Prestige villas around the Bassin d’Arcachon

A highly-esteemed address since the 19th century for its mild clim­ate and magnificent environment, the Bassin d’Arcachon can lay claim to a considerable number of prestigious residences offering genuine charm. From different eras and in different styles, they are never very far from the water…

A small inland sea surrounded by sand dunes and the forest of Les Landes, the Bassin d’Arcachon offers a unique setting which has been very popular among fans of sea bathing and well-off holiday-makers since the 1820’s. From La Teste-de-Buch to Lège-Cap-Ferret, this well-known tourist attraction in Aquitaine soon saw sumptuous residences rise from the ground at the edge of the lagoon, building the remarkable architectural heritage that exists today, comprised of villas of Landaise, Basque, Moorish and Anglo-Chinese influence ! Particularly in Arcachonne’s highly sought-after neighbourhoods called Ville d’Hiver, Ville d’Automne, Le Moulleau and Pereire, in Pyla-sur-Mer (the seaside resort of La Teste-de-Buch), and on the peninsula of Cap Ferret, from Piquey to its tip.

“Offered at prices ranging from 1 to 15 million euros, these prestige villas are distinguished by their outstanding loc­ations, their history, architecture, character and appointments,” explains Marina Tonneau, manageress of Coldwell Banker Silver Coast Intl. Realty, an agency based in Le Moulleau and a member of the Coldwell Banker network - a world leader in prestige real-estate -, covering the entire Côte d’Argent and proposing a comprehensive array of premium property services. “We mainly work with non resident French clients or foreign buyers whom we assist at legal, administrative, technical and human levels during the acquisition process. Around the Bassin, our clients are, in fact, mostly foreign when it comes to properties above 2 million euros. Those priced from 1 to 2 M € are more of interest to young retirees in search of a family residence. Budgets under 1 M € are brought by senior French executives living in France or abroad, and looking for a holiday villa within walking distance of the beach.” Mostly second residences, these properties of character saw fewer sales in 2014. “Since the start of this year, the market has, however, been more active. With stable prices, even if some bargaining can still be seen.”

Céline Leblanc is the manageress of the Agence de l’Esterel, the oldest agency on the peninsula (founded in 1958). Proposing sales, year-round and seasonal rentals, and rental management, she has also noticed evolution within the market : “Even though the trend is less marked than elsewhere in France due to demand which is always very steady here, we have seen downward adjustments over the past six months. Especially on the peninsula, with the cape relatively maintaining its prices compared to previous years. Prices are thus more reasonable and coherent”. For a prestigious villa on the peninsula, you can now expect to pay from 800,000 € for a prime location (very close to the ocean or Bassin) to over 1.5 M € for lofty volumes and a view of the sea. “Often historic, these properties with old features that have usually been preserved are seen as having a real soul that leaves no-one indifferent. They are particularly found on the cape, in Petit Piquey, Grand Piquey and Le Canon.” 90 % of them are holiday residences. “On the tip of the cape, our clientele is mainly comprised of foreign buyers. The others are mostly from Bordeaux and Paris.”

Specializing in prestige properties around the Bassin d’Arcachon, Sophy Vaissié and Christophe Vaissié of Barnes International in Pyla-sur-Mer describe a lively top end of the market with both French and foreign clients : “Well informed, they do not hesitate to invest and pay top dollar when the property is of very high quality. Mostly local and from the region around Paris, they are joined by English, Swiss and Belgian clients, but also by young French buyers living abroad who want to treat themselves to a pied-à-terre in their favourite holiday town.” Unlike the Cap Ferret peninsula where the majority of properties are holiday homes, Barnes International has noticed even footing with the market for year-round residences in Arcachon and Pyla-sur-Mer. Another observation : renewed interest in the Ville d’Hiver with recent sales of several villas at prices ranging from 1 to 1.8 M €. “A villa of 300 m2 with quality appointments, just behind the church of Le Moulleau, was also recently acquired by Irish clients for 2.5 M €, and a charming villa on the second row in Le Pyla has been acquired by Swiss clients for 2.6 M €.” Rarely up for sale, seafront properties around the Bassin always find takers at high prices. Otherwise, homes near the beaches or with views of the Bassin, of very high quality or exceptionally well located, sell in under four months in the 7,000 to 10,000 € per sqm bracket. “Since the start of the year, we have completed numerous sales at significantly high prices. The market for prestige properties is not showing any weakness. Prices remain stable, and supply corresponds to demand. The most important thing is to capture this demanding, high-end clientele, in both France and abroad. That’s the real strength behind the Barnes International network.”