Ollioules, a well-balanced blend of authenticity and modernity

A member of the go-ahead Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée agglomeration, Ollioules is an authentic Provençal town at the foot of the Massif du Gros Cerveau.

A commune with 13,000 residents well-known for its historic heritage, Ollioules lies next to the western neighbourhoods of Toulon. At its heart, a medieval village has preserved its authenticity thanks to its restored buildings. Home to Châteauvallon, the National Theatre of Dance and Images, Ollioules enjoys a solid reputation in terms of culture. It is here that the land-based centre of the Technopôle de la Mer is being developed : 79 acres dedicated to the service industry and innovation, and a first in Europe. 5,000 to 6,000 jobs should be created here over the next ten years. A blessing for the commune’s property market which already benefits from a considerable catch of clients from L’Arsenal, the military port of Toulon, France’s main naval base together with that of Brest. Ollioules is popular with families thanks to its quality living conditions, numerous sports clubs and the reputation of its schools, including the Saint-Joseph day school on the outskirts of the town.

“The most sought-after kind of property in Ollioules is a house in neo-Provençal or “bastide” style of about 120 m2, offering 4/5 main rooms, a garden and garage, priced between 550,000 and 680,000 €,” explains Magali Four, in charge of the sales department of the GTI-GPI agency in Sanary, created in 1988. Young first-time buyers and a few rental investiors are looking for small apartments at around 100,000 €. “The intermediate property is the “pavillon” with a garden, worth about 220,000 €.” In Ollioules, the average price per sq. metre is 3,300 € for all types of properties combined. For apartments alone, it is 2,720 € and ranges from 1,910 to 3,670 € depending on the address. As for houses, prices are definitely higher, exceeding 3,500 € per sqm. on average. “Compared with 2012, prices have risen slightly, though overall they remain stable,” adds our specialist.

On the hillsides surrounding Ollioules one finds the properties comprising the top end of the market. “Starting from around 600,000 € (when renovation is required) and sometimes exceeding 1 million euros, the contemporary villas here benefit from extensive grounds and, above all, commanding views of Toulon and the Bay of Sanary,” says Christel Weber who runs the Weber Immobilier agency operating from the heart of Ollioules since 1999. “These top-notch properties are drawing more and more foreigners who are reappearing on the market, especially from Switzerland, the UK and Sweden, attracted by the stability of prices and the quality life-style offered by the town.” Christel Weber also mentions a new trend : “Over the past few months, a lot of land has been split off from various properties, and a few building plots have been put up for sale. At prices from 230,000 €, one can then design the contemporary home of one’s dreams, especially as the municipality authorizes roof terraces, highly-prized by fans of uncluttered architecture”.

With a countrifed atmosphere next door to a large town, ambitious projects and undeniable charm, Ollioules seems to be an attractive market worth exploring more closely.