Properties for sale - listings in the Pyrénées Orientales, French Catalonia

Property listings, real estate for sale in the Pyrénées Orientales in Languedoc Roussillon

These are just a few of the properties available for sale in French Catalonia, the Pyrénées Orientales.  If you don't see what you're looking for contact me and I'll help you find it.

All properties

Choosing the right property in the the Pyrenees Orientales

Once you have decided to buy property in the Pyrenees Orientales you want to be sure that you make the right choice.  We've put together a collection of information to make the process easier for you.

Typical Property in the Pyrenees Orientales
Explanation of some common French real estate terms
Starting Prices in the P-O (66)
What you need to know before you buy property in French Catalonia

Making that choice

In terms of type of property, it is important to decide what its purpose is, depending on whether it is a primary or secondary residence.

In either case, do you want to simply move straight in, unpack the suitcases and start living? Or do you want to make a statement and take it apart? How much space do you really need and how much garden? (Do you like full scale gardening each time you come out to the property or would you prefer to snooze in the deckchair?) Which rooms are most important to you and why?

If it’s a second property, are you going to make regular visits to escape the rat race and shut it up for the remainder of the time or are you looking primarily for an investment to rent out most or all of the year? Also, it’s imperative to bear in mind ease of cleaning and maintenance as well lock-up and leave. The former particularly applies when you are not there (who will tend the garden and/or pool?) but is equally important when you are there!

In terms of location within the P-O, if it is for your own occupation, it is equally important to consider:

a) What you like doing in your free time since this will dictate where you should aim for. Are you intending to go for an early morning dip in the sea or do you prefer walks in the pure mountain air, for instance?

b) If you are a coastal person, how much year-round activity you want. Would you prefer a resort attached to a fishing village and thus 'alive' all year round to some degree (such as Collioure, Port-Vendres or Banyuls-sur-Mer) or are you happy to live in an area that functions on one cyclinder as opposed to four in season (i.e. man-made resorts such as St Cyprien Plage, Canet Plage and Argeles Plage).
Be aware that peak season is short out here - generally 2 months (July/August). Following the peak, September is still lively in one cyclinder areas, but by the end of October most shops are closed together with a number of restaurants & bars (apart from the essentials). November is quiet, December quieter still - rolling into January and February. Things start to come back to life from March onwards - Easter being the turning point. All in all, 4-5 months are very low-key.

c) If you want to be near the beach, what type of beach you prefer. The coastline alters dramatically here. Vast expanses of unbroken golden sand stretch for miles all the way from Port-Bacares down to Argeles Plage, but thereafter the rocky coast takes over offering the intrepid explorer a mixture of smaller and predominantly rocky beaches (albeit some sandy) tucked away in creeks and coves.

b) What kind of climate you prefer. Remembering that the coast is likely to be warmer than the mountains in winter and that certain areas will be more sheltered from the Tramontane than others.

c) What type of landscape speaks to you; are you the sort of person that needs to be surrounded by green valleys or is a deep blue sea more appealing?

d) How fundamental direct access to Spain and Andorra is, if you are intending to make regular trips. Remember that the Tech Valley offers some of the best access into Spain – notably via Ceret & Le Boulou. Andorra is most easily reached via the Tet Valley.

Conversely, location is equally important if you intend to rent the property out, of course; you need to make sure that the area is both suitable and profitable.

Fortunately in the P-O, whatever location you choose, you are never far away from the Med, the mountains, the countryside or indeed Spain and Andorra!