Find your new life
Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, in the southeast of France, Var captivates with its sublime landscapes, lively ports, and authentic countryside. Each year, the department attracts more and more individuals in search of a second home or simply a better quality of life.
But it's also a great real estate investment opportunity: thanks to strong tourism and very high rental prices, investing in Var allows you to enjoy it at a lower cost whenever you wish, and make your purchase profitable by renting during the high season!
Between the coast, seaside resorts, and inland villages, how to know where to buy in Var? In this article, we'll explore the different environments and cities where it's worth investing.
Coastal cities are obviously the first choice for future real estate buyers: whether for a second home, a primary residence, or a rental investment, proximity to the sea is an undeniable asset when buying in the south. So it's not surprising that some cities have high prices: on the coast, the price per square meter ranges from €6.000 to €17.000!
Among the interesting coastal cities, we note:
Contrary to other coastal cities, Sainte-Maxime is easily accessible thanks to its proximity to the Saint-Raphaël train station and Nice airport. Located in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the city benefits from a magnificent view of the sea and privileged access to fine sandy beaches.
But that's not all: the city center has recently been redesigned to offer a better experience to residents and vacationers! It's therefore an accessible and dynamic city, pleasant to live in all year round and with great rental potential in the summer!
A chic seaside beach town, easily accessible from Toulon train station, Bandol is renowned for its beaches, magnificent villas, and sea-view apartments. It's the ideal city for families and retirees looking for a property in a safe city, with a nice upscale city center and a pleasant beach. Bandol focuses on luxury, so the prices per square meter are relatively high here!
An essential summer destination, Saint-Tropez, although very expensive, offers a good opportunity for seasonal rental investment in Var. Very dynamic in summer, it attracts numerous affluent tourists every year who come to enjoy the sun, designer boutiques, and starred restaurants.
As you might guess, Saint-Tropez is an ideal city for purchasing luxury properties! The average price per square meter is €15.000, quickly recouped thanks to a very advantageous rental price.
The Provençal hinterland of Var is full of charming villages and rural houses offering a peaceful and authentic lifestyle. Properties in this region can be an attractive option for those seeking a real estate investment with strong long-term growth potential. Prices here are much lower than along the coast.
Built along a limestone cliff, Cotignac charms with its medieval features, bustling markets, and picturesque landscapes. For those venturing outside the ramparts, the surroundings are full of Provençal farmhouses and vineyards, ideal for those looking to buy a large property with land. In the city, stone houses with colorful shutters offer less space but easy access to all amenities. It's therefore a region for nature lovers seeking a quieter and more authentic environment!
Lorgues is a typical Provençal town renowned for its vineyards, olive groves, and friendly atmosphere. Buyers can discover a variety of properties with spectacular views of the surrounding hills. Like Cotignac, one comes here for a softer lifestyle, larger houses, and perhaps a plot with a swimming pool!
Some areas of Var experience dynamic economic and urban development, making them more attractive for buying a primary residence or long-term rental investment. Cities such as Toulon, Fréjus, and Draguignan benefit from investments in infrastructure, transportation, and services, stimulating housing demand and creating prospects for real estate value appreciation.
Toulon was voted the 1st city in Var where it's good to live in a ranking conducted by the association "Cities and Villages Where It's Good to Live." This ranking was based on numerous criteria including quality of life, access to healthcare, safety, diversity of shops, transportation, education, sports and leisure facilities, solidarity, and real estate attractiveness.
Toulon is a pleasant and dynamic city, with a charming historic center and a rural periphery. This diversity allows it to have a varied real estate offer, ranging from modern apartments in the city center to country houses in the suburbs!
Thanks to its lively port, renowned universities, and proximity to the sea, Toulon attracts a growing number of young professionals and families. Investing in real estate in Toulon therefore offers an interesting return potential, especially in expanding neighborhoods like Mourillon, known for its beaches and festive atmosphere.
Fréjus has an ideal location on the French Riviera, close to Saint-Raphaël and its TGV station. This privileged position gives it easy access to the region's main attractions, including fine sandy beaches, iconic cities like Saint-Tropez, but also picturesque villages in the hinterland.
Fréjus has a particularly rich historical heritage: it's here that we find the largest number of Gallo-Roman remains in the department! Once the amphitheater, villa, and Roman baths have been visited, the city invites us to discover its medieval heritage, churches, and other medieval monuments.
Investing in real estate in Fréjus offers interesting opportunities, whether for the purchase of a primary residence, a vacation home, or a rental property: indeed, although the city is ideally located, dynamic, and has a port, real estate prices are generally more affordable than in neighboring cities!
After talking about two port cities, it's important to remember that the hinterland also has cities that are bustling all year round! Draguignan benefits from notable economic dynamism, with a developed tertiary sector and significant commercial activity. The city hosts many companies in the agri-food, crafts, and services sectors, offering employment and interesting investment opportunities.
This economic dynamism has allowed the city to develop a multitude of infrastructures (schools, health centers, sports, and cultural facilities), making life pleasant, both in summer and winter!
Var doesn't only attract French nationals: English, Germans, Belgians, and Dutch people also come here in search of a second home or retirement in the sun! Hyères, Fayence, Grimaud, Saint-Tropez are attracting more and more foreign investors, creating real communities in various locations in Var.
Settling here is therefore even simpler and more enjoyable as there's already a network of support and an ease in meeting people. Moreover, many nationals have created Facebook groups to gather their peers abroad. The group "Living on the French Riviera" already has 25,000 members!
In conclusion, buying a house or an apartment in Var always represents a solid investment and, if desired, an extremely profitable one. Whether for a second home, a peaceful retirement, or an interesting rental investment, Var offers a multitude of properties at very varied prices. Not to mention the exceptional setting provided by the sea, the scent of lavender, and the song of cicadas!
