A country with fabulous scenery, world-class cuisine and superb properties of every form and dimension, France is a perennial favourite for international home buyers. Paul Bernard, agency manager at John Taylor Cannes, comments,
“Cannes, and its surroundings, is one of the most expensive real estate markets in France, and indeed the world, due to a great demand and limited supply, even though prices have dropped in the last two years.
“The luxury real estate market in Cannes and the surrounding areas slowed down in 2013 and 2014, but now we are seeing a recovery. Sales volumes in 2015 have been 30% higher than in 2014 following a decrease of 15-25%, in prices – depending on the neighbourhood and the type of property. Thanks to this drop in prices the market is much more dynamic and therefore has been attracting more clients.”
Mr Bernard reports that the majority of buyers in the Cannes luxury real estate market are international clients – most notably Britons, due to the current strength of the pound; Scandinavians, Americans, Middle Easterners and Russians.
“Foreigners constitute 70% of buyers purchasing very high end properties above €10 million. Buyers look to La Croisette, Cannes’ shorefront, for apartments and penthouses with views over the Mediterranean, the Lerins Islands and the Esterrel and within short walking distance from the centre of Cannes. La Californie, just a few minutes from the beaches and the centre of Cannes, is a different market where you will find the largest, most exclusive individual residential properties.”
Mary Hawkins of Leggett Prestige says that the Dordogne, France’s third largest department, has traditionally been one of the most popular for foreign buyers.
She explains,
“Like many French departments, it is named after the river that flows through it. The Dordogne plays host to over 1,500 chateaux as well as the caves of Lascaux, famous for their Palaeolithic cave paintings, and some of the prettiest villages in the department.
“The lifestyle, history and culture of the Dordogne valley attract visitors from all over the world. And of course the food – foie gras, duck and goose are regional specialities – and being practically next door to Bordeaux the choice of wine to accompany these specialities is endless. Road and rail links are excellent to the area, the port of Caen is accessible within five hours with several regional airports too.”
Cannes, South of France
Venetian style palais inspired by the famous architect Palladio’s finest masterpieces with panoramic views of the Lerins Islands. Its grounds of 27,000m² comprise a six-acre protected, natural woodland, private lake, tennis court, 25-metre swimming pool, caretaker’s lodge, security lodge and garage for 10 cars. The property’s 2,000m² of interior living accommodation includes 15 bedrooms, a master suite comprising two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two dressing rooms and a private lounge. A professional kitchen ensures the palais is equipped to cater for the most lavish parties. There is also an indoor spa with 15 metre swimming pool, sauna, hammam and massage room.
£66.4m / €95m / $101.6m
John Taylor +33 (0)6 24 73 4343
Cannes, South of France
With spectacular views over the sea, islands, pre Alpes and the port of La Galère, this manoir dates from 1920. It is surrounded by seven hectares of private gardens on the seafront which include a beautiful infinity swimming pool. The main house of approximately 600m² has more than 20 rooms, inclusive of 10 bedrooms (five en suite), a bureau, numerous bathrooms, a living room with tower of 117m², dining room and a television room. There is also a caretaker’s house with two living rooms, a Skitchen, bathroom and private garden. Outbuildings include four round individual buildings, each with sleeping capacity for two guests. There are also several wooden cabins with sea views scattered in the gardens, several terraces and fountains. In total, the property offers around 1,000m² of living space.
£65.5m / €90m / $98.3m
Groupe–Mercure +33 (0)666 792 653
