Languedoc - Roussillon. The undiscovered French gem

Languedoc - Roussillon. The undiscovered French gem

Languedoc - Roussillon - is one of the two Mediterranean regions of France. The second province, that has an access to this sea, is Provence - Alpes - Cote d'Azur. And if the latter is always popular with buyers, including Russians (read ee24.com article about luxury real estate in Nice ), Languedoc - Roussillon is not so well known.

If you want to buy property in France on the Mediterranean Sea, but are not willing to pay more for trendy Cote d'Azur "label", note Languedoc - Roussillon, which is extending west from Marseille and reaching the Spanish border and Andorra. The largest city and the capital of Languedoc - Roussillon is a coastal city Montpellier, the gem of the southern France. Although the population of the city reaches 250,000 people, making it the eighth largest city in France, the Russians know little about Montpellier.

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However, the advanced users of ee24.com portal are often interested in real estate in Languedoc - Roussillon. To fill the gaps in knowledge, learn about the price of houses and apartments and identify the strengths of the region, we talked to Maxim Semakin, the commercial director of real estate agency "Sunny Beach", working in Languedoc - Roussillon.

Languedoc - Roussillon. The undiscovered French gem  | Photo 2 | ee24
​Sète

Languedoc — another Cote d'Azur ?

- Languedoc - Roussillon - is one of the regions about which Russians know not so much. Can I say that this is an analogue of Côte d'Azur?

- Yes, it is. But it is absolutely different.

- Then why are people interested in real estate in Languedoc - Roussillon, what is attracting them to this region?

- Languedoc - Roussillon — is the champion of the world heritage sites. It is the land of the Greeks and Romans, in which everything is kept in good condition. Montpellier is the economic, administrative and cultural capital of Languedoc - Roussillon. And though the Russians little know about it, if you ask any European about Montpellier, you'll get an answer that it is a paradise in France. Our French real estate agency is precisely in Montpellier, where we live and work.

Languedoc - Roussillon. The undiscovered French gem  | Photo 3 | ee24

In what other region there simultaneously are the sea, sun and beaches, mountains and ski resorts, historic heritage, which dates back several thousand years? Not to mention that the local wine, which is an indispensable attribute of the region.

Languedoc - Roussillon. The undiscovered French gem  | Photo 4 | ee24
Representatives of "Sunny Beach" company, that sells real estate in Languedoc - Roussillon

Like "Azur", but cheaper

- What is the demand for real estate in Languedoc - Roussillon? What are the main interests of the clients, especially the Russians?

- Still, housing here is different from the real estate of Cote d'Azur, which is traditionally expensive and prestigious for a number of reasons. Languedoc - Roussillon is the place that the Russians are not yet sufficiently acquainted with. There is a constant demand for houses and villas on the coast, but only because the Russians don't know what to do with the rest of the supply. Buying of real estate for Russians is still associated primarily with a beach holiday. In fact, nowadays the most advanced buyers move to the regions of France that border the sea, but are loacted not directly on the coast.

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Arc de Triomphe in Montpellier

- What are the prices for real estate in Languedoc - Roussillon?

- It is very difficult to talk about it without reference to the site. You can find an apartment in Languedoc - Roussillon for €70,000, and for €600,000. It's not easy to find an apartment for €1 million, but it is possible. I can say that if you plan to send a child to study at the University of Montpellier, it will be enough to buy him an apartment for €90,000.

- Some clients are looking for apartments for €30,000-40,000. Is it realistic to buy anything for such money in Languedoc - Roussillon?

- No, it's unreal. It is necessary to operate the actual amounts for the average Frenchman, which are much higher. And even if you buy a property in Languedoc - Roussillon for this amount, than you are either crazy, or you have some speculative interest, or the transaction is not legally clean. And it immediately becomes clear to the market participants. Such prices, in my opinion, do not exist at an adequate fair market.

- Is it possible to buy a villa overlooking the sea for €200,000-250,000, not necessarily close to the city?

- When you buy a villa near Montpellier, which is the administrative capital, the prestigious city, than you can expect a certain price level. You can buy a gorgeous home priced from €400,000 to €800,000. On the west coast, close to the Spanish border, you can find real estate at more affordable prices.

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Opera, Montpellier

Russians continue to dream of a villa on the sea

- What do Russian customers usually want?

- The Russians want to buy a villa in France on the coast. This is not a problem of the Russian client, but the lack of awareness about life in Europe. Everyone wants a house overlooking the sea, and after we show and tell them everything, people change their minds. In the European sense of convenience, the location should be a bit remote from the sea, in a tranquil neighborhood. Still an apartment on the beach is a rather specific property: large numbers of people in the summer and a complete void in the winter. And at some distance from the sea, there is infrastructure, public transportation, bicycle paths, sports facilities, etc. for year-round living. People relax on the beaches, but live elsewhere. But for many it is still not so obvious.

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​Albi

Languedoc for life

- One of the main reasons for buying property for the citizens of Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union — is the receiving of documents. How realistic is it for the Russian to obtain a residence permit in France when buying property in Languedoc - Roussillon?

- Migration policy does not depend on the region and is the same throughout France. Only the method of work may differ in regions, which is caused by certain factors: geographic location, congestion and so on. France does not sell the residence and does not give it for buying a property for a certain amount. But it's real to live in the country with real estate. You can safely buy property in France and stay in the country legally. It needs to be a law-abiding citizen in your own country, pay taxes and have a steady income.

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Montpellier

Languedoc for investment

- Many people want to buy property in France in order to rent it. How much does it cost to rent out the very small one-bedroom apartment?

- €450 is the minimum, but most likely it will be possible to gain from €500 to €550. The capital of Languedoc - Roussillon, Montpellier, the major university center, the student city of youth. For example, you have about three weeks since the announcement of sales, to buy a studio apartment from the builder of the house, that will be commissioned in 2016. Because the city is very young and one of the leaders in population growth in France are the students, who are 21% of the city population.

- What other attractive investment activities can you mention?

- The investment projects, that are working according to the law, the new edition of which was published in France in 2011 and which stimulates investments in real estate. For example, you can own the real estate, which will only be rented and bring a stable fixed income, from about 4.5% to 5.5% per annum. Buying real estate for investment purposes, you need to consider the place. The good popular place - in the city center or by the sea - costs from €5,000 per sq.m.

Languedoc - Roussillon. The undiscovered French gem  | Photo 9 | ee24
Collioure

- And finally, how would you advert Languedoc — Roussillon in one sentence to convince our readers to buy real estate there?

- After visiting Languedoc - Roussillon, you surely will stay there!

Interview: Konstantin Grape, ee24.com