Elles ont tout pour plaire : Maisons de luxe

In Normandy, near Deauville, luxury real estate agent Grégory Vallée is orchestrating a photoshoot for a 4.7 million euro mansion. This 468 m2 property boasts 13 rooms, including seven en-suite bedrooms, and is listed by Vallée's agency, which earns a 5% commission, or 235,000 euros. Vallée emphasizes that a successful photo should evoke a desire to visit, highlighting the mansion's key selling points: a sun-drenched terrace, an infinity pool, and a rare 2-hectare park, all situated just 10 minutes from Deauville. This focus on exceptional properties comes as the traditional real estate market slows, while sales of multi-million euro homes surge across France. The demand for luxury properties—from Parisian apartments and seaside villas to country castles—is booming, driving prices to record highs. Locations like Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the French Riviera see prices reaching up to 38,000 euros per square meter, catering to the growing number of millionaires and billionaires. The emergence of 573 new ultra-rich individuals last year fuels this market, benefiting specialized real estate agencies and related industries like interior design and pool construction. In Paris, near the Eiffel Tower, apartment hunter Olivia Sanson is shown a 40-million-euro duplex by luxury real estate agent Gaïané Martinico. This 670 m2 apartment in the 7th arrondissement exemplifies extreme luxury, featuring fingerprint entry, Carrara marble floors, gold-leaf moldings, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. It includes a wine cellar for approximately 100 bottles and another larger cellar. The apartment is designed for entertaining, with a vast living room, library, and four suites equipped with advanced technology, such as a double-sided TV screen. The property also boasts a private cinema, a sports room with a dance area, a hair salon, a jacuzzi, a sauna, and even a dance hall. Gaïané highlights the Eiffel Tower view from the terrace as a significant selling point for her wealthy American client, whose wife loves Paris and is the inspiration for this extravagant gift. Gaïané is confident in selling this property, noting a 150% increase in high-end sales in her Parisian agency. The luxury real estate boom is nationwide. In Deauville, Normandy, the parent company of Grégory Vallée's agency opened a new branch, joining six other luxury real estate agencies that have established themselves in the area over the past two years. Demand in Normandy has jumped 53% in a year, with prices increasing by 18% in the last year alone, driven by a significant imbalance between high demand and a 29% decrease in available properties post-lockdown. Agents like Grégory, who have relocated from Paris, are capitalizing on this market. A prospective buyer, a property dealer from Paris, is shown Vallée's listed manor house. The agent emphasizes the magnificent, flat 2-hectare park as a rare asset in the region. The buyer, seeking a lifestyle change from the Paris region, finds Deauville ideal, noting the convenience of working remotely and the proximity to Paris. The visit proceeds smoothly, with the agent highlighting the spacious rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and the overall luxurious feel of the property. However, the 5 million euro asking price is slightly above the buyer's initial budget, necessitating further consideration. On the French Riviera, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the most exclusive Mediterranean peninsula, is a prime location for luxury real estate, particularly sought after by Russian oligarchs. Despite assets being partly frozen due to the war in Ukraine, prices remain exceptionally high, making it France's most expensive city. Vanda Demeure, a renowned luxury real estate agent, is showcasing a 16 million euro, 440 m2 modern house to interior designer Brigitte Chocron, representing an American family. While the house features palm trees and a Miami-like atmosphere, Brigitte finds the layout and sea views disappointing. Vanda then presents a second property, a 650 m2 architect-renovated villa typical of the region, priced at 24.5 million euros. This property impresses Brigitte with its exceptional sea view, beautiful garden, and swimming pool. The villa also includes an indoor swimming pool and a home spa, with Vanda noting that such amenities are crucial for high-end properties. Brigitte is highly impressed and believes her clients will love it. Vanda also handles the sale of a 10th-century castle in the Var department, a historical monument priced at 18 million euros. The potential buyer, traveling from London, is a Francophile commodities trader looking to establish an artist residency. The castle, spanning 5000 m2 with 100 rooms and a 16-hectare garden, offers numerous reception rooms, 25 en-suite bedrooms, and private access to a village church. The furniture is also for sale at an additional 2.7 million euros. The owner, who renovated the castle over 18 years, is particular about its next owner. The buyer's vision for an artist residency aligns with the property's potential for exhibitions and concerts, making the sale a strong possibility. Interior decorator Stéphanie Coutas is also busy, renovating a villa in Saint-Tropez for a wealthy Frenchman. The 2-million-euro renovation project, plus 600,000 euros for exteriors, aims for a contemporary atmosphere, featuring custom-made elements like a 30,000 euro marble table and a mirror that doubles as a television in the master suite bathroom. The design incorporates elements of grand hotel living, including a mini-bar in the master suite for convenience. The garden includes a swimming pool and spa, reflecting an art of living rather than just wealth. On the Cap-Ferret peninsula, near Bordeaux, houses in the shade of pine trees are fetching up to 25,000 euros per square meter, many with private swimming pools. Melissa Jura, from a high-end swimming pool company, is advising Isabelle and Laurent on installing a spa at their contemporary villa. The couple, who previously had a pool installed by the company, wants to enhance their outdoor living space. They are considering embedding the spa in the green space or placing it closer to the house for easier access, especially in winter. The company's full-size spa template helps them visualize the space. Spas have seen a 30% increase in popularity since the lockdown, offering a moment of self-care and disconnection. The couple ultimately decides to place the spa on the side of the terrace, enabling them to spend summer nights under the stars with their "bed on wheels."