The southern part of the Luberon, a diverse area
By Laetitia Rossi - 06 August 2013
Neophytes immediately think of Lourmarin. A limited view, given the wide diversity of the villages here. The southern part of the Luberon is made up of garrigue, cultivated farmland, olive-groves and small vales surrounded by streams. Picture-postcard scenery shared by locals working in the region and holiday home-owners appreciative of a quality life-style.
Part of the Luberon’s Regional Nature Park, the southern part of the Luberon offers many advantages, starting with lovely rural landscapes and a beneficial climate, at the far south-east of the Vaucluse, not far from the River Durance. Comprised of 22 communes with 53,000 inhabitants, it lies between the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Les Bouches-du-Rhône and Le Var. Lourmarin surfs along on its success among tourists. From its rocky spur, Lauris offers elevated views, while families appreciate the schools (up to intermediate level), neighbourhood shops and amenities provided by La Tour-d’Aigues, also well-known for its fields of vines.
“Proximity to Aix-en-Provence, a lively centre and job pool a 30-minute drive away, is a persuasive asset,” says Sophie Esposito of the Agence Bonpré. “A bonus to be added to the address’s natural appeal. Both lively and pleasant, villages in the southern part of the Luberon meet the requirements of those looking for a return to life on a human scale with a friendly atmosphere.” 70 % of the transactions recorded in La Tour d’Aigues, Cucuron and even Lourmarin concern permanent homes. Most of them do not exceed 320,000 €, the sum required for a 3 bedroomed villa in good condition, with a garden of 1,000 m2. A 2-bedroomed village house without an outdoor area but in need of a revamp starts at 150,000 €. “Holiday residents, Parisians benefiting from the TGV station, but also Belgians, Dutch and Germans, pay from 200,000 € - bringing a village house with a terrace or garden - to 1.6 million euros, the budget required for a “mas” of 300 m2 on about 2.5 acres of land, boasting a pool and tennis court,” adds Andréa Peix. These clients do not share the same criteria as those dead set on Gordes. They are looking for simplicity and discretion. Visits are currently less frequent, but seem to be made by serious, well-qualified buyers. Out of ten provisional sales contracts signed in the agency, only three of the clients need to obtain a mortgage.
Christine Petrosino of Janssens Immobilier focuses on the holiday home market, fuelled equally by French and foreign buyers. They set their sights on villages popular among tourists, Lourmarin, Cucuron and Ansouis, while local buyers usually opt for the valley with its more appealing prices. In the case of holiday accommodation, village houses must necessarily offer an outdoor area. Count on paying 300,000 € for such an example with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an inner courtyard in Lauris. As soon as a property offers an open view, it can attain 400,000 €. Traditional villas range from 500,000 to 1 million euros, the upper end corresponding to living space of 180 m2 of recent construction with prime materials and quality appointments, in grounds of 2,000 m2 in Lourmarin. On the same commune, 1 million euros will also bring a 17th- or 18th-century “mas” or “ or “bastide” in need of renovation, with living space of 300 m2 on 2.5 to 5 acres of land. This type of property in perfect condition can cost from 2 to 3 million euros. In the 800,000 to 1 million euro bracket, the market is stable and enthusiasm for the region is steady on the part of foreigners. As for sellers, they are currently reviewing the situation. Many are now ready to listen to professionals and lower their asking prices.
“From January to May, the market was relatively quiet,” comments Stéphane Léonard of the Agence Demontis. “Since then, activity has speeded up, especially in the 400,000-500,000 € bracket. Parisian, Swiss and Belgian clients, a few years before retirement age, target this address which is less windy and more temperate than the northern part of the Luberon.” Over the past few months, apartments and small detached houses priced from 100,000 to 250,000 € have met with some success among the locals. Lourmarin still tops the bill, even though the difference with villages such as Lauris, an address ever more highly-prized, is becoming less evident. The diversity and type of accommodation available enables the southern part of the Luberon to keep its head above water.