Buy a Property in the Aude

It is still a very popular area to buy property in the Aude. Prices have increased over the last 5 years, but there are still homes that need a lot of TLC and renovation, that start at around 80 000 euros.

Property prices and trends in the Languedoc

2006/7 has been an interesting year in the Languedoc. The demand for property is still very high, mainly from the British, but also from the Irish, Dutch and, newcomers, the Swedes. The availability of property for sale has been very mixed, with the peak time of summer having very few good properties to sell, but post summer, the market has picked up enormously and there is now a great selection at all budgets.

Selling prices have been quite sensitive too. The boom of 4 years ago has given the taste for sellers to try and price their property at the maximum. The reality this year has been that the asking price was hardly ever reached, with agreed selling prices of about 5-15% off the asking price. This meant that some people took their homes off the market, and are happy to wait until the market picks up.

The British buyers have been less in evidence. Our research shows that this may be due to potential buyers consolidating their debts, over draughts and mortgages rather than spend their money on “luxuries”.

Lets have a look at some of the statistics:

Here we have indications of sold properties in the Narbonne area. These prices are for houses only and are the price per square metre

Price range Variation over 3 months Variation over 6 months Variation on 1 year
Lowest price 2 073,00 € 0,00% +3,23% +0,87%
Highest price 2 769,00 € 0,00% +0,69% -5,92%
Average price 2 395,00 € +1,75% +3,17% +2,05%


Properties sold in Carcassonne area. Once again, price per square metre for houses sold.

Price range Variation over 3 months Variation over 6 months Variation on 1 year
Lowest price 1 600,00 € +29,00% +18,75% +29,00%
Highest price 2 000,00 € -7,50% +6,95% -2,25%
Average price 1 804,00 € +4,60% +6,15% +11,42%




Houses sold in Ginestas . This is a town very popular with British buyers. Once again, price per square metre.


Price range Variation over 3 months Variation over 6 months Variation on 1 year
Lowest price 2 000,00 € 0,00% +36,65% -47,60%
Highest price 2 593,00 € 0,00% -2,85% -28,65%
Average price 2 222,00 € 0,00% +4,10% -41,49%


Let’s focus now on the Languedoc. In 2004 and 2005, this region has shown the highest increase in property prices for the whole of France.

• It is one of the most varied regions
• It has the longest season and the most hours of sunshine
• Served by 4 main airports, with a choice of scheduled and budget airlines using these airports
• A great choice of beaches on the Mediterranean
• Characterful villages
• Huge amount of history (uniquely the Cathars)
• Skiing in Andorra close by as well as the border into Spain

What type of properties are potential buyers looking for?

• The most popular is still the holiday/secondary home. This is usually a minimum of 2 bedrooms, located near shops and in a village. It must have an outside space, usually in the form of a terrace or small courtyard. Easy maintenance and confidence when empty that it will secure.
• Potential of buying a larger home that can produce some income is gaining in popularity. This takes many different forms. B & B (Chambre d’hote) and rental (Gite) properties are proving a good source of income, covering all out goings and, in most cases, showing a yearly profit. The restrictions here seem to be solely what potential purchasers can realisticly afford to buy.
• Many people are leaving their country of origin and starting a new life in the Languedoc. The days of buying a ruin for €10 000 are over. You can find houses/barns that need a complete makeover, with prices starting around €40 000. Depending on the state of this type of property, one can have this renovation work done, to your specifications, for around 2.5 to 3 times the purchase price- but this does vary hugely.
• New builds are also popular- with the current build price of €1000 per m2.


To summarise, the Languedoc is a very good area to invest in. It is to be viewed on a medium to long-term investment. The cost of living is cheaper that the UK and the quality of life is far superior. Take a serious look at what is available, affordable and we are sure that you will be pleasantly surprised.

Further info: http://www.propertysolutionslanguedoc.com