Ile de Ré – Paris by the sea
If you are looking for a chic abode, then this is the island for you. When you hear it is known as ‘the French Hamptons’ and ‘Paris by the sea’ it starts to build a picture before you even arrive on the island’s sunny shores.
One of the key things many of our clients ask for is accessibility. So if that applies to you it could be that you never would have imagined island living could be possible – on Ile de Ré it is. The island is linked to the mainland via a bridge which also means you can reach the cosmopolitan city of La Rochelle easily from the island. We love the friendliness and efficiency of La Rochelle airport which means you could be sat by your pool enjoying a cool drink within 15 minutes of landing!
Safe haven - the port at St Martin
The island really does offer the best of both worlds. If you are looking for somewhere where you can enjoy designer shops, wonderful French cuisine in restaurants by the sea and concerts then look no further. What is really amazing is that you can have all of this, a sunny climate second only to the Côte d’Azur (2,600 hours of sunshine annually) and also enjoy space and nature. What a combination.There are cycle routes throughout the island, miles of sandy beaches and pine forests for when you would prefer a shady place to enjoy a baguette, cheese and a bottle of the local wine. The island has strict planning regulations so the tallest buildings you will find here are lighthouses with the other buildings being mainly white-washed fishermen’s cottages with white, grey or green shutters. This is an island straight off a picture postcard, country living á la plage.
As you would expect property is always in high demand, however, we get to hear of new properties before they even hit the books. In the past the island has been popular with international celebrities and Parisians for second homes, lately we have seen Americans and English buyers recognising the investment potential. The island also offers the opportunity to live in a style akin to the Cote d’Azur – but with a far cheaper price tag. Russian and Chinese investors are now also showing interest in this island. Our tip, don’t leave it too late whilst the prices are still affordable.
At the moment we could still find you an apartment in a holiday complex for 135,000 euros. If you are looking for something grander then how about a four bedroomed home, with that all important swimming pool, nearly 1500 m2 of garden – all finished to a wonderful standard. There aren ‘t many places where you could find all that for 500,000 euros! If you have over 1 million euros then you can own a home with direct access on to a beach.