Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are very popular places to live, but nevertheless have differing types of customers. The mobile dynamic international clientele of Biarritz often contrasts with the more family oriented and comfortably-off customers of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where the safe beaches, the natural surroundings and the possibility of having everything within walking distance are major assets.

Property prices across the Basque Coast in southwestern France remain stable on average, reports Christie’s International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate Côte Ouest Immobilier. Prices of exceptional properties are rising steadily while prices of average and mid-range properties continue to drop.

The market for luxury real estate is doing quite well and properties valued at over one million euros are weathering the crisis. Top range real estate is focused on micro markets, which are relatively independent from economic conditions.

Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz on are very popular places to live in, although both have different types of customers. The mobile dynamic international clientele of Biarritz often contrasts the more family oriented market of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, where the beautiful beaches, the natural surroundings and local amenities are all within walking distance.

Buyers' objectives in these two areas are quite different: Buyers in Biarritz are looking for a rental property or to buy a second home while in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, they are more often retirees who wish to settle there.

Those wishing to purchase property in Saint-Jean-de-Luz are mainly looking to live in the town center where everything is accessible by foot unlike those in Biarritz who don't mind about distances so much. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, buyers appreciate the family atmosphere and are used to coming here on holiday year after year. The most sought after areas are undoubtedly Sainte-Barbe and Aice Errota. The former dominates the sea and the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, yet is close to the town and the beach. The second retains its original charm. It should be noted that these neighborhoods have a very low turnover rate; this means that the house prices are very high in the city center.

Houses in Saint-Jean-de-Luz are more difficult to find than in Biarritz and this shortage of properties has caused an explosion in prices which on average are higher than in Biarritz and elsewhere on the coast. Prices in the Saint-Charles district have increased significantly because in recent years, property there was undervalued compared to the surrounding neighborhoods (Edward VII or Miramar for example) and also because this area has many old houses, which, when renovated, are proving to be perfect second or vacation homes. Recently house renovations have also become less unpleasant as buyers are becoming keen to go through them.

The same applies to land (demand greatly exceeds supply), the average prices in Biarritz are higher than those of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The explanation seems to come from the fact that attractive plots are rare around Biarritz while there are more plots available around St Jean de Luz, which are considered less attractive.  Finally, certain land close to Saint-Jean-de-Luz is "stagnant," this is due to the uncertainty of the final location of the new high speed rail line which has not yet been fixed.

So the market is fairly stable, but one thing is certain: the Basque coast, and in particular its seaboard still attracts a great deal of interest.