How are the realities of the real estate market changing on the French islands?

Porkerole Island

Porkerol is the largest of the three Yere islands located in the Mediterranean Sea, attracting the attention of tourists and investors. Property owners on this island proudly designate their holdings as a true treasure. The island itself is a unique natural reserve, and its housing market boasts an almost complete lack of available listings.

As Mark Reno, the founder of the management company Mandarin and owner of the house on Porquerolles, reports, "this place is removed from the hustle and bustle of the cities, and information about the sale of properties is shared exclusively through personal connections."

Features of life on Porquerolles

On Porquerolles, there are no expensive boutiques or luxury shops. The locals, mostly French, come here seeking a tranquility similar to that of Robinson Crusoe, where they can enjoy sunny days and swimming in clear waters. It is worth noting thatBuilding pools is not allowed here.This highlights the unique natural conditions of the island. Real estate transactions occur quite rarely; the last time a property of 70 square meters was purchased for 1 million euros.

Neighboring islands and their features

In the nearby areas, on the Lerins Islands, accessibility is also limited. Saint Marguerite boasts only one house, which is known to have been purchased two years ago by a businessman from India. Unlike Porquerolles, Corsica has a larger and more diverse real estate market.

As reported by the notary from the Corsican town of Masinaggio, Antoine Paoletti, "last year, housing prices rose significantly, but now there is a trend towards stabilization and a decrease in market activity."

Prices for housing in Corsica

In the commune of Saint-Flour, you can buy a traditional-style house for prices ranging from 600,000 to 700,000 euros, but it will be located some distance from the sea.

Available housing options

On the eastern coast of the island, places like Moriani and Cervione offer more affordable housing options—two- and three-bedroom apartments priced around 250,000 euros. The southern part, such as Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio, attracts wealthy buyers with its picturesque beaches and clear waters. Property prices in these areas are comparable to those on the French Riviera.

Real estate in Porto-Vecchio

According to Jean-Noël Marseillais, a real estate agent in Porto-Vecchio, "a 19-hectare estate in the Golfe de Sperone golf club was recently sold for 10 million euros." The minimum price for housing in this prestigious club starts at 4 million euros for a 250-square-meter house located on the second line from the sea, with a land plot of 3,000 square meters.

Elite neighborhoods and affordable options

This is one of the most expensive places in Corsica, where the price of houses located right by the shore can reach up to 10 million euros. Despite the high prices, in Porto-Vecchio, you can also find more affordable options, with houses that need renovation starting from 800 thousand to 1 million euros.

Features of Belle-Île Island

Belle-Île, located in the Bay of Biscay, offers its opportunities and attractive conditions for buyers, thanks to its unique nature and cultural features of the region.

The situation in the real estate market

Currently, the real estate market is in a stable position, where the volume of supply remains consistently at a certain level. The increase in the number of available properties is linked to the necessity of selling them for various reasons, including divorces, health issues of the owners, or unexpected events such as death.

This situation has led to cautious behavior among buyers, which in turn prevents prices from rising significantly. The key segment in the market consists of housing priced from280 to 380 thousand eurosFor example, for the amount of 345,000 euros, you can become the owner of a two-bedroom house located in close proximity to the sea.

Expensive housing options

Among the more expensive options stands out a new modern house with a beautiful ocean view, located in the Bang area, occupying a plot of 5,600 m² and valued at695 thousand eurosAccording to real estate experts, finding housing at a lower price in this area is almost impossible, as most properties start at around one million euros.

However, in Bang, one can also consider:

• A stone house with a gabled roof and a well-maintained garden for sale.268 thousand euros.
• Housing in the city center with an area of215 m²for470 thousand euros.

Île de Brea: An Attractive Island

Now let's move to Île-de-Bréhat, an island located in the northern part of Brittany. As Roslyn Botorrel reports, this region has a good reputation, and interest in local real estate remains high. Although the era of rapid growth in this sector is already behind us, many owners are not ready to accept this.

For example, there is a house that has been on the market for a long time for710 thousand eurosHowever, realtors estimate it at only450 thousand euros.

The popularity of fishing cabins

The so-called ones are particularly popular.“fishing huts”— these are stone structures in need of repair that are put up for sale at a price not exceeding500 thousand eurosMost transactions are conducted based on personal connections, with information about sales being passed through acquaintances, which creates a unique atmosphere in the market.

Grua: Historical Context

Grau is another important place on the map of Brittany, located in the Morbihan department, which was the main port in France for tuna fishing until the 1940s. As a result, there are quite a few fishing houses here, and many of them are still looking for new owners.

“Overall, we are seeing an excess of properties on the market compared to the number of inquiries for their purchase. The most acute shortage is felt in homes priced around”200 thousand euros, and objects in the range from300 to 400 thousand euros“It's enough, but the interest in them is low,” shares Beatrice Mattei from the real estateagency Île et Côtier.

So, for318 thousand eurosIn Grua, you can purchase a spacious 19th-century house that needs renovation and includes four rooms, as well as a garden area.1,000 m².

The state of the market in Noirmoutier

In Noirmoutier, local realtors are also noting a stagnation in the market: "We have some good offers, but buyers are not showing interest," says Gabriel Sular from the agency Les Manoirs. Other properties, such as a four-bedroom house with a plot of land in...2,400 m², at a cost of695 thousand eurosThey also do not find their owners, and interest in real estate in the range...200,000 to 300,000 eurossignificantly higher.

Trends and alternatives

It is important to note that the demand for real estate is gradually decreasing in favor of alternative options, such as boats, which may impact the overall trend in the market in the future.

Conclusion

The conclusion of this real estate study in the Mediterranean islands and Brittany highlights the uniqueness and diversity of offerings that can attract both locals and those looking to enjoy the natural beauty of these places. By exploring such exceptional corners as Porquerolles, Corsica, and Belle-Île, I realize that the value of real estate here lies not only in the numbers but also in the lifestyle it offers.

Unique characteristics of regions

Each of these islands has its own character and atmosphere, ranging from wild nature reserves to a more vibrant real estate market.

• Pork roll— the perfect refuge for those seeking solitude and harmony with nature.
• Corsica— a dynamic market that attracts a wider range of buyers.
• Belle-ÎleThe other islands of Brittany offer a variety of properties, but they don't always attract buyers.

Local practices and social aspects

In practice, many deals are made through personal connections, which confirms the unique nature of the local community. In this context:

• The demand for certain types of properties, such as fishing houses on Île-de-Bréa and in Grua, may still exist even in the context of an overall market downturn.
• This speaks to a strong interest in nature and the historical values of the regions.

Recommendations for buyers

Ultimately, to successfully purchase real estate in these regions, potential buyers must be prepared to search for unique offers and consider local transaction practices. I hope that my article will help readers gain a deeper understanding not only of the market structure but also of the social aspects that make each real estate exploration so exciting and intriguing.