Pernes-les-Fontaines, a busy little town

In the Vaucluse, a few minutes from Mount Ventoux and Avignon, Pernes-les-Fontaines is a small commune with about 10,000 residents and lots of activities. Providing both year-round and holiday homes, it offers a lively setting.

It has to be said that Pernes-les-Fontaines is a little more expensive than the rest of the region. If that is surprising at first glance, this little town in the Vaucluse can nevertheless put forward enough arguments to justify its higher prices. It has a mixed bag of potential buyers, lovely views, and residents benefit from a busy agenda organized by clubs and associations.

”Clients looking for holiday homes in the area are mainly set on Provençal character offered by “mas” so typical of the region : exposed stone and beams, restored or not, in a country environment. And preferably on the outskirts of a village well-known for its quality living conditions, such as Pernes-les-Fontaines and its nearby localities,” says Alexandre Lemaître, manager of LG Immobilier, who rates the commune as very appealing. Holidaymakers are fond of houses of character, like one “mas” requiring renovation, recently sold by the agency at its asking price of 410,000 €. One of the last properties of its kind in the area, its 1.5 acres of land with a hangar, garage and attic make it an ideal second residence for city-dwellers needing to take time out from urban life. Alexandre Lemaître explains, however, that they are not the only clients targetting the region : “To the east, Mount Ventoux in particular draws a clientele of retirees wanting to settle here, and buyers of holiday homes who appreciate the views offered by the mountain. To the west, the actively employed benefit from the closeness of the road between Carpentras and Avignon. Pernes thus also welcomes first-time buyers eligible for PTZ loans, with budgets ranging from 180,000 to 250,000 €”.

“The agency opened four-and-a-half years ago, with the aim of proposing villas in particular and, soon, building land,” says Corinne Entresangle, describing the main activities of the agency she manages, Immobilier des Fontaines. Mostly because the market in and around the commune focuses on these two sectors. Villas are to be found in all the various neighbourhoods, in both contemporary and older styles. She mentions, for example, a charming 4-bedroomed villa. While its garden of 500 m2 with a pool might well suggest a countryside setting, it is definitely not the case : it is right in the centre of Pernes-les-Fontaines, and recently sold for 440,000 €. Being close to the heart of the locality is a factor of prime importance, as Corinne Entresangle ex­plains : “Clients tend to aim for Pernes because it is lively and has a cultural life, together with quality activities laid on by its associations”. In fact, there are no less than 207 associations in the town, active all year round. Furthermore, properties near the centre are not necessarily super-expensive. As demonstrated by a house all on one floor, with a garden of 700 m2, priced at 210,000 €. And this, despite its proximity to the heart of town.

There are several types of clients including “young people moving into the region, who often start by renting, then buying a property in the middle price bracket. If they stay in the Comtat Venaissin, they re-invest a few years later in a bigger home, to keep pace with their growing families. We therefore also try to focus on first-time buyers”. “We” being Martine and Alain Lecompte, who run the Orée Sud Immobilier agency. “While Pernes has a population of senior citizens drawn by its pleasant lifestyle and numerous associations, it also appeals to younger families as it has several junior and intermediate schools. And since construction of the Rocade road between Pernes and Avignon, the town has become a very attractive address for members of the working population. It is now less than a 30-minute drive !” A bonus which enabled Orée-Sud Immobilier to sell a lovely house of 124 m2 priced at 375,000 € : its grounds of 1,376 m2 contain a good-sized garden, sheltered from noise from traffic, and its proximity to schools was the final factor that convinced the young couple of buyers. “There is also a highly sought-after neighbourhood in Pernes : that on the hill. But you then depart from properties costing around 200,000-300,000 €, as prices there can easily double,” explain Martine and Alain. “Here, people are looking for peacefulness, a lovely view, lots of space : most of the houses also offer real stylishness.” The town and its surrounding area offer so many assets that they also appeal to foreign buyers. An old residence of 180 m2 was just acquired by an American client, priced at close on 500,000 €. Facing south-west, it boasts noble appointments : original wood panelling, high ceilings, and mature grounds of 1,330 m2 with a greenhouse and swimming pool. Just one example of the desirable properties offered by the region.