Pyla-sur-Mer, the fine art of living

Radia Amar - 08 June 2020

Offering appeal that the crisis has not effaced, Pyla-sur-Mer’s property market draws buyers now looking for year-round homes closer to nature in all its majesty.

Covering the entire Bassin d’Arcachon and the northern part of Les Landes, the agency Ateliers Lofts et Associés has a marked preference for offering unusual properties and desirable residences. Prior to the confinement, availabilities were significantly lower than demand and centered around the Bassin d’Arcachon which claims remarkable popularity – Pyla-sur-Mer in particular, posting the highest prices. Some areas are seeing an even higher level of appeal, such as localities between Le Pyla and Arcachon or La Teste de Buch, all benefiting from their closeness to shops and privileged access to Bordeaux. Cédric Fourteau thinks that, while buyers have not cancelled transactions initiated before the confinement, the coming period looks uncertain : “Buyers’ requirements are likely to change. Given that Le Pyla is only 3 hours from Paris by TGV, there are many city-dwellers who now want to benefit year-round from a setting closer to nature and especially the sea. Over the mid-term, this evolution in mentalities will create new opportunities for the local market. I therefore anticipate rising demand for year-round homes in the weeks to come”. Even so, Cédric Fourteau does not expect soaring prices and remains optimistic with regard to long-term investment in real estate, due to volatility in the stock market in times of crisis.

In the Barnes agencies in Arcachon, Le Pyla and on Cap Ferret, associate director Christophe Vaissié noted that during the confinement, his clients had more time to devote to their search for a pied-à-terre. “We even completed several sales thanks to video ! Buyers are currently looking for comfortable villas with a study or office, so that they can pursue their professional activities from home.” According to this specialist on the Bassin d’Arcachon, the market is holding up and showing steady interest in holiday homes, as well as acceleration in the process of moving into main residences on the part of people wanting to retire to the region, but also families who have decided to live year-round on the Bassin d’Arcachon, if their professional activities allow it. “At this point, we have not seen any current acquisitions being abandoned - clients are sticking to their plans. Furthermore, we haven’t seen any price reductions except for certain adjustments that are part of all usual negotiations.” While it is still too early to ascertain evolutions in the market over the coming months, the tendency at Barnes is towards confidence.