Permis de construire. Before building on a terrain constructible the owner must obtain a building permit (permis de construire) from the local mayor's office. For each terrain constructible there is a pre-established ratio of land size to the surface of the structure. This ratio is called the coefficient d'occupation des sols, or cos. The cos determines the maximum size of the habitable structure that may be built on the terrain. This maximum surface area of the house is called surface habitable oeuvre net, often referred to by its acronym, shon.

For example, on a one-hectare (10,000 m2) terrain with a cos of .05, one may construct a house of up to - but not exceeding - 500 m2 (10,000 m2 size of parcel X .05). On a 6,000 m2 terrain, the maximum shon is 300 m2 (6,000 m2 X .05). Another significant measurement of permissible space is surface habitable oeuvre brut (shob). This is the shon plus certain adjacent spaces like an outside terrace or attached garage.

Hectares and acres. A hectare is 2.47 acres. A hectare is comprised of 10,000 m2. Thus a 5,000 m2 parcel is 1.235 acres. A 2,750 m2 parcel is .68 of an acre (2.47 X .275).

It is rare that one finds a well-situated terrain constructible in Provence. The following terrains are all constructible.

• GOULT (Povence, Luberon)

CONSTRUCTIBLE LAND: A permit to construct a 238 m2 (2,560 sq. ft.) single-level house and a swimming pool on this property has been officially granted by the commune of Goult and by d�partmental authorities. Construction must begin on the foundation by February 2010. Once the foundation is complete the rest of the structure may be completed later.


SIZE: Approximately 3,000 m2 (.75 acre)


LOCATION: On Chemin de la Bounotte, legally within the limits of the village of Goult, some 200 meters beyond the village residential area. It is a five-minute walk from the land to the central square of Goult.


LOCATION: Northeast over the Luberon Mountains, with a view of Mont Ventoux.


TERRAIN: Sloping from a stone wall on the west to the small road on the east. Currently the land consists of tall trees, an open field and scrub brush.


WATER AND SEWER: The house will be connected to water and sewer from the village of Goult.
COMMENTS: This land is situated just beyond the residential sector of Goult, one of the most celebrated villages in the central Luberon. Property values in Goult traditionally run 10 to 15 percent higher than other Luberon villages, with the exception of Gordes and Bonnieux.

While the property is on a small road and is within easy walking distance of the village, it is not overseen by neighbors and is untroubled by traffic noise.

As any resident or real estate in the central Luberon can tell you, it is extremely rare to find a constructible parcel of land in this sector. Because of local regulations as well as strictures imposed for the Parc National du Luberon, a parcel that is in a desirable location, nuisance-free and reasonably priced is an extremely rare commodity in the Luberon, in particular in the sought-after area between Gordes and Goult. This property is a excellent opportunity for the buyer seeking a second home. With an asking price of 265,000 �, it is also a unique opportunity for an investor seeking to capitalize on the steadily rising property values in the central Luberon.


COST AND TIME OF CONSTRUCTION: Architectural plans have been drawn up for the construction of a 238 m2 three-bedroom, three-bath house on one level using high-grade materials. The cost of construction is estimated at around 650,000 �. This figure includes landscaping and a swimming pool of around 5 m X 10 m. A central air-conditioning and under-floor heating system by heat pump is estimated at an additional 40,000 �. The buyer will have full say as to choice of colors and materials.

CONSTRUCTION TIME: Estimated at 15 to 18 months. Contractors have already been identified and are prepared to begin construction on short notice.

PRICE: 265,000 €