Villages at the foot of Mount Ventoux

A luxuriant and undulating part of Provence, the area around Mount Ventoux hosts a number of pleasant and authentic villages posting relatively affordable prices. A very appealing address, especially for those in search of holiday homes.

At the foot of Mount Ventoux, the highest peak in the Vaucluse (alt. 1911 m) nicknamed the “Giant of Provence” or the “Bald Mountain”, several picturesque villages propose living conditions of remarkable quality close to Carpentras and Avignon. Surrounded by vineyards (AOC Ventoux, second largest production in the valley of the Rhône) and boasting a rich architectural heritage, these addresses of character are particularly sought after for their holiday homes…

“Our clients, mainly comprised of Belgians, Swiss, British and Parisians, are mostly looking for second residences,” says Christiane Auquier, manageress of Côté Sud Provence, two agencies opened in Saint-Didier in 1976, and in Velleron in 2000, handling sales, high-class rentals both seasonal and year-round, and property management. “They are interested in two types of properties : very stylish stone “mas” which sell for around 800,000 € for living space of 200 m2 to restore, on about 2.5 acres of land ; and comfortable contemporary villas which cost from 500,000 to 600,000 € for living space of 150 m2 with a pool in grounds of 2,000 to 3,000 m2.” Specializing in the servicing of building plots and the division of land, Christian Auquier also handles the sale of building plots that have already been serviced, priced at around 140,000 € for 500 m2. “The market is currently relatively busy, especially for year-round rentals - we manage about 300 rentals and work with large local companies whose newly transferred executives need accommodation. Sales prices are attractive, and offerings corresponding to market prices are selling well.”

An analysis shared by Stéphanie Duée, sales manageress for Provence Vakantiehuizen, an agency set up by a couple from the Netherlands (Jacques and Swanja Planken) in Mazan in 2003, which has developed thanks to its clients recommendations : “There have been more sales since the end of 2014, especially for correctly estimated properties. On the other hand, those which are overvalued stay on offer for months and often lose their value”. Two types of buyers are currently contacting this estate agent : “Members of the local working population looking for properties under 300,000 €, and foreigners - Dutch, Belgian, British and a few Canadians - with ample budgets of over 500,000 €, in search of a holiday home in the sun. In order to pay off some of their investment, they frequently resort to seasonal rentals”. Two recent transactions are highly representative : a house in Bédoin priced at 290,000 €, and another in Mazan at 650,000 €. “By way of example, our portfolio also contains two opportunities typically prized by foreign clients : in Blauvac, amidst the vines, a recent villa of 230 m2 in grounds of over 1,400 m2 with a pool, on offer at 598,000 € ; and in Aubignan, a restored stone “mas” of 260 m2 in grounds of almost 4,100 m2 with a pool, priced at 995,000 €.”

The director of Era Ventoux Immobilier (Era is the N°1 network in Europe), with two agencies in Mazan and Pernes-les-Fontaines (sales, rentals and multi-expertise), Jean-Sébastien Dantonel agrees that the market is picking up : “After a rather quiet 2014 marked by a wait-and-see attitude and price declines of about 8 to 10 %, activity is now showing fresh vitality. Sellers who follow our estimates, and understand that the area has undergone an adjustment in prices, complete their sales quickly and at the asking price”. Mainly contacted by local workers with deposits of 10 to 20 % (foreigners account for only 10 % of the clientele), he mentions strong demand for properties priced around 300,000 €. “For example, a house of 180 m2 in good condition in grounds of 1,800 m2, recently sold for 350,000 €, and a terraced maisonnette of 90 m2 with a garden of 300 m2, which recently changed hands at 200,000 €.” As for large properties of higher quality, the market is rather sluggish, except for the most sought-after commune in the area : Pernes-les-Fontaines. “A high-class villa near the centre of this pretty village offering five bedrooms, 3,000 m2 of grounds, an annex, swimming pool and elevated view, is currently up for sale at 798,250 €.” Demand for building land is steady : “Specializing in the division of land, our agencies propose building plots from 500 to 1,000 m2, priced from 100,000 to over 130,000 €”.