. This lively and picturesque address offers its residents, both year-round and temporary, an authentic setting.

Primarily thanks to its harbour, the development of Le Croisic dates back to the 16th century. Musset and Ingres stayed there around 1840, when the town became known as one of the very first seaside resorts in Brittany. Unlike its neighbours, La Baule and Le Pouliguen, the commune placed its bets on discretion and focused on family-style tourism. In 2006, it was awarded the label “Petite Cité de Caractère”, a distinction reserved for towns and villages boasting a remarkable architectural and naturel heritage. The old town features pretty houses with wood-clad walls recalling its seafaring tradition. Keen to protect its old buildings, Le Croisic has also kept its traditions very much alive, especially in terms of its gastronomy ; as witnessed by the numerous restaurants around the harbour. In a good location and offering quality appointments, a house here can cost 680,000 €. Parallel to the harbour, Rue du Pilori, 300 metres long, is now classified and becomes a pedestrian area in July and August. Most of the small 2-storey buildings on this street have been renovated. However, the authorities only award subsidies if the entire building is to be restored and, currently, the owners, closely watched by the architects of “Les Bâtiments de France”, can no longer undertake major renovations.

”The market for sales is virtually at a standstill ; most of the time, transactions do not go through because the banks are not willing to give mortgages,” says Ghislaine Touati of the Agence du Croisic. Today, the sq. metre is pegged between 3,000 and 3,300 €. A few individual houses with stone pediments, in neo-Breton style, date back to the 1960/70’s. One such home of 98 m2 with 3 bedrooms, a garden of 500 m2 and a garage is worth 330,000 €. Highly-prized, the Port-Lin neighbourhood, about 800 m from the train station, is a good example of Le Croisic’s architectural diversity. Apartment buildings (usually 2 storeys + attics) rub shoulders with small “pavillons” and lovely 1900’s houses. Near the beach and shops, a property of 260 m2, facing the sea, awaits a buyer at 2,288,000 €. “The market seems to have reversed and we now see supply outstripping demand. Demand is still there, but clients take their time before taking a decision,” says Marie Carbonnet of Immo sur Mer. The fall in the number of sales has had an impact on the rental market, which is still very lively. Members of the working population are looking to rent, together with retirees wanting to test the address before moving in permanently. They pay 10 to 12 €/m2, adding 20 to 50 € per month for a garage. A rare commodity, a garage can cost from 15,000 to 30,000 €.

With a population rising from 4,064 in winter to 15,000 in summer, Le Croisic is a much-appreciated seaside resort. Seasonal rentals represent a buoyant market, though the crunch has changed mentalities. It’s not rare that a potential holiday-maker will tell an estate-agent how much he can afford for a week, and then consider what he can rent with that particular budget. This summer, a perfectly maintained 1-bedroom apartment of 44 m2 in the town centre, with a terrace and parking place, will cost close on 421 € per week in July, 431 € per week in August. Owners of holiday homes, from Nantes, Paris, Le Mans and Angers, benefit from their properties during the school holidays and very often on weekends. Le Croisic is fortunate enough to be relatively close to Paris (3 hrs 15 minutes away by TGV), Nantes and other large towns. It offers both residents and visitors lovely wooded areas and sandy beaches such as those of Saint-Goustan, Castouillet, Port-Lin, Le Crucifix and La Baie du Sable Menu. Its rugged coastline contrasts with the liveliness of its harbour and town centre ; the fish auction no longer exists, though local fishermen sell their catch every morning on the quays. All year round, on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, one can visit the market of Les Halles on Rue des Cordiers ; that of Le Croisic is held on Thursday mornings on Place Dinan and in July and August, that of Le Terroir sets out its stalls on Rue du Pilori. Sea excursions for boat-owners, collecting shells, swimming, walks along the coast… Le Croisic gives priority to authenticity and charm, in a well-preserved environment.

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