Arcachon, pearl of the south-west
Rose Benoit - 27 February 2017
In high demand from Parisian buyers, Arcachon is a tourist destination mainly comprised of holiday homes. A trend which will certainly see a rise with the arrival of the high-speed rail line scheduled for this summer. Paris will then be only 2 hours from Bordeaux. The sand dunes, ocean and Bassin
A long-established seaside resort, Arcachon is comprised of seven main areas, some of them named after the seasons. “The centre of the town is known as the “Ville d’Été”. Near shops, the station and beaches, it has many blocks of apartments,” says Anthony Itey of the Synekwanon agency, opened just over a year ago at the very heart of Arcachon. “Properties in the “Ville d’Été” post very different prices. A so-called classic apartment is pegged at around 5,500 € per sq. metre. On the other hand, the same type of property on the front row, ie. at the edge of the beach, offering a view of the Bassin, will cost 10,000 € per sqm.” Mainly consisting of second residences, Arcachon draws the majority of its clients from Paris, aged from 40 to 70. “One of the commune’s highly-prized neighbourhoods is that of Perreire,” adds our expert. “Set back from the town centre, quiet and surrounded by nature, this area proposes very lovely villas close to the beach. A desirable 5-bedroomed property in a wooded park sold here for 1,398,000 €.” Investors are also drawn by the town of Arcachon itself. Involving 1- or 2-bedroomed apartments, their acquisitions are usually located in the neighbourhood stretching from L’Aiguillon to the town centre. “This is a very active market where demand outstrips supply. 2016 was a very good vintage, and 2017 will certainly be even better.”
“The Bassin d’Arcachon, and especially its seafront, the “Ville d’hiver” and Le Moulleau, are all addresses offering buyers lovely houses on the front row, but also charming apartments in a wide price bracket,” says Marina Tonneau, manageress of the Coldwell Banker agency, a world leader in prestige properties. “In Arcachon, a small apartment in the centre will cost from 200,000 to 300,000 €, while prices for outstanding properties can attain 7 million euros.” For the past three years, this expert in real estate has been in charge of three agencies, in Arcachon, Cap Ferret and Bordeaux. “One exceptional property we are currently offering for sale is a beautiful early 20th-century residence built of brick in Arcachonnais style, in landscaped grounds of 2,000 m2. On the seafront, right at the water’s edge, this lovely property benefiting from six bedrooms with their own bathrooms is priced at around 5.5 million euros.” A very buoyant area, attracting both Parisian families wanting to acquire an apartment or holiday home, and seniors wanting to live here year-round. “Transactions here go through very quickly,” comments Marina Tonneau. “Our agency reports very short lead-times, 3 to 4 months on average. The market is very active, a trend which will certainly continue until 2020, despite the high level of prices.”