The Île de Ré : a chic address
The pearl of Charente-Maritime, the Ile de Ré continues to exercise its attraction on both French and other European visitors. Acclaimed for its beautiful environment and many listed sites, it is particularly prized among buyers looking for second residences. Over the past 18 months, the property market, which had suffered after the Xynthia storm in 2010, has gradually picked up and is now posting a significant rise in transactions.
In the Atlantic Ocean, the Île de Ré is the fourth largest island in Metropolitan France with a surface area of 85 sq. km. It is made up of 10 communes and has a coastline almost 100 km long, half of which is comprised of beaches. Its authentic character, magnificent scenery and laid-back life-style make it one of the favourite destinations of French and European holiday-makers. A well-preserved setting with a niche market, as explained by Eddie Lalonnier of Sotheby’s International Realty : “Building is not permitted on a large part of the island. A decision made by the public authorites to protect its lovely landscapes: some sites such as the Vauban ramparts of Saint Martin are listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage. The island’s popularity has grown over time, and we have seen a real comeback on the part of buyers over the past 18 months, prepared to pay high prices for properties of quality. Most of the clients for the Ile de Ré are French and European : Parisian, Belgian, Swiss, English and German buyers are particularly interested in this market. People from La Rochelle, the closest town on the mainland, also often have a holiday home here. The most highly-prized communes on the island are Portes en Ré, especially popular among Parisians looking for privacy, but also Saint Clément des Baleines, Ars en Ré, Saint Martin, and La Flotte with its little harbour. On average, prices for houses of quality on the Île de Ré range from 1 to 3 million euros, though you can also find small village houses from 600,000 €. Our agency covers the top end of the market in Charente-Maritime, and this for the past five years: we are now raising our visibility within the region”.
Dotted with villages with low white houses with blue shutters, typical of the local architecture, the Île de Ré also boasts real gems of modern villas, as confirmed by Pauline Bruneau of the Coldwell Banker agency : “One of the island’s characteristics is its horizontal architecture, never exceeding three floors. Among the properties usually targetted, you first find small village houses in authentic local style, in a price bracket ranging from 400,000 to 700,000 €. You can then find smart contemporary villas offering a full array of modern comfort with 2 or 3 bedrooms, from 1 to 1.5 million euros, and more spacious villas with 5 or 6 bedrooms, priced from 1.5 to 3 million euros. These prices also vary depending on the properties’ location on the island, with certain communes more sought-after than others. Finally, there are outstanding examples such as the Domaine des Sens, which we currently offering for sale. A property with a full range of assets : an ideal location in Saint Martin, a village listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage, three buildings with their own terraces, pools and gardens, including the main residence which is the largest on the island, with living space of over 600 m2 and refined decor inspired by private Italian mansions. Thanks to its style, this is a unique property, though on rare occasions you can find other high-end examples, facing the ocean and set in extensive grounds, which also change hands for several million euros”.
