Real estate in Aix, Puyricard, Célony, Venelles, Les PLatanes

Real estate in the Aix en Provence region does not come cheap and is not an easy game- as with many attractive markets!

Today, in September 2009, a large (200 square meter) house with 2500 square meters of terrain in a nice, quiet, yet convenient area just north of Aix will go between 600 K and 800K euros depending on how much renovation needs to be done and elements like a pool and the beauty of the yard.

If you’re looking to buy in the area and do not live here yet, I strongly advise renting before buying.
Prices are too high and the traps too numerous to buy quickly.

However, finding a nice home to rent is easier said than done as well! A relocation agency showed us scores of homes during the Spring all around Aix, none of which we could not envision ourselves living in. They each had a major flaw: either it was the general condition of the house, or the street noise, or the view, or the absence of a yard, or a depressing grass-less and tress-less yard, etc…
The agents were not in the least disturbed by these points.

We luckily found a dream home, at the last minute. I blog about it here.

Areas around Aix en Provence

I’ll focus on the areas north of Aix here, because those are the ones I know best but I’ll write a brief note on the southern areas.

South of Aix en provence

The south of Aix includes towns like Luynes, Bouc bel Air, Cabriès, Simiane, and further south west, towns like Fuveau and Rousset. The first four towns are convenient in terms of location because they are close to Marseille, where many work, and for deal hunters, close to large shopping strips like Plan de Campagne- open in Sundays!

Luynes is the top area in terms of attractiveness because it offers some nice countryside, a five minute proximity to Aix, and the presence of a number of international primary and secondary schools.

We found prices in Luynes were consequently totally disproportionate to the intrinsic quality of the homes. We saw a 160 square meter home lodged in a ravine, with neighbours overlooking on at least two sides, proximity to a noisy road AND a railway line, a limited garden space, priced above 900 K euros…

The towns of Fuveau and Rousset are a bit different. Being further out South East with respect to Aix, they are a good 20 minutes drive to the city. They do offer gorgeous views of the Montagne Sainte Victoire and proximity to a large golf course. Rousset has an industrial park where some large companies are based like Atmail and Thalès.

I personally very much like the north of Aix because it’s close to the medieval city, yet completely retains countryside charm.

Areas north of Aix: Puyricard, Célony, Eguilles, Venelles, les PLatanes

North West of Aix, after a 7 minute drive along the mythical Route Nationale 7, and easily accessible with city buses, you’ll stumble onto what is a village, even though it has lost its charm: Celony.

All around that ugly intersection, however, are beautiful homes hidden in the country side, along narrow roads. Near there you’ll find outdoor restaurants and a night club called the Hot Brass, sports clubs like to Set Club and, not far, in Puyricard, the Aix Country Club.

Further out and further west is beautiful Eguilles. Now that’s a village! Nestled on top of a hill, it has preserved its ‘provencal’ character while offering gourmet and high end shopping and services. There also, you’ll find beautiful properties. You’re about 12 minutes from Aix there, with limited bus service.

Straight north of Aix , after a 12 minute drive here again, you’ll find Puyricard. The village is hidden to the side of the main road here, preserving its charm. The surrounding country side offers large fields, planted with wheat, corn, and many vines, and isolated homes. Buses do run here to the center of Aix, but the frequency of morning buses for teeanagers needing to attend high school near Aix is insufficient. Puyricard has a private, catholic ‘college’, ie, high school and of course, public primary and secondary schools.

The big drawback to these areas: no international schools exist north of Aix, strange as it may seem. A primary school is in the works it seems in Venelles.

Venelles is the less picturesque town north East of Aix, about 15 minutes away. It offers a convenient yet unsightly commercial strip along with a cute village.

Les Platanes are also North East of Aix, about 5 minutes away. There is no village to speak of there, just a few isolated boulangeries and the like along the main road. It offers beautiful, isolated homes, not convenient for teenagers needing to get around but it is home to a horse riding center called Les Pinchinats.

There’s for a quick tour of the Aix area in terms of environment. Please use the comment section for more details.

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