Collioure Property Insight

Collioure is a seaside town situated along the Mediterranean coast, to the south of Argelès-sur-Mer and 26 kilometres (approx. 15 miles) away from the Spanish border. Due to its location close to the frontier, Collioure has a strong Catalan culture that is visible through the town’s traditions. The motto of this town is the same one than the local Catalan rugby team’s one: “Always forward, we will never die” (“Sempre endavant, mai morirem” in the Catalan language). Many people claim that Collioure is the prettiest town of the Côte Vermeille. Anyway, everybody agrees to say that it is a really pleasant place to stay in.

Overview

As a part of the former province of Roussillon, Collioure is famous for its 3-day August 15th celebration that attracts many tourists in addition to its inhabitants. But the numerous Catalan traditions are also interesting to see such as the Sardane (typical dance form Catalonia). Collioure is an idyllic place on the rocky coastline, the picturesque village of which is nestled in an authentic environment. The exceptionally sunny climate of southern France added to the rich archaeological heritage left by the numerous foreign sailors (Phocaeans, Romans and Greeks) who traveled to this town.

Collioure Immobilier & Property Market Trends

As in most towns of the Pyrenees Orientales department, property prices in Collioure are pretty high. They have been soaring in recent years but decreasing since November 2007. Indeed, by this month buying a property there cost around €4,450 / square metre and in February 2009 the price was only €3,130 / square metre.

As far as apartments are concerned, prices were incredibly high as you should plan to spend €5,040 / square metre in January 2008. With the financial crisis, prices went down and investing in an apartment in Collioure cost €4,623 / square metre in last August, ie a decrease of 0.3% a year.

On the 3,765 properties in this town, 66% are second homes and only 33% are main houses. Most of Collioure’s inhabitants own their properties (66%). Investing in a house or apartment in this part of France is really worth. You can make a buy-to-let investment or just buy a great holiday home to enjoy the southern lifestyle all year round.

To get updated info about the property prices in the Pyrenees Orientales departement, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

5 Reasons to Buy a Property in Collioure

Collioure is really renowned in France and abroad. This pretty coastal town has all the assets to seduce you!

• Art and culture: the town has always been a source of inspiration for artists. Indeed, many writers, poets, singers and painters found their way to Collioure. The place is famous for being important in the fauvism movement, it was the meeting place of many artists such as André Derain, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. They all have been inspired by several monuments of the town (the Royal Castle and the church Notre-Dame-des-Anges for instance). Twenty reproductions of Derain’s and Matisse’s works are exposed in Collioure’s Museum of Modern Art. You can find many beautiful art galleries in this town.

• Gastronomy: cuisine is an essential part of Collioure’s life. The town was indeed granted an award called site remarquable du goût (site of culinary excellence). It is renowned for its anchovies - basis ingredients for many typical Catalan dishes - which are cooked in different manners (plain, salted, in oil or vinegar). You can also taste croquants: Catalan hand made almond biscuits. Collioure also produces a wine of controlled origin, full of character thanks to the Mediterranean climate.

• Events: plenty of festivities are organised in Collioure all year round. Amongst others: the festival of St. Vincent (3-day celebrations with beautiful fireworks and bull fights - August 14th to 18th), Antonio Machado's celebration (February 24th-25th), Good Friday Sanch Procession (March 21st) and the festival of St. John (June 23rd).

• Accessibility: it is really easy to reach Collioure. By car, taking the motorway A9 to Perpignan and driving further to Argeles-sur-Mer. By train with the TGV (high speed train) line Paris - Perpignan or by plane via the international airport Perpignan / Rivesaltes.

• Various Activities: diving, windsurfing, fishing, canyoning, practising optimist, kayak but also playing tennis, hiking, climbing are possible in Collioure. You can also belong to the town’s bridge club, go to the cinema or the casino, make bus or boat trips and visit the market twice a week.

Property Styles and Architecture in Collioure

You will find in Collioure some typical houses from the Pyrenees Orientales department and Languedoc region, but also pretty properties in the old village.

• Old village houses: as said before, the old village has an abundance of narrow streets with stairs and greenery everywhere, but also small bridges and terraces. The houses of the old village are of a modest size. Painted in bright colours such as orange, yellow or pink, these properties belong to the most beautiful of the department. The shutters are painted in another colour than the one of the walls, a very vivid colour. These old village houses also have iron balconies on which there are always many flowers.

• Villas: on the seafront, there are plenty of huge properties surrounded with big gardens full of trees. The breathtaking view that you have from these properties are without any doubts the major asset of these wonderful villas: you can either admire the Mediterranean sea or the Pyrenees mountains. With a private swimming-pool and large shaded terraces, these properties located in a quiet area will definitely seduce you!

Click here for more info about the Languedoc Roussillon Architecture.