Tuscany can be both quiet and hectic, depending on how you want it to be. However, it is most suitable for those who want to immerse themselves in local culture and integrate into society. Everything here is based on traditional values, so families with children can safely count on a warm welcome.
Provence can be called a "posh village" – unless, of course, we are talking about cities such as Nice, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, or the Cote d'Azur. Here, buyers will find a unique blend of rural simplicity and true sophistication based on centuries-old traditions. In Provence, life is in full swing regardless of the time of year, and the locals are very friendly.
It is very important that both regions are easy to reach, and a dense network of highways and numerous international airports allow you to visit your country house as often as you want – even every weekend. The warm season in Tuscany lasts about five months, whereas in Provence it lasts up to six months, not to mention the Cote d'Azur. Both regions are a true paradise for those who are attracted by a calm and at the same time relaxing, "southern" lifestyle.
Rural luxury of Provence
Provence is a completely self–sufficient region, the real estate market of which does not depend too much on French trends. Its advantages over others are its advantageous location on the Mediterranean coast of France, rich historical traditions and high transport accessibility. "The value of real estate is maintained at a high level, including due to the limited supply of construction sites," says James Crane of Maison de Reve.
The Cote d'Azur is, in fact, the coastal part of Provence. Since the 60s of the last century, when it firmly gained fame as the main summer resort in Europe, real estate prices here have been steadily rising, competing with Paris and London, and sometimes surpassing them. Following the coast, prices are also rising in the continental part of Provence, although to a lesser extent. Homes Overseas has already talked in detail about the real estate of the Cote d'Azur more than once, so now we will talk in more detail about the interior.
Buyers who avoid the noisy lights of the Riviera and seek comfortable privacy will undoubtedly be pleased with small residential complexes, farmhouses and ancient villas of continental Provence. The fragrant "robes" of the local hills will help you relax after the coastal bustle and noise, and the cost of a house here will be at least a third cheaper than at sea - prices for historical mansions in Provence start from 400,000 euros.
In the Vaucluse department, where the famous Luberon Nature Park is located, buyers will find many small villages picturesquely scattered across the rugged countryside. The two centers of Vaucluse – its capital Avignon and the town of Orange – are characterized by a variety of mixed cultures and lively cafe terraces. Experts believe that both cities have great potential for development, largely due to high-speed rail links to Paris and the coast.
The most typical Provence is the territory of the Alpes–Maritimes department, located at some distance from the coast. A classic of the Provencal lifestyle is the town of Mougins, 10 km from Cannes and the beaches of the Cote d'Azur. Many celebrities lived here, fascinated by the narrow streets and bustling central square, among them Yves Saint Laurent, Catherine Deneuve and Pablo Picasso. Like the nearby town of Biot, Mougins is becoming increasingly popular among those who want to have a house in close proximity to the Cote d'Azur, but for reasonable money. For example, a two-bedroom apartment in a residential complex with a communal pool and tennis courts can be purchased here for 350,000 euros.
Marseille, which is not too prestigious, the French "city of contrasts", nevertheless shows the highest and most stable increase in the value of real estate in the region. Experts believe that this trend will continue in the future, thanks to the construction of business districts, the development of air and high-speed rail links, as well as a seaport. Finally, Marseille, like any major city, provides all the opportunities for cultural recreation and entertainment for every taste.
Those who are looking for an opportunity to invest in residential complexes under construction should pay attention to the Pavillon Massalia residential complex, located in the city center. It consists of luxury apartments with 1-3 bedrooms, which can be purchased at a price of 154,000 euros - for a one-bedroom apartment. Well, lovers of country life may be interested in a small modern village in the Bouches-du-Rhone area between Toulon and Marseille, where the cost of villas starts from 450,000 euros.
And finally, a little bit about the capital of the region - the city of Aix-en-Provence, which can be considered an example of French provincial originality and chic. Within a radius of 20 minutes. driving from the city center, every square centimeter is in demand, and in some places, such as Le Tholonet, real estate prices have doubled in the last two years.
Tuscany – modernity with an appearance of antiquity
In the recent past, Tuscany was considered an elite resort region for wealthy weirdos. However, over the years, thanks to its good reputation, classic Italian culture and modern Haute Couture, Tuscany has become attractive to a wider range of tourists and property buyers. The housing market in 2004 turned out to be extremely lively: real estate prices in the most popular areas of Siena, Arezzo and Florence rose by 15%, but in 2005 there was a calm, although in the north of the region, in not the most famous areas, prices continued to rise.
"Within 50 km of Florence, Pisa and Siena, prices remain consistently high," says Karen Roos from Casa Tuscany. - However, in places in Northern Tuscany such as Val d'Orcia, the cost of real estate has increased by about 15-20% over the past year and a half, still remaining twice as cheap as in more famous areas of Tuscany. Farmhouses requiring renovation cost from 220,000 euros, and those already renovated – from 352,000 euros."
Tuscany, near the border with Liguria, is the "land of a hundred castles". Here, an hour's drive from both Pisa and Genoa, small villages are scattered along the coastal valleys like bunches of grapes. Due to the proximity of two major historical cities and numerous attractions, local real estate is in great demand among both buyers and those who prefer to relax in rented apartments.
To the north of Lucca, the birthplace of Puccini, in the fertile Serchio Valley, there is the town of Garfagnana, where two-bedroom rural houses are for sale - for only 200,000 euros. In the pretty stone villages on the hilltops, mainly in the area of Bagni di Lucca and Barga, you can find newly renovated houses overlooking the Apuan Alps. The solitude of these places is apparent - Pisa is just an hour's drive away, and the coast is 40 minutes away. Casa Tuscany offers rural houses with six bedrooms and a garden near Bagni di Lucca for just 120,000 euros.
In the east of Tuscany, it is worth paying attention to the elegant historical town of Arezzo, located on several hills. On its outskirts, two-bedroom apartments are offered for 300,000 euros, and villas with spacious plots of land cost 900,000 euros.
The town of Cortona, south of Arezzo, became very attractive to tourists after the film "Under the Tuscan Sun" was shot on its streets in 2003. Its exceptionally good location near Umbria and Lake Trasimeno also plays a role. "A renovated farmhouse in this region will cost the new owner 400,000 euros," says Mark Slaviero of Homes in Italy. - However, in just 15 minutes. Driving west, in the Monte San Savino area, prices are much lower - spacious two-bedroom apartments in an exquisitely restored farmhouse cost only 150,000 euros."
In the south of Tuscany, especially on the Versilia coast, which is also called the Tuscan Riviera, prices are getting higher again. In the towns of Camaiore, Forte Dei Marmi and Pietrasanta, the annual price increase is about 10%. Here you can always find modern apartments, whose cost starts from 280 000 euros, as well as large villas, prices for which start from 600 000 euros. Strict rules of construction and reconstruction have been adopted on this coast - for example, an already built house cannot be increased in volume, and when demolishing an old house, the new one cannot be larger than the previous one. All this helps to preserve the flavor of Versilia and its charm, which is a rarity for Mediterranean resorts.
