Where To Buy in France Now: Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales

Ready to make the move? The FrenchEntrée Property Services team reveal their top search areas – on and off the beaten track

PERPIGNAN

Pyrénées-Orientales

Perpignan is the capital of the Pyrénées-Orientales département and the gateway to the beautiful Têt Valley, which lies to the west of the city and links the Pyrenean ski resorts with the Mediterranean Sea. This area offers the best of both worlds, with coastal access on the doorstep and a good choice of ski resorts further inland. With its proximity to the Spanish border, there is a strong Catalan influence visible in the region’s colourful architecture, right through to the culture and gastronomy.

The old town of Perpignan is the most sought after for foreign buyers. It’s a picturesque area with cobbled streets giving way to little boutiques and independent shops and provides easy access to a myriad of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. Pricing for a one-bedroom apartment here usually starts at around €100,000, but outside space and parking spots will be scarce. You should also be prepared to move quickly in this price range as demand is high.

If you are looking for a courtyard/garden within easy walking distance of the old town, then look around the Palais des Congrès and up to the River Têt. This is also a more residential area and will suit families with access to local schools. Alternatively, there’s Les Jardins St Jacques, historically where the monks from the church grew food for the people of the city and an area that, if you are lucky, may come with a good-sized garden. Outlying villages and beyond will provide traditional character houses and larger farmhouses with land.

Palais des Rois and La Lunette are two neighbourhoods that offer some flexible pricing and are both within walking distance of the centre and the train station. Typically, these areas in the north of the city are cheaper than the southern quarters.

Perpignan also benefits from a TGV station, which adds to its rental investment potential. Pricing has been on the up here, and with TGV links to Barcelona as well (less than an hour’s journey time), there is demand from Spanish buyers, local residential lets and holidaymakers alike. Low-cost airline routes from the UK to Perpignan also add to the investment potential. Montpellier is an hour and a half by car and Toulouse approximately two hours.

With thanks to our partner agencies in Perpignan

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