Saint-Jean-de-Luz : a village named Desire

An iconic getaway destination on the French Basque Coast, Saint-Jean-de-Luz has met with unprecedented popularity since the end of confinement, leading to ever-soaring prices.

Specializing in the sale of properties of character, Caroline Laffontan opened the agency bearing her name in 2009 and welcomes her clients to Saint-Jean-de-Luz, between the Grand Hôtel and Le Madison. “Since the Covid-19 crisis, we have seen a boom in requests for spacious residences offering outdoor areas. Charming villas from 220 to 250 m2, which used to sell from 1.5 to 1.8 million euros, now fetch 3 million euros or more due to the sudden soar in demand !” Is the iconic village on the French Basque Coast becoming a victim of its own success ? With a population of close on 15,000 residents, Saint-Jean-de-Luz draws a clientele from large towns, looking for a long-term investment : a second or even semi-permanent residence they know will retain its value and which could be re-sold quickly should it be necessary. They fall for the appeal of this peaceful, family-friendly setting close to nature, where they can abandon their cars and reach shops and activities on foot. “Among the many assets offered by our privileged environment, the bay of Saint-Jean is naturally sheltered from the waves by the seawall of L’Artha, which is reassuring for parents of young children, while fans of surfing only need to to travel a few kilometres to benefit from the renowned conditions offered by the Basque Coast !” Even though supply is outstripped by demand, Caroline Laffontan expects the market to return to more appropriate price levels when the reaction to confinement begins to fade away.

Based at the heart of Saint-Jean-de-Luz on Rue Saint-Jacques, CompassImmo focuses on sales under the co-direction of Cindy Lekehal and Sylvie Bordes from the banking sector. “As well as offering our clients properties for sale in our portfolio, we can claim the role of property hunters in order to find the home that genuinely meets their requirements. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, buyers are mainly looking for apartments in the centre, close to shops : in other words, properties rare on the market.” This often means a charming apartment, with a lift, that can be used as a second home, priced from 300,000 €. “A terrace or garden, together with a parking place in the town centre, is a real luxury in Saint-Jean-de-Luz !” Mostly French since the confinement, CompassImmo’s clients are in search of a second residence with quality living conditions, from which they can benefit by offering it for rent. “Our skills include management of short stays and its economic, legal and insurance-related factors, as we also own a Conciergerie.” The historic centre, the heart of town and the Sainte Barbe neighbourhood are the most highly sought-after locations, posting relatively high prices due to the rarity of properties up for sale. “More than ever before, in the current context, my partner and I are committed to providing each of our clients and partners with first-class service and assistance by placing our expertise

at their disposal.”