The region between Montauban and Toulouse

The capitals of Le Tarn-et-Garonne and Haute-Garonne are also the two most important poles of activity in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Combined with a quality life-style, this buoyancy suffices to explain the region’s growing population figures, as demonstrated by Grenade and Aucamville.

Montauban is home to 58,000 inhabitants, 74,000 in its greater urban area. Known as the “Cité d’Ingres” in homage to the renowned artist, it is about 50 km north of Toulouse, 60 km from Cahors, 76 km from Albi and 80 km from Agen, at the confluence of the Rivers Tescou and Tarn. A real crossroads for both rail and road connections, it is naturally an important market town, a departure point for the region’s production of fruit and vegetables. It has a total 4,200 firms providing 35,000 jobs and is not far from the “Grand Sud Logistique”, a zone occupying 1,110 acres initiated by the General Council of “département 82” and destined to employ 2,000 people over time. A town known for its art and history, Montauban is characterized by its red brick buildings. Founded in 1144 by the Count of Toulouse, the town now benefits from the second busiest train station in the Midi-Pyrénées with 1 million passengers recorded in 2008.

Grenade, with close on 8,000 residents, is 25 km from the two prefectures, midway between Albi and Auch. It forms part of the “communauté de communes” of Save-et-Garonne and the Pays Tolosan. Its chequerboard layout is organized around a market hall with 36 pillars, listed as an historic monument. It has schools up to intermediate level and various sports facilities, including a municipal pool. With 8,000 inhabitants, Aucamville lies within the first ring aound Toulouse, in an area where violets were once cultivated. Today, houses and small blocks of apartments share this suburban area half and half. Over 60 associations play their part in local life, characterized by numerous cultural and festive events.

”Montauban is stretching south towards Toulouse, the area concerned forming a pool of employment and accommodation as well as a promise for the future,” says Christian Molinari of the Agence Molinari. “We are in fact expecting to see a further 15,000 residents within the agglomeration over the next decade, and 10,000-12,000 job creations over the next 15 years.” Labastide-Saint-Pierre, Lacourt Saint-Pierre, Montbeton, Bressols, Corbarieu and Saint-Nauphary are chalking up an undeniable rate of progression. A house of 80 m2 in grounds of 2,500 m2 - the ideal first-time buy - costs 152,000 € over towards Corbarieu. 191,000 € are being asked for a home of 120 m2, in need of a minor revamp, with a garden of 645 m2, near shops in Labastide-Saint-Pierre ; 256,000 € for a house of 170 m2 in grounds of 5,000 m2 in Lacourt-Saint-Pierre ; and 330,000 € for a property of 176 m2 with a garden of 1,200 m2 in Bressols. Over the past few weeks, 80 % of the properties sold were beneath the 200,000 € barrier. 6.4 acres of land with building rights in Montbeton just found a taker at 425,000 € : the new owners intend to parcel it out. Finally, other clients paid 108,500 € for a building plot of 2,000 m2 in the residential area of Le Fau, south of the “Cité d’Ingres”. Exceptions aside, this type of acquisition ranges from 60,000 to 110,000 €. Potential purchasers keep an eye on the cost of petrol, yet demand remains steady. Confirmation of the LGV railway line, which should place Paris less than three hours away, and the route it is likely to take, are currently topics of concern.

“Quality living standards are one of the main arguments offered by Grenade,” says Thierry Giner of Atout Immobilier. “In fact, in most cases, potential buyers start by renting for a while before taking the leap.” They appreciate the weekly market and events held in the “halle”, a vital venue for sociable gatherings and congeniality. Aéroconstellation, 17 km away, accounts for a considerable number of residents. There are, in fact, two types of clients : first-time buyers and employees transferred to the region. The first pay from 180,000 to 250,000 € for their homes : new or recent 3-bedroom houses with small gardens, or village houses of 90-120 m2 with an outdoor area. They often work in Toulouse, as those employed in Montauban benefit, in terms of prices, from opting for an address in Le Tarn-et-Garonne. Transferees who have sold their first homes can afford to pay up to 500,000 €. One such client just paid 450,000 € for a contemporary villa of 150 m2 boasting a basement of 200 m2, in mature grounds of 2,000 m2 with a pool. Despite an overall slowdown, the cruising speed for estate agencies is still acceptable. In parallel, stocks are increasing and supply exceeds demand, whence almost systematic bargaining, and a situation where breaking even is hard for those who bought in 2007 or 2008 and are obliged to sell.

”In the rush hours, it takes 25 minutes to reach Toulouse from Aucamville, Montauban 30 minutes on the motorway. Though the proximity of the Pink City is undoubtedly more important than that of the capital of Le Tarn-et-Garonne,” notes Jérémy Vidal of CIV Conseil. Of course, it frequently happens that owners sell their apartments in Aucamville in order to acquire a house between the two towns, benefitting from a lower ratio per sq. metre the further they are from Toulouse. “Euro-Centre”, an activity zone in Castelnau-d’Estrétefonds, is another source of potential buyers. The ring-road and motorway are close to Aucamville, while the train station in Lacourtensourt provides fast access to Matabiau. Finally, the bus offers a link between the town and La Vache metro station. At the moment, demand concerns 2-bedroom apartments in residences built around 2000 with terraces or gardens, at around 140,000 €, 3-bedroom villas at around 220,000 € and houses at 350,000 €, to the taste of transferees, who sometimes do not require a mortgage.