Arcachon : lively all year round

One of the most prom­inent seaside resorts on the Atlantic coast, Arcachon is the main town on the Bassin of the same name. This little commune offers cultural activities and infrastructures enabling it to claim year-round liveliness. Dynamism which underpins the area’s overall appeal.

A seaside resort with a fishing harbour, the town of Arcachon is not lacking in arguments when it comes to drawing new buyers. In add­ition to its accessibility, it offers a diverse array of properties, depending on the neighbourhood. While in the outer area one finds houses that are more spread out, the town centre has a rich choice of apartments, the majority in old buildings. Even so, clients in search of year-round homes now represent a new source of demand, as explained by Fanny Miard, negotiator and manageress of the Artemia Immobilier agency : “These buyers are looking for much larger properties than those to be found in old buildings. Over the past 3 to 4 years, several new developments have thus sprung up, with apartments offering larger surface areas. Prices range from 100,000 to 1 million euros, with the highest demand in the 200,000-600,000 € bracket, ie. apartments with 1 to 3 bedrooms. Our clientele is mainly comprised of French buyers, mostly from Paris and Bordeaux.”

The majority of buyers in search of year-round homes are pre-retirees. Their top priorities are properties with lifts and outdoor areas, together with a parking place. Unfortunately, it is rare to find apartments in old buildings with large balconies or terraces. “We also have clients who are only interested in properties with views of the Bassin, or on the front row,” adds Fanny Miard. “In which case, prices start from 7,000-8,000 € per sq. metre, and can attain 10,000 € when they offer panoramic views. An enchanting setting !”

A native of the region, Sandra Remmy-Jaguenaud knows the area very well. As manageress of the City Golf Immo agency, she covers the metropolis of Bordeaux as well as the Bassin d’Arcachon, and proposes in particular properties around the golf-courses in the Gironde. A sphere of activity allowing her to meet the demands of her clients much more efficiently : “One of the reasons motivating people to buy homes in Arcachon is security : few seaside resorts offer such a peaceful setting. Naturally, the closer one gets to the beach, the more highly-prized the property. On the front row, prices range from 10,000 € per sqm. in the neighbourhood of Pereire and the centre of Arcachon, to over 10,000 € per sqm. in Le Pyla, and under 8,000 € per sqm. in L’Aiguillon. The neighbourhood of L’Aiguillon is, in fact, undergoing considerable development : with less traffic congestion, and near the yacht harbour, it benefits from a quiet sandy beach and excellent shops within walking distance. The agency is currently proposing a 2-bedroomed apartment with a large terrace, on the seafront in the authentic neighbourhood of L’Aiguillon, right at the water’s edge, fully refurbished as new, and priced at 498,000 € agency fees included.