Why buy in Gard: Property Location Guide

Laid back and popular, Gard in the south of France, is a geographically diverse département west of Provence. It has beautiful beaches to the south, the wild mountain ranges of the Cévennes national park in the north, as well as the stunning wetlands of the Camargue, while Nîmes, the département’s capital, offers a faster pace of life for urbanites. You can achieve the perfect balance in Gard, with a property that’s equidistant from the ski slopes and the coast.

House prices are on the increase here and typically, the closer you get to Nîmes and Montpellier, the higher they are. The commuter belt for Montpellier reaches as far as Nîmes, so there will be competition from the local buyers’ market. Sought-after Uzès remains perennially popular and also comes with a high price tag. Thanks to the area’s excellent tourism credentials – including the UNESCO-listed Pont du Gard aqueduct – buy-to-let properties are a good option. Long-term rentals are in high demand in Uzès and there is also a strong holiday-rental market. Countryside villas within easy reach of the town can still be affordable, though, starting at €300,000 depending on their condition.

Other villages – such as Alès, Vézénobres and Remoulins – offer less pricey options. A three-bedroom village house in need of renovation can cost you less than €150,000, while you could snap up a three-bedroom home that’s ready to move for €250,000-€450,000 depending on whether it has a pool. For sea views, head to the medieval fortress town of Aigues-Mortes on Gard’s very short coastline. Homes here are predictably pricey – a three-bedroom family home will cost €500,000 and up. If you have a higher budget: say, €1,500,000, there are some very exclusive character properties to choose from in Gard.

The département enjoys a Mediterranean climate and is blessed with 300 days of sun a year and warm, sleepy autumn months. However, the Mistral can make things feel a lot cooler. Visitors can fly into the airports at either Montpellier or Nîmes. The latter is also served by the TGV, which links it to Paris. Gard offers many of the benefits of a Mediterranean lifestyle, but at more affordable prices than its neighbour Provence.

Further Information:

www.tourismegard.com

www.nimes-tourisme.com/en/