In 1892, Paul Signac certainly didn’t comprehend the magnitude of the moment when he disembarked from his boat, “The Olympia”, in Saint-Tropez. Thanks to this painter, seduced by the beauty of the village hanging between the Maures mountains and the Mediterranean sea, Saint-Tropez’s name was written in art history. Later, in 1955, the filming of “Et Dieu créa la femme” (“And God Created Woman”), with the gorgeous Brigitte Bardot, gave this provincial village its glamorous image. An image that has not changed since. These key dates in Saint-Tropez’s history, whose inhabitants still today only number 5,500, which, with the coming of summer, is metamorphosed fourfold in population and daily welcomes 100,000 onlookers and “ice-cream lickers” arriving to admire the yachts and the rich and famous people of world. This Var town learned how to transform and adapt to its prestigious clientele’s desires without losing its provincial soul. Luxury shops blossom on street corners and a hundred harbour mooring spaces are earmarked for voyaging boats. Yet, the fish market and the traditional market easily coexist with all this. Hotel complexes followed this development and nowadays Saint Tropez has nearly 2,000 bedrooms spread over 69 hotels, among which are 2 luxury four star, 14 four star, 9 particularly high standing and 30 three star hotels are available.

Unique beaches

There is no typical day in Saint-Tropez but some sites are a must see: a visit to the market, a rest at the Sénequier with its red shades, the most famous on the Côte d’Azur, a game of pétanque (French bowls) in the Place des Lices, a stroll past the clubs whose fame has gone beyond the borders... And how to resist the desire to laze away on the exquisite beaches? The Bouillabaisse, The Ponche, the Graniers, the Canebiers, the Moutte or the Salins for unpretentious and tranquil moments. The private beaches of Pampelonne, in Ramatuelle, for moods as numerous as there are signs. From the chic and legendary Club 55 to the very club-like Nikki Beach. These are the extraordinary wonders that every year attract the newly privileged and numerous regulars. Amongst these regulars, some have been lucky enough to become homeowners in Saint-Tropez or Ramatuelle. Lucky because the offers are far fewer than the demand. And there is no chance of this changing as land for development is almost non-existent. The treasure trove of Saint-Tropez must be earned and paid for. For many years already, the most demanded areas have been the same: Graniers, Parcs de Saint-Tropez, Salins, Canoubiers, Capon and the Sainte-Anne quarter. Cap Tahiti and Loumède, in the village of Ramatuelle, are also much sought after.

Up to 40 million euros

“The clientele still today remains composed of 50% French nationals and 50% foreigners. Amongst the French, the Parisians have the majority with 70% and amongst the foreigners, the British, the Belgians and the Scandinavians dominate” comments Olivier Le Quellec, manager of the estate agency Transacmer in Saint- Tropez. Each client has a clear-cut idea of the product sought after. “We have seen people buy a property for 10-12 million euros and then demolish everything to rebuild according to their own taste”, Mr Le Quellec explains adding: “The very wealthy buy for themselves. They would never consider renting their house. For them, it is a great indulgence and they will stay there exclusively with their family or friends. At least during the few first years. They then might find them good for renting”. Insofar as rent is concerned, houses are negotiated, during the summer, from between 30,000, 40,000 and up to 200,000 euros per month. And there is always someone willing to pay! To be seen in Saint-Tropez remains a must. “To acquire a house with a sea view, you need to reckon on at least 10 million euros and the prices can go as high as 40 millions euros. In two years time, it will go up to 70 millions euros” observes Olivier Le Quellec. If you let go off a sea view, the price range starts from around 2 million euros. “In fact, the millions of French Francs from 1997-1998 became millions of Euros”. Of course, the estate agent remarks that these figures are only valid for the most sought-after areas, reminding us that even in Saint-Tropez, some goods cannot be sold.

Real estate market and masterpieces

These astronomical prices cannot be equated to similar goods sold in other regions of France, “nowadays customers have a global vision of the market. They do not compare house prices in Saint-Tropez to that of the neighbouring village or of Paris, but rather with goods in London or on Mosquito Island. A parallel can be drawn in the art market. For instance a Picasso has the same value whether it be in Paris or in Japan”, explains Olivier Le Quellec. Saint-Tropez has become like a prestigious brand. To acquire a property in Saint-Tropez is also to acquire “social status”. People pay for more than the real estate value, they pay for an image. And the rarity of the offers means that the prices do not drop. At Transacmer, it has already been noted that the year 2007 is a good one and that prices are always on the increase. Would this trend be a 1 or 2 figure increase? It is still too early to tell. In April and May, negotiations toughen. To be sure to be able to enjoy you purchase the very same summer, you need to be nitpicker. Olivier Le Quellec notices peak activity period around Easter weekend, the end of June, but also in August, the first week of September and during December and January. To settle the prices, the estate agent tries to calm the eagerness of some purchasers but also knows how to anticipate the market by displaying prices high enough in the first year so as to be able to justify them the following year. The buyer then has the cards in hand. It is for him to know if he would prefer to pay a high price to get what he wants or if he is ready to let the opportunity to buy the house he has been dreaming about for such a long time pass by. In fact, even for large transactions such as those carried out in the Tropezian peninsula, impulse purchases are not that rare!