Puy de Dome Property Insight

The Puy-de-Dôme department belongs to the Auvergne region. Its name originates from a stunning volcanic mountain. The prefecture of Puy de Dome is Clermont Ferrand department accounts for about 624,000 inhabitants called the Puydômois. It is bordered with Allier, Loire, Haute-Loire, Cantal, Corrèze and Creuse.

Overview

Like all the other French departments, Puy de Dome was created in 1790 as a consequence of the French revolution. The territory covering the department corresponds approximately to the historical region named ‘Basse Auvergne’ (Lower Auvergne). The department offers outstanding mountains such as the Puy de Dôme (1,465m), the Puy de Sancy (1,886m), monts du Forez (1,634m) and Chaîne des Bois Noirs (1,287m).

Puy-de-Dôme can be split into six territories: pays des Combrailles, pays de Riom Limagne, Clermont-Volcans, Livradois-Forez, Pays d’Issoire Val d’Allier and Sancy-Volcans. The whole department has a wonderful and unspoilt nature as well as many monuments (castles, churches, etc) and museums which testify the rich past of this part of France.

Puy de Dome Immobilier & Property Market Trends

Since the national average for a property to buy in 2009 is €3,197 / square metre, the Puy-de-Dôme department is affordable in terms of real estate market. The average price in May 2009 was €1,691 / square metre. A new apartment cost about €2,151/sq m at the same period, a house €1,529/sq m and a farm €1,691/sq m.

Prices vary within the department, Clermont-Ferrand being the most expensive city even if it still has properties to offer at reasonable prices. For instance, for an apartment, it cost about €1,610/sq m in Clermont-Ferrand’s area (average), €1,500/sq m in Issoire’s area and €1,450 in Riom’s area.

As regards rentals, the average price for a property to buy is €11.33/sq m, which is under the national average of €12.22/sq m. The majority of properties in the department are main houses (83%), second homes representing almost 9% of the total number of dwellings. The proportion of vacant properties is almost 8%. Why not invest in a property in the Puy-de-Dôme department and enjoy its natural setting all year round or for some holidays in France?

To get updated info about property prices in Puy de Dôme, please browse our French Property Market Reports published in the News Section every month.

5 Reasons to Buy a Property in Puy de Dome

• Activities: the department offers plenty of activities which can satisfy everybody. Given the setting, the activity which is the most practised in the area is definitely hiking. The volcanoes are perfect places to hike in a natural area with some friends or family. Puy de Done is also home to a certain number of ski resorts such as Mont-Dore, Super Besse and Chastreix-Sancy. People have the possibility to do hydrotherapy in several towns (La Bourboule, Châtel-Gyon, Royat). The lake Aydat is much appreciated amongst the locals. You can practise all kind of water sports there.

• Nature: Puy-de-Dôme boasts natural landscapes which attract thousands of tourists every year. The Parc des Volcans d’Auvergne is the largest regional nature park of France and spreads over 120km on the Cantal and Puy-de-Dôme departments. This park accounts for 4 nature reserves in the Puy de Dome department. The park offers of course a beautiful fauna and flora. The regional nature park of Livradois-Forez can also be found in the area. The gorges of the Sioule River are breathtaking…

• Tourism - sights: there are plenty of monuments and places of interest which should not be missed when visiting Puy-de-Dôme. Many towns and villages are home to wonderful churches of Romanesque churches such as Issoire, Mozac, Clermont-Ferrand (Notre-Dame du Port, listed in the World Heritage of UNESCO), Orcival, Saint-Nectaire or Saint-Saturnin. Outstanding castles can also be found in the area in the following towns: La Roche-Aigueperse, Busséol, Chazeron, Cordès, Murol… For those interested in volcanoes, you should definitely visit ‘Vulcania’, a scientific centre about volcanism.

• Gastronomy: the Auvergne region has many delicious cheeses to offer. In the Puy-de-Dôme department, the local cheese is the fourme d’Ambert. This cheese is one of the oldest of the country. It is labelled AOC cheese since 1972 and is a pasteurized cow’s milk blue cheese with a cylindrical shape. Let’s taste the local produce and enjoy cheese with a glass of good wine! An actual delight!

• Location – transport infrastructure: being located in the centre of France, the Auvergne region may not be as easily accessible as regions along the Atlantic coast or the Mediterranean See. However, Puy-de-Dôome is very well-linked to the rest of France. It is located at the crossroads of 4 motorways (A71, A72, A75, A89) and the international airport of Clermond-Ferrand (Clermont-Aulnat) offers flights to 18 cities in France and Europe.

Local Property Market: 4 Popular Towns

• Beaumont property: located in Clermont Ferrand surroundings, Beaumont is a lovely town, at the heart of a volcanic area. Owing to its location next to Auvergne’s administrative centre, the town is part of a very dynamic set. With €2,070/sq m Beaumont can be said to be a rather affordable area.
• Clermont Ferrand property: the prefecture of the department is a ‘town of Art and History’ and houses thus plenty of wonderful monuments and places of interest. There are good rental opportunities in Clermont-Ferrand which is also a student city and important business centre.
• Issoire property: specializing in metalwork, Issoire boasts great monuments and sites, delightful gastronomy, beautiful landscapes and tranquility. Property is affordable in the town, this is a good location for a second or main home.
• Riom property: a town of art and history, Riom is definitely worth seeing. Typical architecture, amazing scenery, volcanoes visits and delightful gastronomy, everybody should be seduced by the town. In terms of property prices, houses are quite cheap and apartments are ideal for investors. Indeed, the rental market in Riom is excellent.

Property Styles and Architecture in Puy de Dome

• Farmhouses: these properties have a great potential, especially once they are renovated. They are made of stone and are located in the countryside, offering thus wonderful views over the area and the mountains. Farmhouses come with outbuildings which can also be renovated and sold separately. Given the size of the outbuildings, it is not rare to see barns for sale only, without the farmhouse it came with.

• Castles and manors: there are many luxury properties for sale in the department. Generally dating from the 19th century, these properties have large dimensions and come with a piece of land of several hectares. Manors and castles are very sought-after and are great investments for bed&breakfast or gites. This kind of properties come with numerous outbuildings . They are often constructed in stone or local materials. Castles may have towers, giving the charm of medieval properties. These properties have many rooms as well as many windows and an imposing entrance gate.

Click here for more info about Auvergne’s Architecture.