“Le Haut Var”, between sea and mountains

Radia Amar - 23 November 2023

A Mediterranean climate, Provençal atmospheres, protected nature, flowery squares and old stone... Villages in the Upper Var offer a sought-after lifestyle.

Nestling amidst olive-trees at an altitude of 500 metres, Bargemon is a picturesque medieval village in the Upper Var near the lakes of Sainte-Croix, Saint Cassien, and the Verdon gorges, a few kilometres from Draguignan. Five km away, the traditional communes of Claviers and Callas are surrounded by hills crowned with oaks and pines.

Perched on a hillside, between sea and mountains, and surrounded by pretty Provençal landscapes, Fayence is also one of the villages in the Upper Var that are well worth a visit. An expert in property sales, Magali Mutti manages the Provarim agencies created in Claviers in 1999, then in Bargemon in 2021.

“We mainly cover the area around Callas and Fayence for a French and international clientele in search of a pleasant holiday residence and, more and more frequently, for clients looking for a new permanent home. We prefer to focus on an area that we know and master perfectly. We work hand-in-hand with our clients, and our relationships do not end after the deeds are signed at the notary’s office. To be able to continue assisting clients in their projects, when they are seeking craftsmen or trying to obtain an appointment with an elected official, you have to be well-acquainted with your sector, but also its players. We have seen a highly unpredictable market since the Covid-19 health crisis. In 2022, sales literally exploded, resulting in rising prices accompanied by the start of scarcity for available properties. From the second quarter of 2023, we have seen a clear slowdown in demand, and prices have stabilized. In 2024, we are certainly expecting a market leaning to the downside. Today, different properties appear on the market within a varied, realistic range of prices, though demand remains shaky.”

In the prized sector of the Upper Var, the core of demand remains focused on detached villas in grounds with pools among clients with budgets ranging from 350,000 to 750,000 €. Village houses with outdoor areas are also sought-after by buyers with budgets from 120,000 to 200,000 €.

“There is also some demand for prestige properties from a clientele ready to pay around 1 million euros. We also handle sales of some very appealing apartments, but more rarely.”