LA CAMPAGNE ENTRE MER ET PATRIMOINE

Heritage and the seaside in the country, A word from the experts

Why should you invest in a countryside property in the Occitan Region? Éric Perenchio, BARNES manager for Montpellier and the surrounding region, explore the advantages of Hérault and Gard.

A DYNAMIC TERRITORY

The region is currently undergoing a major demographic shift, with its population having tripled over the last fifty years. This is a key part of its draw for the residential market, as the region is set around the Mediterranean. The diversity of its architectural heritage and culture, and the advantage of its mild, temperate climate are the main qualities bringing in newcomers. In the Hérault department, many multinational businesses and start-ups have been won over and are now offering new employment opportunities. What’s more, Montpellier is a city of French Tech. Located 3h10mins by TVG or 1h10mins by plane from Paris, 3h30mins by car or 3h by TGV from Barcelona, and 4h by car from Italy, Montpellier is the seventh largest city in France and has something for everyone. Meanwhile, the Gard department has its own perks: major economic growth; multiple access points with TGV trains running from Nîmes to Paris in 2h50mins and to Lyon in 1h20mins, with access by car via the A7, A9, and A54 roads. Spain, the French Riviera, the Cévennes Mountains, and Italy are less than 3h30mins away, and there are two airports, Marignane and Montpellier. There is also an incredible heritage offering (Uzès and the Pont du Gard, Nîmes and its Roman ruins, La Petite Camargue) and premium cuisine by chef Pierre Gagnaire at the L’Imperator Palace Hotel in Nîmes.

REMARKABLE SITES AND SIGHTS

Firstly, Montpellier is a tourist-friendly city with many sites to be visited, including the Place de la Comédie, the Arc de Triomphe, the Peyrou Gardens, and Saint-Pierre Cathedral, along with great restaurants and trendy boutiques. Secondly, the diverse landscapes offer every sporting activity imaginable, including hiking mountain-biking, kite-surfing, potholing, canyoning, canoeing and kayaking. What’s more, the sea and beaches are just a few miles from the city, while the southeast of the city leads to Camargue and its highly typical landscapes, fauna, and flora. In the north, the inland areas boast the Hérault gorges and Pic SaintLoup Mountain. Lastly, at around 1 hour from Montpellier, there are a number of mid-sized peaks around the Cévennes Mountains. AN INVESTMENT WITH ADVANTAGES

Buyer appetite for sunny cities is still as strong ever. In this attractive region overlooking the Mediterranean, prices are now rising. There are several co-existing markets in the city, the countryside, by the sea. Montpellier is a dynamic, enjoyable city; Béziers has an affordable property market; Sète is the known as “Venice of the Occitan Region,” and Cap d’Agde is a safe investment. The region is vast and has a wide range of prices, ensuring all buyer profiles will find something to suit them. Meanwhile, Gard is a little-known department with heaps of charm without being overpopulated. Investing here is a particularly attractive option as prices are currently 30%-50% lower than Provence, the Riviera, and the Basque Coast. However, they’re already rising!

©Aurélio Rodriguez

NEW AGENCY: BARNES OCCITANIE

The BARNES Group’s drive to establish itself in France’s finest cities and expand around these major hotspots led to the creation of the BARNES agency in Montpellier. After having worked in the Occitanie region for more than 2 years through BARNES Propriétés & Châteaux, and given the region’s flourishing real estate market, it seemed appropriate to set up an agency at the heart of the city of Montpellier. This will allow us to better develop our existing business and to expand our portfolio. The new agency covers nearly 3 French departments - Gard, Hérault and Aude - where clients can choose from a range flats, houses and mansions in the city, as well as properties, castles and wine estates in the countryside, not to mention seafront houses and apartments. All BARNES needed was to find a location... Today, we are proud to welcome our clients in the historic heart of Montpellier, near Sainte-Anne Church, overlooking one of the most beautiful shopping streets in the centre of the town’s Écusson district. BARNES Montpellier, 1 Rue du Petit Scel – 34000 Montpellier