Go Burgundy to stay in the black

In the famous-name wine villages that line Burgundy’s Côte d’Or, the property market is as sturdy as the vines that grip the soil. Homes rarely appear for sale but, when they do, change hands in an instant. Like its wine the Côte d’Or’s housing market is about quality rather than quantity and as such is offering some serious French resistance to the economic downturn.

France quenches a quarter of the world’s thirst for wine yet, despite recognition on a global stage, Burgundy produces just 3% of this haul. This maths can be readily likened to the property market within the Burgundy region. The region as a whole is not unlike many other attractive areas of France in terms of property development yet the sophisticated Côte d’Or, which snakes from Dijon south through Beaune, offers up minimal opportunities for house-hunters preferring instead to dedicate the landscape to prosperous vines. It is this inherent wealth that insulates Côte d’Or from any house price tumbles and keeps the area interesting for the discerning property investor.

Su Bishop of Arena Park France, specialists in high-quality conversions in the area, comments, “Homes in the Côte d’Or tend to pass silently from family member to family member so, as a renovator of old stone property, we have to remember that patience is a virtue. In the rarity a house becomes publicly available it’ll invariably be relatively expensive and the owner will never have to contemplate reducing the price simply because they can afford to wait for that hungry buyer – not that there ever is a wait. Take the home Arena Park France is currently restoring in the wine village of Volnay just southwest of Beaune. This was the first property we’d seen in this village come to market in nine years and we bought and resold it within the week. We’re now fully renovating the ancient building into a stunning holiday home for the new British owners in time for autumn of this year. These elite vineyard areas enjoy a micro property market scarcely spotted in today’s depressed climate.”

Whilst other second home hotspots have courted the expat with home-from-home eateries and bargain bucket airfares the Côte d’Or, whilst accepting ‘outsiders’, has remained reassuringly French. Undoubtedly this authenticity has made it resilient to the fickle nature of both external economies and non-euro currencies.

On the Market in the Côte d’Or:

Detached Home in Puligny Montrachet
Impressive three bedroom stone house now being completely restored to include a new roof, insulation, re-jointing of the stonework and treatment of the original oak frame. On a quiet road, some 300m from Puligny Montrachet’s centre with its cafés and restaurants and just 12km from the town of Beaune, this home also enjoys some incredible views across the surrounding countryside. Set around a private south-facing courtyard, the living accommodation is bright and spacious with all bedrooms en-suite – the master with a Juliette balcony. Ample storage and a vaulted wine cellar complete this perfect lock-and-leave. Clients can participate in selecting final finishings including flooring, tiling and the kitchen.
Price 495,000 euros (excl. kitchen)

Large Village Homes in Meursault
At the heart of this famous wine village, these homes are in original stone buildings dating back to 1820. A two minute stroll from shops, restaurants and the bustling Friday market and just 8km from Beaune, the properties also have superb views across the vineyards. Complete refurbishment from roof to foundations will return the property to its original configuration with ‘The Townhouse’ facing the quiet lane accessing the vineyards and the ‘Courtyard House’ orientated towards the private courtyard with direct views onto neighbouring vines. Each of the two homes will have three en-suite bedrooms and open-plan living spaces with plenty of terraces. Wine cellars and off-street parking complete the package.

Clients can participate in selecting final finishings including flooring, tiling and the kitchen.
Price 495,000 euros to 520,000 euros (excl. kitchen)

For further information, visit arena-park.com