Hyères Property Insight

Hyères is a French town located 16km east of Toulon in the Var department and in the Provence Alpes Cotes D’azur region. It is the southernmost town of PACA situated on the Mediterranean coast. This is also one of the most expanded towns of France, with 30km between its edges. It includes Giens peninsula and Hyères isles.

This holiday resort is also called Hyères-les-Palmiers in consequence of the 7,000 palm trees planted all over the commune which grew in local tree nurseries. Palm trees are said to have appeared in the area about four centuries ago. In 1887 in Hyères, a French writer invented the term ‘French Riviera’.

Overview

Hyères holds over 23,000ha area, only 1/3 of which is urbanized. The town offers wonderful diversified scenery: 39km of coasts with fine sandy beaches and rocky creeks, flourished and green countryside, hills, massif, valley, wood, marshes and palm trees. People are seduced by the commune’s weather and seashore. Its microclimate allowed the culture of exotic vegetable species, palms, citrus fruit and other trees and plants needing hot temperature. Almost all the locals know Hyères’ parks such as Olbius Riquier Park, Sainte Claire Park or Saint-Bernard Park. You can take a walk along the pond and flowers.

Hyères is a multiple-status Mediterranean town: the former rural burg composed of farmers and fishers became a holiday resort and a French Riviera seaside resort. Due to its heritage, location and climate, the commune represents an exceptional touristy destination. Indeed, the area is a protected environment both as regards sea and earth. Furthermore, it offers its visitors and residents a Provencal hinterland and a great quality of life. Everything is gathered to spend either wonderful holidays or everyday life: sea and its numerous activities, isles for exotic times, gastronomy and land produce such as wine, nature in the backcountry, good weather with 300 days sun a year.

Hyères Immobilier & Property Market Trends

Property prices in Hyères are quite high compared with France’s average in 2009. Indeed, the price for a property for sale is €3,794/ square metre (national average: €3,197/sq m). This may be explained mainly by its location (French Riviera) and touristy attractions (sea, lifestyle, gastronomy). As regards rental prices, they are also above the national average: €14.33/ sq m a month against €12.22/ sq m a month. With 46.8% of tenants in the town, this seems to be a good market for a buy-to-let investment, especially in summer. Being a touristy location, Hyères houses hundreds of visitors both French and foreigners. If you are looking to settle in, the area is also a great location either for holidays or for a sunny retirement.

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

6 Reasons to Buy a Property in Hyères

• Cultural heritage: Hyères welcomes several festivals each year amongst which we can quote the International Festival of fashion and photography (it gathers numerous designers, photographers, gallery owners…), Hyères Jazz Festival (local, national and international artists perform all days long) and French Song Festival (beginning of August).

• Gourmet food: the town has no typical dish on offer but the fact remains that you can find astonishing regional specialities. The Bouillabaisse fish stew, tapenade (mashed olives and capers mixed with olive oil), ratatouille vegetable blend (summer vegetables such as onions, red and green peppers, courgettes, aubergines, tomatoes, olive oil and Provencal herbs), Provencal stew cooking (beef, boar or octopus, pasta and gruyere cheese) and Orange wine are to be tasted absolutely!

• Tourism: Hyères offers different kinds of tourism so that everyone should be seduced by the area. Green tourism is the best type of trip if you are a nature lover: 30km of coasts, 30% of wood, 20km of sandy beaches and rocky creeks, great wildlife, marshes, flowers and so on. If you are looking for a town rich in historical monuments to settle in, then Hyères is a great location. Cultural tourism is a way to discover Olbia archaeological excavation, Saint Paul collegiate church, Saint Louis church, Templiers Towers as well as ramparts and vestiges of the castle. Finally, the town is also an excellent place for health tourism: salt-water spa and balneotherapy allow to spend good times in a wonderful landscape.

• Activities & hobbies: Hyères has been part of the French station nautique since 1989. It is a first-rate water destination offering heavenly beaches, creeks and coasts. Water sports are a common activity there: sailing, jet skiing, windsurfing, water skiing and so on can be practiced there. You can also practise horse riding, hiking, cycling, tennis and other sports of this kind. The town is a thriving one where anyone will be satisfied.

• Location – Transport links: Hyères is easily reachable by all means of transport. The international airport provides flights to national and European destinations such as Stockholm, Bristol, Ajaccio (Corsica), Paris, London, Brest, Brussels and Rotterdam. The railway station travels to Paris with its high-speed line and to Marseille with regional trains. Four marinas hold 3,150 rooms and regular routes lead to the town’s isles (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and Le Levant).

• Wine and alcoholic drinks: when speaking about Provence’s wines, anyone think about a fresh rosé to be drunk in a terrace. The Var department holds a know-how kept by its wine-growers. In Hyères, several vineyards may be discovered all year long. Some of them are a point of interest as regards architecture. By visiting the wineries, you can savour local wines. The most renowned appellation is probably Cotes de Provence

Property Styles and Architecture in Hyères

• Villas: you will find many villas in the French Riviera. Hyères is not an exception, these charming properties are modern, luxury and luminous. They come with a swimming pool, a garden/land planted with trees, automatic gate, terrace, garage, outbuildings, courtyard and parking. They have large rooms and bedrooms, painted walls and Provencal-tiled roof.

• Apartments: the town houses over 60% of apartments, which are thus the main means of accommodation. They are sometimes built in housing estate and thus offer some facilities such as swimming pool, parking and automatic gate. Apartments are located close to all amenities and especially near the seafront and marina. They are a great kind of property if you are looking for a buy-to-let investment as the town is a touristy location.

Click here for more info about Provence Alps Cote d'Azur Architecture.