Villages around Mount Ventoux
Yann Cohignac - 25 March 2014
A number of charming Provençal villages with undulating and luxuriant scenery are to be found near Mount Ventoux. An address proposing authenticity and quality living conditions at relatively affordable prices.
Among the villages scattered around Mount Ventoux (the highest peak in the Vaucluse), one comes across Mazan, a pleasant commune with less than 6,000 inhabitants and a rich architectural heritage, only 5 km from Carpentras and 30 km from Avignon. This territory 90 % covered by vines and sheltered from the Mistral wind, “should see a new boom with the CarpentrasAvignon and the TGV station,” according to Chantal Destruel, manageress of the Agence Bersy, whose two addresses in Mazan and Bédoin are backed by 20 years of experience. Covering Pernes-les-Fontaines and as far as Beaumes-de-Venise, she chalks up most of her transactions between 350,000 and 500,000 €, quality properties that sell fairly quickly. As for the rest of the clientele, mainly comprised of Belgians, Swiss, English and Parisians, they generally have budgets from 350,000 to 800,000 € for their holiday homes. “As soon as this symbolic figure is attained, authentic old stone inevitably becomes a necessity.” A couple of foreign clients have just, in fact, acquired such a property of 200 m2 in 5,000 m2 of grounds, for 660,000 €.
Another estate-agent covering the commune of Mazan, Jean-Sébastien Dantonel, director of Era Ventoux Immobilier, also believes that “the CarpentrasPernes-les-Fontaines. Opened in 2006 and a recent member of the Era Immobilier network, his agency is soon to expand thanks to the acquisition of a well-known agency, also based in Mazan. “In the case of village houses, one can expect to pay from 90,000 to 350,000 € for living space of 70 to 200 m2, or occasionally 250 m2. The cheapest need renovating. The high end of the bracket concerns stone properties with large outdoor areas.” Villas range from 200,000 to 550,000 €, “though the majority of sales fall into the 280,000-380,000 € range”. What about building land ? “Location is a decisive factor, which makes estimates per sq. metre rather difficult. For instance, we currently have a serviced plot of 500 m2 on offer at 100,000 €, but also one of 2,500 m2 at 200,000 €, and we just sold one of 1,000 m2 at 130,000 €.” In addition to a local clientele looking for year-round homes and representing the majority of his business, Jean-Sébastien Dantonel is also contacted by foreign buyers (Belgian, Swiss and Dutch) and Parisians in search of a holiday home both affordable and picturesque.
Ten minutes south of Mazan, one comes across Saint-Didier, another village in the Comtat Venaissin with slightly over 2,000 residents. A haven of tranquillity of a decidedly Provençal character “which is lively year-round and benefits from all the amenities and proximity of Avignon”, says Claudine Thalmann, manageress of Ma Provence Immobilier, based in the commune for the past 14 years. Covering an area as far as the foot of Mount Ventoux and particularly Saint-Didier, Pernes-les-Fontaines, Venasque and Mazan, she specializes in the middle and top end of the range. Her portfolio contains a few high-quality apartments such as a restored 2-bedroom apartment of 100 m2 in a “mas” in Venasque, with a private courtyard, priced at 178,000 €, and a renovated apartment of 60 m2 in Pernes, at 148,000 €. “Without any renovation required, village houses of about 120 m2 range from 220,000 to 350,000 €.” As for villas, there are several types : “Those of 110 m2 with gardens of 600 to 800 m2, priced from 320,000 to 380,000 € ; those of 140-150 m2 in grounds of 1,000 to 2,000 m2 with pools, from 350,000 to 450,000 € ; and larger properties, restored Provençal “mas”, “ bastides” or master residences, ranging from 500,000 to 600,000 €, and even up to 800,000 €”. The view, “omnipresent here”, naturally has a significant impact on prices. Especially in the case of building land : “The average price per sq. metre of a plot of 1,000 m2 is 170 €. But we also propose building plots in Venasque enjoying magnificent views which can climb to 260 € per sqm”. Claudine Thalmann’s clients are both locals and buyers of holiday homes from Paris or abroad (Belgium and Switzerland) who plan to live here year-round when they retire.