Saint-Tropez, an eternal village
Saint-Tropez, an eternal village
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Saint-Tropez, an eternal village

Focus on a sector with the wind in its sails… Professionals have their say.


In Le Var From a fishing village in its early days to most glamorous resort of the last 50 years, the peninsula has retained all its authenticity. Focus on a sector with the wind in its sails… Professionals have their say … Interviews by Laetitia Rossi

A promising market

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Above left, Sophie Callu Merite and Michel Wegelin of the estate agency A.B. Sea Immobilier (04 94 97 86 67). Above right, Pascal Galasso of the agency Immobilière des Champs Elysées (04 94 54 87 88). Below left, Françoise Albertone of the Agence Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez (04 94 97 00 51). Below right, Philippe Blatgé of the Michaël Zingraf agency (04 94 97 97 97).
Above left, Sophie Callu Merite and Michel Wegelin of the estate agency A.B. Sea Immobilier (04 94 97 86 67). Above right, Pascal Galasso of the agency Immobilière des Champs Elysées (04 94 54 87 88). Below left, Françoise Albertone of the Agence Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez (04 94 97 00 51). Below right, Philippe Blatgé of the Michaël Zingraf agency (04 94 97 97 97).
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Grounds of 6.75 acres, a main residence, guest house, tennis court and swimming pool for this property at Le Capon. Priced between 10,000,000 and 15,000,000 €. A.B. Sea Immobilier (04 94 97 86 67).
Grounds of 6.75 acres, a main residence, guest house, tennis court and swimming pool for this property at Le Capon. Priced between 10,000,000 and 15,000,000 €. A.B. Sea Immobilier (04 94 97 86 67).
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A sublime view from this private residence of 230 m2 (four bedrooms). Around 4,500,000 €. Immobilière des Champs Elysées (04 94 54 87 88).
A sublime view from this private residence of 230 m2 (four bedrooms). Around 4,500,000 €. Immobilière des Champs Elysées (04 94 54 87 88).

Buoyant and prestigious, the Saint-Tropez property market stands up to its reputation. Sophie Callu Mérite and Michel Wegelin of the A.B. Sea agency give a few pointers on current trends. Always interested in this peninsula in the Var, house-hunters, mostly north-European, are between 40 and 50 years old. In the following order, they give priority to a sea view, proximity to the town, orientation, and quiet. As for style, the classic “Tropézienne” is no longer a systematic draw : contemporary architecture and the “mas” requiring renovation are more in demand. The “private guarded estate” is also highly sought-after. The purchaser’s average budget ranges from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000 €. What’s available within this price-bracket does not really come up to expectations. For 3,000,000 €, it’s rare to find a property with sea view. Prestige properties which, according to professionals, start out at 6,000,000 €, only account for 15 % of the market. Most transactions are thus completed in the afore-mentioned price range. The main reason quoted for acquiring a property is that of personal pleasure : it’s still hard to resist the tempting blend of a festive atmosphere and authentic charm…

In the past few years, sellers clearly tended to over-value their properties, influenced by estate agents in search of their custom. Recently, the blockage caused by this state of affairs has been effaced as everyone gradually became aware of it. A correctly-priced property sells immediately. One example is a villa in the hills of Ramatuelle (350 m2 with sea view), estimated at 3,500,000 €, which found a buyer in just two weeks.

Opting for the village

In Saint-Tropez, there are two possibilities : a spacious property or a home in the village. Pascal Galasso of L’Immobilière des Champs Elysées tells us about the second option…

In the village itself, a distinction is made between the historic centre (the port, La Citadelle, La Ponche, La Garonne, La Place des Lices) and the perimeter. In the first sector, buildings are often old, without elevators or parking places and not many terraces, yet they are highly sought-after for their proximity to, and views of, the sea. Living space is usually small : only 20 % offer 100 m2. Italians, mostly from Milan, and the English are real fans of these truly authentic addresses. Expect to pay from 12,000 to 14,000 € per m2 for an apartment with a good sea view and terrace, 7,000 to 10,000 € without. An apartment of 200 m2 offering all these criteria could sell for over 4,000,000 €, simply due to its rarity. Areas on the road leading into Saint-Tropez and as far as Le Chemin des Amoureux, passing via La Bouillabaisse and Le Pilon, are less expensive : 3,000 to 5,000 €/m2 - but no sea view or terrace. Only 2 entire houses are currently for sale : one of 120 m2, requiring renovation, with a garden, near the Citadelle, at around 3,000,000 € ; and a smaller house, with no view but in good condition, near La Ponche, at around 2,000,000 €. And just one fisherman’s house, at 15,000 €/m2.

Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez

Françoise Albertone of the agency Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez describes the most prestigious estate in the Var.

Les Parcs de Saint-Tropez were launched in 1954, together with the agency of the same name, initially intended to handle the estate’s promotion. Today, the agency is still the specialist in the sector, though its experience now extends beyond Les Parcs. This estate consists of a peninsula of approx. 500 acres, home to 160 properties facing the Bay of Les Cannebiers, Cannes or the Med. 15 properties have access to the sea. Private and guarded, the estate attracts businessmen in search of privacy, 50 % French, the rest foreigners, mostly from northern Europe. The construction ratio is 0.08 for plots of 5,000 to 10,000 m2.

Prices start at 3,000,000 € for a 6-bedroomed house, facing south, with a pool but no sea view. Most properties cost from 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 €, and about ten change hands per year. This low mobility is due to the owners’ fondness for their homes. Personal enjoyment is the prime motive for acquisition, investment comes second. For price and location, the estate’s main rival on the Riviera is Cap Ferrat, though its other features differ from the Saint-Tropez blend of tranquillity and entertainment. Les Parcs can also be compared to the magnificent Le Capon, except for its “guarded and gated” aspect.