Location guide: Languedoc-Roussillon – FrenchEntrée

The Mediterranean, the mountains, a fabulous climate, countless vineyards and attractive house prices. Annaliza Davis discusses the many advantages of buying a home in Languedoc-Roussillon…

This is one of those southern regions overshadowed by its ostentatious sisters, the French Riviera and Provenceso it is unlikely that you can point Languedoc-Roussillon on a map unless you already live here. She has a kind of split personality: Upper Languedoc is a mountainous area in central southern France that includes part of the Central Massifwhile the flatter Bas Languedoc It is located along the coast towards Spain and is most popular with tourists.

Since 2016, Languedoc-Roussillon has been part of the broader Occitania region. The entire area is famous for its strong cultural heritage, thanks in part to its Occitan language and Catalan roots, but also to medieval Cathar castles and countless examples of glorious Roman architecture throughout the region, most memorable in Nimes, home of an incredible Roman arena. .

The departments of Languedoc-Roussillon are aude, garden, Herault, Pyrenees-Orientales and Lozereand the key cities are Montpellier, Nimes, Carcassonne and Perpignan. It is a place that offers the advantages of the Mediterranean climate without the high altitude areas. Likewise, if you dream of living in the mountains, this could be the way to do it since the Pyrenean resorts can be much cheaper than those in the Alps and offer similar options throughout the year.

You have to visit to understand how diverse this region is, from snowfall ski resorts to a beach in Beziers or the peaceful towpaths of the Canal del Mediodia; There is an incredible variety to choose from. As for properties, whether rural retreats, palatial coastal homes, quaint town houses, urban studios or vast equestrian estates, this area has it all!

If plenty of space is important to you, the interior of Lozère has an average of just 15 inhabitants per square kilometer, followed by Aude (58), then Pyrénées-Orientales (109), Gard (121) and Hérault (168). , although in Montpellier itself this figure shoots up to 5,195/km².

In terms of price, the national average has increased to €3,302/m², while in Languedoc-Roussillon properties cost an average of €2,726/m². However, there are large variations depending on location: in Aude, the average is €2,133, with some older houses below €495/m², while in Hérault a coastal property south of Montpellier will cost €5,254/m², for What a modest 50 m² apartment will cost will cost you around €250,000.

Generally speaking, you will pay more for a property the closer it is to Provence or the coast, although living in the city Montpellier It is also expensive, €4,000-5,000/m² in the historic center and eastern areas. A small 20 m² studio in Montpellier costs from 75,000 euros, but is rented for more than 395 euros per month, while in Nimes You can buy something similar for around €50,000 and rent it for €300 a month.

Head to Perpignan and even a 15 m² studio (smaller than a garage) sells for €33,000 in Collioure An 18 m² studio costs a whopping €121,800, but that’s the cost of living in a historic city on the elegant Mediterranean coast. In Sete, a 72 m² apartment a short distance from the beach will cost €400,000 or a 114 m² apartment in Marseillan with a loggia and a precious parking space will cost €521,000. But imagine the views!

There are seven main ski resorts in the area: Font romeauThe angles, Cerdaña Puigmal, Formigueres, Cambre d’Aze, Puyvalador and Puymorens Gate. In the expensive town of Les Angles, you will pay 360,000 euros for a 77 m² apartment, while the same budget in Formigueras I can buy you a detached six-bedroom villa.

For a truly historic setting, it’s hard to beat the ever-popular Carcassonne, which attracts 1.8 million tourists a year. Properties generally sell quickly and expensively here, but take the time to search: a three-bedroom bungalow near the center with 1,000 m² of gardens can be found for €235,000 or a two-storey semi-detached house for €139,000.

The cheapest areas of Languedoc-Roussillon are generally found in Lozère (where you can buy a 100 m² family home for around €130,000) and in inland areas or a little further away from cities and transport links.

If you are looking for a renovation project, spend €33,000 on a 180 m² town house in Saissac, between Toulouse and Narbonne or increase the budget to €119,500 for a four-bedroom country house with 900 m of land in the heart of the protected parks of Malbouzon.

Finally, for buildable land, with a budget of €50,000 you can buy a ‘make the land viable‘ (with connected services) of 600m².

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