How much do the richest earn in France? According to the Observatory of Inequalities, you must demonstrate a standard of living higher than 3,489 euros per month for a single person, after taxes and social benefits, to be among the 10% of the wealthiest French people. 6.4 million people are affected, according to the organization. Where do these 10% of the wealthiest French people live? Here again, the Observatory of Inequalities is interested in the question.
Before answering, a clarification is necessary: depending on the place of residence, the standard of living for being part of the richest 10% can vary considerably. In Paris, this requires a standard of living of 6,000 euros per month for a single person, after taxes. Within the capital itself, this threshold varies depending on the district: 12,423 euros in the 7th arrondissement, compared to 5,825 euros in the 15th arrondissement.
Some small provincial towns manage to compete with the districts of the capital where the rich are the richest. Thus, if we only take into account cities with less than 20,000 inhabitants, as the Observatory of Inequalities did, one city in particular stands out. To be among the richest 10% of the municipality, a single person must have a monthly standard of living of at least 10,039 euros after taxes. A profile that real estate professionals who work in the sector often encounter.
“This city is a somewhat special marketrecognizes Grégoire Ugarte, director of a real estate agency Orpi. It's a town that hosts a lot of second homes, with more than half of the buyers being foreigners.” If this small town, with around 3,000 inhabitants, is so popular with foreigners, it is because it has several advantages. First of all, its integration into the transport network. “What makes this city attractive compared to other municipalities with a similar geographical location is its proximity to major roadsindicates our interlocutor. Towards Annecy first, but also towards Switzerland and the rest of the region, because in less than 15 minutes by car, you are on the motorway.”
This town, as you will no doubt have understood, is located in Haute-Savoie. This is Veyrier-du-Lac. Also to its credit is direct access to Lake Annecy, a UNESCO world heritage site. “In Veyrier, you will find mainly large houses, with land that can be quite large, and, above all, with a fairly privileged view of the lake, or even with a pontoon”. If this town is also popular with wealthy people, it is also because it is located outside the urban area of Annecy and enjoys good exposure to the sun. “In Veyrier, you are on the right side of the lake, with less congested roads and more sunshine.”
But to find a property in this haven of peace, it is better to be patient, because real estate transactions are rare. “It’s a niche market, in which there are very few transactions, between 15 and 20 each year, maximum,” reveals Grégoire Ugarte. According to our local market expert, buyers are, for the most part, very wealthy retirees looking for a second home to accommodate their families. “The entry level is 3 million euros,” recalls our expert. At that price, you have a house of 200 square meters, with a garden and a view of the lake.” Properties Le Figaro lists, for its part, 21 offers of houses for sale in Veyrier-du-Lac, with sales prices varying between 2.9 million and 10.5 million euros.
