Holidays rentals in the Var

The main appeal of the second most wooded “département” in France and its shoreline lies in their diversity. Family-oriented Sainte-Maxime rubs shoulders with cosmopolitan Saint-Tropez, itself just a stone’s throw from the very wild Rayol Canadel…

No introductions are needed in the case of the fishing village, now an international centre for summer entertainment. Saint-Tropez flaunts its winning combination of an authentic site, well-preserved nature and trendy, festive infrastructures. “While the third aspect isn’t the most important, Saint-Tropez does offer no less than 33 beach restaurants, including the very fashionable Voile Rouge and Nikki Beach, boutiques and way-out discotheques. In the seasonal rentals sector, as for hotel accommodation, last summer rode the wave of success. The Var’s “exception to the rule” is not affected by disruptions in the economic or political worlds,” says Daniel Richier from Azur Prestige Immobilier.

This large family residence in a quiet neighbourhood just 5 mins. from the centre of Saint-Tropez comes with a house for guests, giving total living space of about 370 m2 (8 bedrooms) in grounds of 6,000 m2. 92,000 € during summer month. Azur Prestige Immobilier (04 94 97 07 20)

In close proximity to the Beauvallon golf-course, the tennis club, sailing club and the beaches, this villa (6 air-conditioned bedrooms opening out to the sea and Saint-Tropez) is located on a gated estate. €30,000 € /2 weeks. Agence Provensal (04 94 96 00 18)

On the hills of Cavalière, this 19th-century “bastide” of 200 m2, restored throughout, and its “bergerie” (6 bedrooms in all) enjoy a beautiful view of the sea. 2 km from the beach, they also benefit from wooded and flowery gardens of approx. 5 acres. From €4,500 to €6,500 / week. Agence Goy (04 94 05 62 20).

Demand for the top end of the market is thus extremely steady. Prices start at 25,000 € per month which will bring a classic villa at Sinopolis or on the immediate periphery of the town dear to Paul Signac. A property with 5/7 bedrooms in grounds of 5,000 m2 or more, facing the sea and situated at La Capilla or in Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez, will be negotiated at a price of about 300,000 € per month. Most bookings range from 30,000 to 150,000 €. Only examples at the lower end of the price bracket are not sure of finding takers. As for houses offering good value for money and more luxurious villas, they are snapped up before Easter. The French have much more modest budgets than the Russians, English, Swiss and Germans, who comprise the vast majority of renters. Estate agencies shy away from furnished apartments with their short letting periods, a market which is particularly hard to manage. On the port, however, a 3-bedroomed apartment will rent for 6,000 € per week. Estate agents chalk up 95 % of their business between June and September, as owners are not keen to organize rentals of their properties in the off-season.

More reserved about the results achieved in 2007, Claire Ferrero and Eric Provensal of the Provensal agency expect a better vintage in 2008, heralded by very early reservations. The owners of this family-run agency, established in Sainte-Maxime since 1889, point to the sunshine in the Var as a weighty argument. The French and North Europeans share Sainte-Maxime’s rental market about half-and-half. A few Russians and Americans, particularly keen to have services on hand, also choose this lively but laid-back resort. Everyone wants a residential neighbourhood, spacious interiors, a pool and sea view. Some set their sights on Guerrevieille, Beauvallon, Bartol, the golf-course, gated estates or large properties right opposite the village of Saint-Tropez. Others prefer La Nartelle, its beautiful villas close to the beaches and its flowing traffic, or Le Sémaphore with its plunging panoramic views just a few minutes from the friendly town centre and its shops. You’ll pay 4,500 € or more to spend 2 weeks in a 3-bedroomed house, 12,000 € or more for a sublime villa. Some people, ready to spend 2,000 € per fortnight, opt for a 2-bedroomed apartment in a block of flats with swimming pool, close to the centre and the stretches of sand. The month of August is the most popular, July can still see further progression.

Bénédicte Simon of the Goy agency is full of praise for Le Rayol Canadel. Not blessed with easy transport and lesser-known than Saint-Tropez or Sainte-Maxime, this area is just as lovely and more peaceful. “Much less affected by passing fads and economic ups and downs, the market for seasonal rentals is evolving slowly but surely with a rise of 2-3 % per year in terms of occupancy and 4-5 % in terms of turnover.” In this little corner of paradise, there are no camp-sites or blocks of flats to spoil the scenery. Nor any flashy luxury. Wealth, which is nevertheless present, is not flaunted here ; discretion is the order of the day. Surrounded by greenery, the villas benefit from a quiet environment and panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the islands. A week in a beautiful property costs from 7,000 to 8,000 €, ten times less in an apartment accommodating four people. Properties at the water’s edge, prolonged by ravishing creeks, crystallise everyone’s deepest desires, though few obtain satisfaction given their rarity. 60 % French, the clientele here has an average budget of 2,000 € per week. North Europeans, the Belgians, English, Germans and Swiss, East Europeans (except for Russians) and Italians all show an interest in Le Rayol Canadel. There is a high level of repeat rentals, ranging from 60 to 70 %, depending on the years. Occupancy varies from 60 to 70 % in June and September, 90 to 100 % in August. The average length of summer stays stretches from 2 to 3 weeks. It diminishes when the demand for services and facilities starts to rise. Finally, it’s hard to ignore competition in the low season from Croatia, Morocco, Spain and the Dominican Republic, destinations offering highly competitive prices.

By Laetitia Rossi.