HOUSES AND PROPERTY FOR SALE IN Provence-Côte d'Azur

Provence Alps Cote d’Azur (PACA) is a region of contrasts. Of course, we all know the glamorous resorts as home to the rich and famous - St Tropez, Cannes and Antibes are just three of the beautiful resorts that line the coast. But, a little inland, you will find some of the most spectacular scenery in France (try Les Gorges du Verdon as a taster). You will also find that buying property in PACA is eminently possible, no matter your budget. There are bargains to be had across the region, from a rural farmhouse in the hills, to a city centre apartment in bustling Nice or Avignon. As the famous quote goes “I don’t want to be a millionaire, just to live like one” .

You can expect to enjoy year-round sunshine, and some of the finest bars and restaurants in Europe – can there be anything more pleasant than watching the sun set over the Mediterranean, whilst enjoying your aperitif? You will find that PACA is easy to get to, no matter where in the world you live. No wonder that property here attracts international buyers, as well as those from across France.

There are provincial airports throughout PACA, but the two main airports are in Nice and Marseille. Nice Cote d’Azur airport has direct flights to 31 countries, on five continents, and welcomes 6.5m passengers a year, many of whom fly in privately. It has a dedicated “business aviation” terminal, with its own customs control and luxury shops. You can also use the helicopter terminal, with a seven-minute transfer time to Monaco. Meanwhile, the Aéroport Marseille Provence has direct flights to around 120 destinations, from Addis-Abeba to Zurich. It offers easy access to the major towns and villages of Provence, as well as major hubs such as Toulon, Aix-en-Provence, and Avignon.

Reaching PACA by train is also easy. There are ten TGV stops with a journey time from Paris of just 2hrs 45 minutes to Avignon, and around 5hrs, 40 minutes to Nice. Of course, the SNCF network also covers the region, and the local trains traverse some spectacular scenery.

By car, the A8 motorway runs east-west across the region, following the line of the Mediterranean. The A7 heads due north from Marseille, up to Lyon, passing through Avignon, Montelimar and Valence.

For an in-depth analysis, read our latest Provence Alps Cote d’Azur (PACA) market comment (below), which includes average prices in all the major towns and cities.

It should be no surprise that property in PACA attracts buyers from all over the world, it also has an incredibly strong domestic demand. This makes it an attractive investment proposition, with a high chance of long-term capital growth. The fact that this region is so popular with tourists, year-round, also means that many buyers offer seasonal holiday rentals when they are not using their properties. This helps cover the annual running costs of the property, and often more.

Since Covid, demand for property in PACA has outstripped supply – there have simply not been enough new properties coming onto the market. This balance is beginning to shift, which is particularly good news for overseas buyers as they will have more choice. Prices have been rising steadily in all six departments within PACA. In the last 12 months they have risen between 4.5% (Bouches du Rhone) and 9.9% (Vaucluse). Of course, you will pay a premium to be on the coast, or to be in, or near, one of the major cities such as Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and Arles.