Buying property in the Pyrénées-Orientales
Pyrénées-Orientales is a charming department in Occitanie, in the south of France where it joins Spain on the Mediterranean side.
If you are buying there, this page will give you an introduction to the property market, the lifestyle and steps to buying property in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
Why buy a home in Pyrénées-Orientales?
It may sound like a cliché to say that residents in the Pyrénées-Orientales enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, but the local motto is farniente, which roughly translates as ‘the sweetness of idling’, so maybe we should take them at their word.
However, once well rested, in this department, you can swim from sandy beaches but also ski in the Pyrénées-Orientales’ 230+ kilometres of slopes. There are the foothills of the Pyrenees to walk in, the rivers flowing out of the mountains to fish in or kayak down, and the gorgeous views out of every window.
No wonder it has attracted artists. The town of Collioure (pictured above), a gem on the Mediterranean coast known for its colourful houses, attracted Derain, Braque, Picasso and Matisse.
They also came as it is such a handy department to get to, on transport routes from France to Spain.
As part of the region of Occitanie, the department offers a mix of Catalan and French culture. The picturesque town of Ceret offers diversity and is a charming place to live.
If it’s small-town appeal you’re looking for, try Collioure or Prades, a town nestled in the foothills of the mountains, famous for its music festivals.
The Pyrénées-Orientales lifestyle attracts retirees seeking tranquillity and natural beauty, creatives who find inspiration in the department’s heritage and culture, and wine lovers, who appreciate the department’s excellent vineyards.
Aerial view of Villefranche de Conflent in the valley of the Pyrenees mountains
What can you buy for your money in the Pyrénées-Orientales?
Roughly 30% of the Pyrénées-Orientales is mountainous. Most of the department’s roughly half a million population lives on the plains and in its main city, Perpignan.
The department encompasses three river valleys, Agly, Tet and Tech, which are each surrounded by small country communes and villages, like Castelnou, Prades and Thuir. If you’re looking to buy a property in the Pyrénées-Orientales, consider exploring these charming villages and towns.
The Pyrénées-Orientales is popular for Mas, a French word for farmhouse properties unique to southern France. They are typically medium-to-large in size, made of local stones, rectangular and have gently sloping roofs.
The average price per square metre for apartments and houses in the Pyrénées-Orientales is around €2,500. Properties tend to be more expensive in larger cities and villages such as Saint-Cyprien and Argelès-sur-Mer. On the other hand, you can also find more affordable homes in Rivesaltes, Prades and Ille-sur-Tet.
For a property in Collioure a starting budget would be €250,000. Perpignan is a relatively affordable city for the south of France. At less than €2,000 per square metre for apartments it is considerably cheaper than Montpellier, for example.
Steps to buying property in the Pyrénées-Orientales
- Define your criteria: Determine what you’re looking for in terms of property type, location, budget and must-have features.
- Research: Use online resources, visit local real estate agencies and explore the area to find properties that match your criteria. Book your place at the Your Overseas Home Virtual Event.
- Speak to a currency expert: Moving exchange rates are a risk in international property purchases, so discuss managing that risk with a forward contract that fixes your exchange rate.
- Legal considerations: Familiarise yourself with the French property buying process, including the role of the notaire, who handles the legal aspects of the sale. Contact an independent lawyer at this stage.
- Financing: Investigate mortgage options if required. French banks offer loans to non-residents, but it’s advisable to compare rates and terms.
- Book your viewing/scouting trip: Download the guide, contact estate agents and book your tickets.
- Making an offer: Once you find a property you like, you can make an offer. If accepted, you’ll sign a preliminary contract (compromis de vente or a promesse de vente) and pay a deposit.
- Completion: The final sale is completed when the acte de vente is signed at the notaire’s office, and the balance of the purchase price is paid.
Costs of buying property in Pyrénées-Orientales
When buying property in the Pyrénées-Orientales, the buyer is responsible for notaire fees, which average 7-8% of the property price (or 2-3% for new homes) and will have to also consider estate agent fees (although often included in the property price) and homeowner taxes.
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